10 Foods That Will Detox and Cleanse Your Entire Body

John Summerly | Prevent Disease

Image: preventdisease.com

Practiced for thousands of years by cultures around the world --detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. These foods will assist in boosting your metabolism, optimizing digestion, while allowing you to lose weight and fortify your immune system.

1. ARTICHOKES

Artichokes help the liver function at its best, which in turn will help your body purge itself of toxins and other things it doesn’t need to survive. It ups the liver’s production of bile, and since bile helps break down foods which helps your body use the nutrients inside them, an increase in bile production is typically a good thing.

2. APPLES

Apples are full of wonderful nutrients. You get fibre, vitamins, minerals and many beneficial phytochemicals such as D-Glucarate, flavonoids and terpenoids. All of these substances are used in the detox process. One flavonoid, Phlorizidin (phlorizin), is thought to help stimulate bile production which helps with detox as the liver gets rid of some toxins through the bile. Apples are also a good source of the soluble fibre pectin, which can help detox metals and food additives from your body. It's best to eat only organic apples as the non-organic varieties are among the top 12 foods that have been found to contain the most pesticide residues. Organically produced apples also have a 15 percent higher antioxidant capacity than conventionally produced apples.

3. ALMONDS

Almonds are the best nut source of Vitamin E. In fact, just one ounce contains 7.3 mg of "alpha-tocopherol" vitamin E, the form of the vitamin the body prefers. They're also high in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and useable protein that helps stabilize blood sugar and remove impurities from the bowels.

4. ASPARAGUS

Not only does asparagus help to detoxify the body, it can help you wage the anti-aging battle, protect you from getting cancer, help your heart to stay healthy, and is a general anti-inflammatory food. It’s also known to help with liver drainage, which might sound like a bad thing, but since the liver is responsible for filtering out the toxic materials in the food and drinks we consume, anything that backs up its drainage is not doing you any favors. Asparagus also helps reduce risk of death from breast cancer and increase the odds of survival.

5. AVOCADOS

This wonder fruit is packed with antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and dilates the blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxicity. Avocados contain a nutrient called glutathione, which blocks at least 30 different carcinogens while helping the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that elderly people who had high levels of glutathione were healthier and less likely to suffer from arthritis. Consuming avocados is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake level, lower intake of added sugars, lower body weight, BMI and waist circumferences, higher “good cholesterol” levels and lower metabolic syndrome risk.

6. BASIL

Basil has anti-bacterial properties, and it’s full of antioxidants to protect the liver. The active ingredients are terpenoids. It is also wonderful for digestion and detoxification, too. It supports the functioning of the kidneys and also acts as a diuretic to help the body expel unwanted toxins. Basil has been known to have anti-ulcer qualities as well as antimicrobial effects that guard against bacteria, yeast, fungi and mold. Basil seed can also help with constipation. The anticancer properties of basil may also relate to its ability to influence viral infections.

7. BEETS

A single serving of beets can do more for your health than most foods in the produce isle. Not only can they boost your energy and lower your blood pressure, but eating beets in the long-term can help you fight cancer, reduce arthritic pain, boost your brain as well as help you lose weight. Beets contain a unique mixture of natural plant chemicals (phytochemicals) and minerals that make them superb fighters of infection, blood purifiers, and liver cleansers. They also help boost the body’s cellular intake of oxygen, making beets excellent overall body cleansers. When you’re detoxing, beets will help by making sure that the toxins you’re getting out actually make it out of your body. Many detox cleanses go wrong when toxins are reintroduced to the body because they don’t make it all the way out.

8. BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries contain natural aspirin that helps lessen the tissue-damaging effects of chronic inflammation, while lessening pain. Just 300 grams of blueberries protects against DNA damage. Blueberries also act as antibiotics by blocking bacteria in the urinary tract, thereby helping to prevent infections. They have antiviral properties and are loaded with super-detoxifying phytonutrients called proanthocyanidins.

