Liver cleanses our body from toxins. But what does liver need to cleanse itself?
“Your liver would love for you to have a varied and healthy diet. To cheer up your liver, do the following:
► Try to reduce the amount of toxins by changing your lifestyle, nutrition and the environment.
► Eat local and organic foods (fewer toxins, the better)
► Drink enough water. It helps your liver to function better.
► Eat a nutritious food that does not contain refined and processed foods or added sugars. They are a burden to your liver.
► Eat foods that are rich in fibre and generally nutritious -fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish. If your menu does not have enough fibre, then add them as a dietary supplement. Pulses are also a good way of getting fibres.”
It is quite easy to boost liver’s function with a balanced diet! Health is the basis of all human well-being, success and happiness. So, it is worth paying attention to.
What foods should we eat to support liver cleanse and function?
► “Broccoli and broccoli extract contain large amounts of sulfarofan, which helps to reduce allergic reactions to pollution by providing antioxidant protection. Broccoli has a very strong antioxidant effect, which helps to reduce free radical damage by up to 95%. Sulfarofan contains an isothiocyanate-phytochemical agent that improves the ability of the liver to deactivate harmful estrogen metabolites.
► Although artichokes are generally considered to be simply snacks (at least in Estonia), next to the olives on a snack table, then these they are actually very useful foods that should be more regularly in our menus. Artichoke helps to support liver and gall bladder and improve digestion. Artichokes are recommended for dyspepsia and food indigestion which can cause abdominal discomfort, gases, mild constipation or bulging, loss of appetite or nausea. Artichoke has beneficial effects in biliary and fat digestion disorders.
► Thistle is a purifying plant that is also recommended to support liver cleanse function. Defecation protects the liver and is thought to have free radical scavenging properties.
► Pomegranate is one of the wonders of nature. Alfalipoic acid, which is present in it, supports the liver and can help agains Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
► Liver also likes all sorts of cabbages because they contain indole-3-carbinol. This nutrient improves liver activity and actively contributes to estrogen degradation.
► Certainly, a moderate amount of protein is also required, because N-acetylcysteine is a compound found in protein foods (mostly in animal foods). N-acetylcysteine contributes to the production of essential antioxidant glutathione, which is also important for optimal body-purification. N-acetylcysteine also helps to protect liver from various chemicals and paracetamol toxicity.
Pay attention! Refined and processed foods, added sugars and alcohol should be avoided, they are a burden for your liver!”
Birch water is definitely something much more than a lemonade. As one of its many functions, it also contributes to liver detoxification. It is very good for kidneys and liver by stimulating their work. As according to Estonian folk medicine, birch water is considered to be against 101 diseases.
So, what does birch water got to do with all this? Does it help somehow or is just a lemonade?
“Birch water is definitely something much more than a lemonade. As one of its many functions, it also contributes to liver detoxification. It is very good for kidneys and liver by stimulating their work. As according to Estonian folk medicine, birch water is considered to be against 101 diseases.”
As nutritionist Teele Teder points out, it is quite easy to liver cleanse and to boost liver’s function with a balanced diet! Health is the basis of all human well-being, success and happiness. So, it is worth paying attention to. Short-term changes in the menu or in the shopping cart can just offer a temporal relief but the most effective way is to consistently work on it and develop a healthy lifestyle. As the people in the old east use to say, it’s believed that the soul of a human being lies in the liver! The saying is for a reason – your liver is your life! So, let’s take care of our health by making small changes to our food selection and occasionally refresh ourselves with a zip (or a bottle or a few more) of birch water!
TEELE TEDER // Nutritionist
Teele Teder is an Estonian nutritionist who has lost 36kg of weight. She knows what is like to be overweight which is why she wants to help others in achieving their ideal and healthy bodyweight. Teele is also a co-author in many health magazines in Estonia, like Tervis Pluss and Oma Maitse.
