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Make a search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. for liver cleanse reviews and you’d be surprised about just how many results you will see. You would see thousands of hits for details about best liver cleansing products.

The truth is that a myriad of people suffer from colon cancer due to the processed foods they eat and life style they live. Everywhere you look you will see fast food restaurants cropping up and meal portions keep growing in size on a regular basis.

Additionally let us not ignore the all-you-can-eat buffets. These circumstances make eating unhealthy foods easily accessible plus easier on the wallet than say eating healthier organic foods.

Plenty Of The Foods All Of Us Consume Are Bad For Us

Majority of the foods we eat are loaded and high in fats and calories that puts lots of stress on our body’s especially the liver. An unhealthy liver can have serious repercussions on our overall wellbeing.

This essential organ helps take care of the body and keeps it physically fit and healthy. The liver functions by eliminating the toxins and assisting with digestion and turns fat to energy. However lots of people often fail to see the necessity to cleanse the liver at least twice per annum at least.

Therefore it is of great importance to have a healthy and well-balanced diet that is low-fat and high in fibre to help keep your liver as well as the rest of the body healthy.

Liver Cleanse Reviews And Choosing The Right Product

This is when liver cleansing products come in. They’re meant to flush the toxins which have built up over time in your body to help improve you energy levels and really feel full of energy.

Nonetheless you need to keep in mind that you will find liver cleansers out there that are packed with chemicals that can do you more damage than good so you ought to be wary.

Liver Cleanse Reviews – What The Best Liver Cleanse Should Come With

It is important to check the ingredients included in the product that you intend to purchase. The very best liver cleanse products are made up of all-natural herbal extracts which has been proven to work and cause no harmful or serious side effects.

The product should also come with an easy to understand how-to guide and also the company should offer telephone or e-mail support in case you’ve got questions concerning the product.

You can find numerous liver cleanse reviews on the web which can help you make an knowledgeable choice. The very best liver cleanse products give you a money-back guarantee to help you try several of them before you find the one which is right for you without spending a lot of money. Cleanse your liver now so you can be on your way to a long and healthy life.

If you are looking for the best liver cleanse then visit the independent site Liver Cleanse Reviews.

Turmeric is a spice that has been a vital part of Chinese herbal and Ayurvedic Medicine for centuries. It is the spice that gives curry powder its distinctive golden yellow color and is also known as Indian saffron. It has recently become popular in the Western world due to it’s multiple health benefits from its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties but it has a
particularly interesting effect on the liver detox pathways.

The liver is the main organ that detoxifies substances that we produce daily in our own bodies as well as toxic substances that we ingest or absorb from the outside world. Curcumin is the principal chemical component of turmeric which inhibits Phase 1 and stimulates Phase 2 liver detoxification.

Phase 1 & Phase 2 Liver Detox

Phase 1 detox pathway neutralizes some chemical toxins but converts others to forms that can then be processed by Phase 2. If Phase 2 detox is slow due to certain drugs, genetic factors or nutrient deficiency then these intermediary forms can build up and cause damage in your body. Curcumin helps to prevents alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to the liver.

The fact that curcumin can inhibit Phase 1 and stimulate Phase 2 is useful for preventing cancer as it inhibits the activity of cancer causing chemicals while increasing their detoxification. Several studies have found that it can inhibit chemicals such as benzopyrene, found in charcoal-broiled meat, from inducing cancer. Curcumin increases glutathione production which is a powerful Phase 2 detoxifier and acts as antioxidant in the liver.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Turmeric’s powerful anti-inflammatory effect makes it a great natural remedy for joint pain relief but it can also help calm liver inflammation. It’s antioxidant properties help mop up free radical damage in the liver during detox.

Anti-Cancer effects

Turmeric can help prevent the cancer-causing effects of tobacco. You would almost certainly benefit from using the spice if you are exposed to smoke and other environmental carcinogens. Some preliminary research at the University or Texas found that turmeric can block the growth of some cancer cells including breast, colon and melanoma. It can even help to slow the spread if breast cancer cells in animal studies. Some oncologists are very excited about curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effect.

Bile Stimulant

The liver eliminates toxins through the bile that it makes and turmeric helps to increase bile flow helping it detox.  German researchers found that when turmeric was taken with Milk Thistle and Celandine, it increased bile flow about six times more than when the herbs were used without it. It has traditionally been used for liver ailments and as a digestive aid by herbalists. Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and can relieve intestinal gas by lowering the numbers of gas forming bacteria.

Cooking with Turmeric

Apart from it’s mild earthy flavor turmeric, also known as Haldi, is used in Indian cookery for its digestive and antiseptic effects. Fresh turmeric looks like the smaller cousin of fresh ginger root but is often only seen as the dried variety and as ground spice.