9. BRAZIL NUTS

These tasty treats are packed with selenium, which is key to flushing mercury out of your body. The body uses selenium to make ‘selenoproteins’, which work like antioxidants preventing damage to cells and there is growing body of evidence to show it has a key role in our health. The consumption of brazil nuts has been found to be inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

10. BROCCOLI


Broccoli specifically works with the enzymes in your liver to turn toxins into something your body can eliminate easily. If you’re stuck for ways on how to make broccoli taste better try dehydrating or consider eating it raw. But don’t microwave it as this destroys both the nutritional and detox potential. Broccoli contains a very powerful anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial called sulforaphane which helps prevent cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and allergies.

Read more at preventdisease.com
Sources:
whfoods.com

John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. He is a leader in the natural health community and consults athletes, executives and most of all parents of children on the benefits of complementary therapies for health and prevention.

How To Detox Your Liver Naturally

Your liver is like the maid of your body, cleaning up all the toxins you put into it. The liver keeps all internal systems running smoothly. The modern diet, environmental pollutants, and our increasing dependence on toxic personal care products have put our livers on serious overtime.

Image: blackpoppymag.wordpress.com

So, what can you do about it? Well, you could try a quality liver detox supplement, or you could use some items found at your local health food store, your grocery store, or even some that are already in your kitchen. Here is how to clean your liver with 5 common food items.

How To Naturally Detox Your Liver

1. Warm Lemon Water – Warm lemon water is a great way to detox your liver every single morning. This isn’t lemonade, so don’t add sugar or anything else. Just purified water and a healthy dose of fresh lemon juice. Some experts, like author A.F. Beddoe who wrote the book Biological Ionization as Applied to Human Nutrition, also believe that the liver produces more enzymes in response to water with lemon than to any other food.

2. Garlic - Add some garlic to your cooking or thinly slice a clove into your next salad. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that can help activate enzymes in the liver. It contains allicin and selenium, which are both good for liver protection.

3. Avocados - As if you need another reason to add avocados to your diet, a Japanese study found that avocados contain compounds that can protect the liver from damage. When compared with 21 other fruits, avocados had the most promise in protecting the liver from galactosamine, a “powerful” toxin that has been shown to produce a liver damage much like human viral hepatitis.

4. Cilantro - This versatile herb can be added to just about any dish, including salads or smoothies. This herb can help remove heavy metals from the body, something your liver could be struggling with right now.

5. Turmeric - Another powerful spice with a long list of benefits, turmeric is said to not only protect the liver from damage, but also encourage regeneration of liver cells. In addition, it increases natural bile production and aids in keeping the body toxin-free.

"Tylers Guacamole" Recipe (Level: Easy)

Ingredients: 

• 6 ripe avocados 
• 3 limes, juiced 
• 1 medium yellow onion, 
• chopped 1 garlic clove, smashed then minced 
• 2 serrano chiles, cut into rounds 
• 1 big handful fresh cilantro with stems, 
• about 1/2 cup, finely chopped Extra-virgin olive oil 
• Kosher salt 
• Freshly ground black pepper 

Directions: 
Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados using either a fork or potato masher, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add the remaining ingredients, and fold everything together. Drizzle with a little olive oil, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and give it 1 final mix with a fork. Lay a piece of plastic wrap tight on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

This Guacamole Recipe:
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep 10 min
Inactive 1 hr 0 min
Yield: about 4 cups
Level: Easy Read

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/guacamole-recipe4/index.html?oc=linkback

Glutathione: The Most Powerful Antioxidant

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Did you know that glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants utilized by the human body? It is a tripeptide (3 amino acids bonded together) made by our bodies for protection against free radical damage, to eliminate toxins, to support energy production and help enhance our immune system.

This antioxidant is actually made by our bodies, however, things like toxins, medications, stress, pollution, poor diet, trauma, infections and radiation deplete our glutathione stores, leaving us susceptible to developing a host of diseases. Without enough glutathione, your liver becomes overworked, and it makes it hard for it to properly detox chemicals and toxins from your environment and food.

