|
 ASK
OUR EXPERTS...
How would doing a “liver cleanse” benefit me?
By Dr. Patricia J. Wales & Dr. Jennifer Bunzenmeyer
We are constantly exposed to toxins that accumulate in our tissues.
Periodically giving the liver a helping hand to increase its ability to
handle those toxins is very beneficial to our health.
A toxin is any substance that causes harm to the body. External toxins
include xenobiotics (herbicides, pesticides), toxic metals, caffeine,
medications, smoking, alcohol and molds. Internal toxins are the waste
products of our normal cellular metabolism, excess hormones as well as
by-products of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The different systems involved
in excreting these harmful toxins are the liver, blood, kidney, skin, lungs,
spleen, digestive, lymphatic and immune systems.
The two main detox pathways in the liver must function in harmony to process
toxins properly. If one or both of these pathways is “sluggish”, harmful
toxins can be absorbed back into the body, resulting in adverse effects like
brain fog, fatigue, irritability, anger, free radical damage and
carcinogenic (cancer-causing) tendencies.
Specific nutrients, botanicals, homeopathics and procedures can stijualte
and balance the liver detox pathways. Vitamins A, B and E, the minerals
zinc, calcium, and magnesium, and the amino acids methionine and choline are
very important in phase I and II detox. Lemon juice added to drinking water
stimulates bile production in the liver to carry fat-soluble toxins out into
the intestines for excretion. Indole-3-carbinol found in and concentrated
from the brassica family (cabbage, broccoli, bok choy) helps metabolize
estrogen into a “friendlier” estrogen in the Phase 1 pathway; calcium d-glucarate
concentrated from potatoes (also found in brussel sprouts, apples, oranges,
grapefruit) encourages phase II elimination of excess estrogen. Milk
thistle, artichoke, turmeric and dandelion are very effective herbs in
supporting the liver detox processes. Castor oil applied over the abdomen
and lower rib cage decreases inflammation and increases lymphatic flow to
carry toxins out of the tissues and into the liver and intestine for
processing.
Promoting liver detox with a liver cleanse is a powerful tool that is useful
for promoting health and for treating a variety of conditions:
migraine/tension headaches, gastrointestinal and gall bladder distress,
hormonal imbalance resulting in pre-menstrual irritability and anger,
infertility, endometriosis, and pre- and peri- menopause symptoms.
References: Kaur, S. The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer
2003
To have your detox questions answered, contact Dr Patricia J. Wales, BSc
ND & Dr. Jennifer Bunzenmeyer, BSc ND at 403.301.0123.
www.ndclinic.com
|
