There is so much controversy around detoxes and cleanses due to the fact that the liver does it naturally. The truth is, your liver needs to be functioning properly in order to eliminate toxins and it requires quality nutrients. In the current world, we are presented with many environmental toxins on a daily basis that disrupt the liver function.
So detoxing isn't a myth?
Not necessarily! Yes, your body, specifically your liver, does a good job of eliminating toxins between the hours of 1:00 am - 3:00 am, but it needs help (particularly because we are exposed to so many toxins in our environment and food!)
Like what?
Every individual and situation is different but here are some examples --
When your Total Load (the sum of everything that stresses us physiologically) is too high. This has to do with environmental toxins from plastics and air pollution to cosmetics and cleaning supplies including xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are environmental toxins that mimic estrogen and interfere with your hormone balance. They’re found in plastic water bottles, skincare products, makeup and sunscreen. They are also added to food supply in the form of pesticides and herbicides.
Normally your body would process these extra toxins out through the liver. But due to nutrition choices, increased stress levels and liver-loaders such as alcohol and caffeine, your liver function is often compromised.
Food toxins like pesticides, additives, coloring/flavoring agents, MSG, and artificial sweeteners also disrupt your hormones. Your body is not equipped to properly metabolize these unfamiliar substances, and they contribute greatly to your Total Load which in turn puts extra stress on your body and causes your liver to not function properly.
Eating the Standard American Diet which includes excessive processed foods, robs your body of fiber and nutrients. The refined carbohydrates rapidly enter the bloodstream raising insulin levels. Insulin resistance results when this regulating mechanism is overworked, causing further hormone imbalances, including those that regulate your stress response. Overeating and the abuse of drugs and alcohol are additional reasons you would need to help your body detox. Without adequate nutrients, the liver is unable to successfully detoxify toxins from the body.
There are a few other situations in which we would want to help give your liver a little more love. If you are on hormonal birth control, if you aren’t sleeping during the hours when your liver should be detoxing (i.e. your circadian rhythm is off), if you are feeling sick, recovering from an illness or surgery or if you’re resetting your body after an intense elimination diet.
So how often should you do this?
We often think of detoxification as a drastic cleansing of the body which it can be, but it doesn't have to. Seasonal juice or broth (even water) fasting and very spare food intake are examples of this extreme type of regimen that should only occur for short periods of time (1-5 days).
Additionally, cleansing or detoxing can also be done on a daily basis as part of our everyday eating pattern.
Interesting, so how can I detox daily?
Detoxing through food and drinks is really beneficial! By choosing lighter, simply prepared foods, and nutrient dense drinks as well as increasing our detoxification abilities with potent Booster Foods, you can detoxify on a daily basis without disrupting your life!
Check in next week to learn exactly what you should be avoiding and incorporating in your diet in order to support your liver!
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