It has been estimated that there are some 50,000 chemicals in circulation, with 10,000 of these used in food processing. It is essential to have a healthy liver to break down these potentially harmful chemicals that are now present in our food, personal care and cleaning products, air and water.
As the toxic burden on the liver increases, toxins can continue to move through the body causing disruption and damage, before eventually being stored for years mainly in the fat cells of our organs and tissues. Depending on the type of toxins held in the body, we can experience all sorts of chronic and degenerative conditions that have their underlying cause in an overwhelming burden of chemical overload.
Detoxing to support liver function
Among its many other important functions, the liver is charged with the role of detoxification, the body`s ongoing process of neutralising and eliminating toxins from the tissues and organs and converting them into safer substances for excretion via the kidneys, skin and lungs.
Any excesses such as too much fatty or rich food, refined sugar or too much alcohol and other toxins, will reduce not just the detoxing capacity of the liver, but will also affect the liver's central role in keeping us healthy.
A gentle detox designed to lower the toxic burden accumulated in our tissues, while supporting the organs of elimination in a supportive and nurturing environment, is the ideal type of detox programme to offer the most effective results and, ideally, we would engage in such a programme twice yearly.
(Some therapists suggest more severe detox programmes, but this is not always convenient and often a milder, gentler detox is more appropriate since the more toxic your liver and digestive tract, the more dangerous an aggressive detox can be.)
The spring to summer and autumn to winter Mediterranean Detox
At the major seasonal shifts of spring to summer and autumn to winter, people in Mediterranean countries are more aware of how the Earth’s changing position is affecting them and they respond by:
- reducing the amount of food they consume in order to give the digestive system a rest and allow energy to be diverted to cleansing rather than digesting
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introducing extra greens to provide the important additional nutrients needed to help quell accumulated toxins being thrown from the cells
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reaching for their traditional herbal recipe to support the detoxification process and promote liver health
Working with a Naturopathic Physician in Italy we have developed vitalDETOX, a formula based on this tradition to support the liver in its detoxification role. Simply mix with lemon juice and ice to make a tasty aperitif/cocktail. Do this for a minimum of four weeks at the major seasonal shifts to protect the liver.
