How to use garlic against stress and toxins for a better mood

Remove Warts Naturally Using Garlic

Consume Garlic for Health

Use Garlic As a Hair Loss Remedy

Benefit from Garlic

Cure a Cold With Garlic

Make Ginger Garlic Tea

Take Garlic for Back Pain

Use Garlic Against Stress and Toxins for a Better Mood

Use Garlic as a Cold and Flu Remedy

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Being a woman with multi positions and tasks. Working fulltime in daytime (weekday) in corporate office and struggling ‘working’ fulltime at home as wife and mother of 2 🙂

Majority of us may have experienced stress due to many reasons. Stress does not only targeted to ‘income generator’ but also non-income generator and this could be due to lifestyle.

There are various ways that people chooses to release stress. As for myself I chose exercising at gym. After sweating then proceed to nice bath, blowing hair and all fresh to go home to face another lifestyle of babysitting lovely children at night. That’s being a woman life – daytime working corporate and night time as mother and maid 🙂

Stress may also caused by toxic which may comes from chemical-packed entrées, main dishes, the extras, sugary desserts, drinks, nutritionally deficient calories from many processed foods, not just cookies and chips etc

Dietary ammunition is needed: getting all the micro-nutrients that will help. Garlic (and green onions) is a really great source of these!

Fight toxins in all forms that cause faster aging (accumulated, irreversible cellular damage with possible loss of function) and hinder correct or fast healing. Garlic can act as one food warrior in your approach to tackling stressors, as a storied super-food that may make a serious contribution toward detoxifying your body while boosting your mood. Here are some suggestions for using garlic as a flavorful seasoning with healthy implications.

1. Take garlic for your upper-respiratory problems. Improve breathing and resist or minimize cold and flu germs with garlic. Garlic contains allicin and alliin, chemically active compounds that researchers have found kill germs directly and stimulate the immune system to release killer cells which can target cold and flu germs. In order to reap these benefits though, you’ll need to be consuming garlic regularly, and probably at least one bulb a day.

2. Consume garlic for heart health. Garlic has been found helpful for the heart and circulation in two ways so far. First, its sulfur compounds (diallyl, disulfide (DADS)) help to promote blood flow by preventing the platelets from sticking together and clotting. Second, it lowers levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Overall, garlic increases the body’s level of antioxidants which also helps to lower heart disease.

3. Use garlic as a possible form of protection against cancer. Research has shown the ability of garlic to prevent cell changes that can cause cancer , to stop tumor growth, and to kill cancer cells. Its role in boosting or supporting your immune system is possibly part of its power against cancer.

4. Take garlic to activate liver enzymes that support your toxin filtration system. Garlic is considered to be good for fighting sickness because of enzymes that support your filtration system. Known as a “prebiotic”, garlic can help the growth of “good” bacteria in your digestive system, and help to prevent diarrhea. Garlic also improves digestion and enhances the absorption of minerals.

5. Use garlic to improve your mood. Garlic has been found to act as a mood lifter, which might help you when you’re feeling down. Garlic can also ward off symptoms associated with insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety.

6. Slow aging using garlic. Garlic can help lessen age-related impairment of blood flow and improve circulation, helping to keep you feeling younger and stronger.

7. Use garlic to help minimize and heal a fungal infection; garlic is one of the most powerful anti-fungals known. Rub crushed garlic over the fungal infected skin area every day until it improves.

Garlic does earn the name ‘king of medicine’.

Need more convenient way to consume garlic?
Try SHAKLEE GARLIC COMPLEX @ RM47.50 for 60 tablets.

Shaklee Garlic Complex @ RM47.50 for 60 tablets

What Are the Health Benefits of Garlic

The Answer is: Many! Truth is there are about top 10 health benefits of garlic, and perhaps even more! Garlic is a really great source of micro-nutrients and also has a host of health benefits. Garlic can help us to fight toxins that cause faster aging and hinder healing. Garlic can act as one food warrior in your approach to tackling stressors, as a storied super-food that may make a serious contribution toward detoxifying your body while boosting your mood. Read on for more Health Benefits of Garlic!

The Health Benefits of Garlic:

1. Take garlic for your upper-respiratory problems.

Improve breathing and resist or minimize cold and flu germs with garlic. Garlic contains allicin and alliin, chemically active compounds that researchers have found kill germs directly and stimulate the immune system to release killer cells which can target cold and flu germs. In order to reap these benefits though, you’ll need to be consuming garlic regularly, and probably at least one bulb a day.

• Garlic added to food or garlic capsules can relieve nasal congestion when taken daily. Garlic tablets can also reduce mucus production. Too much mucus can cause airway narrowing during an asthmatic attack.
• During a cold, you might help to minimize the impacts by consuming a half a clove of garlic or two garlic capsules or tablets every two hours. Symptoms of a cold have been shown to recede faster for those taking garlic over those who do not.

2. Consume garlic for heart health.

Garlic has been found helpful for the heart and circulation in two ways so far. First, its sulfur compounds (diallyl, disulfide (DADS)) help to promote blood flow by preventing the platelets from sticking together and clotting. Second, it lowers levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Overall, garlic increases the body’s level of antioxidants which also helps to lower heart disease.

• Allicin, or 2-Propene-1-sulfinothioic acid S-2-propenyl ester, an organosulphur compound found in garlic, dilates blood vessels and can help lower blood pressure. Allicin is garlic’s defense mechanism against attacks by pests, and is produced by the enzymatic action of alliinase on alliin upon tissue damage. Note that allicinase is irreversibly deactivated below a pH of 3; therefore, allicin is not produced in the body by consumption of fresh or powdered garlic.

3. Use garlic as a possible form of protection against cancer.

Research studies have shown the ability of garlic to prevent cell changes that can cause cancer, to stop tumor growth, and to kill cancer cells.

Its role in boosting or supporting your immune system is possibly part of its power against cancer.

4. Take garlic to activate liver enzymes that support your toxin filtration system.

Garlic is considered to be good for fighting sickness because of enzymes that support your filtration system. Known as a “prebiotic,” garlic can help the growth of “good” bacteria in your digestive system, and help prevent diarrhea.

Garlic also improves digestion and enhances the absorption of minerals.

5. Use garlic to improve your mood.

Garlic has been found to act as a mood lifter, which might help you when you’re feeling down.

Garlic can also ward off symptoms associated with insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety.

6. Slow aging using garlic.

Garlic can help lessen age-related impairment of blood flow and improve circulation, helping to keep you feeling younger and stronger.

Garlic may just be the fountain of youth everyone has been looking for.

7. Use garlic to help minimize and heal a fungal infection.

Garlic is one of the most powerful anti-fungals known to man. Rub crushed garlic over the fungal infected skin area every day until it improves.

• Other research has shown that yeast infections can be effectively treated by eating several raw cloves or even an entire raw bulb of garlic each day.

How to Use Garlic for Health:

Get at least the recommended daily dose of garlic. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that the intake of garlic be 2-4 grams fresh garlic daily (each clove approximates 1 gram), or 600-1200mg of aged garlic extract daily, dividing up the doses.

Other methods of intake include: freeze-dried garlic tablets 200mg, 2 tablets 3 times a day; 4ml fluid extract daily; 20ml tincture daily; and garlic oil 0.03-12ml, 3 times daily.

