Good Health LIFESTYLES TM

THE DAILY DETOX

Check out the gentle, new “no-fasting” cleanse by Holly Lucille, ND, RN

Feeling a tad sluggish lately? Not quite While it’s true that your body is result? A healthy cleanse that fits up to par? It could be time to give your designed to eliminate toxins, the sheer nicely into the busiest of lifestyles. body a good spring cleaning! After all, volume of contaminants that people your body is under constant assault today are exposed to can overwhelm The Liver: Your Body’s Superhero from pollutants in the air and water. this natural detoxification system. Your liver is the largest internal If that weren’t enough, many toxins The result is a buildup of wastes organ in the body and it consists of can be as close as your dinner table. and poisons that can weaken your two main lobes—left and right—that The food you eat can harbor any of an immune system and cause frequent are responsible for over 500 different estimated 3,000 additives, preservatives, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, PMS, functions. But one of the liver’s best and pesticides. Food and water can skin problems, digestive symptoms, known and most important tasks is also contain traces of flame retardants, bad breath, and a general feeling that of a garbage collector. In a world heavy metals, and plasticizers. And the of malaise. But don’t think for a filled with toxins, it’s the liver’s job personal choices you make—including second you have to buy into a radical to breakdown the contaminants that the use of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, or trendy detox to get an effective come your way and get them ready to nicotine, and even prescription drugs— cleanse. Three botanicals can provide be escorted out of the body. Ideally, simply add to your toxic load. ongoing daily support for your body’s the liver could process all of the toxins natural detoxification system. The you encounter. But because of the sheer

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volume of industrial chemicals and inflammation in the liver, according pollutants you are exposed to, the liver’s to a review published in the journal natural ability to detoxify can have Phytotherapy Research. Look for a trouble keeping up. standardized andrographis supplement RESULTS for best results. Consider this: Today, baby boomers and those who came after them are constantly bathed HAPPEN in a sea of chemical contaminants—from the air you breathe to the food you eat to the water you drink. You are exposed to toxins at home and at work through your carpeting, furniture, the paint on the walls, and the household products you use. If that weren’t enough, there are all those voluntary toxins from cigarettes, . The of the curry alcohol, junk food, medications, and tree are an important personal care products. Other toxins, throughout India. But, thanks to like free radicals and metabolic waste, powerful antioxidant and anti- are created internally just through the inflammatory properties, it’s been act of living. This constant barrage can shown to effectively protect against a make your liver vulnerable to a number variety of toxins. Preliminary research of conditions that can ultimately in the International Journal of Pharma and undermine your overall health. Bio Sciences found that this Ayurvedic staple also provides protection against Herbal Helpers alcohol-induced liver toxicity. Other Because the liver is called upon studies suggest that the leaves of the to process a constant stream of stop oxidative damage and contaminants, it’s important to make mutation to DNA within the liver. sure it has the nutritional support it needs. The following not only help optimize overall liver ® function, they also support the organ’s BosMed Intestinal detoxification capabilities. Bowel Support Soothing relief from occasional Andrographis. Known primarily bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea, for its ability to fight off colds and infection, andrographis Licorice. Long before this found its and other discomforts.* has long been used as way into the candy aisle, licorice was an effective liver tonic used as a digestive and cleansing in Ayurvedic medicine. remedy—and A strong antioxidant, it for good reason. protects cell viability Licorice boasts and normalizes antibacterial, liver enzymes. antiviral, Andrographis antioxidant, EuroPharmaUSA.com also acts and anti- MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE to check inflammatory *THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASE.21 Good Health LIFESTYLES TM

