Continuing with our theme of detoxification this week, I want to reiterate that humans today, are eating more calories but utilizing fewer nutrients, contributing to an overweight society. Therefore trying harder, some believe it’s only their willpower that’s holding them back! Wrong. Emotional disturbances, environmental stress, plus wrongful eating habits can all impact the liver. When your liver isn’t working to full capacity, your thyroid can’t release hormones assisting with weight loss. You gain weight!
I live in a realistic world and believe most can’t give up all luxuries. That’s simply irrational. Culinary temptations abound everywhere and we don’t live in a bubble! I don’t know anyone who eats perfectly every day. I know I don’t, although I do eat sensibly! Food isn’t good or bad, it’s simply food.
1 Corinthians 10:23 “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive.”
Anything is fine in moderation but some need to detoxify their bodies and get back on track. Many of my readers have posts that discuss cleansing fasts and other practical ways to reinforce health: http://cleanandgreennutrition.wordpress.com , http://pdjhudonblog.wordpress.com, http://fit-n-fancy.com, http://cocoandtea.com/2013/02/25/10-detox-foods/, and http://spoiled-fresh.com have all discussed this, I believe. If you’ve written a practical post regarding detoxification (without the commercial or spam!) please feel free to let me know.
The liver is one of our largest internal organs. It’s purpose is to dismantle harmful compounds, thus helping the thyroid and restoring biological harmony among body systems. Therefore, if we eat too many fried, chemically processed foods, it clogs up our system and we become imbalanced, hungrier, sluggish and moody. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, medications, even something as common as acetaminophen, the active chemical in Tylenol, NyQuil, Midol, Excedrin – everyday, over-the-counter drugs, affect our liver functions. Once ingested, this will never, ever leave your liver, so don’t use excessively!
Not sure if your body’s turning toxic? Answer these questions: Do you work around chemicals? Consume processed or fast foods daily? Smoke, binge or drink heavily? Have frequent headaches? Take prescription drugs? Answer yes and you probably are. A quick way to discern if you’re toxic is to look at your eyes, “the window of the soul.” Are they yellowish? Yellow indicates toxicity. To cleanse the liver, it’s extremely important to eliminate excessive fat and bile.
Detoxify safely with these steps:
- Drink More Water! One of the liver’s major priorities is to metabolize fat. If we don’t drink enough water, then the liver must take over the work of the kidneys and therefore can’t do its job of detoxifying and metabolizing.
- Increase soluble/insoluble fiber intake through chia seeds, milled flaxseed, whole grains, fruits and vegetables to confiscate and quickly push toxins through.
- Include lemon and other citrus which help break down fats.
- Add chlorophyll, alfalfa, wheat grass, spinach, kale, parsley, basil to your diet, which stimulate bowel function.
- Add good quality low-fat yogurt to your morning routine, such as Mountain High, Dannon Natural or Stonyfield Farm, to restore good bacteria to your gut.
- Certain B vitamins called Lipotropics can help: 1. Betaine is found in quinoa, spinach, beets and cereals 2. Inositol is found in beans, cantaloupe, grapefruit and whole grains. 3. Choline another powerful detoxifier is found in soy, nuts, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, flaxseed, corn and oats among others.
- The amino acid methionine assists in stimulating and removing fats from the liver. Found in lean pork, poultry, eggs and seafood.
We are so intricately made, the least we can do is to honor and thank our LORD for creating us! Be a shining example to others.
New Creations Ministries 