How to detox your liver

In our previous article, we discussed 10 Early Signs you have a toxic liver. We learned that the liver is the body’s most powerful filtration system helping to rid us of harmful toxins that cause acne, oily & dry skin, hair-loss, aging, hormonal imbalance, poor eyesight, allergies and even weight-gain. Those who have a healthy liver have beautiful skin, lush hair, strong nails, fewer wrinkles, a great metabolism and lots of energy! Who wouldn’t want that?

In this article, we will focus on small adjustments you can incorporate into your daily routine to finally have a liver-healthy diet and lifestyle. The following is a list of “Can Do’s” that can help jumpstart your liver function and revitalization:

• Eliminate carbonated drinks and refined, artificial and processed foods from your diet. This includes soft drinks, soda and even club soda, which is acidic. Refined, bleached flour items used to make cakes, cookies, biscuits, etc, should also be avoided. Steer clear from candy and artificial flavor and sweetness such as sucralose and aspartame. And lastly, do not consume prepackaged snack food.
• Substitute simple carbohydrates for complex ones, i.e. use wholewheat flour instead of white flour. Complex carbs are more nutritious and higher in fiber, making them beneficial to both your liver and your waistline :)
• Drink lots of spring water! Tap water oftentimes contains significant levels of heavy metals and other substances that can be toxic to your liver and body. Spring water*, however, provides oxygen and trace minerals that are essential to the body and aid in brain function, good digestion and maintaining a healthy weight. Proper hydration helps the body to flush out toxins faster. For an added liver boost, drink a cup of warm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice in the morning!
• Detox your liver. Aggressive detoxes can be too harsh on your liver, which may lead to complications like severe purging. Instead, it’s best to choose a daily detox that is gentle on your liver and gradually cleanses the body over time. The reason this approach is better in the long run is because the liver accumulates toxins and waste every day via what we eat, drink, breathe and put on our bodies. So doing a quick detox, if effective, will only help with the toxins you’ve already accumulated up until today, not the ones you are bound to accumulate tomorrow. Most liver detoxes cannot be run back-to-back or for extended periods without major healthy risks. That’s why I suggest taking KAT Complete Skin Detox, the only daily liver detox supplement that uses safe and clinically-proven ingredients, including 22 vitamins, minerals, amino acids and ultra-foods to get your liver functioning at optimum levels. KAT’s Before & After photo testimonials are incredible and are a testament to the power of having a strong and healthy liver! Note: You can take KAT at its maximum dosage to detox your liver faster and then decrease the dosage to a maintenance level or take it as-needed once you have reached your desired results.

• Cut down caffeine consumption and eliminate any syrups, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavoring and “natural flavors” from your cup of Joe. They may make your coffee tastier, but they wreak havoc on your liver!
• Limit fruit consumption! A high instake of fruit can overload the liver with sugar. Even though fruit is a far better alternative to any artificial sweets, too much fruit sugar can have a toxic effect on your liver.
• Decrease animal products in your diet, especially red meat and processed meats.
• Eliminate soy from your diet. Soy can cause hormonal imbalances in your liver, which is responsible for regulating sex hormones, thyroid hormones, cortisone and other adrenal hormones. The effects of consuming soy include acne, hormonal acne, allergies, weight gain, loss of libido, male-breast enlargement, etc.
• Eliminate or greatly reduce alcohol intake. If you do choose to have a drink, skip the beer and sugary drinks and opt for a glass of red wine or hard kombucha instead.
• Switch out toxic and poor-quality fats (i.e. canola, corn oil, margarine, etc) for healthier options, such as ghee, butter, coconut oil or rice bran oil.
• Reconsider your beauty routine. Many lotions and cremes have many toxins and chemicals that can penetrate the skin barrier and get into your body, which eventually accumulate in the liver. Instead, use natural, fragrance-free beauty products that are free of parabens, lead, aluminum, phthalates, sulfates and other potentially toxic compounds. If you are looking for a natural soap that both cleanses and protects the skin from free-radicals that cause premature aging, wrinkles and dry skin, check out Starry Night Ultra-lush 24k Gold soap. Not only does this soap hydrate your skin and leave it feeling smooth and supple, but it also smells like heaven, which is probably why they named the scent “Wild Elysian Berries.”

• Practice deep breathing. Sounds very New Age right? Well, it may not be as far fetched as you might think considering that many toxins are released through the lungs. Breathing fresh air is not only crucial to respiratory health but also brain function, so be sure to breath in lots of it! Yoga and pilates are low-impact workouts that help you become more mindful of your breathing.
• Incorporate fresh, seasonal, and preferably organic fruits and vegetables into your diet. Good liver-supporting foods are: turmeric, onion, garlic, broccoli, beetroot, brussel sprouts, cruciferous vegetables, spinach, almonds, grapefruit, legumes, quinoa, oats and lemon.

I know this list may seem overwhelming at first, but rest assured, no one expects you to create a liver-healthy lifestyle overnight. It takes time to make meaningful changes to one’s routine. However, with that being said, don’t let perfection be your enemy. Instead, start by implementing a few of the above points and add new ones to your routine as you go. The process does not have to be strenuous or stressful; have fun with it! For example, you can slowly eliminate processed, artificial, refined and greasy foods and substitute them with leafy greens, legumes, ancient grains and a piece of fruit. Switch out soda for spring water, and if you feel that your liver needs an extra boost to help inspire you to live a liver-healthy lifestyle, try ordering a bottle of KAT and see how that helps.

Liver detoxification is easiest to achieve when you are younger and tends to take longer to the older you are due to more years of abuse. The most important thing is to not give up on your liver, because despite all your have managed to throw at it, it has never given up on you. It is the unsung hero of our body, the one that ensures we get what we need and none of what we don’t. Treat it well and nurture it and this tough little organ will ensure your have many years of happy and healthy living still ahead of you.