properties, giving it potent digestion- French Grape Seed Extract. This and liver-protective powers. Preliminary powerhouse of polyphenols is a rich research has pinpointed three bioactive source of protective antioxidant compounds in licorice—glycyrrhizic compounds called oligomeric acid, liquiritin, and liquiritigenin—that proanthocyanidin (OPC) contribute to its ability to prevent liver complexes. A study of damage from a variety of chemicals healthy volunteers found and drugs like acetaminophen. To get that taking grape seed these protective compounds, opt for a extract substantially liver-specific supplement that combines increases antioxidant licorice with other liver-loving herbs levels in the blood. These like those listed here. potent free-radical scavengers not only provide overall antioxidant botanical protects against lead, carbon protection, research in the journal tetrachloride, and alcohol toxicity. General Pharmacology showed that Other studies report that tinospora pretreatment with grape seed extract protects glutathione levels in the liver, reduced DNA damage in the liver by increases immunity, and moderates 47 percent after exposure to a strong the toxicity of certain chemotherapy chemical. As a bonus, French grape drugs. It also works synergistically seed extract may also enhance overall with other Ayurvedic herbs like liver function and support post-damage andrographis, curry tree, , and DNA repair. But, when it comes to Indian tinospora to fortify the liver and the OPC compounds in grape seeds, size matters—at least when it comes to facilitate healthy detoxification. their molecular weight. Less expensive Seed Extract. There’s supplements may contain large OPC a potent lignin compound called molecules known as tannins. Tannins sesamin hiding inside the tiny sesame are too large to be absorbed by the seed that confers both antioxidant Milk Thistle. Native to the body. Instead, look for a supplement Mediterranean, milk thistle has been boasting tannin-free, low-molecular and anti-inflammatory protection against toxins. Lab experiments show used for decades to support healthy weight OPCs. that this unique compound protects liver function and for its detoxifying against the depletion of glutathione properties. The secret to this herb’s and SOD, which helps to keep effectiveness is silymarin, a polyphenol oxidative stress in check. Sesamin group that includes silybin, silydianin, also reduces liver enzymes—a sign of and silychristin. Silymarin, and silybin injury to the liver—after exposure to in particular—have been researched carbon tetrachloride, and counteracts extensively due to their powerful oxidative stress and the resulting antioxidant activity, which has been DNA damage after exposure to nickel. shown to scavenge damaging free Because sesamin modulates the radicals. What’s more, the compounds release of liver enzymes and in milk thistle boost the activity of the

body’s own antioxidants. Research Indian Tinospora. This ancient tames inflammation, it can also suggests that milk thistle also inhibits Ayurvedic remedy increases the guard against liver fibrosis in those with existing inflammation, prevents glutathione activity of the body’s immune system. liver disease. depletion, prevents damage to the It’s also a strong antitoxin and anti- liver itself, and encourages the growth inflammatory herb that protects the of new liver cells. Most importantly, liver from various toxins by scavenging this multi-tasking herb increases the harmful free radicals. Tinospora body’s ability to detoxify a wide range enhances a variety of antioxidants in of hormones, drugs, and chemicals, the liver, including glutathione, including heavy metals. But to get all superoxide dismutase that this herb has to offer, look for a (SOD), ascorbic milk thistle supplement that contains acid, and catalase. the full spectrum of silymarin and Preliminary tests standardized silybin. show that this unique

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Turmeric. The active compound in its distinctive golden hue, it also offers converted into compounds that may this popular curry is curcumin. multiple health benefits thanks to its be harmful to the liver. During one Not only does curcumin give turmeric anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and study that appeared in the Journal of antibacterial properties. But what has Applied Toxicology, researchers noted that sparked interest among researchers subjects exposed to mercury had less is its effect on the liver detox oxidative stress when taking curcumin. pathways. Curcumin helps Supplementation also reversed prevent alcohol, heavy mercury-induced changes that indicate metals, and other liver damage and reduced the amount toxins from being of mercury in liver tissue.

Spring Clean Your Life Relying on these nutrients can provide increased protection against the constant barrage of toxins you’re exposed to every day. But taking the following steps to reduce future exposure is also an important part of a successful daily detox.

Avoid Chemicals Around the House. Many of the ingredients used in conventional household cleaners have been linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, increased risk for some types of Look Good Naturally. From cancer, and respiratory problems. carcinogens to hormone disruptors Trade in chemical cleaners for to neurotoxins, cosmetics and -based products or make your personal care products can harbor own with nontoxic ingredients an astounding number of potentially like vinegar and baking soda. It’s harmful chemicals. Look through also smart to take inventory in your bathroom and makeup bag your kitchen. Many food storage to see what you can live without. containers, plastic wraps, and For those essentials, choose natural canned goods contain plasticizers cosmetics and personal care products whenever possible. Clean Up Your Grocery Cart. Processed like bisphenol-A (BPA) that can and packaged foods are loaded with leach into foods. These chemicals chemical additives. Meat, fish, and have been linked to hormone- dairy may be laced with hormones and related health problems. That Holly Lucille, ND, RN, is an author, antibiotics. Conventional produce is a nifty nonstick cookware, while convenient, can also harbor a educator, and television source of pesticide residue that, over time, and radio show host can accumulate in the body. To reduce carcinogen called perfluoroctanoic with a medical practice your exposure to these edible toxins, acid (PFOA) that is released into in California. An avoid overly processed convenience foods. the air when heated to 450 degrees. acclaimed expert in Choose organic meats and produce Opt for glass storage containers and the field of integrative glass, ceramic, cast iron, or stainless medicine, Dr. Lucille whenever possible and opt for wild-caught has a heartfelt passion for the individual fish with low mercury levels. steel cookware instead. wellness of all people. 24