So many of our health problems today have their root causes in a liver that is congested.
Our systems are inundated with toxins on a daily basis, and since the main job of the liver is to filter out these toxins, for most of us especially as we age the liver becomes overwhelmed with this accumulation of sludge.
This leads to many of our health problems such as obesity, which leads to further health maladies.
Liver detoxification programs have therefore become quite popular for people trying to start a clean slate with our liver.
As with many good things turned commercial, some of these detox procedures do more harm than good.
Any procedure that cleanses the liver must also account for the fact that the liver has to function properly while the detoxification process is going on.
We don't go into a state of suspended animation when the body shuts down while the liver gets cleansed.
To ignore our liver's function for any period of time is asking for health problems.
Therefore detox procedures that decongest the liver make logical sense, but those with severe food restrictions combined with laxatives are potentially dangerous.
So we must take both long-term and short-term approaches to keep our liver clean, which means a diet which eliminates as many of these toxins as possible while cleansing the liver short-term using methods that don't traumatize the system.
Three that everyone that is considering the procedure should look at the following that are the least taxing on your system: 1.
Herbs and spices that cleanse the liver.
Many people consider the herb milk thistle as a natural detoxing agent.
It helps the liver to break down toxins, plus has potent antioxidant qualities and strengthens the outer walls of liver cells.
Milk thistle gets its power from silymarin, which is produced from the plants foliage.
The top spice for liver health is turmeric is a healing agent for the liver, and could possibly help to regenerate liver tissue.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and the medical community is now researching what this spice can do for the liver.
For cleansing the liver, herbs and spices are gentle, natural ways to do this.
2.
Overall diet for liver health.
Over and above the herbs and spices mentioned above, a liver-friendly diet as part of a long-term food plan.
This involves what to eat and what to avoid.
Eliminating foods that are truly dangerous to liver health, such as processed food, sugar and too much saturated fat, along with excessive alcohol is an easy first step.
Then adding to the diet fresh vegetables, fish, turkey and lean chicken, plenty of fiber and copious amounts of water will get you well on your way to liver health.
A good dietary benchmark is the well-known Mediterranean diet.
3.
Hot water in the morning.
This little concoction of squeezed fresh lemon, hot water and a few dashes of hot pepper sauce is something that is now in vogue.
The vitamin C in lemon eases liver inflammation, the hot pepper sauce boosts blood flow, and the hot water aids digestion and helps lubricate the liver.
The liver, like any filter needs to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Detoxing our liver can be attempted in one fell swoop, and there are merits to this if it is done right.
But we can do it on a gentler basis, and in so doing will be safer and more effective.