Use of garlic can be ongoing and frequent. In general, garlic is safe for most people (The US Food and Drug Administration rates it GRAS, or generally recognized as safe), but see the warnings for existing stomach inflammation, pregnancy, nursing, or developing an allergy.

Cooking Garlic. Cook garlic lightly. Overcooking garlic can destroy some of its healthful compounds. Light cooking also ensures that the heart-protective compounds are not reduced. However, be aware that cooking probably entirely destroys the antibiotic elements of garlic. James A Duke claims that 10 minutes of cooking reduces 40 percent of garlic’s medicinal properties, while cooking for 20 minutes causes it to lose much more.

• Do not microwave garlic. Researchers tried various preparation methods including boiling, baking, and microwaving both crushed and uncrushed garlic cloves. Lightly cooked crushed garlic passed the tests – “as long as” it was not cooked in the microwave.

Use an extract or tablets or capsules if you’re concerned about the taste or odor. If you really don’t like garlic but you’d like to benefit from its protective qualities, look for an aged garlic extract in your local health food store. Even if you do like garlic, the effects of cooking on garlic’s healthful compounds is still not certain, so it is probably a good idea to also take the extract even if you’re enjoying garlic as food.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brynne Chandler

Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years — by ancient Egyptians, gravediggers in the Middle Ages who believed it protected them from black plague, and World War I and World War II soldiers who took it to ward off gangrene. Using garlic for detoxing the body is also an ancient practice, though it’s not actually possible to speed up the rate of the natural body detox done by your liver and kidneys. While garlic may not actually flush out toxins, it does offer health benefits.

Function

Garlic contains high amounts of vitamin C, which supports your immune system and your liver. It also contains antioxidants, which help fight the free radicals in your bloodstream that are responsible for some of the effects of aging, as well as being linked to certain kinds of cancer and heart disease. Garlic contains a natural substance called alliin. When you crush or chop fresh garlic, this breaks down into allicin, which contains many of garlic’s healing properties and also contributes to its strong smell.

Misconceptions

Your liver and kidneys work constantly to process and excrete toxins. If you are a reasonably healthy person, most toxins won’t build up in your body. The sluggishness, headaches, bloating and other symptoms that detox enthusiasts blame on toxic build-up are more likely the result of poor nutrition and mild dehydration. Even if toxins from processed foods and environmental agents did build up in your body, eating or drinking certain foods such as garlic wouldn’t be enough to flush them away. Overindulging in alcohol, drugs or smoking tobacco can build up poisons, but it takes more than garlic to clean them out.

Expert Insight

A 2009 review of studies done on garlic’s effects in preventing and treating the common cold published online in the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews showed that one study of 146 individuals seems to suggest that garlic has some use in preventing the common cold and in lessening its effects and duration. More clinical studies are needed to confirm this result. MedlinePlus.com states that preliminary studies have shown that garlic may help lower cholesterol and even prevent certain cancers, but many more studies need to be done. Detoxing is not widely recognized by Western medicine, but it stand to reason that the healthier your body is, the better it can do its job of natural detoxing.

Crushing fresh garlic before cooking it helps keep the heat from weakening the healthy effects of the allicin. Add garlic near the end of cooking to mellow out the sharp flavor and retain as many of the nutrients as possible. Crush or grate fresh, raw garlic and soak it in olive oil to sprinkle over salads or toss with pasta.

Supplements containing aged garlic are best to support your immune system and help your body to detox naturally. Consuming two to four fresh garlic cloves every day or taking between 600 milligrams and 1,200 milligrams of encapsulated or freeze-dried aged garlic is enough to help support your body as it detoxes itself.

With the 8-5 drill of work each day, 5-6 days a week, we accumulate a lot of stress in our bodies and minds. Letting go and relaxing can be difficult. All too often we resort to alcohol and even drugs, whether prescription or illicit. It may be an attempt to self-medicate, either to bring ourselves to rest or to stimulate ourselves out of a constricted existence or constant weariness. We want to feel a sense of normalcy, we want to be able to “breathe,” to feel in touch with our thoughts and feelings, to feel good, calm, strong and rested, not on a constant racing treadmill of panic, stress and fatigue.

Though some nations around the world are reducing the number of days and hours, the work week won’t be changing any time soon; so, most probably, stress will be a constant in our busy lives. Alcohol and drugs are obviously not the solution. Though they temporarily may give the sensation of relief, in the end, the user suffers withdrawal aftermath, depleting the body’s nutritional stores, and only exacerbating the symptoms of stress: all of which increases exhaustion that may lead to mental and physical degeneration, and illness.

The solution to stress and fatigue lies in a balanced approach: managing stress, ridding our organism of excessive stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, drugs, and too much sugar and sweets, which can deplete precious vitamins and minerals from our bodies and/or induce hyper-activity. Of paramount importance is eating nutritious food, which means abundant in vegetables and fruits, with sufficient sources of protein. A properly balanced diet combined with rest and exercise is the simple formula for good health.

Nutrition is Paramount

Nutrients from food play a major role in every aspect of our health, from mental and physical function and endurance, to mood and emotional stability. For example, a deficiency in the B-complex vitamins can result in extreme nervousness, tension, insomnia, trembling, even an irascibile, quarrelsome mood. Just as the B vitamins are essential to the healthy function of every nerve in our bodies, calcium serves to relax the nerve tissues, while magnesium, also essential to the nerves, takes part in the normal function of the brain and spinal cord.

The best sources of the de-stressor vitamins and minerals are whole foods, though supplements can also help. Whole grain (brown) rice, as just one example, contains all of the B-complex vitamins. Beans and turkey both contain tryptophan, which help induce sleep. Herbs and herbal teas, such as Chamomile, can also help relax the nerves; Valerian root and St. John’s Wort may help restore a happier and more restful disposition.

Garlic Fights Stress and Fatigue

As a restorative herb, garlic can play a major role in balancing a stressful life and a fatigued body. Besides protecting us against a whole host of diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure and hypertension (which already should give us a good measure of relief!!), garlic serves as a tonic, that is, it works to actually REDUCE fatigue and other symptoms of stress in the body. It also works to increase energy levels, improve physical stamina and even extend our life expectancy!

The use of garlic as a tonic was well known even in ancient times. The Egyptians gave garlic to the slaves that built the Pyramids, who, history reports, rebelled when there was a shortage of it. For them garlic was a life saving herb in that it not only helped the slaves resist disease, but restored energy, and reduced fatigue.

Scientific Studies on Garlic

Today, scientific experiments with both mice and human subjects prove the effectiveness of garlic and explain how garlic reduces the effects of stress.

In the early 1980’s, Japanese studies on one thousand human patients with fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms were given garlic extract along with vitamins for a month. At the end of this period, 50-80 percent of the patients reported relief from their symptoms. In another similar antifatigue experiment, 122 patients with stress related symptoms were given garlic extract and vitamins. Some of the symptoms included, general fatigue, eyestrain, shortness of breath, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, weakness, headache, dizziness, appetite loss, constipation, numbness in the limbs and cold feet and hands. The study lasted for four to eight weeks. At the study’s conclusion, 90.7 percent of patients reported an improvement in their fatigue. Another 85.7 percent improved in general physical discomfort, including 82.5 percent for lower back pain, and 83.3 percent for coldness of the limbs. Part of the group took the garlic and vitamins for four weeks and the other part for eight weeks. The group that took the garlic extract for the longer period of time reported the most improvement. This study was repeated with the same results, showing that symptoms either disappeared or became minor. And, again, those who took the garlic and vitamin supplments for the longest period of time, showed the greatest improvement, especially in overcoming weakness and fatigue.

