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Why Beetroot Powder Is a Superfood, And How To Add It To Your Diet

Beetroot is one of only a select few vegetables with the power to cleanse your liver naturally, which makes beetroot powder a superfood.

Not only does it help with liver function, but beetroot powder also has the ability to improve athletic performance and heal fatty liver naturally. Because beetroot has so many beneficial health properties, we’re not surprised that the red veggie has earned superfood status.

With over 500 essential functions to perform within the body, the liver needs all the assistance it can get to continue working at optimum capacity. By taking a natural beetroot powder supplement like our Daily Detox blend, you can help your liver get the job done.

Beetroot powder recipes

Our beetroot powder blend is an all-natural health supplement packed with beetroot and 9 other plant-based whole foods that work together to improve liver function as well as blood, digestive and kidney health.

Taking a beetroot powder supplement also helps the cardiovascular system by increasing the release of oxygen from the blood by 20% and thereby enhancing athletic performance and endurance.

There are a huge number of everyday recipes that beetroot powder can be added to in order to ensure your liver is getting the love it deserves. Here are some of our favourites:

Detox Chia Pudding

Who doesn’t love a sweet dessert packed with nutritional goodness? Beetroot powder is what lends our Detox Chia Pudding its delicious strawberry colour and powerful liver health boost.

Thanks to the added bonus of satiating chia seeds, our Detox Chia Pudding is a tasty treat jammed with protein, fibre, Omega-3 and antioxidants.

Chocolate Smoothie

It’s easy to add healthy extras like beetroot powder to your breakfast smoothie while still maintaining that delicious fruity flavour.

Switch out the Prebiotic Blend in our Chocolate Smoothie for Daily Detox and you can wake up to a liver-loving breakfast every day of the week.

Hummus

For a yummy afternoon snack with carrots or corn chips, use roasted beet or beetroot powder to create a fast and easy hummus dip with a twist.

Add 1 flat tablespoon of Daily Detox to our favourite Hummus recipe and enjoy a nutritious pink treat that your liver will love.

Raisin Cookies

Combining raisins and beetroot powder might sound like a strange mix, but the two make a surprisingly flavourful pairing.

With an added tablespoon of Daily Detox to our Raisin Cookies recipe, you can satisfy your cookie craving and delight your liver all at the same time.

Heal and cleanse your liver with beetroot powder

There are so many different ways that you can add beetroot powder to your diet, and your liver will reap the benefits when you do. By embracing this bright superfood, you can help to detoxify and heal your body naturally.

If keeping it simple is more your style, all you have to do is stir into a glass of water a tablespoon of our Daily Detox blend and drink it down after dinner. Whichever natural way you choose to consume beetroot powder, your body and liver will benefit.

 

The Importance of Gut Loving Foods

There are so many nasty gut issues, ranging from things such as Colitis, IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, and many others. Symptoms can range from bloating to constipation diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, bleeding, and a myriad of other problems. While some gut issues are autoimmune in nature, others can be related to things like stress and food intolerances, which can set up a cascade of health complications. All in all, gut health issues are frustrating, debilitating and inconvenient.  The Flourish anti-inflammatory turmeric blend and the prebiotic blend work wonders for anyone with any sort of gut issue.

Treatment

Yes, problems with gut health can vary, but the way we at Flourish treats them is the same.  We use a system called “DEBBIE” :

Diet – the right foods feed the gut flora and create greater diversity

Enzymes – help to break down food for better absorption and digestion

Barrier – leaky gut – decrease autoimmune response

Bacteria – the greater the diversity, the healthier

Immune system – 95% of your immune system lives in the gut

Enteric Nervous System – decreases stress and pain pathways

Diet

As you can see, the first line of fixing your gut issue revolves around diet and making sure that you are consuming plenty of gut-loving foods.  The foods you eat have a direct impact on your gut lining and gut microbes.  Our way of healing the gut is by going back to basics. Just as your mother did after you stopped breastfeeding, the foods you were given then created your gut world. What we do is take out all the offending food and go back to eating basic fruits and vegetables in order to recreate your particular gut world. We eliminate the foods that may be wreaking havoc on your gut health.

