The liver is the key organ for detoxification. If toxins are allowed to build up in the body, we might suffer from fatigue, bad breath, weight gain, cellulite, headaches, leaky gut, acne and a general lack of energy and wellness. Read on for simple but super effective ways to improve your liver function and take a giant leap towards great health and wellbeing.


Photo: Rosa Say

The following health tips will help optimize your liver function which in turn will clear your body of toxins.


AVOID PROCESSED FOOD AND ARTIFICIAL ADDITIVES
Sweeteners, preservatives, artificial food coloring and flavoring provide zero nutritional value and worse still, they may be toxic to our body. The Food Standards Authority in the UK linked the consumption of artificial food coloring to behavioral problems in children including temper tantrums, hyperactivity, allergies and short concentration spans. Eat natural food that you have prepared yourself without any additives for a healthier liver.

SKIP THE ALCOHOL
Alcohol can cause stress on the liver and may encourage toxicity. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, even though you may feel perfectly in control of your drinking and do not feel any side effects, can cause three different types of liver disease: cirrhosis, fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis.

HAVE A DIET RICH IN FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Fruit and vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin C and beta-carotene that can support the liver function

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Water dilutes toxins and can flush them out of your body more quickly.

EAT LOTS OF FIBER
Fiber in your diet helps to avoid constipation. If you are constipation, there is more chance of toxins staying in your body and being absorbed through the wall of your large bowel.

CUT DOWN ON FATTY MEATS
Your liver has to work extremely hard to break down fatty meats such as beef, duck and lamb and similarly hydrogenated vegetable oils which may be found in margarine and many processed pastries, cakes, breads and other fast foods.

GO ON A LIVER FLUSH
A liver flush is basically a natural and home-based way to give your liver a thorough cleanse. There are many different recipes and methods for a liver cleanse diet. Check with your doctor first before embarking on a flush as if you have pre-existing conditions such as gallstones, a liver flush may exacerbate the problem. The basic recipe is almost always a mix of apple juice, epsom salts, olive oil and either grapefruit or lemons. I went on a liver cleanse at a health spa in Thailand where they added a fair whack of cayenne pepper to the mix. A typical liver flush might last 4-5 days and involves drinking this mixture up to 4 times a day while eating a light diet of raw fruit and vegetables. It is best to take time off work when doing this, as diarrhea is a virtual certainty.

Treat your liver well and you are treating your entire body well. A healthy liver will process the toxins so they will leave your body without causing harm.

Gemma Swansburg wishes you good health. Gemma is a writer/researcher. Check out her latest article, all about Luminess Tan, the latest airbrush tanning system. For free information and best offers on the Luminess Tan Airbrush system, visit her website at airbrushmakeupfoundation.com