You can add some turmeric to rice, bean and lentil dishes. Add a little to stir fried vegetables.

Here is a detox spice mix for vegetables

1 part turmeric
2 parts ground cumin
3 parts ground coriander
4 parts ground fennel

Mix these spices together in bulk and store in a jar.
When you are cooking a meal, place a small amount of ghee (clarified butter) or a little olive oil  in a frying pan and heat gently on low to medium.

Add detoxifying spice mixture, measuring out one teaspoon of spice mixture per serving of vegetables. Sauté spices until the aroma is released but be careful not to burn.

Add steamed vegetables, mix lightly and sauté together for one minute. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Or you can sauté the spice mixture in ghee and drizzle on vegetables or grains.

Try to get creative and test using turmeric  on various foods so you can benefit as much as possible from this potent super-spice.

Turmeric & Curcumin Extract supplements

You can add turmeric or curcumin to your diet in capsule form .  Cucumin is often found with Bioperine which helps absorption. Look for standardized extracts for the best effects. The usual dose is 500 mg three times a day.

There were some warnings last year about several brands of turmeric containing high lead levels so make sure you buy a reputable brand and check that it has been analyzed for impurities.

Don’t take turmeric or curcumin if you have painful gallstones, obstructive
jaundice, acute bilious colic, or extremely toxic liver disorders unless guided by a herbalist or practitioner who is experienced in it’s use.  A nano form of turmeric which improves it’s absorption has been used to reverse cirrhosis in animals.

Spice up your life with turmeric and improve your liver detox.

Giving up alcohol is essential of you want to detox. Your liver is your main organ for detox and it is the only organ that metabolizes alcohol and it takes precedence over other functions. So. if you want to detox you need to avoid anything that gives your liver extra work.

What’s wrong with alcohol?

Alcohol is a drug and a poison, a toxin in fact, that has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain and inhibitions. Although many people believe it to be a stimulant it is in fact a depressant decreasing your digestion, thinking, judgment, reaction time, and muscle contraction.

It increases blood fats and can increase blood pressure. Regular drinking can result in a fatty liver as the carbohydrate content is converted to fat in the liver cells which builds up and damages the cells.

Evidence of weekend binge drinking among hard working and stressed women and men is causing a huge increase in liver disease. Continued heavy use of alcohol, of course, results in cirrhosis of the liver. In fact alcohol can cause a rise in the stress hormone, cortisol, which in turn reduces the body’s ability to burn calories.

Alcohol feeds Candida and other yeast infections.

Alcohol affects fertility in both men and women

New research shows that wine can reduce the chances of the embryo implanting and increased risk of miscarriage when women have IVF treatment. Beer is known to affect the quality of a man’s sperm. Experts extend the warning to all couple trying for a baby. Eggs & sperm take three months to develop so both partners should stop smoking and drinking for 3
months before trying to conceive.

Alcohol & nutrients

Alcohol has adverse effects on almost every nutrient especially the B vitamins and Vitamin C. The minerals calcium, magnesium and zinc can be depleted in people who drink large  quantities of alcohol.  Fatty acids become deficient too. There is increasing evidence that many cases of alcoholism are due to a deficiency of nutrients and hypoglygemia.

Fast Sugar

Alcohol is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and causes a rapid rise in blood sugar faster even than sucrose. The initial rise makes you feel good and gives extra energy but eventually your blood sugar level comes crashing down which makes you feel you want another drink or other sugar boost to reverse the unpleasant symptoms.

A few benefits

Some of alcohol’s positive effects include relief of stress, stimulation of appetite and dilation of of blood vessels improving blood flow. However there are much healthier and better ways of doing this.

Conflicting advice on drinking alcohol

On the one hand we hear that red wine is full of antioxidants and a glass or two every day can help prevent heart disease. On the other hand we are told to avoid alcohol if we want to avoid cancer. The risk of developing cancer of the liver, breast (through the increase of estrogen), pancreas, esophagus, larynx, and mouth are increased if you drink alcohol.

A number of studies show that moderate alcohol consumption can increase HDL, the good cholesterol, and reduce the accumulation of plaque in arteries protecting against heart disease. It also has a mild anti clot forming effect. Exactly how it does this is not clear.

On the other hand, drinking more than three drinks a day can damage your heart and lead to high blood pressure, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, (enlarged and weakened heart), congestive heart failure, and stroke.

The best way to reduce your risk of heart disease is eating right, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

How does the liver detox alcohol?

Alcohol is first detoxified through the Phase 1 liver detox pathway by  two enzymes that convert it to highly toxic substances. One enzyme, known as alcohol dehydrogenase, needs zinc to function properly and the other, aldehyde oxidase relies on molybdenum.  Acetaldeyhyde, a by-product of alcohol metabolism by the liver, is almost 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself.

