Do You Really Need A Detox?

Do I really need to detox?

This one’s always interesting to me, because on the one hand you’ve got conventional medicine telling you “that’s why you’ve got a liver” and on the other hand you’ve got the wellness folks trying to make coffee enemas a thing (I wish I was kidding).

Like most things in true health, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. 

The Liver

Your liver is a pretty amazing organ- it does a ton to keep your body flowing and yes one it’s main roles (along with other organs) is to filter out toxins and harmful chemicals from your bloodstream ie “detox”. The toxins are filtered out, bound and removed from your body when you use the bathroom and, to a lesser degree, through your breath. 

In an ideal world, everything’s gravy. But we live here- and here there’s more chemicals than we’ve ever dealt with coming in through our household products, skincare products, food, scents, air, medications, water, and anywhere else you turn. Here there’s constipation keeping toxins inside, alcohol, processed foods and hormonal birth control. So our livers are up against a lot that they haven’t exactly evolved to handle- and it shows. Cases of NAFLD (Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) are on the rise- fast, and hitting younger people than ever. NAFLD can potentially cause cirrhosis and heptocellular carcinomas (cancers). Its causes are multifactorial including obesity, high cholesterol, chronic inflammation, genetics, medications and other lifestyle factors- all of which, like I said, are hammering us more than ever before, putting new levels on strain on our bodies overall and yes our livers.  

When our liver is overburdened our body can get “backed up” in toxins, leading to chronic inflammation, which leads to less effective detox, which completes the cycle by leading to more toxins. This “backup” can lead to symptoms ranging from fatigue, skin issues, mood swings and digestive issues. 

So, all that said- giving your liver a little extra support doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

But the idea of “detox” has been wildly misrepresented for a while now- if you’ve ever seen an ad for green tea supplements or a “detox juice cleanse” you’ve been lied to. Like anything in our bodies our liver needs fuel in order to function, and that fuel comes from food. The idea is to support the liver and make it function optimally, not starve it, while removing our exposure to as many chemicals as we can so that it can really get to work. Loading up on liver loving foods and supplement support is how you get the most out of your detox. 

Like any time I post, remember I’m not your doctor- always consult a medical professional before starting any supplements. 

If you’re ready to give some love to your liver, start with these steps, which I recommend following for at least 2 or 3 weeks:

1. Remove environmental toxins- Start by looking around you (and on you) to understand how many chemicals you’re surrounded by. Plastics, lotions, detergents, air fresheners, non-stick cookware that’s scratched, and makeup are common household items that could be delivering a major dose of disruptive chemicals. The Environmental Working Group is a good resource for finding clean brands- you can also download the Yuka app, to simply scan your items and see where they fall on the “chemical” scale. 

2. Cut out the C.R.A.P.S.- Caffeinated & carbonated, Refined, Artificial, Processed & Sugary. You’re trying to detox- don’t load more junk on top of it!

3. Load on liver friendly foods- this is where we give the liver the nutrients it needs to function optimally. 

   1. Aim for 4 to 6 cups of organic vegetables everyday. Organic is key here to reduce pesticide exposure. Focus especially on leafy greens, beets, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, carrots and onions. Think hearty veggies that are high in fiber.  

   2. Eat enough healthy fats- avocadoes, olives & olive oil, salmon, and walnuts are all great sources

   3. Bump up your protein- organic and grass fed animal meats provide protein that your body needs to repair. If you’re not a meat eater, load up on high quality legumes and beans. 

   4. Drink water- help keep everything flushing & flowing by getting around 100 oz/ day. 

4. Consider supplementation, with the support of a medical professional. Supplements shown to support the liver include L-Glutathione, NAC, Milk thistle and Quercertin. 

5. Get moving- Exercise helps keep your blood pumping and supports the liver and lymph system as they work to detox. 

Follow these steps for a few weeks and see how you feel- it could be exactly what you need to reset your body- no enema required ;)