LIVER CLEANSE

Remove Toxic Foods from Your Diet. If you are eating a diet high in processed foods, you are putting the health of your liver at risk as these foods basically work against liver health. Hydrogenated oils, refined sugar, convenience foods, and lunch meats are notoriously toxic to your system. Hydrogenated oils, also known as "trans fats," have higher levels of saturated fat. The chemical structure of the oil itself has been altered to increase shelf life. Consumption of trans fats dramatically increases the risk of heart disease by 25 percent or more. In addition, it is believed that trans fats cause problems with our immune system and can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Added nitrates and nitrites, commonly found in convenience foods, fast foods, and lunch meats, have been linked to serious health conditions. These chemicals are used to preserve foods to make them last longer, inhibit bacteria growth and preserve color. Replace these foods immediately with liver-friendly healthy choices. Healthy foods taste great, and, with a bit of creativity, you can create healthful meals for your family that will support liver health. Roast your own organic chicken breast and turkey breast to replace deli meats for quick lunches and after school snacks. Replace chips and other processed snacks with fresh fruit, carrot sticks, nuts, and homemade granola bars.

Load Up on Potassium-Rich Foods Are you getting the recommended 4,700 milligrams per day of potassium? Chances are, you aren't. Potassium-rich foods help to lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping cleanse your liver. If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet.

Sweet Potatoes
Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato. A single medium sweet potato contains nearly 700 milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fiber and beta carotene content.
A sweet potato only has 131 calories, yet is rich with vitamins B6, C, D, magnesium, and iron. While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar.

Tomato Sauces (Not allowed on AIP)
Potassium, and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes, is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste. As an example, 1 cup of tomato puree contains 1,065 milligrams of potassium, but 1 cup of fresh tomatoes contains only 400 milligrams. When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes.
To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at 425 degrees F, until the skin has shriveled. Remove from the oven, and let cool. Slide the skins off and gently crush in your food processor or blender. Strain to remove seeds, if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, 1 to 2 hours.

Beet Greens and Spinach
Rich in antioxidants, beet greens contain over 1,300 milligrams of potassium per cup. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens. Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow.

Fresh organic spinach is easily added to your diet, and it's a good source of potassium, containing 840 milligrams per serving.

Beans (AIP use garbanzo beans only)
White beans, kidney beans, and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein, and fiber. Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favorite hummus recipe. Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks.

Blackstrap Molasses
Just 2 teaspoons of this rich all-natural syrup contains 10 percent of the daily-recommended amount of potassium. In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese, and copper. Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it. You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings. Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee while lowering the acidic taste.

Bananas
And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie. While in comparison to the other high potassium foods on this list, the banana's 470 milligrams of potassium are only part of the story. Bananas assist in digestion and help to release toxins and heavy metals from the body - all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.
Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately.

Milk Thistle is considered the "king" of detoxifying herbs, making it ideal for a liver cleanse. Milk thistle helps to eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver.
In addition, it helps to reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation. The active ingredient silymarin helps to strengthen the cell walls in the liver while supporting healthy regeneration. Milk thistle can be taken as a supplement or as a liver cleansing detox tea.

Turmeric reduces joint pain; is an effective antidepressant; aids in digestion; helps to restore a healthy blood sugar balance; and supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism. Currently, researchers are studying turmeric for a variety of health benefits for diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, breast health, prostate health, and chronic pain.

Dandelion Root
Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it populates yards every spring. But, this flower, and its root, is actually packed with vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps to strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn, and soothe digestive upset.
Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping to support liver function. Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form or as a detox tea.

Eat Real Liver or Take Liver Tablets
Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ10. The liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat.
If you can't stomach eating liver, you can take beef liver pills. Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle.

LIVER DETOX DRINK


  • Dilute cranberry juice with a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part cranberry juice
  • Put ¼ tsp each of nutmeg and ginger and a ½ tsp of cinnamon in a tea infuser and let steep in simmering water for 20 minutes
  • Allow to cool to room temperature. Add the juice of 3 oranges and 3 lemons and stir.
  • Sip throughout the day. You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water.

14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

  • Garlic: Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins.[1] Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
  • Grapefruit: High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, limes, and lemons support the natural cleansing abilities of the liver.[2] Have a small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice to boost the production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
  • Beets and Carrots: Both are extremely high in plant flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function.[3]
  • Green Tea: This liver-loving beverage is full of plant-based antioxidants known as catechins-compounds known to assist liver function.[4] Green tea is a delicious, healthy addition to any diet. Just remember that green tea offers the benefits, not green tea extract. Some research suggests green tea extract may actually have a negative effect on liver health.[5] Keep it simple and stick to the beverage to enjoy the benefits of green tea.
  • Leafy Green Vegetables: One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in chlorophyll, greens soak up environmental toxins from the bloodstream.[6] With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver. Incorporate leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will increase the creation and flow of bile-the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.
  • Avocados: This nutrient-dense superfood helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.[7]
  • Apples: High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.[2, 8]
  • Olive Oil: Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are great for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can absorb harmful toxins in the body.[9] In this way, they take some of the burden off the liver.
  • Alternative Grains. If your diet includes wheat, flour, or other standard grains, it's time to make changes. And alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat can help. Your liver is your body's filter for toxins, and if you have certain sensitivities, grains that contain gluten only add to them. One study found that persons who experienced sensitivity to gluten also experienced abnormal liver enzyme test results.[10]
  • Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of glucosinolate, which supports enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes flush carcinogens and other toxins from the body, and may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.[2]
  • Lemons and Limes: These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning can stimulate the liver.[2]
  • Walnuts high in the amino acid arginine, walnuts support the liver in detoxifying ammonia. [11] Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids,[12] which support normal liver cleansing.[13, 14] Make sure you chew the nuts until they are liquefied before swallowing.
  • Cabbage, much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage stimulates liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup, and sauerkraut are great cabbage-foods to add to your diet.[2]
  • Turmeric is the liver's favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detoxification by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary toxins. This golden spice tastes great in all kinds of dishes, but you can further boost your intake with a turmeric supplement. A word of warning; turmeric supplements are somewhat notorious for low-quality ingredients and even outright dangerous contamination.[15] Only buy the highest quality turmeric from the most reputable sources. I encourage you to try the Global Healing Center's own Turmeric supplement. This premium liquid supplement contains potent antioxidants and is sourced only from organic Curcuma longa root.


    Tips For Doing a Liver Cleanse

    Other liver cleanse foods not listed above include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and Brussels sprouts.

    Eating the foods listed above is a great way to help keep your liver functioning properly. However, for best results, I recommend performing a liver cleanse. Performing a liver cleanse at least twice a year will eliminate any foreign substances that may be trapped in your liver.