If you are deficient in either  zinc or molybdenum then you will not detox alcohol properly and get a build up of chloral hydrate which gives you that dopey, spacey, dizzy feeling.

The amino acid glutathione plays a key role in the Phase 2 liver detoxification of alcohol. Glutathione binds to the aldehydes and ketones produced by Phase 1 and transforms them into compounds that can be excreted in the bile or urine. Having enough glutathione is important to prevent hangovers.

Some of alcohol’s worst effects, however, are caused by the free radicals produced as a result of its metabolism. These damage cell membranes and impair their function.

Giving up for detox

If you are in the habit of drinking every day you might find this more difficult that you thought it would be. In fact the detox diet with its high intake of alkaline forming foods and vegetable juices can help. Rehydrating with plenty of pure water, fresh juices, green and herbal teas will help enormously. Dilute fruit juices half and half with water.

Small regular meals of complex carbohydrate such as whole grains, vegetables, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds and some protein such as clean fish and poultry is the way to go. This should provide sufficient fiber for good bowel function but if not then add some linseeds or psyllium husk powder.

If you have been drinking heavily you will need more nutritional support that someone who drinks very little. Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains at least 50mg of the B vitamins, 400 mg of magnesium and 25mg zinc.  Make sure it also contains molybdenum. Take 2 – 4 grams of Vitamin C a day. Add some Omega 3 and 6 essential oils.

The amino acid L- glutamine can help with alcohol cravings and withdrawal. Take 2 – 4 grams a day between meals or at least 30 mins before. L-Carnitine may also help with cravings at a dose of 1 gram a day. Spirulina at 1 – 3 teaspoons a day may help with blood sugar regulation. Silymarin, the active extract of the herb Milk Thistle is a powerful antioxidant that protects and repairs the liver cells. It can also help to regenerate glutathione.

It may also be helpful to stay away from occasions where you might be tempted to drink.

After the detox

After your detox you might want to continue avoiding alcohol to give you liver a chance to really recover if you were in the habit of drinking regularly.

If you still feel you need alcohol to unwind clinical hypnotherapist Georgia Foster says run bath, do yoga or have a swim. Just sitting for 15 minutes and focusing on your breathing can help relax you.

It helps to make sure your blood sugar level is steady. Hunger and thirst create the desire for alcohol. Eating small frequent complex carbohydrate meals will help to keep you blood sugar steady. Have some nuts or seeds or a healthy naturally sweetened bar to hand to fill the gaps.

When you feel the need for a drink try a green smoothie instead.

Glutathione (pronounced gloota-thigh-own) is a powerful antioxidant and a key nutrient for the detox process. It is found in virtually every cell in your body and without it poisonous toxins that you take in every day would have a devastating effect on your liver cells.

Glutathione is made in the body from the amino acids glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid which you get from protein foods in your diet and it can be obtained directly from fruit and vegetables – one reason for the high intake of fruit and vegetables on a detox diet.  It is found in high levels in your liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach lining, the organs that are most likely to be exposed to toxins. It is also high in your eyes where it protects the lens.

Stress, excessive exercise, poor diet and toxic overload cause deficiency of this vital substance. Water fasting for more than a few days depletes glutathione levels according to research. The amount you have in your body gets less as you get older and many diseases including cancer, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS have been linked with low glutathione levels. Many people take various supplements to increase glutathione levels to try and prevent aging.

Glutathione & the Detox System

Glutathione performs two tasks in the detox process. It quenches the free radicals created when the liver neutralizes toxins in Phase 1 detox and it combines with toxic chemicals such as found in cigarette smoke, auto exhaust and the deadly PCB’s, in Phase 2 detox so they can be safely excreted.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Penicillin, Tetracycline and toxic metals like lead, mercury and cadmium are only a few of the substances detoxified by Glutathione. It also detoxifies the liver of aldehydes and ketones that build up from alcohol intake. It can help to reduce liver disease including cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, which is caused by alcohol consumption.

Glutathione in the foods that you eat detoxifies substances in the intestines before they can be absorbed into your blood stream.  It is also thought to protect your stomach lining from the free radical effects of the high amounts of acid it produces. High glutathione levels are good for the immune system enabling the body to produce more white blood cells which fight off infection and devour foreign substances.

Most children with autism are significantly deficient in glutathione and it is thought that mercury inhibits the production of glutathione and the toxins that are unable to be detoxified contribute to the brain and other symptoms associated with autism.

Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Lyme Disease have been helped by increasing their glutathione levels.

How to increase glutathione

• Fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked meat and fish contain 25 – 750 mgs of glutathione per pound. but processed foods, dairy products, most nuts, grains and legumes contain very little. Asparagus, papaya, avocado, watermelon and walnuts are reputed to be rich in it or help the body make it.

