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Your liver plays an important role for your body. It cleans up all the toxins you put in it, therefore keeping all internal systems running smoothly. A typical modern diet, environmental pollutants, and our increasing dependence on toxic personal care products overwork our livers. For this reason, it’s important to include foods in our diet that help to clean our liver as thoroughly as possible.
Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. It manufactures the thousands of enzyme which are responsible for virtually every activity in the body such as the proper functioning of the eyes, heart, brain, gonads, joints and kidneys. If the liver is damaged and not working properly, this can results in the body not working optimally which causes a greater metabolic stress on the individual. Here are five common foods found in your kitchen that can help with cleansing your liver: 1. Warm Lemon Water - Warm lemon water is a wonderful way to detox your liver every single morning. Just fill a glass with filtered water and squeeze juice of half lemon. Some experts, like author A.F. Beddoe who wrote the book Biological Ionization as Applied to Human Nutrition, also believe that the liver produces more enzymes in response to water with lemon than to any other food. 2. Garlic - Add some garlic to your cooking or thinly slice a clove into your next salad. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that can help activate enzymes in the liver. It contains allicin and selenium, which are both good for liver protection. 3. Avocados - A Japanese study found that avocados contain compounds which can protect the liver from damage. When compared with 21 other fruits, avocados had the most promise in protecting the liver from galactosamine, a “powerful” toxin that has been shown to produce a liver damage similar to human viral hepatitis. 4. Coriander - This versatile herb can be added to just about any dish, including salads or smoothies or fresh vegetable juices. Coriander helps to remove heavy metals from the body, something your liver could be struggling with right now. 5. Turmeric - Another powerful spice with a long list of benefits, turmeric is said to not only protect the liver from damage, but also encourage regeneration of liver cells. In addition, it increases natural bile production and aids in keeping the body toxin-free. Cleansing your liver is important and am sure that you can incorporate one out of the five foods in your daily regime.
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Are you struggling to get out of bed in the morning and generally feel run down and exhausted ? If you’re not experiencing all-day comfortable amounts of energy, then your eating habits and food choices may need a little changing. Proper nutrition and the timing of what you eat can do wonders to make you feel alert and powerful.
Here are some recommendations for what you should be eating to help increase your energy: 1. Eat Complex Carbohydrates and Avoid Simple Ones Complex carbohydrates are a brilliant source of fibre and energy. They can also help you manage your weight, reduce some of the risks of cancer and reduce cholesterol. Complex carbohydrates release glucose into the blood gradually, providing the body with a steady supply of energy. A diet rich in foods such as wholegrains, oats, pulses, nuts and seeds will help you stay healthy and full of energy. A bowl of oats for breakfast is an ideal way to start your day ! 2. Have an Intense Day at Work. Eat Light Meals for Lunch Eating smaller meals more regularly will help regulate your blood glucose levels, as well as releasing energy gradually instead of in one big hit. When you eat too much, your body uses most of its energy on digestion so it has less to put towards concentration. Avoid or eat less carbohydrates as they increase your body’s production of the sleep-promoting neurotransmitter serotonin, making you drowsy. Instead, opt for a protein-packed meal, like grilled tuna over a bed of fresh, green salad. 3. Spirulina Spirulina is a Blue-Green Algae, which thrives in alkaline lakes. It contains over 65% of complete protein (300% more than fish, meat or poultry, with zero cholesterol). Spirulina is also very rich in chlorophyll, iron (about 58 times more than spinach), antioxidants, beta-carotene and essential fatty acid Omega 3 and 6. Spirulina is my favourite superfood which will boost your strength and energy. I have about a tablespoon a day in my morning power smoothie ! 4. Eggs Egg yolks are naturally rich in B-vitamins, which are responsible for converting food into energy and they also have Vitamin D to maintain strong bones. To cut back on saturated fat and excess calories, stick to 1 whole egg plus 2-3 egg whites for a lean energy-filled breakfast. 5. Edamame Edamame, fresh soy beans are high in energizing nutrients, particularly B-vitamins, copper and phosphorous. B-complex vitamins work to break down carbohydrates we consume into glucose for fuel. At the same time they help transport oxygen throughout the body. Both copper and phosphorous are involved in converting eaten food into energy and releasing into cells so it’s available for use by the body. 6. Trail Mix Nuts and dried fruit are the ideal combination of healthy fats, fiber and protein. While refined carbohydrates that are void of fiber quickly break down into glucose for short bursts of energy, fiber helps slow down glucose-release so there is always a steady supply. Fats such as nuts, seeds and oils will provide you with long-lasting energy to keep you going throughout the day. Get imaginative and create your own trail mix by combining raw nuts and seeds such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds with dried cranberries, blueberries, black currants, apricots or dates. 7. Water One of the most important determinants of your energy levels is hydration. Drink plenty of water and herbal teas throughout the day, and give additional attention to staying hydrated before and during exercise. Eating four cups of water-rich foods, such as watermelon, cucumber and lettuce, daily can help you stay hydrated as well. 8. Quinoa Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that contains more protein than any other grain or rice. The grain is so rich in amino acids, that it is considered a complete source of protein, high in lysine, methionine and cysteine. It is also high in folate, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, making it a nutrient dense carbohydrate for long-lasting energy levels. Quinoa can help support a healthy cardiovascular system, blood pressure levels and bowel health. 9. Goji Berries In Chinese medicine, goji berries have been used for thousands of years to help increase energy and enhance the release of hormones. Goji berries increase the body’s ability to handle stress and support healthy mood, mind and memory in addition to giving you a healthy boost of energy ! This little wonder berry is also a mild aphrodisiac as they help to increase blood flow in the body, which helps to oxygenate all of the cells and tissues of the body, including the sex organs, which increases libido—that’s why they call goji the ‘Viagra of China. It is best to consume goji in liquid form as liquids are more easily absorbed and assimilated by the body. You would have to eat a lot more dried goji berries to get the same benefits. |
AuthorBarbara is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist MSc., offering Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling. She gives Healthy weight loss advice and promotes the Mediterranean diet. She is the author of the Med Life Diet - creating healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life ! Archives
December 2024
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