No matter where your pain originates, pain equals information. So if you are feeling bloated or have stomach pains of any kind, then it is a sign of inflammati0n. This inflammation needs to be switched off if you are to heal your gut.  Gut diversity – which refers to the number of species you have in your gut – is extremely important, and comes from eating a range of different foods. If your gut is inflamed, however, then diversity does not matter; the gut microbes have gone to sleep and are no longer doing their job. You need to consume a wide range of foods, and you need them all awake and working hard for you if you are to be happy and healthy. Because of this, diet is our number one challenge and treatment plan.

Often, if we get the ‘D’ for diet right, the rest of the ‘DEBBIE’ system falls into place and happens pretty much without intervention.

If you have any private issues or questions that you would like to discuss, please pop online and send us an email. We will be happy to chat, or click the appointment button and come and see us. Again, the Flourish anti-inflammatory turmeric blend and the prebiotic blend work wonders for anyone with any sort of gut issue. The only thing that changes from person to person is the dosage. The worse your problem, the gentler you must be with the dose. Always start small and build up gently.

Vegan Vs. Whole Food Plant-Based: What’s the Difference?

2019 is being touted as the year of veganism – but what is a vegan diet? Our products – which include a beetroot powder supplement, a turmeric blend, and a prebiotic blend – are all both vegan and whole-food, plant-based lifestyle friendly. In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes the two lifestyles different.

Veganism

According to  Wikipedia, veganism “is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and is accompanied by an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals”. A true vegan diet really just means that no animal products are consumed.

Whole-Food, Plant-Based

On the other hand, a whole-food, plant-based diet concentrates more on ensuring that the food you consume is from a “whole” source. In other words, the food you consume is unprocessed or minimally processed. Foods such as refined oils, refined sugars and refined flours are kept to a minimum or not consumed at all.

An example of this is olive oil. Those people following a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle are able to eat olives, however, olive oil – which is highly processed –  is not considered whole and therefore would not be consumed. A whole-food, plant-based diet is made up mostly of whole grains, vegetables, legumes,  beans, nuts and seeds.

The Difference

The word ‘diet’ is not accurate when describing veganism or whole-food, plant-based. While it describes the way a person eats, neither are calorie-restricted.  A better way to describe them would be ‘vegan lifestyle’ or a ‘whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.’ Both usually have a guiding philosophy, and what motivates the two lifestyles can differ significantly. Those inspired to go towards a ‘vegan lifestyle’ usually do so for ethical reasons. They are either driven by the philosophy of stopping cruelty towards animals or wanting a more sustainable environment. Those inspired towards a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle do so more for health reasons. They are looking to prevent or improve a chronic illness.

A simple way of looking at this is by considering the humble Oreo. By some miracle of food science, the Oreo is vegan, and those following a vegan lifestyle are able to consume as many as they like. Those choosing a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, however, would avoid them and view them as too highly processed, calorie-rich and nutrient-poor, with way too many ingredients, offering no real health benefits. Basically, that is the difference.

We at Flourish promote a whole-food, plant-based, refined oil-free lifestyle because we know and understand that to recover or improve from any health crisis, it is one of the most effective ways to achieve desired results. Our whole food supplements are suitable for both vegan and whole-food, plant-based lifestyles.

Healthy Lifestyle For Fatty Liver

What is fatty liver?

Fatty Liver is a term usually given to someone whose liver cells contain too much fat. It is diagnosed through a blood test, ultrasound, or MRI. The liver enzymes could be out of range in a blood test, or an ultrasound could show that the liver cells are enlarged and containing fat.

The cause is usually excessive alcohol consumption, but today we are seeing this condition in people who do not drink alcohol, also. If this is the case, it is known as non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Why does it happen? 