• Supplements containing N-acetyl-cycsteine (NAC) , glycine and methionine have been more effective in increasing glutathione levels in the blood than glutathione itself. This is because the supplement is broken down in the stomach before it gets absorbed although the glutathione in food appears not to be affected in the same way. High doses of NAC can give side effects such as headache and dizziness.

• Silymarin, the active substance in milk thistle, besides being a powerful antioxidant can increase glutathione in the liver by up to 50%.

• Whey protein is easily absorbed and is well known for increasing glutathione levels but it must be unpasteurized or low heat pasteurized or it will not be effective.

• Transdermal glutathione is used for some children with autism but it has a strong sulfur smell which some don’t like.

• IV glutathione has been found to significantly reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Dr Patricia Kane pioneered the phospholipid exchange detox using a short IV push of phospholipids and glutathione.

• Lipoceutical™ Glutathione is an exciting new form using taken by mouth which is readily absorbed by the body. According to Dr. Marcus Laux, it’s the first  oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb. The glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes which studies show get 90% absorbed.Dr. Laux says:“I’ve been using liposomal glutathione myself to treat a close relative. I can personally attest the effects are miraculous.”

To find out more about  this remarkable substance  CLICK HERE

The death of Michael Jackson has highlighted the problem of toxicity of the drugs that people regularly take without a thought about the impact on their livers or immune systems.  Many people regularly take over the counter (OTC) drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, (known as paracetamol or Panadol in the UK)  for colds or aches and pains without being aware of the dangers.

Virtually all drugs need to be detoxified by the liver and the side effects experienced by some is due to the damage caused directly buy the chemical to the liver or their effect on the metabolism of other drugs. Adverse side effects are experienced by 15 – 30% of those taking both over the counter medication and prescription medication. Some research has found that 8 million people (28% of all admissions) are hospitalized each year for conditions caused by prescription drugs. A frightening thought.

The liver detoxification tests that are used by some laboratories use aspirin and acetaminophen (paracetamol) as the agents to determine how the detox pathways are working.  Drug companies who produce these drugs always study how the drug is detoxified so the way aspirin and acetaminophen are detoxified is well known.

The Two Step Detox Process

The liver converts drugs in a two step process called Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways into substances that can be more easily excreted in the urine. For most drugs the liver uses the route that will get rid of the chemical as rapidly and safely as possible but in cases where the preferred pathway is not working efficiently often other pathways can be used with the danger that it is not eliminated so quickly or efficiently. The result here is that toxin stays in the system longer, may get turned into a more toxic form or may not get completely detoxified so it can cause damage to health.

Acetaminophen Detox

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) goes through several pathways which normally poses no problems if the person’s detox system is working efficiently and the drug is safely excreted. But if the Phase 2 pathway is not working as it should then the intermediate substance produced when it went through Phase 1 pathway builds up and gets recycled through the Phase 1 pathway a second time where it becomes more toxic and can damage the liver. The danger lies in not enough glutathione being available to enable this dangerous toxin to be neutralized.

Acetaminophen is the number one cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the United States. According to Dr Leo Galland there are people who develop liver disease from taking as little as 8 x 500 mg pills in a 24 hour period. Glutathione is plentiful in diets high in fruit and vegetables.

Aspirin Detox

Aspirin inhibits the Phase 2 detox pathway known as glucoronidation where glucoronic acid is attached to the toxin.  Many prescribed drugs, hormones and food additives  are detoxified through this route.

An irresponsible report in the The Daily Telegraph recently stated that an aspirin a day could help prevent liver damage caused by obesity, heavy drinking and drug use adding that “millions of people susceptible to liver problems could have their lives prolonged by the painkiller”. The claims were based on a a study in mice found that aspirin lessened the damage caused by paracetamol overdose. Paracetamol overdose is entirely different from the fatty changes in the liver form alcohol or obesity and the NHS Knowledge Service states that “The results of this study do not suggest  that people should start regularly taking aspirin in the hope of warding off liver damage”.

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) like Diclofenac (Voltaren), inhibit the Phase 2 pathway known as sulfation (sulphation) and have been frequently associated with liver injury. A newer class of NAID’s called COX-2 inhibitors have been associated with some liver dysfunction. Vioxx and Bextra have been withdrawn from the market due to heart related problems leaving  Celebrex as the commonly prescribed COX-2 inhibitor for arthritis.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

Benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium, Prozac) frequently prescribed for anxiety and insomnia suppress Phase 1 detox in both the liver and the brain. Consequently elderly folk may get neurological problems because the liver is slow at breaking down the neurotransmitters that should be eliminated before they build up and become toxic. Antihistamines, Cimetidine and some other stomach acid secretion blocking agents also inhibit the Phase 1 detox system.

