A liver cleanse will help your detoxifying organ in more ways than one

Renowned for its diligence in detoxifying the body, it’s easy to assume that the liver is just that: a detoxifier. In reality, the liver is a multifaceted organ with many different roles, serving over 500 essential functions within the body.

Made with beetroot powder, our Daily Detox blend will give your body the liver cleanse it needs to keep those 500 essential functions working at optimum capacity.

The liver is the largest solid organ in our bodies, and is the second heaviest (skin takes first place on the weight front). Not only is the liver a hard worker, but just like skin, it also has the unique ability to regenerate and heal itself.

Important liver functions

Regeneration

So long as it stays healthy, the liver has the power to completely regenerate itself, even when as little as 25% of the original tissue remains.

It can take anywhere from 8-15 days to regrow to its previous size and, once regenerated, the new liver can perform all of the same functions as before.

Bile production

Bile is a greenish-yellow secretion produced by the liver that helps the small intestine to remove waste and break down fats during the digestion process. It is made up of bilirubin, cholesterol, electrolytes, bile acids and salts, and water.

Cholesterol production

Your liver works in unison with the intestines to produce cholesterol, a wax-like type of fat found in every single cell within the human body. Though being linked to heart disease has given cholesterol a bad name, its role in the body is an important one.

So important, in fact, that 80% of cholesterol is produced by the body, and only 20% comes from food consumption. Cholesterol is vital because it’s needed to make hormones and vitamin D, aid with metabolism and build cell membranes.

Thyroid management

The thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones into the bloodstream to help with the growth, development and metabolism in the human body.

When the liver is working in healthy harmony with the thyroid gland, it can transport, metabolise, store and secrete thyroid hormones. This keeps your bodily processes regulated, like body temperature and heartbeat, as well as muscle and digestive function.

Blood clot regulation

Bile – which we now know is produced by the liver – helps with the absorption of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to create coagulants that, in turn, assist with clotting the blood.

Your blood needs to clot when you get a cut or an open wound because the clotting helps to slow – and eventually, stop – the bleeding.

Bilirubin removal

The liver helps to excrete bilirubin from the body. Bilirubin is a substance formed through the process of breaking down red blood cells. An excess of bilirubin can lead to jaundice, an illness known for its yellowing effect on the eyes and skin.

Iron storage

The liver processes hemoglobin in the blood to use its iron content for storage. Stored in the form of ferritin, it will eventually be used to make new red blood cells. Not one to be exclusive with its storage, the liver also stockpiles numerous vitamins and minerals.

Toxin removal

While many of us are already aware of the liver’s detoxification capabilities, it is still important to note that this powerful organ removes toxins like drugs, alcohol and other poisonous substances from the body.

Infection prevention

The liver is a part of the immune system that helps to prevent infection by removing any harmful bacteria from the bloodstream before it can travel to the rest of the body. It destroys any potential pathogens that threaten to enter the bloodstream by way of the gut.

Conversion of glucose to glycogen

Depending on what your body needs, the liver can either store or produce glucose. Your cells use glucose for energy, but when glucose levels in the blood get too high, the liver converts glucose into glycogen and stores it in the body for future use.

Keep your liver healthy and it will keep you healthy, too

With so many different functions to perform, it is vital that you take care of your liver. When you take care of your liver, you can bet that it will take care of you, too. Our Daily Detox blend targets liver health and function and works to look after your liver for you.

Opt for a whole-food, plant-based diet to give your liver – and your body – the nutrients it needs to thrive. Remember that while your liver does have the power to regenerate, it can only do so when it’s healthy – which means that keeping your liver in optimal condition is key.

Keep your liver in optimal health with our Daily Detox blend

 

Olive oil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

With so many health experts heralding different advice as to what’s good for you and what isn’t, it can be hard to decipher the truth.

Olive oil is so commonly believed to be good for you because of its revered place in the Mediterranean diet – a diet which is renowned for being a healthy one.

But does that actually make it good for you? Or is it just another food type to be tossed into the ongoing healthy versus unhealthy conversation?

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet consists mostly of vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts and whole grains. It’s considered to be healthy not only because of what it includes, but also because of what it doesn’t include: refined sugars and grains, as well as various processed foods and meats.

When people talk about the Mediterranean diet, they fail to mention that it consists of about 1 tbsp of olive oil per day. Unlike a typical Australian diet, where we might be consuming as much as 1 tbsp per meal.

Because the Mediterranean diet is well balanced and typically contains only healthy whole foods, the foods within it – including olive oil – tend to get the tick of approval. But olive oil is not as healthy as you might think.