The answer is the food we are eating. The standard Australian diet – though improving – is typically filled with foods containing excessive amounts of oil, fat, and refined sugars, which all cause the liver to store fat within its cells. Ageing and the excessive intake of medications can also be a factor. The more processed your diet, the more likely you are to have a Fatty Liver.

The liver is responsible for over 500 different processes within the body. It plays a major role in the production of our hormones, processing foods, detoxifying toxins and filtering harmful substances. Also, it is the only organ in the body that is capable of regeneration. A regeneration cycle is 30-40 days, depending on the size of the person.

Chronic liver disease is often symptomless, or the symptoms are subtle at the least: general fatigue, poor sleep, not waking refreshed, swelling of the legs, weight gain, insulin resistance, thyroid issues, and diabetes are some of the most common. If the condition is at its worst, the symptoms can include a terrible itching of the skin, yellowing of the eyes and skin, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and swelling, confusion, and death.

Is it reversible?

Yes, we believe it is, but it requires you to make some big changes to your dietary habits, exercise regime, and alcohol consumption.

Dietary Changes needed:

  • Remove fat from your diet
  • Eat a plant-based diet
  • Eliminate meat and diary
  • Eliminate gluten
  • Eliminate alcohol

Optional – for quick and longlasting results:

  • Consume the Flourish Detox Blend – nightly before bed – 1 tablespoon
  • Consume the Flourish Turmeric Blend – ½ teaspoon nightly before bed

It normally takes 30-40 days to see significant changes, or 1 regeneration cycle. If the condition is severe, we recommend continuing the healing regime for a minimum of 3 months.

Because the liver is one of the most important organs in our body, is extremely important to keep it healthy and avoid conditions such as Fatty Liver. By making healthy changes to your diet, regularly exercising, and significantly reducing alcohol consumption, you can not only treat Fatty Liver but reverse it.

How To Reverse Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease, what causes it, and how do you reverse it? These are the three biggest questions we get asked when we see someone who has been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Overall, a good detox natural detox such as our daily detox beetroot blend, a healthy diet, daily exercise, and stress management can help to treat and reverse cardiovascular disease.

What is it?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a collective name given to diseases that cause a narrowing of the blood vessels. The narrowing of these blood vessels can lead to heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and, ultimately, death.

The Cause

While most people may think it is hereditary, which is a statement that may have some truth behind it, it is by no means the whole story. Our genes only make up 3-5% of what happens to us, and it is the environment that we live in that allows the hereditary part to be expressed.

We at Flourish think that the food we eat makes up the majority of the cause, and stress makes up th rest. The food environment we grow up in usually runs in families, hence why we typically see the same conditions amongst family members. If the entire family eats a predominantly high-fat diet, then diseases associate with that could run in the family. A diet high in fat, refined sugars, meats, dairy, and processed and packaged foods can be the cause of CVD.

Our blood vessels are designed to stay wide and open. The epithelial cells that line the blood vessels release a substance called nitric oxide and its purpose is to keep the vessels open, which allows the blood to flow easily. The flow is called laminar.

When we consume fat in our diet, the nitric oxide is inhibited by the epithelial cells, causing a narrowing. This then causes the blood flow to goo from laminar to turbulent. This turbulent flow causes the blood to bump into the cells, damaging the vessel lining. Our body will then lay down plague as a band-aid trying to heal the damage, which then results in a permanent narrowing of the blood vessels and, in turn, the beginning of CVD.

How to reverse it?

A complete lifestyle change is the best way to reverse CVD. While some may think it is easier said than done, it does not have to be. From a food perspective, it is important to cut out high-fat foods and instead eat foods that strengthen the epithelial cells that line the blood vessels. Foods that help with this are beetroot and green leafy vegetables, amongst others.

Our beetroot detox blend is the perfect supplement for strengthening the blood vessels, working best when taken alongside 6 cups of leafy green vegetables every day. We recommend taking 1 tablespoon of the detox blend in the morning or night, whichever fits your routine best. Exercising for 30 minutes a day will also help significantly.

