Most movie fanatics will remember a mention of body cleansing from the 1996 version of “The Nutty Professor” (starring Eddie Murphy) as Mama Klump stated that she was going to “make an appointment to get her colon cleansed thoroughly”. But what if your liver is polluted? Well, you could get a full body cleanse or look into liver cleansing.
How does someone know if their liver needs a cleaning out? Symptoms such as bloating, high blood pressure, constipation, low energy, low erratic blood sugar, gall bladder problems, hemorrhoids, joint pain, varicose veins, and weight gain. Another symptom is a condition known as fatty liver disease.
According to gastroenterologists and radiologists who commonly look at people’s livers, more than 50% of people over the age of 50 have fatty liver disease. Common causes of this condition include excessive alcohol intake, adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs, poor diet, as well as viral hepatitis and toxic chemicals. Gallbladder surgery could be suggested but thanks to liver cleansing diets, you have an alternative option. So what happens when you get a liver cleanse?
The purpose of a liver cleansing diet is to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to flush out the harmful toxins that are polluting it and encourage a healthier diet that will keep your liver up to par. The process begins with a few days of light fasting. This means that for the first few days, the only items on your menu are water (in large amounts), fresh fruit, vegetable juices, and salads. Afterward, you are allowed to slowly increase your food intake but see this as a time to stuff your face like crazy as there are certain foods you are told to avoid. These food include red meats, processed foods, salty foods, lunchmeats, and fried foods. It is also recommended that you stay away from sugar (and sugar substitues), alcohol, soft drinks (otherwise known as soda, pop, or soda pop depending on where you’re from), and caffeine for a while. Now don’t get discouraged in thinking that you can never eat these items again. The trick is not to eat these foods all the time. Now, you may be wondering what you can eat. A liver cleansing diet forces you consume such healthy foods as whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are high in fiber but low in saturated fat and refined sugars. You are also allowed to add fish to your diet, which of course is a good source of protein. If you follow by these rules, you will be on the road to a healthier liver in no time!
Keeping in mind that the liver is one of the most active organs in your body as it is constantly flush toxins out of your body, that every now and again, it needs a cleaning out itself. So rather than go to the extreme of surgery or a laxative, remember that a simple liver cleanse ought to do the trick.