Why Cleansing Your Liver and Gallbladder
This thought of flushing an organ may sound weird or even scary for you. It doesn’t have to be when done properly and supervised. In reality, what we really talking about is helping the body to improve or restore its abilities to detoxify the body. Our bodies are bombarded with increased levels of toxins (episode #47).
What do I mean by detoxification…
Basically, there are 3 Phases of Detoxification. Although there are other organs involved in detoxification, the liver is a very important one and one organ you want to give some love to.
Phase I is where the body uses enzymes and nutrients to remove toxins in drugs, food additives, hormones, etc. It neutralizes a toxin so it can turn into a water-soluble so it can be secreted.
Now, if we are really congested and this transformation is not happening well and cannot continue to phase 2, it can be a problem.
Phase 2 is where toxins get turned into water-soluble. Amino acids play a key role here. They attach to the toxins to further neutralize and get them out of the body.
Phase 3 is where toxins are eliminated out of the digestive tract via bile, or via the kidneys in urine.
Clues Your Body Is Holding Extra Toxicity
The liver and gallbladder are important organs and your body, when clogged, will speak up. Here are some signs of dysfunction and reasons you may do to a good cleanse and even flush:
- Constipation, fatigue, and stomach pain
- Headaches, depression, and anxiety
- Irregular heartbeat, weight gain
- Sensitive to the smell of perfumes and chemicals
- Aches and pains, sore throat and cold sores
How The Cleanse and Flush Works
If you have been following a Standard American Diet for the most part, you will want to start making food swaps 3-4 weeks before the week of the flush. Either track your foods or make a list of foods you eat the most. Then, start swapping and/or adding foods that detoxify the body.
Here are a few examples of detoxifying foods…
- Garlic, onions, lemon, cruciferous vegetables like brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale.
- Onions, apples, beets, and loads of leavy greens vegetables.
- Adding more berries will boost antioxidants for the liver too. Go at it, baby!
Now, don’t be surprised if soon after you start getting rid of highly toxic foods and beverages, you experience fatigue, headaches, and other nasty side effects. Hang in there. Give your body a few days to adjust. It’s just like the sense of peace when once the storm is over.
The week prior to the flush’s week is the time for you to reduce consumption of toxic and inflammatory foods….
- Alcohol and cafeeine
- Sugars, including artificial sugards
- Milk and byproducts
- Processed foods and sauces
- GMO foods
- Eggs and animal protein
- Refined grainss
If you are thinking what you will eat, let me tell you, there are loads of yummy foods to eat. Focus on what you CAN EAT instead of what you are eliminating. Take charge of your brain.
Load that body up with examples of foods I just mentioned. Look at fermented foods like sauerkraut, natoo, and miso. Fruits, especially low glycemic such as berries, green apples, and lemons are great as well. Healthy fats such as coconut, avocados, and nuts and seeds are very welcomed. As far as protein, if you must have, focus on their quality and keep servings down.