It is also important to decrease stress, which is probably the hardest lifestyle change. Meditation or prayer is a good place to start, but you will find your own way to decrease external stressors. The best place to de-stress is internally, and by changing the foods you consume, you will see a huge difference in reversing cardiovascular disease.

 

 

 

 

 

Thyroid 101

This small but mighty, shield shaped gland is located in the front of the neck and plays an enormous role in our overall health.  Every cell in the body, except red blood cells, has a receptor site for thyroid hormones, and these regulate temperature and metabolism.  The thyroid influences almost every bodily function, so when it is not working properly you can experience a wide range of signs and symptoms. 

Under-active or Overactive?

You might hear the terms under-active and overactive thrown around from time to time when it comes to talking about the thyroid.

Under-active Thyroid

Hypo or low thyroid function means the thyroid gland is under-active and it does not product enough thyroid hormone.  High cortisol (stress hormones) can cause the thyroid to stop producing thyroid hormones and this is known as hypothyroidism.

Environmental stress can also be a cause of an under-active thyroid, and this is highly linked to individual genetic predispositions. 

The major signs and symptoms of under-active thyroid issues are fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, foggy brain , depression, brittle nails, shortness of breathe, anxiety, irregular periods, sensitivity to the cold, bowel problems and a general feeling of un-wellness. 

Over-active Thyroid

Hyper or high thyroid functions means the thyroid gland is overactive, and producing far too many thyroid hormones.  Again internal and external environment stress can cause the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to send the wrong message to the thyroid gland, causing it to over produce.                                                                                           

The signs and symptoms are fairly similar to those of an under-active thyroid, but weight loss is more prevalent, along with a very rapid heart rate, heart palpitations, anxiety, unable to control temperature and shakiness throughout the body. 

Hyperthyroidism is far more dangerous that hypo and needs to be addressed quickly due to the heart’s involvement with hyperthyroidism or Grave’s Disease as it is known. 

Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s

Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s are the names given to thyroid disease if the immune system is involved; this means that the problem is autoimmune.

Besides medications, controlling environmental factors in both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ is paramount.  Reducing stress and eating a whole food, plant-based fat free diet makes a monumental difference to both diseases.

Lifestyle factors to support thyroid health

Staying gluten free is one of the most important things if diagnosed with a thyroid issue.  The gluten protein is extremely similar to the protein structure found within the thyroid.  This similarity is called cellular mimickery and causes the immune system to see the thyroid as similar to gluten. If you have a sensitivity to gluten, it will want to destroy the gland, this is the first step to autoimmune thyroid disease.

A low ‘free-fat’ diet is also one of the keys to supporting thyroid problems.  The thyroid itself only produces 7% of the active hormone T3 (what the cell can use) and the other 93% , known as T4, must travel via transporter proteins to the liver and gut for conversion to active T3.    These transporter proteins have a strong affinity to fat, so if the diet is full of ‘free’ fats (those that come from a bottle or a jar) bind to these transporters not allowing them to pick up the inactive T4 for transportation to the liver. 

How Flourish can help with the natural anti-inflammatory and beetroot powder

All three of our blends have a role to play when it comes to supporting thyroid health.

If the liver is filled with fat also from a high-fat diet, then it is unable to make the conversion. Our detox blend has been designed to aid this very function of the liver.

Good gut bacteria is also responsible for converting 20% of the inactive T4 to active T3, so our prebiotic, gut blend should also be front of mind if you have a thyroid issue.   

If the gut is inflamed the bacteria all go to sleep for want of a better description, so are unable to perform the conversion properly.  Decreasing inflammation not only in the gut, but also all through the body should be top of mind as well. And that’s where our Turmeric blend comes in.

Find out more about our blends here.

You might also be interested in “Let’s talk about inflammation“.

5 Ways To Improve Your Gut Health

It’s the season of Gut Health here at Flourish, and for good reason too!