The liver detox pathways are adversely affected by a number of things including lack of specific nutrients, poor diet, excess alcohol, excess caffeine, toxins absorbed from the intestinal tract, certain prescription drugs and a genetic tendency.

Detox pathways can be improved

Fortunately the detox pathways can be improved with a diet and supplements high in the nutrients needed for liver detox.  Researchers have shown that the detox pathways can be improved by taking vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to improve the detoxification of chemicals and pollutants.

If doctors did liver detox tests on their patients to see the efficiency of a person’s detox pathways before prescribing drugs then many health practitioners believe that many adverse drug reactions could be prevented. The person’s detox pathways could be revved up with the appropriate diet and supplements.

You can learn more about your liver detox through the  Detoxification Profile through Genova Diagnostics and Genova Europe.  You can find a health practitioner in your area on their website.

Scientists have recently discovered a link between a toxic protein in the blood, known as A-beta, and Alzheimer’s Disease. The liver is the main organ that clears toxins from the body including the toxic A-beta so they concluded that improving liver detox could play an important part in preventing Alzheimer’s, one of the most common forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease which causes progressive memory loss is the fourth leading cause of death in America where 3 million people over 65 are affected. In the UK it is estimated that the condition affects over 400,000 with 1 in 100 people at risk of developing it.  Researchers do not yet know the exact cause of the disease but have discovered that the brain cells (neurons) of sufferers have been replaced with plaque containing amyloid proteins (A-beta).

Liver Detoxification and Alzheimer’s

The liver has two main phases of detox known as Phase 1 and Phase 2. Previous studies have shown that patient’s with Alzheimer’s disease have a problem with one of the Phase 2 detox pathways that involves sulfur (sulphur),  This detox pathway known as sulfation (sulphation),  like the others, makes toxins easier for the body to get rid of through the urine and sometimes the bile.

Sulfur Detox

Impaired sulfation (sulphation) has also been linked with other diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, motor neurone disease, food and chemical sensitivity, autism and rheumatoid arthritis.

The liver uses this particular pathway for detoxifying food additives, environmental toxins, bacterial bowel toxins, certain drugs like acetaminophen (paracetamol) as well as normal body chemicals such as the hormone estrogen and thyroid hormone so they don’t build up and cause damage. It is also the major route for the detox of neurotransmitters (natural brain chemicals) which could otherwise contribute to some neurological problems.

Where does sulfur come from?

The liver gets the sulfate (sulphate) mainly from the amino acid cysteine but can also make it from the amino acid methionine. Both come from protein such as eggs, fish, poultry and meat in the diet. Vegetable sources of sulfur (sulphur) include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radishes, turnips, onions, garlic, red peppers, watercress, kale, and beans.

The conversion relies on a process that needs the mineral molybdenum to function although too much can inhibit it as can doses of B6 over 100mg a day.  Beans and whole grains are good rich sources of  Molybdenum.

People with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Motor Neurone Disease have a problem converting cysteine to sulfate (sulphate) leading to a build up of cysteine in the blood. Taking supplements with cysteine may worsen the symptoms and they have to obtain sulfate (sulphate) from supplements of sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate to bypass the block.

Another Phase 2 pathway called glucoronidation becomes important when sulfation is poor. This pathway can be enhanced with cruciferous vegetables or the spice curcumin.

When the liver does not detoxify as well as it should toxic substances build up in the blood and are eventually stored in the fatty tissues including the nervous system and brain which is 60 – 70 % fat. They can be slowly released traveling to other parts of the body contributing to other diseases.

The importance of Antioxidants in Liver Detox

Phase 1 liver detox involves a family of enzymes called cytochrome P450. Scientists have discovered that this system is found in other parts of the body especially the brain. The activity of the P450 enzymes to transform toxins to forms that the body can more easily eliminate results in a lot of free radical formation which damage cells. The brains of Alzheimer’s patients have an increased rate of nerve cell damage so a good supply of antioxidants from the diet and supplements are important.

Grape Seed Extract

Animal studies with the antioxidant grape seed extract show that it may help to prevent amyloid plaque tangles from forming in the first place. There is plenty of research on the benefits of antioxidants from fruit protecting against free radicals that contribute to loss of cognitive function.

The activity of the enzymes in Phase 1 decreases with age and lack of physical activity. Circulation problems contribute to poor blood circulation to the liver that it needs for proper detox function.

Silymarin the Liver Protector

There has been an impressive amount ot research on the effects of Silymarin, a flavanoid extracted from the plant Milk Thistle,  on liver detox function. It acts as both as a potent antioxidant and a stimulator of glutathione, an important substance used for detox.  It protects the liver from the toxic effects of chemicals and drugs and can even regenerate liver cells.