More recent research by Dr. Benjamin Lau of the Loma Linda University in California, documents and scientifically confirms the benefits of using garlic to reduce stress and fatigue. Dr. Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph.D. is a professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Surgery at the University’s School of Medicine. His book on the subject, Garlic and You: The Modern Medicine, was first published in 1996 and has a new edition out in 2010.

More research is still needed to better understand the actual mechanism by which garlic reduces fatigue. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting that the adrenal glands’ response to stress is somehow affected by garlic, reducing the amount of stress hormones produced, and thus reducing fatigue. Garlic’s anti-oxidant properties also play a role in fighting fatigue-causing free radicals; in particular is the mineral selenium, which garlic contains in the highest amounts among foods.

Eat Garlic and live to be a Hundred!

By reducing stress and increasing our energy, garlic also helps us live longer. In Dr. John Heinerman’s book, The Healing Benefits of Garlic, he recounts a survey taken of 8,500 people who had lived to over one hundred years of age. Two foods in particular stood out in a list of their eating habits, onions and GARLIC!! Truly, when consistently included in a healthy diet and lifestyle, garlic can be our life-boosting tonic and lifelong saving grace!

More Articles

1. Does Garlic Cause Indigestion?
2. The Many Benefits of Garlic for Colon Cleansing
3. Health Benefits of Garlic Salt
4. Foods That Fight Liver Cancer
5. Garlic for Weight Loss

• Killing Cancer Cells
• Slowing Tumor Growth
• Amounts
• Safety Considerations

If you have cancer, you’ve probably heard that eating lots of vegetables can fight the disease and give your body the nutritional support it needs to withstand chemotherapy. One vegetable in particular—garlic—contains substances that are especially powerful weapons against cancer, says the American Institute for Cancer Research 12. So including garlic in your diet may help you treat cancer.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Killing Cancer Cells

Cell culture studies have shown that garlic can help cancer cells die off, reports the American Cancer Society 12. The National Cancer Institute also says that garlic can induce the deaths of cancer cells and that garlic can reduce the rate at which cancer cells proliferate, thereby slowing the progression of cancer in the body 1. In laboratory studies, garlic has killed leukemia cells, and in animal studies, garlic has killed cancer cells in the lungs, breasts, stomach, esophagus and colon, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research 12.

Slowing Tumor Growth

Does Garlic Cause Indigestion?

Both animal studies and cell culture studies have revealed that garlic may reduce the growth rates of cancerous tumors, the American Cancer Society says 12. Garlic can either slow down or stop cancerous tumors in the tissue of various body parts, including the stomach, bladder, prostate and colon, reports the American Institute for Cancer Research 12.

Amounts

It’s unclear what amounts of garlic are best to use in treating cancer, says the American Cancer Society, but eating garlic regularly as part of a diet that includes at least five servings of vegetables a day should help you fight cancer 12. The National Cancer Institute also reports that it’s difficult to know how much garlic to consume but recommends eating one to two fresh garlic cloves, 0.4 and 1.2 grams of dry garlic powder, or 2 and 5 milligrams of garlic oil every day 1.

Safety Considerations

The Many Benefits of Garlic for Colon Cleansing

You should always talk with your doctor about whether to consume large amounts of garlic, cautions the American Cancer Society, because garlic may affect the way your liver removes chemotherapy and other drugs from your body 2. Also, garlic has blood-thinning properties, so you shouldn’t ingest large quantities of garlic prior to surgery, the National Cancer Institute says. Finally, if your cancer treatments are causing you to feel nauseous or to vomit, you should be aware that garlic may also cause nausea or vomiting, advises the National Cancer Institute 1.

While it makes for an intrinsic part of our cooking preparations, raw garlic, taken especially as the first thing in the morning, can bring about a bevy of health benefits.

Sushmita Sengupta | Updated: April 04, 2018 13:35 IST

The place of garlic is irreplaceable in Indian cuisine. Outside the kitchen too, garlic has been regarded as one of the most potent foods to cure a variety of diseases and conditions. According to the book Healing Foods, garlic is universally recognised for its health-promoting benefits; aiding the circulatory and digestive systems, boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and fighting heart disease. It even helps to eliminate toxins. While it makes for an intrinsic part of our cooking preparations, raw garlic, taken especially as the first thing in the morning, can bring about a bevy of health benefits. Yes, it may not be the best of ideas of for your breath, but the many health benefits of the practice would sure compel you to chug in a small chunk each morning.

Here are few reasons why you should have garlic on an empty stomach

1. Stronger Lipid profile: Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND says, “Raw garlic in the morning, on an empty stomach may be very beneficial for your lipid profile. It’s a natural blood thinner, which helps stabilise high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”

Shilpa also adds, “Studies have also revealed how sulphur compounds found in garlic help destroy tumour cells. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic that may heal various lung diseases and strengthen the gut for better absorption of nutrients from food.”

2. Powerful Natural Antibiotic: Raw garlic is one of the most effective natural antibiotics. The power raises significantly if garlic is consumed raw, on an empty stomach. Having a piece of raw garlic exposes the bacteria to the tough healing properties of garlic, which helps prevent the bacterial action in the gut. Garlic contains abundant antibiotic and antifungal sulphur compounds including allicin, allin and ajeone. The antibiotic components and its volatile oil helps treat cold and cough.

3. Digestion And Weight Loss Benefits: Eating raw garlic first thing in the morning stimulates digestion and appetite. A smoother digestion, amongst other things also aids effective weight loss. Eating raw garlic is also effective for tummy problems like diarrhoea.

Eating raw garlic first thing in the morning stimulates digestion

4. Hypertension: The sulphur-containing compounds: allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, could help regulate your blood pressure levels too.

5. Detox: The sulfhydryl compound in the garlic helps remove toxic substances from the body. Therefore, if you have had a heavy dinner last night, it is always a good idea to start the next day on a detox mode.

Eating Raw Garlic

Raw garlic has a significantly better nutritive profile than cooked, which is why raw garlic is often one of the most common toppings and ingredients for salads and veggies.

Here is how you can start your day with garlic.

1. Make sure the garlic is fresh. This is because, the allicin compounds degrade dramatically, if the garlic is made to sit out for too long.

2. Carefully, peel the skin off of one part of the clove and keep the rest half of the clove in the refrigerator.

While the festive season can be a time of abundant nourishment and gratitude, it can also be rife with sugar-laden treats, alcohol and rich foods. The sophisticated way in which our liver detoxifies all manner of substances is only possible because of the nutrients, amino acids and antioxidants that we intake.

When we drink more alcohol and eat more sugar, we will end up using extra nutrient reserves to process those liquids and foods. This means certain nutrients are not as available for other important roles in the body such as healthy energy, mood and immunity but also to process other chemicals we ingest from everyday life such as pesticides in foods.

What are toxins?