Our gut microbiome (the trillions of microorganisms living in your intestinal tract) is the corner stone of our health and our happiness. These microorganisms, mainly comprising of bacteria, are involved in functions critical to your health and wellbeing. It’s essential that we keep them as happy as possible!

Small changes can go a long way in improving our gut microbiome, here’s our top tips:

1. Eat the rainbow

The more colours of fruit and veggies on your plate, the greater the diversity of species and the more species present, the healthier your immune system!  A good way to begin to do this is to make a chart with each colour of the rainbow marked on it, then each day tick off what you have eaten from each colour range.

2. Don’t be too clean!

We don’t mean to be a grub! But using antibacterial wipes and hand sanitising gels constantly just isn’t healthy.  They are designed to wipe out bacteria and since our bodies are made up of more of trillions of essential bacterias, it’s important not to wipe them out using sanitising gels.  Research shows that the more sterile the environment for our gut microbiomes the smaller the diversity of species, and thereby the less healthy the host, which is us!

3. Eat gut loving foods, they are natural detox

Eat at least one or all of these foods daily: cold white potatoes with no fat or oil on them, cold rice like sushi with no mayonnaise, and cold oats. The reason we advise to eat these foods cold is because when they’re cold they’re much higher in resistant starch (which is what our gut microbes love!) The gut bugs eat and convert it to short chain fatty acids and butyrate which is the primary food source that keeps the cells of our colon healthy.

4. Avoid C.R.A.P

Otherwise known as ‘Calorie Rich And Processed’ foods.  Stay away from food out of a packet and foods high in processed sugars.  Keep fat to less than 20 grams per day.

5. Take our Prebiotic Blend

Our obvious choice! Our Prebiotic Blend is food for the gut microbes!  It is full of resistant starch and inulin (from chicory root), a form of fibre that they love. Our Prebiotic Blend to gut bugs is like what a Krispy Kreme is to a 10 year old, delicious!

SHOP THE BLEND

You might also be interested in “The Difference Between Turmeric & Curcumin“.

Staying Healthy During The Silly Season

Summer is coming. Now despite its promise of warmer weather, long beach days, and perhaps even some time off work, it still seems to strike fear into our hearts.

The summer months can be a really confronting time – a time of skirts and sandals, sleeveless dresses, shorts, and of course the dreaded bathing suits. A time when we worry that perhaps we were a little too zealous, a little too carefree, with our food choices throughout winter. We may be body positive, but do we feel it?

Trust me, it doesn’t have to be this way! Let’s think again…

Summer brings with it the most wonderful food choices and meals. Exercise and the outdoors are that much more enticing, and we often naturally find ourselves eating a little healthier and feeling a little lighter. If summer is a time for anything, then it’s a time for some sun and some socialising.

But, wait a minute, I see some red flags waiving! Socialising…it’s that one aspect of summer that has the potential to threaten all of our good work and undermine all of our best intentions… It’s party season.

Summer in the southern hemisphere is Silly Season. Parties can be a nightmare when you are committed to a particular diet regime. The food offered at parties? Often ‘gourmet’, regularly deep fried, and rarely meat and dairy free. And don’t get us started on the traditional Christmas lunch. Wholefood, plant-based, oil-free eating? Not so much.

“Oh my goodness! How can I continue to eat healthy when I’m averaging two parties per week?!” It’s a refrain I hear constantly, so here’s a plan of attack:

Tip #1

If it’s a friend hosting the party, try telling them what you require. Keep it simple. I usually tell friends that I have a strict diet regime due to a health challenge, and that I would be more than happy with a salad and a spud. Otherwise I ask whether it is acceptable for me to bring my own food, and just let them know what that food is likely to be. If you say it is for health reasons, no one feels threatened or put-out – and they’re your friend, they’ll understand!

Tip #2

Restaurants. Once again, ring ahead and tell them what you require. Are they able to accommodate your health requirements? All you need is a simple salad, steamed vegetables, potatoes, a lentil or rice dish. Trust me, they will appreciate the forewarning and happily cater for you – especially when you are accompanied by a large group of people – customer satisfaction is good business!

