Detoxify or Die- 6 Tips for Loving on your Liver

Spring Cleaning for Your Health

Spring is a time of regeneration, growth, and making space for new. It’s also a great time for spring cleaning in your home and in your health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) different seasons correspond to different organ systems. The liver is the organ associated with spring. The liver has over 500 functions in the body, one major function being detoxification. This is no small feat, considering the burden of chemical and toxin exposure in today’s environment. Here’s what you can do to support your liver this glorious green season.

Limit your Toxin Exposures

The foundation of healthy detoxification is doing your best to limit exposure to toxins that might contribute to sluggish liver functions. It’s nearly impossible to avoid all toxins in today’s world, so we recommend focusing on what you can control. Avoid putting harmful chemicals on your body, such as artificial fragrance, phalates, and parabens; and aim for organic foods whenever possible. Avoid the top 12 foods that have been shown to contain the highest amount of pesticide residues (aka the Dirty Dozen). Read more about them here.

Drink More Water

Water is imperative for optimal health because it helps your colon move toxic waste out of the body through excretion. A good rule of thumb for estimating your water intake needs is to aim to consume about 1/2 your body weight in ounces. Example: if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water per day.

Add Antioxidants and Nutrients

There are three main phases of detoxification and each phase requires specific nutrients to function properly. By ensuring good nutrition and adding supplements as needed, we can optimize these detox phases.

Phase 1: This is the first line of defense against toxins. Phase 1 detox uses a group of enzymes called cytochrome p450 to make toxins easier to pass through Phase 2. Nutrients required in this phase include: vitamin C, B-vitamins, magnesium, and amino acids that help breakdown fats. These amino acids include: methionine, inositol and choline.
Phase 2: This phase uses a process called conjugation, which takes the metabolites of Phase 1 detox and makes them easier to excrete through bile, urine and stool. Nutrients required for this phase include: vitamin B12, amino acids (from protein), sulfur (from sulfur containing foods like broccoli, garlic and onions), and molybdenum.
Phase 3: This is where the toxins get transported out of your system. Adequate water intake and a healthy microbiome (gut bacteria) are important for this phase. Fiber is your friend for phase 3 detox!

Increase your Glutatione

Glutathione is your body’s own master detoxifier. It works to reduce damage of free radicals by recycling antioxidants, preventing damage to your cells. Glutathione can be taken directly as a supplement or boosted naturally in many ways.

Exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement every day.
Eat sulfur-rich foods. Glutathione requires sulfur as part of it’s chemical structure, so eating sulfur-rich foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage can help optimize natural detoxification processes.
Add methyl donors. These are nutrients that provide the necessary materials for glutathione to continue to act as an antioxidant. Major methyl donors include Methyl-cobalamin (vitamin B12), methyl-folate, and P5P- the active form of vitamin B6.
Add antioxidants. Vitamins C and E are two of the most potent nutrient antioxidants. These help protect and promote glutathione production.
Use herb helpers. Milk thistle is one standby herb that can help boost natural glutathione production. It is not only protective of the liver, but can also be helpful in regenerating damaged liver tissue.

Release your Stuck Emotions

Spring is liver time and the liver is associated with anger and irritability in TCM. Experiencing these emotions regularly could be a sign of liver stagnation. Take a moment to clear out the emotional clutter that may have piled up over the previous year. We’re huge fans of counseling of all kinds- somatic/body-based, EMDR or brain spotting, and talk therapy can all be helpful. Something even as simple as a journal practice, meditation or reaching out to a friend can be enough to help move stuck emotional energy.

Sweat it Out!

Sweating is one route of eliminating toxins from your body. Research shows that benefits of sweating occur whether through exercise or through infrared sauna. This case study showed just how powerful sauna use can be in helping the body eliminate toxins. Researchers followed one individual who had 20 years of work-related exposure to solvents. Through just using sauna therapy, she was able to safely eliminate medications prescribed to manage her symptoms of chemical sensitivity, presence of solvents in the patient’s bloodstream declined, and symptoms resolved!