Toxins are a natural by-product of the bodies everyday functions and as a result detoxification, at a cellular level, is happening everyday minute of every day, urging the body to rid itself of these unwanted molecules before they cause damage. This system works very well until it goes out of kilter. When more toxins are introduced into the body via the diet or lifestyle at a faster rate than it can process, damage occurs and we can begin to feel quite unwell. Fatigue, bloating, skin breakouts, constipation, headaches, weight gain, and irritability are just a few of the unpleasant side effects of toxin build up, an unfortunate and common symptom of our fast living, modern lifestyles.

How can I reduce my toxic load?

The purpose of a Cleanse should be to cleanse and repair the major detoxification organs through nutrition and setting up positive eating habits; to re-dress the essential balance of toxins in = toxins out and teach, or re-teach, the body how to heal itself in a way that will set you up for a lifetime of health. It involves a slow but deliberate change in what you chose to eat and how you chose to eat it.

During the first few days, you may experience typical ‘detoxification’ symptoms of lethargy, headache and irritability. This is because the body is clearing away the toxins and the body is working hard to ‘mop’ these up quickly and efficiently to minimise the effects and maximise the outcome.

What is the role of my gut when cleansing?

Constipation, bloating, indigestion, cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, acne, body odour, candida…Your gut is your first line of defence. This is where the food is digested, absorbed and where the blood is cleansed. In fact, 60-70% of the immune system is held in the digestive tract. Through unwelcome habits in your diet, the digestive tract can easily become damaged without us even knowing. If this damage becomes chronic the gut can become:

A toxic compost

This is where decaying food is not eliminated properly and sits in the gut causing toxicity. This is then re-absorbed into the bloodstream and can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, confusion, coated tongue, insomnia.

An imbalance in gut flora

There are about 500 different bacteria in the gut. Some good and some bad. The bad are usually kept in check by the good. The good synthesise vitamins A, B, K and help to break down lactose, produce natural antibiotics and break down toxic waste and protect against some toxins such as heavy metals as well as harmful bacteria. The main thing that affects this is stress, alcohol, sugar, antibiotics, junk food, painkillers and drugs (recreational and medicinal OTC or prescription).

Auto-intoxication

This is the result of toxic waste failing to clear from the gut. Toxins are then re-absorbed and re-deposited in other areas like the fatty deposits, muscles and tissues such as the liver, kidneys, skin and arteries. When this happens chronic disease can set in such as fibromyalgia, sub-fertility, migraines and arthritis.

Malnutrition & pre-mature ageing

Nutrients are not efficiently delivered to the cellular level resulting in sub-functioning cells and the appearance of premature ageing.
Emotional changes. At the final stages of auto-intoxication, the mind can become physiologically altered with reduced cognitive function including poor memory, ‘foggy’ thinking, mild depression, low libido, loss of motivation and irritability.

What toxins should I be conscious of?

Stimulants

Alcohol, Coffee, Tea, Tobacco. It is important to try very hard to reduce your intake of these as it will reduce the benefits of the diet. You can replace your caffeine intake with green tea or oolong tea and a slice of lemon. Green tea is full of antioxidants, essential nutrients for detoxing, and contains a small amount of caffeine to reduce the feelings of withdrawal.

Stress

Emotional upset, worry or anxiety. Believe it or not, these conditions cause toxins to be released by the body as well as using up important nutrients at a rate of knots. Take time to relax with whatever suits you such as yoga, reading, warm baths, listening to gentle music.

Environmental toxins

Pesticides and other unwanted chemicals are present in the majority of commercial foods and our water supply. They have a cumulative effect so that even if you change to more ecological cleaning fluids, filter your water or drink only mineral water. Banish sodas or fizzy drinks.

Many common foods we eat contain natural toxins such as glycoalkaloids in green parts of potatoes or aflatoxins in peanuts. Keeping a varied diet & not eating the same foods daily is important. Apart from natural toxins, there are man-made food additives. Meat & dairy can be contaminated with antibiotics whilst tap water can contain up to 800 chemicals. Eat organic wherever possible.

Toxins produced by the body

Constipation, antibiotic use & poor diet all contribute to the natural load of toxins produced by the body on a daily basis. Gut toxins can produce symptoms such as IBS and other digestive disorders such as Colitis or Crohns, hormonal imbalances, poor immunity & allergies. Following a cleansing regime will encourage your digestive system to ‘cleanse’ itself to remove any unwanted toxins.

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Let’s face it — most of us don’t give our liver the love it needs, especially around the holidays when weekly happy hour drinks and cocktail parties are the norm. However, there are certain foods that can help restore your liver to peak health.

Garlic

According to the Huffington Post, garlic helps your liver to activate enzymes that can flush out toxins. In addition, it also has high levels of the natural compounds allicin and selenium, which aid in liver cleansing. For example, allicin has antioxidant, antibiotic, and antifungal qualities, while selenium increases the action of antioxidants. In addition, garlic also contains arginine, according to Live Strong.

Garlic helps your liver to activate enzymes that flush out toxins. Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Coffee

According to WebMD, coffee also has properties that could help lower your risk of getting liver disease, although researchers aren’t completely sure why. One study found that having two cups of coffee a day appears to reduce the chances of developing the disease by 44 percent. However, despite its positive effects on the liver, researchers urge that coffee alone cannot reverse all the effects of heavy drinking.

Avocado

As if you needed another reason to eat avocados, some research has suggested this super food is very good for the liver. That’s because they contain an antioxidant called glutathione, which is responsible for filtering out harmful substances from the liver and protecting the liver cells from damage, Well-Being Secrets reported.

Turmeric

The spice turmeric is also very good for the liver. According to Livestrong, turmeric may help to reduce the amount of free radical damage in your liver, or damage from highly unstable molecules. In addition, The Huffington Post reported that turmeric helps our bodies digest fats and creates bile, which acts as a natural detoxifier for your liver.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is not only delicious, it can also help prevent liver damage. According to The Huffington Post, the high levels of vitamin C and antioxidant properties of grapefruit work to flush toxins out of your body and prevent them from damaging cells. What’s more, a 2006 study found that a grapefruit extract called naringenin can activate the chemicals responsible for fatty acid oxidation. In the long run, this may help prevent fatty liver disease, Livestrong reported.

Decaf Coffee Supports Liver Health With Protective, Enzyme-Killing Compounds: Read Here

Quitting Drinking For A Month Improves Liver Function; The Rising Popularity Of ‘Dry January: Read Here

Yes! There is Both Science and Cultural Wisdom To This New Buzzword

Posted Jan 13, 2017

In this blog excerpt from my book Rhythms of Recovery Trauma Nature and The Body I explore the basic science and cultural wisdom of Detoxification that is a powerful aid for recovery from PTSD, depression and the addictions. Detoxification refers to a cleansing or purification process. It involves the transformation and elimination of bodily waste: toxins that impair physical organ function and affect mental well-being and cognitive function.

Trauma is toxic beyond the metaphor often used to describe “toxic relationships; stress creates inflammation and metabolic byproducts that cannot be as easily excreted.

Many people are exposed to chemical and biological toxins in the course of trauma, for example, war, natural disasters, and genocide or have used toxic substances such as alcohol. These toxins affect all aspect of physical and mental health including brain function.

Poor quality nutrition also contributes to the buildup of toxins in the body as a natural by-product of daily life which suggests everyone can benefit from engaging in detoxification strategies. Everyone can benefit from activities that support detoxification.