Liver Detox Function Tests

Tests to see how well your liver is detoxifying have been available from specialized laboratories for over 15 years although their use is rare in mainstream medicine. The standard liver function tests only detect raised enzymes as result of damage to liver cells and cannot tell if you have any problems in your liver detox pathways.

There has to be a balance between the activity of Phase 1 liver detox and Phase 2 or toxins will build up causing damage. Researchers have discovered which substances improve or inhibit the various routes so tests are very valuable in identifying which phase or particular pathway needs more support.

You can get tests done through laboratories such as Metametrix Clinical Laboratories, Genova Diagnostics or Genova Diagnostics Europe. To find a practitioner in your area that can help you just contact these labs.

You can find out more about about liver detox on this blog in my article

How a Liver Detox Diet Can Restore Your health.

http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/category/liver-detox/

and in my ebook The Definitive Detox Diet.

The term fatty liver disease covers a range of conditions where there is a build-up of fat in the liver cells and liver spaces. It is usually associated with obesity but may be caused by diabetes, alcohol excess, certain drugs, rapid weight loss or poor dietary choices.  Fatty liver is very common and the only treatment usually  recommended by doctors is a low glycemic diet and exercise.  This diet consists of whole grains, whole fruit and vegetables which of course are the same foods eaten on most liver cleansing diets.

Fatty liver is diagnosed in about 1 in 4 people in the US and is often found during routine blood testing for routine check ups or other problems. A fatty liver rarely causes symptoms itself in the early stages although it can become enlarged and may cause some discomfort over or just below the ribs on the right side.  A liver cleansing diet can soon ease this.

Fat is normally stored in the fat cells elsewhere in the body and not in liver cells and spaces so there is some disruption in the way the liver cells handle fat.  If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver your liver is in fact slowly suffocating with fat. The blood normally flows through the spaces in the liver so once they become clogged with fat your liver can no longer adequately cleanse or detoxify your blood of toxins nor burn fat efficiently. Chemical toxins may build up in your liver so regular liver cleansing or detoxification is essential.

Some drugs such as tamoxifen (used in cases of  breast cancer), tetracycline (an antibiotic), long term use of steroids and the contraceptive pill can contribute to the condition. Alcoholic fatty liver is caused by an overindulgence in alcohol. When a fatty liver is associated with liver inflammation it is called Steatohepatitis. All these conditions can be improved with a liver cleansing diet.

The majority of people diagnosed with what is called simple fatty liver disease are overweight and eat the wrong foods. Some research showed that mice fed on high glycemic carbohydrates had twice the amount of fat in their blood and livers than mice fed on low glycemic foods. Why is this? Excess glucose in the blood that cannot be used for energy is turned into fat.

What are glycemic foods?

Different carbohydrate foods can have different effects on the body. Some are absorbed quickly into the blood stream and cause a rise in blood sugar (glucose) levels triggering insulin production. Others are absorbed slowly and do not have much impact on blood sugar levels.  The foods that have been studied have been given a  number on a scale of 1 to 100 called the Glycemic Index (GI). The carbohydrate foods with an index of 55 or lower are the ones that are the key to stable blood sugar levels and long term health. These are the ones on a liver cleansing diet.

The high GI foods are foods mainly foods that have had the fiber removed by processing like white flour, white rice, most breakfast cereals, products that contain sugar.   Foods that are in their natural state such as whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables are low on the GI. These are the foods that are included on the liver cleansing diet.

Glycemic Load

To understand the effect of food on blood sugar even more the glycemic load (GL) was introduced. This takes into account the amount of carbohydrate in a given food. For example the GI for water melon is high but because the carbohydrate content is low the GL is low. Many health advisors recommend a diet based on the glycemic load as the best way to control or lose weight to reverse fatty liver.

The only problems with these lists is that not all foods have been tested and not all foods on the lists are healthy choices. The GI does not take into account the effect if other foods are eaten at the same time. For example the
addition of foods that contain fiber, fat and protein will reduce the GI of the meal. Different people digest carbohydrates at different rates.

The Liver Cleansing Diet.

The liver cleansing diet is based on whole grains, a good variety of fresh fruit and vegetables both raw and cooked, salads, fresh vegetable juices, green smoothies, beans and lentils, seeds and a few good quality nuts (not peanuts) low mercury fish, organic or free range poultry.

Be sure to include liver cleansing raw greens like baby spinach, watercress, Romaine lettuce, orange and red colored fruit and vegetables and vegetables that support liver detox – broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga (swede).  Dairy products should be excluded. You can use soy, almond or rice milk on cereal instead.

