Spring has definitely sprung in our area of the world. Everything seems fresh and renewed. It is also national nutrition month. With that in mind this is a perfect time to Spring Clean our Mind, Body and Spirit.
Why we should Spring Clean our Bodies?
It’s a polluted world out there, and the dangerous impact is being exposed each and everyday. As consumers we need to be own health advocates. Only this week I learned that Kerigold, my go to Grass Fed Butter made in Ireland is not quite as pure as it states on the label… UGH!! That is just one example. Research is starting to show that there is a the link between our increased toxin exposure, and the increase in mental health challenges, obesity, autoimmune conditions and much more.
Normally, the body does an excellent job at eliminating toxins to keep us healthy and thriving—in fact, we humans are alive because of brilliant biochemistry. Each system of our bodies has its own unique function, but they are all inextricably linked and work together to keep us alive and functioning. When one system goes awry, it often affects other seemingly unrelated aspects of our health, and this is particularly true when it comes to detoxification. Problems in this complex process are one of the biggest factors of poor health that I see in my patients.
That’s why it’s more important than ever for your body’s detoxification systems to be working properly, and although many systems in your body are involved, the primary and most influential organ of detoxification is Your Liver.
Your liver does a lot of things for you. Working in constant communication with your stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, and the rest of your digestive system, your liver is responsible for storing and converting nutrients from the foods you eat for your body to utilize. Through its role in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, your liver works to ensure that blood glucose levels stay stable, preventing blood sugar imbalances and other metabolic problems. But one of its other primary functions is to filter out toxins from the foods you eat and the things you are exposed to in your environment. It’s also a blood purifier, clearing your blood of these impurities so that you only use what you need and don’t get too affected by those things that could compromise your health. Your liver is one busy organ, so if it’s not working well, your ability to detox will be significantly reduced, and that’s bad news for all kinds of reasons.
When your liver is overloaded with toxins because it can’t process them fast enough, this creates a cascade of systemic chronic inflammation in your body, which further affects your liver’s ability to rid itself of these toxins. It becomes a vicious cycle: toxins build up, the body becomes more inflamed, detoxification is inhibited, more toxins build up, inflammation increases, and on and on. The only way to break the cycle is to reduce your toxin exposure, and to support your liver’s natural ability to detox so it can restore itself.
What are some of the symptoms that your Liver is Overloaded?
Dry skin, Burning Feet, Blurred vision, Skin Rashes, Feel worried, Hair Loss, Sneezing attacks, Bad Breath, Crave sweets, Digestive Distress, Poop Problems, Discomfort between the shoulder blades, Bad dreams, Irritable and Cranky… etc
Spring Cleaning for you MIND BODY SPIRIT
The best and most effective way to do this is by:
- Cleaning up your diet! Our P21 program is the perfect for this!
- Do Movement were you sweat
- Drink plenty of clean filtered water
- Clean up your home and remove harsh chemicals
- Switch to green beauty products
- Get 8 hours of sleep. The Liver works at night to restore and repair.
Healthy nutrients for added support to take this process to the next level.
1. Drink dandelion tea or add a Methylated B Complex
B vitamins act as fuel for methylation (methylation is your body’s biochemical superhighway that controls your ability to detox) and they are found abundantly in dandelions. Brew up a cup of dandelion tea to support methylation and optimal liver function.
2. Take milk thistle
Milk thistle is a plant that aids in eliminating toxins that have built up in the liver. It also helps to restore liver cells that have been damaged from increased toxin exposure. It’s one of the most well-researched natural remedies for treating liver problems and has been used for years to treat a variety of liver ailments, from hepatitis to alcoholic liver disease. You can take it in a supplement or drink as a tea.
3. Season with garlic
Garlic makes food taste great, but it also helps to activate liver detox enzymes. These break down the toxins that enter your body in order to effectively eliminate them.
4. Munch on steamed sulfuric vegetables
Vegetables such as broccoli, broccoli sprouts, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower contain sulfur, as well as the powerful antioxidant glutathione. This antioxidant is essential for activating phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification. Steam these veggies if you have a thyroid challenge.
5. Eat beets
Beets are also great for helping break down toxins through increasing enzyme activity. Give your liver a boost with beautiful beets – I enjoy roasting them as a side dish, or adding them to a salad seasoned with garlic (a two-for-one liver- supporting combination)!
6. Try burdock root
As a tea or supplement, this root is another detoxifying wonder, especially when it comes to heavy metals. Burdock root has natural diuretic properties, so it flushes fluids from your body along with toxins. This is especially stimulating for your detoxifying lymphatic system.
My suggestion is that you decide to do the P21 and give your Liver a break by Removing Toxins and Repairing the Liver. Then add in some of the suggested supporting nutrients to Restore. You will be amazed at how good you will feel.
If you want to learn more about your own health case We offer in person as well as virtual consultations. www.drpia.com