Detoxification is an essential part of a prevention and treatment program for recovery of mental health, including PTSD, depression, and addictions. Every culture includes a variety of detoxification methods in their traditional medicine repertoire.

The Science: The Liver is the Major Detox Organ
The liver and the skin are the major organs of detoxification in the body. The liver is the human body’s largest organ, and a primary organ of detoxification.

Whether one is detoxifying from pharmaceuticals, drugs or alcohol, or undertaking detoxification strategies to enhance health, the process is similar.

The Liver is the center for detoxification in the body and undergoes two interrelated processes, phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification. During phase 1, the liver makes fat-soluble toxins water-soluble by activating the Cytochrome P-450 enzymes. These enzymes attach to toxins and prepare them for phase 2 detoxification, where they are then excreted by the kidneys. Symptoms of liver and gall bladder congestion include nausea, morning headaches, bloodshot eyes, skin problems, constipation, light colored or poorly formed stools, pain in the upper shoulders or under the rib cage.

Plants That Help the Liver Detox

Many Indigenous societies use alterative (blood-purifying) plants like Burdock to detoxify. Bitter plants that stimulate digestion like, dandelion and bitter root (Lewisia rediviva) are prized by Pacific Northwest natives for their cleansing properties. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), also called verdolaga in Mexico is eaten to enhance digestion and stimulate the liver’s work. Japanese people use charcoal made from bamboo to purify spaces; activated charcoal remains the treatment par excellence for accidental poisoning (this should be used only under professional guidance) in humans and animals. Fibers and, barks are also used to absorb and eliminate toxins as well as soothe the sensitive lining of the stomach and intestines like the nutritious slippery elm bark (Ulmas rubra).

Foods that Help the Liver Detox and aid Alcohol Recovery

Foods are important as both a cause of toxins and in supporting the elimination of toxins. The cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts enhance the liver’s P-450 enzymes, and sulphur-containing onions and garlic, both raw and cooked, should be used daily.

Bread and yeast based products can cause toxicity especially for those sensitive to alcohol. Yeast ferments sugar into alcohol and endogenous alcohol production is high after eating foods rich in carbohydrates). Yeasts convert the alcohol (ethanol) into acetaldehyde affecting levels of gut flora and leading to chronic candidiasis. The acetaldehyde toxins can also cause leaky gut which is implicated in allergies and autoimmune illnesses.

Seaweeds

Seaweed is one of the most important detoxifying foods because they bind toxins in the intestinal tract. Adding seaweed is to soups or bean dishes or as a snack is healthy for the thyroid and also as part of detoxifying. Alginates from the brown seaweeds bind toxic metals and radioactive isotopes in the digestive tract.

Seaweed Detox Recipe

This salad uses hijike or arame sea vegetables, which are among the mildest seaweeds. This salad is a good first step in exploring seaweeds in recipes. It is especially beneficial for fatigue, depression, and hypothyroidism.


1 cup of dry arame or hijiki seaweed
3 scallions
1 cup tofu
1 carrot
½ cup peapods
½ of a red bell pepper
½ of an English cucumber
Handful of broccoli florets
¼ cup walnuts or pine nuts
Sprouts (optional)

Dressing

¼ cup toasted sesame oil
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon wheat-free tamari
Juice from of 2 cloves of garlic and a chunk of fresh ginger
Dash of hot red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Soak the seaweed in warm water for 15 minutes until soft (save the water for soup or to put in your animal companion’s bowl).
2. Dice the scallions, tofu, carrots, peapods, red pepper, cucumber, broccoli, nuts, and sprouts (if using) into small (equal size) pieces.
3. Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until well combined.
Combine the vegetable mixture with the softened seaweed and pour the dressing over it. Mix and allow to marinate for a few hours. Eat and enjoy!

Purge-and-cleanse systems that detox

Purge-and-cleanse systems traditionally include the use of clays, plant and animal-derived oils, sweat lodges and saunas, water therapies, induced-regurgitation, and enemas to detoxify the body and reestablish metabolic balance.The use of sweats and enemas and cleansing teas are found throughout the world cultures.

In future posts, I will explore many of these specific science-based strategies to detoxify the body and thereby enhance mental function.

Your Next Steps?

1) Reduce your exposure and 2) actively incorporate methods to aid your natural detox process.

Most of us have experienced stress and anxiety at some point during our lives. Maybe you’ve woken up an hour before your alarm in a panic over the presentation you’re set to give at work that morning. Or you’ve sat at your desk, feeling crippled and unable to rally yourself to tackle that to-do list. Today, with our fast paced environment and demanding schedules, stress and anxiety seem to play an increasingly prominent role in our lives.

Our bodies cant seem to differentiate between an incoming email or text and a bear approaching you in the woods. Fight? Or flight? Our bodies are wired to prepare for the worst even when we know physical harm isn’t necessarily eminent. Since we can’t opt for either flight or flight options in our everyday corporate lives, the levels of cortisol and norepinephrine (our stress hormones) elevate and become difficult to flush from our bodies once the perceived threat has passed. This takes quite a toll on our immune systems and overall wellbeing.

While we may already know that a relaxing bath or sweaty yoga session is a good way to temper those anxious feelings, what about the foods you eat? Are there some that aggravate stress and anxiety and others that soothe them? There sure are.

Dried Apricots: Dried apricots are rich in the magnesium that gets depleted in our bodies when we’re stressed. Magnesium acts as a natural muscle relaxant and helps reduce heart palpitations. They’re also high in Vitamin C and fiber to keep your immune system strong when you’re feeling stretched thin. Make yourself a healthy dried apricot trail mix and keep it at your desk.

Asparagus: Low levels of folic acid can leave you feeling anxious. A cup of asparagus contains two-thirds of your daily value of folic acid. Asparagus is delicious and easy to incorporate into your diet. Roast, steam, or grill them and include them as a side dish or eat them alone with some balsamic vinaigrette.

Avocados: In addition to providing numerous health benefits, avocados are a great source of B vitamins. We need B vitamins for healthy brain and nerve cells. They’re also a good source of potassium, a mineral that gets depleted in times of stress.

Banana: Speaking of potassium, bananas are full of it and can help reduce your blood pressure. They also act as natural beta-adrenergic blockers, which is a kind of drug that is prescribed to people suffering from anxiety. These prevent your adrenaline from skyrocketing, which happens all too often when we’re feeling stressed out. To take the bananas-for-stress argument one step further, they contain B vitamins and tryptophan, a special protein that converts into serotonin. Serotonin = happiness. If you’ve got a big presentation coming up, try eating a banana 30 minutes beforehand and see how you feel.

Broccoli: Broccoli is chock full of vitamin C, the vitamin we all grew up knowing helped keep us healthy. Vitamin C lowers cortisol levels and is a bona fide stress buster.

Blueberries: Blueberries are also full of Vitamin C and can help you feel calmer throughout the day. They are rich in antioxidants that help us repair and protect our cells.

Fermented foods: When you’re feeling down, the first place to start is your gut. 90% of your serotonin is produced in your gut so keeping that in balance may be the true secret to happiness. Beneficial bacteria have a direct effect on your brain chemistry and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles, kimchee, kombucha, and yogurt can help keep your gut bacteria healthy. When stress is high, try having some kind of fermented food with every meal. For me, keeping my gut healthy is as simple as having a spoonful of kraut after I eat.