Tip #3

Eat before you go. This is a challenging one. It requires a little organisation and, I’m not going to lie, occasionally leaves you feeling rude or removed from the group. Just remember your priorities. It staves off temptation once you arrive, but also leaves you free to simply enjoy what vegetables and salads may be on offer.

Honour Yourself by using our natural detox

Remember the commitment you have made to yourself to honour your health and healing journey. Personal growth, authenticity, and integrity are some of my key values, which makes sticking to my eating regime non-negotiable.

Enjoy the festive season for the people, not the food, and you’ll be surprised just how wonderful you feel about yourse.

You might also be interested in “The #1 Diet Tip That Will Change Your Life“.

The #1 Diet Tip That Will Change Your Life

If I could make a single dietary recommendation to people looking to improve their health, it would be to adopt a plant-based diet.

Eating plants has been the best change I’ve made in my diet — plants have made me healthier, stronger, more energetic — and have increased my life expectancy. Of course, the diet itself is simple, but moving away from the standard Aussie diet to a plant-based one can be challenging for  isn’t always so simple for most people.

Changing your diet can be difficult, but in this blog, I’ll share a bit about how to change, talk a bit about why, and what you might eat.

What’s a Plant-Based Diet? 

The simple answer, of course, is that you eat plants. You eliminate animals and (eventually) animal products like dairy and eggs.

The less simple answer is there is an abundance of plant foods that most people never eat, and eating a plant-based diet means you might widen the variety of foods you eat. For example, some of my favourite foods include: Buckwheat as a porridge in the morning, or in place of rice in a salad or savoury dish, Quinoa, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and basically any vegetable I come across.

Why Should You Change to Natural detox?

Changing to a plant-based diet will help you lose weight and reduce your BMI, improve your heart health, stay healthier as you age, improve blood pressure, reverse diabetes, or any other health-related issue.

How to Change

I recommend that if you want to make the change, start small and change slowly. A good plan is to make the change in stages:

Slowly cut out meat. You might try starting with ‘Meatless Mondays’ and then, over time, expanding to other days of the week. Another common idea is to start by cutting out red meat, and then poultry, then seafood, in gradual stages over a few months. There is no rush — do it at the pace that feels right for you. Another important point is that, as you eliminate meat replace with starches and legumes, they will give you all the nutrition you need. Try new foods and explore different products as you make these changes.

Eliminate eggs. After you cut out red meat and poultry, you’ll be pescatarian (seafood). When you eliminate seafood, you’re vegetarian! If you’re eating eggs and dairy, that’s called a “lacto-ovo” vegetarian. You can then eliminate eggs.

Cut out dairy. This tends to be harder for most people. Not because of milk but because of cheese. I hear a lot of people say, “I can’t give up my cheese!” — and I empathise, as this was a sticking point for me too. Try focusing on the things you can eat, rather than the things you can’t.

What to Eat

So, what do you eat when you’re on a plant-based diet that focuses on whole foods? Lots!

A few categories of foods to include regularly:

Beans and other protein. This means the regular kinds of beans, like lentils, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, etc. But it can also mean soybeans, tofu and tempeh.

Nuts and seeds. My favourites include raw almonds and walnuts, along with ground flaxseeds and chia seeds, and hemp seed protein powder. Almond milk is also good. And quinoa — it’s like a grain, but really a seed, and full of nutrition.

Good fats. Not all fats aren’t bad for you — you should just avoid processed fats and oils.    Plants with high amounts of good fats include avocados, nuts and seeds.  However, all plant foods contain some sort of fat in them even lettuce and celery.  Minute amounts but even so, they do contain some.  So you will be getting all the fats you need.

Greens. This is one of the most important and nutritious groups of all. Dark, leafy green veggies are awesome and full of calcium, iron and a ton of vitamins. They also have very few calories, meaning they pack a ton of nutrition in a small caloric package.