Olive oil is unhealthy for your heart

Oil is heavily processed. To transition from an olive to an oil, olives have to be processed in such a way that their physical shape and appearance is completely broken down and liquified.

When food is highly processed, like chocolate bars or fast food burger buns, we know that it is bad for us because it has moved too far from its original, whole state.

When we look at olive oil through the same lens, we can see that it, too, transforms significantly from its original state. As a whole food, olives eaten in moderation are good for you. But as a highly processed oil? Not so much.

A monounsaturated fat

Monounsaturated fats have long been known as healthy fats. This is because they differ from saturated fats, which can be found in dairy products, certain kinds of oils, animal meats and processed snacks.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, and while monounsaturated fats are promoted as being better for you than saturated (and trans) fats, it still doesn’t mean that they’re healthy. It just means that both are fats, and one is slightly better for you than the other. Slightly.

Studies have shown that olive oil, though better for you than many other oils, could still lead to diseased arteries. Consumption of the oil has also been linked to increased atheroslerotic plaque build-up, a common cause of heart disease.

Olive Oil = BAD

Olive oil is a fat, and too much fat isn’t good for you. After being heavily processed, it also becomes nutrient deficient, and the best advice we can give you is to steer entirely clear of it.

There are many healthy and delicious meals that can be cooked without olive oil. You can still stir-fry, steam, bake, boil and roast all of your favourite foods without oil, and your heart will be much happier for it.

Are you in need of a liver cleanse?

The liver has the important job of removing toxins from the body. If you feel that this detoxifying organ isn’t functioning right in your body, it could mean that it’s time for a liver cleanse.

But how do you know whether your liver is doing the job it’s supposed to? And how can you be sure that what you need is a liver cleanse?

Luckily for you, when your liver needs help, it will let you know. Below are some key symptoms for you to look out for if you think that your liver needs a little love.

Bloating and gas

If you are experiencing digestive problems, you may be feeling painful cramps in your gut that lead to excessive gas. Couple that with constipation or diarrhoea, and you could be looking at a liver plied with too many toxins.

When you eat food that your liver doesn’t like, your gut suffers. Your liver loves healthy, colourful fruits and vegetables, but when allergies or a poor diet come into the mix, your liver won’t be able to do its job and you’ll be left feeling painfully bloated and gassy.

Hormone imbalance

Not only does your liver get rid of toxins, but it also helps to keep your hormones in balance. As the liver processes and excretes toxins, it also works to break down excess hormones and remove them from your body.

If you find that your moods are a little (or a lot!) out of whack, it could be a matter of treating yourself to a liver cleanse. Calm the body and you’ll calm the mind!

Fatigue

Are you tired all the time? With a poorly functioning liver, you would be. When your liver isn’t working right, it can leave you feeling fatigued, foggy, confused and moody – all because it isn’t being given the nutrients it needs to do its job.

Bad skin

Acne – whether recent or longstanding – is often linked to problems in the liver or gut (or both!). When your liver is being barraged with too many hormones, it can lead to skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Too many hormones in your liver are usually due to a poor diet. Eating inflammatory or sugary foods is a surefire way to leave your liver with excess hormones to deposit on your skin – in one way or another.

Dark urine

While dark urine is most commonly attributed to dehydration, when it comes with yellow skin, it could mean jaundice. Jaundice occurs when you have too much bilirubin, a yellowish substance, in your blood.

Found in red blood cells, bilirubin is usually broken down and filtered from your body by the liver. However, if your liver is out of action, it can lead to a buildup of bilirubin and a resulting case of jaundice.

Joint pain

If you are suffering from aching muscles and joints, it could be that your liver is seriously hurting. Joint pain is one of the key indicators that you could be on the way to a fatty liver disease diagnosis.

When your liver isn’t being properly cared for, it can become inflamed. This inflammation can also affect other parts of your body, which means that even though your liver is the source, you may feel as though your whole body is aching.

White-coated tongue

Your tongue is an impressive indicator of gut health, and it has more functions than you might think. If your tongue is white-coated, it can mean that your liver isn’t working properly, there’s a surplus of bad bacteria in your bowel, or your digestive system is struggling.

Whatever the reason, your tongue will tell you if something is wrong. When it’s coated white, a liver cleanse might be the solution you need to get it back to pink.

Give your liver a much-needed vacation with a liver cleanse

Your liver is an incredible organ that works hard every day to keep you at optimal health. If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, it could very well be time for a liver cleanse.