Fish (especially salmon): A diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids helps keep cortisol and adrenaline from spiking when you’re feeling anxious. Eating fish a few times a week also strengthens and protects your heart, which can take a beating (pun intended) during times of high stress.

Garlic: Garlic is a restorative herb and can play a crucial role in balancing a stressful life. It protects against many ailments and diseases and acts as a powerful tonic that reduces fatigue. Our adrenal glands can go into overdrive during times of high stress, and garlic can help reduce the amount of stress hormones produced and increase your energy levels.

Green Leafy Vegetables: In addition to broccoli, kale and spinach are great sources of Vitamin C. Leafy greens also contain plenty of magnesium which can get very depleted when we’re stressed. A magnesium deficit in your body can lead to irritability, indigestion, and fatigue so make sure you’re getting your greens in with every meal. They’re also high in folate, which helps your body produce mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

Yogurt: In addition to being a wonderful, probiotic rich food that improves our digestive health, studies have recently shown that eating yogurt may relieve stress and anxiety by reducing activity in the emotional region in our brain. Try having some yogurt with blueberries, almonds, and chia seeds as an afternoon snack when you feel your energy levels dipping, and your stress levels increasing.

With all this goodness to work with, when you’re feeling anxious you should also consider what foods to avoid. Refined sugar and simple carbohydrates will cause your energy levels to spike and crash, so try to limit your intake. Alcohol and caffeine can aggravate stress; so pay attention to how it feels in your body. If you’re feeling anxious, reaching for that cup of coffee may do more harm than good. You may also want to experiment with decreasing the amount of animal protein you eat during stressful times as it can increase your cortisol levels.

You are what you eat, so if you’re feeling a little stressed out take a step back and look around you. Take a deep breath, stretch, and remind yourself that the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders and sometimes just doing the best you can is enough.

Now, go make yourself some lunch!

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Let’s face it — most of us don’t give our liver the love it needs, especially around the holidays when weekly happy hour drinks and cocktail parties are the norm. However, there are certain foods that can help restore your liver to peak health.

Garlic

According to the Huffington Post, garlic helps your liver to activate enzymes that can flush out toxins. In addition, it also has high levels of the natural compounds allicin and selenium, which aid in liver cleansing. For example, allicin has antioxidant, antibiotic, and antifungal qualities, while selenium increases the action of antioxidants. In addition, garlic also contains arginine, according to Live Strong.

Garlic helps your liver to activate enzymes that flush out toxins. Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Coffee

According to WebMD, coffee also has properties that could help lower your risk of getting liver disease, although researchers aren’t completely sure why. One study found that having two cups of coffee a day appears to reduce the chances of developing the disease by 44 percent. However, despite its positive effects on the liver, researchers urge that coffee alone cannot reverse all the effects of heavy drinking.

Avocado

As if you needed another reason to eat avocados, some research has suggested this super food is very good for the liver. That’s because they contain an antioxidant called glutathione, which is responsible for filtering out harmful substances from the liver and protecting the liver cells from damage, Well-Being Secrets reported.

Turmeric

The spice turmeric is also very good for the liver. According to Livestrong, turmeric may help to reduce the amount of free radical damage in your liver, or damage from highly unstable molecules. In addition, The Huffington Post reported that turmeric helps our bodies digest fats and creates bile, which acts as a natural detoxifier for your liver.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is not only delicious, it can also help prevent liver damage. According to The Huffington Post, the high levels of vitamin C and antioxidant properties of grapefruit work to flush toxins out of your body and prevent them from damaging cells. What’s more, a 2006 study found that a grapefruit extract called naringenin can activate the chemicals responsible for fatty acid oxidation. In the long run, this may help prevent fatty liver disease, Livestrong reported.

Decaf Coffee Supports Liver Health With Protective, Enzyme-Killing Compounds: Read Here

Quitting Drinking For A Month Improves Liver Function; The Rising Popularity Of ‘Dry January: Read Here

Try this power food

The Cleveland Clinic puts garlic on its list of 36 power foods, and for good reason. Garlic is a rich source of phytochemicals. These plant chemicals are thought to ward off disease and help boost your immune system.

So-called “power foods” provide loads of nutrients but little calories. That translates into lots of potential benefits for your body and overall health. Eating nutrient-rich foods as part of your regular diet can help lower your risk of many health conditions, including heart disease and certain kinds of cancer.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) , garlic has traditionally been used to treat many health conditions, including:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• heart disease
• different types of cancer

Some of these folk uses for garlic have been supported by modern scientific studies, while the jury is still out on others.

Research suggests that garlic may help lower your blood pressure, reports the NCCIH . Taking garlic supplements may be especially helpful if you have chronically high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Raw garlic and garlic supplements contain the compound allicin. This compound may help relax the smooth muscles in your blood vessels. When those muscles relax, your blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops.

In addition to possibly lowering blood pressure, the NCCIH reports that garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis. This is a condition in which cholesterol-containing plaques build up in your arteries. They harden and narrow, which raises your risk of heart attack.

Researchers have also examined the effect of garlic on blood cholesterol levels. The results have been mixed. Some evidence suggests that short-term garlic use may help lower your cholesterol levels. But an NCCIH-funded study on fresh garlic, dried garlic tablets, and aged garlic extract tables found no effect for lowering blood cholesterol.

Some research suggests that eating garlic may help prevent certain kinds of cancer, reports the National Cancer Institute . For example, studies have found a link between a diet rich in garlic and lower risk of stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast cancers.

While this research is promising, no clinical trials have explored the potential cancer-fighting perks of a garlic-rich diet, warns the NCCIH . A clinical trial on garlic supplements found that they had no effect on preventing stomach cancer.

When it comes to killing the common cold virus, garlic has a good reputation. But a review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that more research is needed. One trial did find that people who took garlic supplements reported spending fewer days sick with the common cold.

Outside of bad breath or flatulence, the risks of eating garlic or taking garlic supplements are low. Garlic can cause body odor, heartburn, or upset stomach in some people, according to the NCCIH . It can thin your blood, which may be risky if you have a bleeding disorder or upcoming surgery. It can also interfere with saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV. Ask your doctor for more information about potential risks and side effects of taking garlic for your health.

Although the strong garlic flavor can be wonderful in food, you may not love its effects on your breath. To help ward off bad breath from garlic, eat it with an apple or a mix of apple vinegar and water with honey. A lemon wedge may also do the trick.

To add more garlic to your diet, try this simple recipe. Add four cloves of garlic to your juicer, along with two tomatoes and a lemon. If you don’t have a juicer, manually juice the lemon. Then mix the lemon juice, tomatoes, and garlic in a blender until smooth.

Keep this delicious juice or smoothie refrigerated. Sip on it daily, especially when you’re fighting infection. You can also add more garlic to your diet by putting it in vinaigrettes, hummus, salsas, and stir-fries.

Although more research is needed, modern science suggests that garlic may have health benefits. This research is building on centuries of traditional medicine and home remedies that have harnessed garlic’s health-promoting powers.

Garlic may not be a cure-all, but it makes a nutrient-rich addition to any diet. Adding it to your daily menu is a delicious way to enjoy the many nutrients and phytochemicals it offers. You can also talk to your doctor for more information about the potential benefits and risks of taking garlic supplements.