Even aging depletes our glutathione levels. By the age of 45, our glutathione levels begin to drop, and they can drop as much as 50% below optimal as we get older. This is one reason why we must consume fresh plant foods that are high in this antioxidant to ensure our GSH stores don’t drop below optimal.

On the bright side, GSH helps prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia, and can be used to treat things from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, individuals with the least amount of glutathione in their blood are 30% more likely to suffer from a heart attack and stroke than individuals with high glutathione levels, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

Glutathione functions in a number of ways:

- It functions in the metabolism of iron

- It is used in a variety of biochemical reactions like DNA synthesis & repair, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport and enzyme activation. Thus, it affects a large chunk of the immune system, nervous system, gastrointestinal system and lungs

- Regulates the nitric oxide cycle

- Maintains antioxidants like vitamins C and E (gives them a “second life”)

- Neutralizes free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds which, if not tended to, can lead to a host of diseases and illnesses

Long Life Span

Most antioxidants have short life spans (for each free radical molecule, 1 molecule of antioxidant is completely wiped out – they sacrifice their lives). Not glutathione! This antioxidant has the power to recharge not only itself, but other antioxidants as well (like vitamins C and E, mentioned above).

Free Radicals and Detox

Free radical damage to our tissues and DNA is one of the main causes for chronic illness. The cumulative overload of free radicals (from the environment, stress, foods we eat, water supply, etc.) is called oxidative stress, and this is what slowly deteriorates our health. It is important that we maintain a constant store of GSH (and other antioxidants) because this is what protects our cells from oxidation. In addition, the fact that GSH helps restore other antioxidants in our body, it is particularly important that we do not deplete these stores.

The highest concentration of glutathione is located in the liver, the body’s primary detox organ. The liver undergoes two stages of detoxification:

1) Liver enzymes convert toxins into flushable compounds and,

2) Glutathione escorts these toxins out of the body via urine or bile

If glutathione levels are low, our liver becomes overloaded with toxins and this leads to many unexplained sicknesses and health issues we see today.

Glutathione and Aging

The Journal of Age and Aging reported that glutathione levels are highest in seniors who are in good health. These seniors actually had higher glutathione levels than individuals 20-40 years younger. This could be one reason as to why some individuals make it to 90 and 100 years old, versus individuals who make it to 70 or 80.

Boost Your Glutathione Levels! 

Plant Foods High In Glutathione

Some plant foods contain the full version of glutathione like asparagus, spinach, avocado, melon, grapefruit, peaches and squash. Try to consume these foods raw and without heat to allow for greatest absorption and to prevent the destruction of the antioxidant.

Eat Raw

Consuming a high raw, plant based diet will ensure that you get an array of antioxidants into your diet which helps to relieve the stress on glutathione and give it a break. The more antioxidants you have in your body, the less your body will need to depend on its glutathione reserves.

Consume Foods High in Cysteine

In addition, eat more foods high in cysteine like garlic and onions. This sulfur-rich amino acid is a key building block for the antioxidant glutathione.

Eat Cruciferous Vegetables

Also include foods in your diet like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale which enhance glutathione production!

Limit Toxic Exposure

Switching to a whole foods natural lifestyle will reduce your exposure to toxins. Cleaning your home with natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon, and switching to chemical free beauty and skin care products will minimize how many chemicals you are exposed to day in day out. Filtering your water, reducing the amount of refined and processed foods you eat (or cutting them out all together), as well as consuming lots of organic, non-GMO produce minimizes potential toxic burdens. This will help preserve your body’s glutathione producing ability, and prevents it from becoming depleted at an early age.

Exercise

Exercise actually boosts the production of glutathione and helps improve the functioning of your immune and detoxification systems. Any form of exercise will work – whichever you have fun at most. Go outside and play, breathe the fresh air, and move your body for at least 30-60 minutes a day!

Sources:

http://experiencelife.com/article/glutathione-the-great-protector/