Drink lots of water, eat a plant-based diet, opt for whole foods high in antioxidants, consume some cruciferous vegetables and cut out the crap (e.g. refined sugar, fried food, alcohol, caffeine etc). Your liver will love you for it.

Heal your liver with our Flourish health program: The Cleanse

Keeping your immune system healthy means looking after your body and mind

Boosting your immune system naturally can mean making some pretty big lifestyle changes – especially if they’re changes that you haven’t made already.

Looking after both your body and your mind will best prepare your immune system to do its job, which is to keep you happy and healthy.

We’ve listed a few tips and tricks on how to naturally aid and boost the inner workings of your immune system. These tips have helped us to stave off illness, and we know they’ll help you, too!

1. Eat a whole food, plant-based diet

As with most things health-related, food can be what helps you or what hurts you. When it comes to boosting your immune system, the best way to get it working optimally is to eat a healthy, nutritious diet. We recommend a whole food, plant-based one.

Hippocrates was on to something when he said “all disease begins in the gut”. Our all-natural prebiotic supplements harness the power of plant-based whole foods that work together to improve various bodily functions, including your immune system and gut microbiome.

2. Practice good hygiene

Washing your hands (and your body!) regularly will help to keep the bad germs where they belong – outside of your body, rather than in it.

By practicing good hygiene, you will prevent your immune system from having to fight off bacteria that a little soap and water can gently wash away.

3. Get lots of sleep

Sleep is important. When you don’t get enough, how does it make you feel? Grumpy, exhausted and stressed? Lack of sleep can also increase inflammation, blood pressure, and other negative effects in the body.

Getting enough sleep helps your body to regenerate T cells, which are the cells that help to fight off infection. That makes sleeping an act that should be high on your immune system-boosting priority list.

Create a bedtime routine and try to avoid staring at screens in the hour leading up to bedtime. Spending time on your phone or laptop before bed can keep your brain whizzing long after your eyes have closed.

4. Exercise often

Whether your version of exercise is going out for a walk or hitting the gym, just make sure you are doing it as often as you can. Exercise provides for optimal circulation within the body, and helps to improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, control body weight and fight off disease.

Something more relaxed like walking around the park is an excellent practice that could be done daily. An intensive gym session, on the other hand, could be rounded down to 3 or 4 times a week. Getting your heart rate up is key!

5. Leave smoking in the 70s

Smoking isn’t good for you. While it might have been all the rage back in the 1970s, today we are very well educated on just how detrimental it can be to your health.

The good news is that most of the negative effects of smoking can be reversed if you quit. Your blood circulation will improve, along with your senses of taste and smell, energy levels, and – most importantly – the functioning of your immune system.

Giving up an addiction like smoking isn’t easy, but it will benefit you in many ways when you succeed. If you need help during your transition, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Let’s leave smoking in the past, where it belongs.

6. If you enjoy drinking alcohol, do so in moderation

There are some things in life that are okay in moderation, and alcohol is one of them. While enjoying a glass of wine with dinner won’t do you any harm, excessive consumption can lead to adverse health effects – such as the increased risk of blood clots and diabetes, among many others.

Be smart with how much alcohol you drink and keep consumption levels to a minimum. With less alcohol in your body, your immune system will be better equipped to fight off pathogens and keep you healthy.

7. Practice stress management where possible

Stress can be a hard thing to manage, especially when the contributing factors are outside of your control. That being said, you do still have the power to reduce your stress levels, and your immune system will function better as a result.

Stress reduces your immune system’s ability to fight off antigens, making you more susceptible to infections and other illnesses.

By taking part in activities that calm you – whether they be writing, walking, meditating or watching your favourite TV show – you will be able to better navigate your stress when it comes to the fore.

8. Spend time outside

When the sun’s bright rays come in contact with your skin, the reaction naturally produces vitamin D, one of the strongest natural sterilisers. This vitamin directly targets your immune system and helps it to function optimally.

Even when the sun isn’t shining, being in the big outdoors will help your mind and body exponentially. Breathing in the fresh air and spending time in nature can also help to reduce your stress levels, improve your mental health and set you up for a good night’s sleep.

Make your lifestyle a healthy one

When functioning properly, our immune system protects us from disease, infection and toxins, and keeps our body and mind healthy.

By working towards a healthier lifestyle with better food choices, improved hygiene practices and regular physical activity, your immune system will be ready for anything life throws at you.

Flourish’s natural prebiotic supplements work together to boost your immune system

Chicory root has been used as a traditional medicine for centuries

Grown widely in Europe, chicory root comes from the chicory plant, which blooms with blue flowers in summer and spring. Chicory root is commonly used as a substitute for coffee, boasting a similar taste and colouring with more medicinal and healing properties.

