The liver is a primary organ for detoxification. If the liver does not completely get rid of the toxins, they will enter the lungs, kidneys, lymphatic system and colon. The colon will reabsorb toxins if they are not eliminated from the body within hours of their arrival. If the lymphatic system gets saturated with toxins it takes perhaps weeks to remove them as the lymph is very dense and moves very slowly. Toxins reduce oxygen supply, which makes the lungs less efficient and the heart work harder.

The liver is clearly designed to handle the flood of toxins that enter the body for the most part, but after time there can be a build up of toxins that the liver was not able to get rid of. This build up can remain in the liver in the form of stones, gravel, crystals and debris. That is where the practice of cleansing the liver comes into play.

Cleansing the liver has been a practice of many for generations. Supporters of the liver cleanse suggest that it been done twice a year, if possible, but at least once a year. There is still some debate on how effective the procedure is. However, even the skeptics agree that certain supplements have proven to aid in the healthy function of the liver. Milk thistle has proven to protect the liver from damage. It has shown positive effects in treating nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, necroses, and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones.

A liver cleanse procedure aids in the removal of stones, gravel, crystals and debris that hinder healing and the ability to detoxify pollutants from the gallbladder and the liver. There are several different procedures, both natural and with the aid of supplements.
A mild type of cleanse can be done by eating raw fruits and vegetables. A more intense cleanse can be done by fasting. Nutritionists and detoxification experts agree that fresh vegetable and fruit juice cleansing is superior to water fasting. Water fasting is thought to be dangerous because it releases deeply buried pollutants and chemicals too rapidly, which re-poisons your body as the chemicals move through the bloodstream all at once. Vegetable and fruit juices are alkalizing, so they neutralize uric acid and other inorganic acids better than water. Other liquids that are helpful because of the nutrients they provide are Miso and Spirulina. If you choose to do a mild or more intense cleanse, it is suggested that it should be done for a period of 3 to 7 days.

Another option is the liver flush. This is very intense and requires that you have time to rest and do nothing else but the cleanse. There are several recipes available online and in books. Most of them are very similar with just slight variations between the procedures. The recipes usually include taking a mixture of Epson salts mixed with water, lemon juice, olive oil and apple juice. Some also include the juicing of beets, and others black walnut hull Tincture and grapefruit instead of lemon juice. Most of them follow a close time table and require that you go bed and lie on your right side with your right knee raised toward your chest.
I recommend that you research a bit and consult with your doctor before choosing a flush procedure. If you look online there are several websites that could be helpful.

http://www.spiritofhealing.com/cleansing/full_liver_cleanse.htm
http://www.hmscrown.com/Liver_Cleanse.html
http://www.spydertechnology.com/Health/prevention/liver/carter/carters-liver-cleanse.htm

Ultimately, it is important to take care of your body, like all well working machines, periodic maintenance is vital to keep it that way. Think of the cleansing process kind of like an oil change for your car. You get rid of the old sludgy stuff, which allows the body to run better. Once a cleanse (of any sort) is done, adjusting your diet to one that includes fiber, low saturated fats and foods that are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium will also help in keeping the toxins low, creating an over all state of well being.

Melanie Tooker

For more "Health & Wellness" click here to view back issues.

© Melt Magazine 2005