5 Vital Foods for Effective Detox

Effective Liver Detox with 5 Vital Foods
Credit to Sandy Halliday

Detoxification or Detox for short is one of the liver's most important functions. Your liver has to break down and safely eliminate everyday substances the body produces such as hormones and metabolic waste products as well the more obvious chemical toxins that you consume through our food and water.

It relies on two complicated phases involving enzyme reactions to break down toxins and render them safe for excretion via the bile in the form of feces or into the urine produced by the kidneys.

Research has shown that specific foods and nutrients have an inhibiting effect or enhancing effect on these detoxification enzyme systems. Plenty of these foods should be used for the most effective liver detoxification diet. These same foods and nutrients can even be used to treat some common toxicity and immune system disorders.

There are two detox pathways known as Phase I and Phase II. Diet can help regulate and balance their activity for more effective and safe detoxification.

For example if Phase I is working well but Phase II is slow the toxins processed by Phase I can build up causing damage while waiting to be dealt with by Phase II.

Many of these intermediate toxins may be more dangerous than the original substance and can have adverse effects on the glandular system, the immune system, and the nervous system causing health problems.

Some of the substances that cause increase in Phase I without the equivalent increase in Phase II are pesticides, cigarettesmoke, exhaust and paint fumes, burnt or bar-b-que food, alcohol, intestinal toxins and certain medications.

Top Foods to Support Liver Detoxification
1) Cruciferous vegetables

Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga(swede), broccoli, broccoli sprouts, mustard greens, turnips,radish, cauliflower, kohlrabi, collard greens, daikon.
They contain potent phytochemicals and antioxidants that support Phase II activity. They help the liver convert chemicals that could be cancer causing into something far less toxic that can safely be excreted.
Broccoli sprout extracts inhibit Phase I but stimulate Phase II. This is beneficial for people exposed to a high level of toxins from paint fumes, cigarette smoke, pesticides and alcohol.

2) Sulfur foods

Fish, meat, eggs, onions, garlic, turnips,radishes, celery, kale, string beans
These foods are beneficial for Phase II which uses sulphur forits sulfation pathway.

3) Fresh fruit and vegetables

Eating your 5 or preferably more portions a day helps supply the amino acid glutathione needed for Phase II. If you are exposed to a high level of toxins the neating glutathione rich foods is essential. Commercially prepared foods contain very little glutathione. Frozenvegetables seem to retain their glutathione content.
Especially rich in glutathione are cabbage, broccoli, Brusselssprouts, asparagus, avocado, dill and caraway seeds.
Fruit and vegetables are high in antioxidants which help protect the liver from free radical damage caused by toxins. Organically grown are best.
Grapefruit and its juice is an exception. It contains a substance, naringenin, which if regularly consumed inhibits Phase I detoxification. Drugs and toxins can stay in the body longer before detoxification causing damage. So if you are taking drugs or are exposed to a high level of toxins don't eat grapefruit or drink the juice.

4) High quality protein

Meat, fish and eggs supply the aminoacids needed for the conjugation pathways of Phase II.
It is important to eat organically produced or free range meatand eggs to avoid further toxins stored in the fats ofintensively reared produce. Fish is best from deep clean watersor organically farmed.

5) Essential fatty acids

Many diets are sadly lacking in the beneficial fats that are vital for Phase I detox. Avoid all hydrogenated fats found in many commercially produced and processed foods and meals, and heated fats which can damage them.
Eat fresh nuts and seeds and their unheated cold pressed oils. Oily fish may be contaminated with mercury and other pollutants so it is debatable if they should now be included.

No matter how good your diet or how clean your environment you will always be exposed to toxins. Strengthening detoxification pathways through specific foods will help you stay well or improve existing conditions. Its worth it!

7 Days DIET Program

Lossing your excess weight in 7 Days credit to the author: Dr. Alan Jenks

Below is the model diet program, which is perfect for maintaining the ideal weight by losing the excess weight, storedin the body. By following this diet plan rapid weight loss ispossible.

Day One
This being the first day of the diet program that you are going to follow;

• you need to prepare the body system for the detox.
• Consume only fresh fruit on day one.
  The fruit consumed will provide all the required nutrition. Fruits are nature's gift. They are well balanced as far as nutritive requirement are concerned. A high consumption of fruit was very common thousands of years ago. Fruit is the best for rapid weight loss.
• Try to consume 9-10 servings for the day. You will probably be hungry, but dig deep.

Day two

• In the morning you need to consume carbohydrate rich foods that are mixed with oil. This could be whole grain oatmeal with flaxsee or oil sprinkled on top. This is for the energy and balance requirement.
• Only vegetables should be consumed for the rest of the day. Vegetables are energy free but rich in fiber and other nutrients. Vegetables are very good source of minerals and vitamins.

Day three

• You can consume fruits and vegetables on day three. It is better to avoid potatoes as the required energy can be received from fruits.
• On day three your system will start burning the excess calories stored. You may have a craving for regular food. You should try to control your craving which is essential for rapid weight loss.
• The craving will start reducing from day four. Find something else to focus on and persevere.

Day four

• You are allowed to consume rice or soymilk, bananas and soup. The bananas are very important as they replenish the potassium you might have lost already. The bananas are also good source of sodium.
• You are sure to feel reduced appetite and reduced craving for sweets. Once the appetite is reduced rapid weightloss can be achieved without any fuss.

Day five

• You can breathe easy on day five as you are allowed to eat potatoes and beans. The beans will provide protein and iron that is required. The potatoes are for energy and fiber. The potatoes also help in digestion.
• You will be surprised to note colorless urine on day five. This is the indication that your body is purified.

Day six

• You should consume vegetables and beans. The vegetables you know that it provides vitamins and fiber. The minerals and protein requirement is catered by beans.
• By day six your system is perfectly ready for weight loss. You could see noticeable difference in look and weight when compared to day one.

Day seven

• You can go for your normal foods. You are allowed to consume the food you like but the quantity must be minimal and the frequency can be increased.
• From here on weight loss is just easy, as you have tuned your body to weight loss mode. The best result is to consume fruits, vegetables and beans everyday.
• Stay away from cow's milk, too much wheat, and too much corn.

You can be assured if you follow the diet plan mentioned rapid weight loss is a possibility.

Which Diet is Right?

How do you know 'Which DIET is RIGHT?'

A Diet is really the food that you consume on daily basis. But one should know which diet or food is right for maintaining the ideal weight or losing the excess weight in order to stay fit and healthy. Being overweight and obese is highly harmful asthey pave the way for numerous health problems.

It is needless to mention that the major reason for peoplegetting hypertension, heart attacks, stroke and diabetes at ayoung age is excess weight. Rapid weight loss is of importance for obese people because the longer the weight stays on the moreproblems arise.

The diet that provides all the required nutrients, does not have anything in excess, does not result in overweight, and keeps you a gile all through the day is a diet full of fruits and vegetables. The diet can be a single food item or mixture of food items.


by: Dr. Alan Jenks
(Continue in next article with 7 Days Diet Program by Dr. Alan Jenks)