Snacks can be a choice of a fresh vegetable juice sweetened with some apple juice or try a green smoothie (try to have more greens than fruit), raw veg sticks, a few almonds, a handful of seeds and raisins, a rice or oatcake
spread with avocado or hummus.

Green smoothies in the mornings with fresh fruit later if you are hungry is good.  If you get very hungry you probably need a protein/carb combination breakfast. Try sugar free muesli (wheat free is best) with soy, almond or rice milk or cooked oatmeal. Add some freshly ground mixed seeds such as flax, sunflower and pumpkin.

The magic nutrient that prevents fat build up in the liver

Carnitine, a vitamin like substance, helps the liver convert the  fatty acid build up into energy. You get carnitine from your diet and it can be made in the body. Excess alcohol consumption, exposure to chemicals and heavy
exercise deplete it and sodium benzoate, a common food preservative, interferes with its manufacture.

A dose of 250 mg carnitine twice a day together with a B complex that contains 500 mg choline and 25 mg of the B vitamins can help reverse fatty liver disease in addition to the liver cleansing diet.

The herb Milk thistle (Silybum marinarum) is best know for its protective and regenerative effect on the liver. It stimulates the production of new liver cells.

For more information on the liver cleansing/detox diet see my previous article:

How a Liver Detox Diet can Restore your Health

Your liver is your best friend and superhero. Knowing how to look after it is the key to your health. Liver dysfunction plays a part in most diseases. Your liver is a multi-tasker performing over 500 functions which help keep your body in balance. The modern stressful lifestyle, alcohol, environmental chemicals, medicinal drugs, processed foods and fats can all damage your liver. A liver detox can go a long way to help reduce symptoms of an overworked or damaged liver.

What does your liver do?

Your liver relies on a number of nutrients to work efficiently. If you do not eat the right kinds of foods to provide the liver with everything it needs for the elimination of the extra toxins you are exposed to daily your health will suffer.

Some of the signs that your liver may be struggling are:

Liver Tests

Doctors often recommend a liver function blood test to see if your liver is damaged. It may show raised enzyme levels that could indicate a liver infection or alcoholic liver but it cannot tell you anything about your liver’s detox function.

There are however, specialized tests used by functional medicine or naturopathic doctors that can assess your liver’s detox capacity. Problems in the liver detox pathways can show up long before the standard liver function blood tests show any abnormalities.

A two step detox system

Your liver has 2 main detox pathways or routes called Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Phase 1 a complicated process of enzymes breaks down toxins into forms that can be either be safely eliminated by your body or can go through Phase 2 . Here they are attached to other molecules that escort them out of the body through kidneys or bile.

Excessive amounts of toxic chemicals such as pesticides can disrupt the enzymes system of Phase 1 by causing over activity of it. This will result in high levels of damaging free radicals being produced which damage the liver cells.

Substances that may cause over activity during phase one are caffeine, dioxin, saturated fats, organophosphorus pesticides, paint fumes, sulfonamides, exhaust fumes and drugs. In order to get rid of or reduce these free radicals, you need foods that contain a lot of antioxidants and phytochemicals.

The antioxidants Vitamin A, C, E, selenium and many different phytochemicals are found in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

A balancing act

There has to be a balance between the functions of Phase 1 liver detox and Phase 2 or a backlog of toxins can occur which also damage tissues. In some cases the chemical toxins modified by Phase 1 are more dangerous than the original if not dealt with by Phase 2. Researchers have discovered that your diet has a strong effect on liver detox and certain foods can help to balance Phase 1 and Phase 2.

How you can improve Liver Detox:

Proper functioning of the liver’s detox systems is very important for the prevention of cancer. Up to 90% of all cancers are thought to be due to the effects of environmental pollutants from food, water, and air, combined with deficiencies of the nutrients the body needs for detox and immune system function. High levels of exposure to cancer causing substances together with slow detoxification enzymes significantly increases susceptibility to cancer. Take care of your liver and it will take care of you.

If you hate psyllium, have not got time to make P & B shakes or don’t like herbal colon cleanses then you might want to try Oxy-Powder, an revolutionary oxygen based colon cleanser.

Powerful detox effects

Oxy-powder oxygenates the bowels and body by releasing oxygen into the digestive tract with powerful detoxifying effects. It cleanses the colon in an entirely different way from other products by liquefying old sludge, mucus and deep seated waste build up.

Your digestive system is of paramount importance to the health of the rest of your body.  Processed and junk food diets lacking in fiber and nutrients and lack of exercise slow down the time food stays in your colon. Antibiotics and stress alter the ratio of good bacteria and bad bacteria in the bowel resulting in poor digestion and fermentation.

