Summer is a great time to detox your body, especially following the indulgences that often sneak in over the Christmas and New Year period.
The warmer weather makes it easier to detox as meals generally tend to be lighter, incorporating more salads rather than heavy foods. It also helps the body let go of what it doesn’t need.
Why does our body need help to detox?
Mainly because we live in a world where every breath we take and every mouthful of food contains chemicals that didn’t exist 100 years ago. While our body is equipped with pathways and organs that support detoxification, repetitive consumption or exposure can overload our systems.
The liver is one of our major detox organs but it can be struggling for a long time before you notice any symptoms.
According to Professor Markus Cornberg of Hannover Medical School, “A diseased liver does not hurt… many people have liver disease, but only about one in five is detected early.”
The liver doesn’t have any pain receptors, so you don’t know when it is struggling.
Liver stress doesn’t only come from alcohol. Everyday factors like processed foods, environmental toxins, long-term medications, and chronic stress can slowly overwhelm this hardworking organ. Once overworked, other symptoms of toxicity can appear throughout your body including fatigue, pain, poor concentration, infertility, accelerated ageing, skin conditions, insomnia and immune disorders, just to name a few.
A little help goes a long way
The liver is incredibly resilient. And summer is one of the most supportive times to help it function at its best.
Why your liver thrives in warm weather:
• Better circulation helps toxins move out instead of lingering
• Hydration is easier, giving the liver exactly what it needs to filter efficiently
• Lighter eating patterns reduce the daily load on digestion
• Natural movement (even just being more active outdoors) boosts lymph flow (Vitalis Health)
Another interesting area relating to liver health derives from your gut microbiome. Vitalis Health shared some interesting research which identified that certain gut microbes actually create alcohol in the body contributing to fatty liver, even in those who do not consume alcoholic beverages.
A healthy gut = a healthy microbiome.
What can you do?
There are a few basic steps you can take to help support your liver, and gut, right now:
- Eat a fresh, organic, whole foods diet rich in vegetables and fruit every day
- Consuming only organic produce will help eliminate the many chemicals used in farming while providing optimal nutrients
- Consume adequate purified water daily – generally 40ml per kg of body weight, but everyone is different so adjust as needed
- Extend the fasting period between your last and first meal (consult your health professional as this is not always beneficial in certain conditions) or at least always fast between meals – no snacking
- Movement – preferably in the open air (as opposed to indoor gyms)
- Sleep – get quality sleep every night. Between 7-9 hours have been shown to provide optimal repair, especially for the brain
- Avoid stimulants – caffeine, sports drinks, energy drinks and alcohol
- Avoid ultra-processed and ‘fast’ foods
- Avoid sugar and processed carbohydrates (breads, baked goods, biscuits, crackers, pasta, white rice, ice cream and sweetened/flavoured dairy products)
Consult a qualified naturopath who will be able to assess your body’s needs and support you with an individualised treatment plan.
Please NEVER buy detox products online or over-the-counter as these often promise amazing results at a very high cost to your health and budget.