Other fruits and veggies. Get a variety — I love berries of all kinds, figs, apples, citrus fruits, peaches, mangoes, bananas, pears, bell peppers, garlic, beets, celery, cauliflower … I could go on all day!  Make sure your plate looks like a rainbow, with many different colours.

Good starches. Starches are king, in a plant-based regime. They offer loads of good nutrients and fill you up.   Sweet potatoes, white and red potatoes, squash, brown rice, sprouted whole wheat, steel-cut oats, among others.

OK, so… are you feeling overwhelmed by all of this? How do you put it together? It’s not that hard once you get used to it. If you’d like help to get started, contact me today.

You might also be interested in “The Flourish Philosophy: Go With Your Gut“.

Pills and Potions: Are they a detox necessity?

Who else is losing count of the number, combination, and regularity of supplements you should be on, and for what? Vitamin D, but not without C, Fish Oil for this, Rosehip oil for that. Every second friend has found a miracle solution for a condition you didn’t even realise you should be worried about. Suddenly you’re taking the whole alphabet, and the only difference you’re noticing is the added stress of a vitamin regime you can’t seem to stay on top of. Pharmacy shelf, after supermarket shelf, after health store shelf is laden with bottles and packets of products claiming to possess the exclusive ability to detox your body. But do you truly need all these pills and potions to keep your body tip top?

Rest assured, nestled in the right portion of your abdomen – somewhere below your diaphragm but above your stomach – is the best detoxifier know to humankind: The Liver. Everything we eat, breathe, touch, or rub into our skin goes through our liver. It’s working every minute of every day to filter our blood, ridding it of the harmful toxins and chemicals that enter our system daily.

That’s some serious responsibility.

As our body’s primary detox system, it’s critical that we keep this filtering process in the best possible condition. It’s likely to take a significant toll on our body if its function is compromised, risking damage to other critical organs and hastening early aging. 

Do you get headaches, or begin to feel anxious after a single cup of coffee? Do strong smells make you lightheaded? Are you constantly feeling bloated, tired, and foggy? It might be time to do a Liver Spring Clean.

Natural detox and Cleanse, what are they ?

Yes, “detox” and “cleanse” are buzzwords for pills and potion providers, but don’t let that discredit the processes themselves! A little cleanse can go a long way – it can increase your energy, improve the quality of your sleep, help your skin look younger and your joints be stronger, and even help you achieve weight loss.

If you follow these three steps, you can invigorate your body’s natural detox processes, without having to use detox aids.

Avoid Stress (as best you can)

Stress commonly leads to binge-eating, binge-drinking, and even binge-smoking, all of which overwork the liver due to the excessive intake of chemicals. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but there is a whole spectrum of productive and destructive ways to deal with it, that can in turn help or hinder your long-term health and wellbeing. Next time you’re experiencing stress, try and sweat it out with your choice of exercise. 

Load-Up on Nutrients

Amino acids aid the liver pathways. Cruciferous vegetables, garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots all contain good amounts of sulphur and amino acids, which aid liver pathways and enhance chemical breakdown phases. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit the liver, so make sure to add a little to your next curry or stir-fry. The list of turmeric’s health benefits goes on and on.

Eat at least five servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits which contain zinc, methionine, and vitamins C and B6 to aid the detox process. Make sure to include lemons, limes, asparagus, grapefruit and beetroot juice in your diet.

Water, Water, Water

An excellent way to detox your liver is to detox your other channels of disposal. The kidneys work in conjunction with your liver by eliminating water-soluble toxins, so keep them well-hydrated with a good ol’ flushing of H2O. “Drink eight glasses of water per day.” – we’ve all heard that advice, but have we all followed through and felt the benefits?

When you’re next receiving the hard-sell on so-called “detox-products” be sure to remember this: your body comes fully equipped with natural, in-built detox systems. A little discipline and a few healthy habits can have you looking and feeling your well-cleansed best, with only yourself to thank.

You might also be interested in “Thyroid 101“.