Generic Name: garlic (GAR lik)
Brand Name: Garlic Oil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 13, 2020 – Written by Cerner Multum

What is garlic?

Garlic is an herb also known as Ail, Ajo, Allii Sativi Bulbus, Allium, Allium sativum, Camphor of the Poor, Da Suan, Lasun, Lasuna, Nectar of the Gods, Poor Man’s Treacle, Rason, Rust Treacle, or Stinking Rose.

Garlic is a commonly used food and flavoring agent. When used as a food product, garlic is not likely to produce health benefits or side effects. When used as a medicinal product, garlic may produce both desired and unwanted effects on the body.

Garlic products sold as health supplements may vary widely in amount of allicin, the active ingredient in garlic. Allicin is unstable and can be reduced in garlic products that are aged to reduce odor. Odorless garlic may contain little to no allicin. The lower the amount of allicin, the less effective a garlic product might be.

Garlic taken orally (by mouth) has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating high blood pressure, coronary artery disease (hardened arteries), stomach cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer, and in preventing tick bites. Garlic applied to the skin may also be possibly effective in treating fungal skin infections such as ringworm, jock itch, or athlete’s foot.

Garlic has also been used to treat high cholesterol, stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori, cancer, or circulation problems in the legs. However, research has shown that garlic may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included preventing the common cold, and improving urination problems caused by an enlarged prostate.

It is not certain whether garlic is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Garlic should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Garlic is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Garlic may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Important Information

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use garlic if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

problems with digestion; or

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia.

Ask a doctor before using garlic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The use of garlic as a flavoring agent in foods is considered safe during pregnancy.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Garlic taken by mouth in large doses may be harmful to children.

How should I take garlic?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use garlic, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Do not use different forms (cloves, tablets, oil, etc) of garlic at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.

Do not crush, chew, or break an enteric coated pill. Swallow it whole. The pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill will damage this coating.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with garlic does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

Garlic can affect blood-clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking garlic at least 2 weeks ahead of time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light, or as directed on the package.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking garlic?

Avoid taking fish oil or vitamin E while you are taking garlic.

Also avoid using garlic together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, turmeric, and willow.

Garlic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, garlic is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time.

Stop using garlic and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

redness, swelling, or blistering (when applied to the skin); or

easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums).

Common side effects (especially when eating raw garlic) may include:

unpleasant breath or body odor;

heartburn, burning in your mouth or throat;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also:

What other drugs will affect garlic?

Do not take garlic without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

HIV or AIDS medicines–delavirdine, efavirenz, nevirapine, saquinavir;

medicine used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, and urokinase; or

Do not take garlic without medical advice if you are using a medication to treat any of the following conditions:

any type of infection (including HIV, malaria, or tuberculosis);

high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a heart condition;

a psychiatric disorder; or

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect garlic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

See also:

Further information

• Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.03.

Sarah Sarway ・ August 7, 2019

Of the five vital organs, the liver stands out as the fuzziest in my high school bio memories. It doesn’t have its own songs à la “Achy-Breaky Heart.” And, let’s face it, it will never be the brain of the entire operation. Yet nutritionist Charles Passler, DC, founder of Pure Change, is pretty keen on giving the organ (which sits right above your stomach, BTW) a rebrand.

Why, you ask? The liver plays a vital role in shepherding out what your body doesn’t need. “When the liver is working optimally, it can take toxins stored throughout your body, convert them into their water soluble form, and efficiently excrete them from your body,” explains Dr. Passler. With the right food on your plate, he says, you can more easily flush out foreign chemicals—like the ones you pick up from the environment, beauty products, or processed foods.

The American Liver Foundation’s healthy eating guidelines echo Dr. Passler’s points. It also recommends a diet rich in fiber sourced from fruit, veggies, and whole grains. Small amounts of non-red meat, as well as low-fat dairy and healthy monounsaturated fats (like avocado!) are also on the menu.

Follow those broad nutritional guidelines and you’re already off to a good start—but let’s dive deeper on the foods the liver really, truly loves.

Keep reading for 8 powerful liver cleansing foods to give your bod an assist.

1. Garlic

“Eating garlic helps activate the liver detox enzymes,” explains Dr. Passler. (Basically, these enzymes assist in breaking down toxins and eliminating them from your system.) Garlic also contains 39 different antibacterial agents , making it a great food for protecting your bod against illnesses.

To best make use of this flavor-packed food, opt for organic and fresh garlic whenever possible. “When eating garlic fresh, the allicin compound can help kill unfriendly organisms in your intestines that produce toxins in your gastrointestinal tract,” Dr. Passler says. Try sneaking an extra clove or two into your weeknight dinner veggies or Caesar salad.

2. Beets

If you’ve never jumped on the beet juice train, now is the perfect time to give it a try. (As if the veggie’s high antioxidant content and ability to improve exercise performance weren’t reason enough.)

Mixed fruit juice and mixed vegetable juice, especially with bitter gourd, will help increase immunity.

Synopsis

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Simple steps such as eating healthy, staying clean and getting some exercise can build your defences against infectious diseases as temperatures soar.

Some diseases are more prominent in certain seasons than others. While winter brings a slew of diseases like cold and cough, with summer comes a host of health problems like headache, flu, measles, jaundice and skin rashes.

However, averting sickness — even while people around you may be sniffing and sneezing — depends on how strong your immune system is. Dr SG Harish, head of the internal medicine department at BR Life SSNMC Hospital, Bengaluru, said the immune system is the most important factor in the body to avoid any kind of disease.

Including nutrient-rich foods, getting exercise and being mindful of hygiene can do a lot of good to your immune system and, thus, prevent infectious diseases in any part of the year.

Harish said: “Change in weather during summer leads to a shift in temperature that leads to the growth of certain viruses and bacteria. This affects the immune system. However, a strong immune system can help in having good health. Maintaining a good diet like consuming food rich in vitamins C, D, folic acid, vegetables, cereals and pulses will help in boosting the immunity.”

WHEN IMMUNITY IS COMPROMISED
Each one of us has a different kind of immune system and our daily activities also determine its strength. There are some reasons which can make your immune system low, such as stress, poor diet, inadequate sleep, obesity, lack of physical activity and neglecting protein-rich food.

Extremes of age and pregnancy are stages in life when immunity can be compromised, said Dr Shweta Singhai, senior consultant, department of rheumatology, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru. Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, HIV and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus result in altered immunity. Treatments such as chemotherapy and immunosuppressive medication also alter the immunity.

Dr Rohan Sequeira, senior cardio-metabolic and obesity consultant physician at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, said: “Diet, nutrition, exercise, and emotional and mental strength are very important for the immune system. If any of these is compromised, the immune system has a chance to get lowered. There is a direct relationship between exercise and the immune system.

Individuals who exercise have much stronger immunity and a healthy lifestyle than those who don’t. Moreover, having foods high in antioxidants and nutrients is important for having good immunity.”

Agencies
FOOD CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
What we eat matters in deciding how good our immune system is. According to Harish, “excess consumption of red meat, sugar, saturated fat and low-fibre foods is a major factor which affects our immune system. These food items lead to inflammation in the body, thereby causing several health issues. Consuming too much sugar curbs the immune system cells that attack bacteria.”