Used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, chicory root has been used in the past for relieving ailments like swelling, fevers and inflammation, just to name a few.

Benefits of chicory root

There are many emerging benefits of chicory root, with more studies yet to be done in order for us to truly understand the extent of its health properties – but here are the ones we do know:

Improves gut health

Chicory root is one of the best whole food sources of inulin, a prebiotic fibre that feeds the good bacteria in your gut.

By feeding the good bacteria, inulin helps to keep the gut microbiome balanced and on the side of health. The inulin found in chicory root also helps your body to combat harmful bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Aids digestion

Many people now know that fibre aids the process of digestion. As a source of fibre, inulin helps the digestive process in a handful of ways.

While consuming inulin fibre from chicory root adds bulk to your stool and increases bowel movements, it also slows digestion. This allows time for the healthy nutrients in your meals to be better absorbed in the body.

Weight loss

The inulin found in chicory root is a soluble fibre, one that helps to slow down the process of digestion. By doing so, it makes you feel fuller for longer.

When the stomach takes longer to empty (which eating fibrous foods helps to do), it suppresses your appetite and prevents your brain from thinking hungry thoughts. In this sense, consuming chicory root and the inulin fibre it contains could help with weight loss.

Helps to regulate blood sugar

By slowing digestion, inulin has the power to slowly release sugars – those broken down from carbohydrates – into the body.

Chicory root has been found to increase adiponectin levels, a protein that helps to regulate blood sugar. This could potentially help with managing, or even preventing, diabetes.

Chicory root has much to offer

Chicory root is packed with many beneficial properties, and its prebiotic properties make it the main ingredient in our gut-healing Prebiotic Blend. Its power to improve the gut microbiome using the inulin component is impressive and, more importantly, scientifically proven.

As a plant-based whole food with much to offer us in the way of health, chicory root is essential to your diet. Whether with a chicory coffee or a daily dose of our Prebiotic Blend, your body will benefit from this superfood.

Our chicory root-based Prebiotic Blend improves gut health. Try it today!

Why detoxify?

Ridding your body of toxins works to keep your body functioning at optimal capacity. However, recent years of fad diets and false promises have seen the term ‘detox’ come into a more negative connotation.

Detoxification is, in fact, not a bad thing. It’s an essential process that helps the body to remove harmful toxins and stay healthy. Detoxing is good for you – rather than a craze or a trend, think of it as a lifestyle change and an active choice to get the bad stuff out of your body.

Whether you are looking for a liver cleanse, a natural anti-inflammatory or a total detoxifying overhaul, you can help your body through the process by eating the right foods.

Your body’s detoxification system

The body’s detoxification system is impressive, with many organs working in unison to remove harmful toxins. The liver is the most powerful detoxifier, performing over 500 different functions to help eliminate toxins.

The kidneys filter blood and the intestinal tract digests food and excretes waste. The respiratory tract filters air and removes toxins like carbonic gas. The skin, our largest living organ, removes toxins through sweat.

The body already has a well-established detoxification system, but the foods you eat can really help or hinder the process. Consuming detoxifying foods will aid your body in getting the job done.

Foods that help with the detoxification process

1. Lemon

Packed with vitamin C, a hot lemon drink with water and honey is a go-to remedy for the flu. But that’s not all it can do! Drinking lemon water helps to remove toxins from the body by speeding up the digestion process and ensuring that food moves smoothly through the intestinal tract.

2. Turmeric

A natural anti-inflammatory, turmeric has numerous benefits that work together to keep your body functioning in full health. Studies have shown that turmeric can help to improve liver function, and by doing so, help with the process of filtering toxins out of the body.

Our Turmeric Blend helps the liver to do its job by targeting inflammation, alleviating pain and reducing the symptoms associated with some chronic health conditions.

3. Ginger

Ginger contains high levels of antioxidants that help the body with many things, including digestion. This renowned spice works as a detoxifier by assisting the intestinal tract with the digestive process and waste excretion.

4. Beetroot

Beetroot contains phytonutrients called betalains. These phytonutrients support enzyme production in the liver and, as with turmeric, help to keep the liver functioning optimally.

Our Daily Detox blend specifically targets liver function and works to improve overall cardiovascular health. Our Daily Detox will help to boost your body’s detoxification.

Heal your body naturally with detoxifying foods

Your body is an intelligent system with cohesive parts working together to keep you healthy. The way you can help with the detoxifying process is by eating the foods that best heal, protect and serve it.

Our plant-based, whole food prebiotic supplements help to naturally detoxify the body