Quick Tip: A helping hand for your liver this party season:
The Christmas period is often packed with social events filling the calendar – boozy lunches, dinners and parties. Over-indulgence is likely and, honestly, who wants to spend the party season detoxing or sipping on green juices whilst everyone else is digging into the Christmas dinner.
However, there are ways to support your liver nutritionally; keeping it happy and allowing you to enjoy the odd over-indulge during Christmas –
- Everything in moderation and keeping the diet as clean as possible on those days the calendar is empty. The 80-20 rule is the perfect way to live life. 80% good and 20% a little naughty 🙂
- Liver support foods include: turmeric, beetroot, carrot, lentils, lemons, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts (perfect for Xmas!), and leeks, to name but a few.
- Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – offer heaps of nutrients to support and cleanse the liver. Vegetable juices are a great option too: beetroot, carrot, spinach, apple juice, and ginger as an example
- Keep well hydrated and avoid caffeine if possible.
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (organic – with the mother) before breakfast, or even before each meal: will get the stomach juices and bile flowing, which in turn will assist with digestion and elimination.
- Taking a vitamin B complex can help the liver work efficiently: Dr Vera’s Activated B Complex is a good option.
- Doing a liver flush drink once a week will also assist the liver in a gentle cleanse / mild detox.
Liver flush:
Best done in the morning after some gentle exercise, such as a walk. After you have finished the drink, it is a good idea to sit quietly for at least half an hour and focus on breathing techniques. If you feel unwell shortly after taking the liver flush, it could be a sign that your liver is detoxing quickly, and is therefore in need of additional cleansing.
- 1/3 cup cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup lemon / lime juice
- 3 – 5 garlic cloves
- A one inch piece of ginger, peeled
- Sprinkle of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups of orange / grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
Place all ingredients in a blender.
Orange / grapefruit juice can be replaced with freshly squeezed apple juice or dark green leafy green juices – both of which are also good liver cleansers.