All this can lead to symptoms of a toxic colon such as:

Homozon was the original oxygen releasing powder product which was produced in Germany in the early 20th Century. It is a compound of magnesium and oxygen which when taken with lemon juice or other acidic juice releases the oxygen in the digestive tract with fantastic cleansing and detoxifying effects.

More cleansing power than Homozon

Oxy-Powder is stronger than Homozon and has been helping people get back their digestive health through oxygen colon cleansing for over 10 years. It was formulated by Dr Group, a Naturopathic Physician, who is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Herbalist and Chiropractor. Oxy-Powder is a unique combination of oxygenated magnesium, organic germanium-132 and citric acid helps to clear-out any deep seated waste built-up inside your intestinal system.

Fights candida and bad bacteria

Oxy-Powder is also the only oxygen based cleanser containing GE-132 (a powerful immune system stimulant), a special blend of aerobic probiotics and enzymes. It helps to create an environment in your digestive system that encourages the proliferation of good bacteria needed for detox, immune and digestive health. In addition to cleansing the bowel it has anti-fungal /candida, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

7 day cleanse

Start with a 7 day cleanse. The exact number of capsules necessary will vary depending on your weight, previous dietary habits, exercise patterns, and stress levels. The suggested dosage of 4 capsules per day can be too strong for some people. So start your colon cleanse with just 1-2 capsules a day until you see how many you need.

Oxy-powder cleanses the colon by turning the waste solids into liquids and gas. Its not diarrhea as such but you may feel bubbly inside and get liquid stools if you take too many capsules.

Try starting the Colon Cleanse on a weekend morning, either Friday or Saturday just in case you need quick access to the bathroom. It will give your body a chance to become accustomed to the changes that you may experience.

You may need to stay close to a bathroom for the first few days of cleansing. On the other hand If you have a great deal of compaction you may not experience much movement until a day or two into the cleansing process.

This toxic waste may have been building up over the years and if that is the case, it will take a little time to break down the compacted matter. 3 – 7 bowel movements a day is not unusual during cleansing.

Oxy-powder is not specifically intended for weight loss although some people lose 5 to 20 pounds when using it. Any weight loss experienced is due to the elimination of accumulated, hard-compacted fecal matter throughout the length of the intestinal tract. But once your colon is clean you will absorb the nutrients from your food better that are needed by your cells for health.

You will get best results from this colon cleanse if you drink plenty of pure water and eat a healthy diet. After the initial cleanse, continue with a maintenance dose to keep your intestinal tract clean and to deliver oxygen into your system.

Oxy-Powder’ s revolutionary colon cleanse works to help

To find out more Click Here

A herbal liver detox consists of following a specific diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables that eliminates foods that tax the liver and bowel. It incorporates foods that contain nutrients that support liver detoxification together with a herbal supplement containing herbs that stimulate bile flow and help rejuvenate liver cells .

The herbs usually used to support liver detox are:

• Milk Thistle (Silymarin) – helps stimulate glutathione production, is an antioxidant  and helps with liver cell regeneration.
• Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)  – Increases bile flow.
• Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)-  A Chinese herb used for liver protection. It may help to lower liver enzyme levels and improve the symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis.
• Bupleurum  – A Chinese herb that helps to neutralize liver toxins.
• Globe Artichoke (Cynara ) – Increase the production of bile from the liver and the flow of bile from the gallbladder, and to increases the contractive power of the bile duct.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – Helps to protect the liver against damage stimulating bile flow and supports liver detoxification.
• Burdock (Arctium lappa) – A powerful antioxidant and a blood purifier. Can help to restore liver and gallbladder function.
• Chinese Wormwood – increases bile production and flow while increasing liver cell regeneration.

Liver Detox Diet .

The diet should exclude the foods that tax the liver:

• Artificial flavors, flavorings and preservative
• Trans fats and hydrogenated fats in many processed foods
• Oils heated to high temperatures
• BBQ or burnt foods
• Rancid or old nuts and seeds
• Fatty preserved foods like sausages, bacon, salami, mortadella
• Excess saturated fats in fatty meats, milk, ice-cream, cheese
• Alcohol

Include plenty of fruit and vegetables that support liver detox as well as specific foods that help promote liver detox:

• Cabbage, broccoli,  Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, cress, watercress, turnips, rutabaga (swede), kohlrabi.
• Asparagus, avocado, walnuts.
• High protein foods such as meat, fish and eggs or beans, lentils and grains. Buy organic or free range meat to avoid more chemicals.
• Fish oils (make sure they are free from sea pollutants).
• Oranges and tangerines (but not grapefruit).
• Caraway and dill seeds.
• Red beets
• Asparagus
• Watermelon
• Garlic

Treating your liver well will have a huge impact on your health and longevity.  To learn more about detox for health get my Free Report all about Detox at The Detox Specialist