Gut is one of the barriers of our body which is constantly exposed to new and different foreign materials in the form of food. Intestinal immune system encounters more antigens than any other part of the body. Hence, a robust gut is the sign of good health, Singhai explained.

BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
There are many ways you can do this. Doctors say that something as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables can increase your immunity.

Include foods which are rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E, plus beta carotene and zinc, said Harish. Go for a wide variety of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, including berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, apple, red grape, onion, spinach, sweet potato and carrot. Fresh garlic is particularly good for your immune system as it may help fight viruses and bacteria, he said.

Include a wide variety of brightly coloured fruits in your diet.

Mixed fruit juice and mixed vegetable juice, especially with bitter gourd, will help increase immunity. Zinc and chromium, which are abundant in shell fish and vegetables, also improve a person’s immunity, said Sequeira.

According to Dr Jyothsna Krishnappa, senior consultant-internal medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, “the food we eat modifies the immune responses to some extent. There is a lot of interest in the gut microbiome — the microbial environment in the gut. With the concept of prebiotics and probiotics as gut modifiers, these foods also help maintain the immune system. Foods rich in vitamins and micronutrients including seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, sprouts and dairy products (mainly curd-based) are essential to keep the immune system functioning optimally.”

STAY SAFE
As the temperature is on the rise, it is wise to do a check of what’s good for you. Harish said: “Maintain good hygiene — lack of proper hygiene can lead to growth of germs, thus leading to a weak immune system. Keeping the surroundings clean, bathing every day and washing hands at regular intervals can control the developments of virus and bacteria; prepare fresh food, and refrigerate leftover food and reheat it before eating; drink clean water; avoid water/cold beverages available on the roadside; use antifungal talc, which absorbs sweat and reduces skin fungal infections.”
ThinkStock Photos
Adequate and regular hydration is a must. Hygienic food must be consumed at all times. It is important to be cautious while eating out in summer, especially raw, uncooked food such as salads, chats, chutneys, juices and cut fruits as they might be contaminated, added Singhai. Diet and exercise are the key that help keep summer diseases at bay. For individuals with blood pressure and diabetes, it is important to keep away from sweets and control the blood sugar and BP levels, Sequeira added.

Avoid activities outside the home during peak sun hours, Krishnappa advised. Increase water or liquid intake so as to prevent dehydration. Use sunscreen with a higher SPF to prevent skin damage. Avoid roadside food or contaminated water. Wear wide-brimmed hats to avoid direct exposure to the sun.

Posted by Hannah Punitha on Wed, Oct 23, 2013
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Nine days of Dassara ,days of fun,food and frolic are over but now is the time to detoxify your gut and get refreshed for Diwali.Let me tell you how and why!

After those fine evening snacks and dining sessions with friends and family,tiresome shopping,late night gossips and early mornings now is the time to give thought to the tremendous build up of toxins in your body.

Most of us tend to neglect it and realize it only after we are left fatigued and ailing. Detoxing refreshes not only your body but also your mind and emotions.Detoxing is like giving yourself a Diwali gift of a better body and clearer mind.

It is about eating the right thing at the right time and setting your body clock to normal!

Here are few detox foods that rejuvenate your body and refreshes your mind.

GARLIC: THE BEST DETOX AGENT

One of the best detox foods available in the market garlic helps to stimulate the liver into producing detoxifying enzymes that help filter toxic residues from the digestive system.It is always good to add sliced or cooked garlic to any suitable dish.Also you can saute slivered garlic in olive oil and sprinkle it on steamed green veggies.

THE UNPARALLED BROCCOLI

Extremely high in anti-oxidants the ability of broccoli to detoxify the digestive tract is unparalled.Broccoli sprouts are more effective specially in preventing cancer.It has also got the magical healing ability to heal liver diseases like jaundice.Broccoli is rich in phyto chemicals which are released when the broccoli is cut chewed or digested.

TURMERIC

Curcumin the active ingredient found in turmeric is used in traditional medicines to treat liver and digestive disorders.This active ingredient is a great detoxifier and protects you against free radials and cancer.

BEAT FOR THE BEETS

Beats are a valuable source of iron,zinc,magnesium & calcium.They are full of vitamins B3,B6,C & Beta Carotene.All these promote optimal detoxification.Beets also support good gall bladder and liver health-organs that are paramount in breaking down and removing toxins.

MOONG BEANS THE WONDER FOOD

Considered as one of the wonder foods with magical healing properties, moong beans in Ayurveda is said to balance all doshas.Its magical healing properties are wasted when it is boiled to death.So boil till it splits,mash it up,toss in some onions and split green chillies or pepper powder and enjoy your bowl of moong with all its benefits intact.

TOMATOES

Lycopene present in tomatoes that is responsible for the red color is a powerful anti-oxidant.It also protects the liver from free radical damage.Include fresh tomatoe soups and juices in your regular diet as part of your detox plan and enjoy the multifarious health benefits.

THE AWESOME BENEFITS OF DETOX

Now that spring cleansing of your body is done, let us know the health benefits that you will enjoy this Diwali!

Your body is now recharged,renewed and rejuvenated says Linda Page PHD author of detoxification. “Anyone can enjoy the benefits of a detox. It’s a way you to kick-start your body for a more healthy and active life.”

ENJOY A BETTER BODY AND A CLEAR MIND THIS DIWALI!

Do these 6 things today to boost immunity and reduce the harm of illness.

Posted Mar 03, 2020

As the coronavirus spreads, we are hearing about how to reduce exposure and take care of ourselves if we get sick. These are important tips, but we’re not hearing much about how we can boost our immunity so that if we do get exposed to the virus—or worse, we get sick—our body can effectively fight back.

Our immune systems are designed to fight off sicknesses and viruses. But unfortunately, the immune system can get worn down by many things typical of a modern life—for example, stress, toxins, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating. This prevents our bodies from effectively fighting off sickness.

With coronavirus continuing to spread, it’s more important than ever to support the immune system. We can do this by making a few key tweaks to our thoughts, actions, and habits.

Here are 6 essential ways to boost your immunity in preparation for coronavirus:

1. Reduce Stress

When you’re stressed out your body produces stress hormones which tax the immune system. So one of the most important ways to boost immunity is to reduce stress. To reduce stress, it’s key to ensure you have decent work-life balance, take breaks when you need them (both short “water-cooler” breaks and longer vacations), and to employ some calming or relaxing stress-reduction techniques, like practicing mindfulness. And if you’re already feeling really burned out, taking adrenal support supplements like Ashwaganda can sometimes be helpful.

2. Sleep whenever you’re tired

Many of us walk around this world in a state of constant exhaustion. But every time we stay awake when our bodies want us to sleep, we increase stress and hurt our immunity. If we’re drinking caffeinated drinks all the time (e.g., coffee, black tea, soda) we may not even realize just how tired we really are. Because sleeping is essential to rebuilding a struggling immune system, we need to let ourselves sleep as much as we need.

3. Consume immunity-boosting vitamins

To support your immune system, you can eat immunity supporting foods like citrus fruits, garlic, broccoli, and spinach. If your immune system is already weak, it can also be helpful to supplement with key vitamins and minerals that may have become depleted like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, and Zinc.

4. Reduce Inflammation

Sugar, processed meat, vegetable oils, and alcohol tend to be inflammatory foods so they busy the immune system, leaving other problems in your body unaddressed. That’s why it can be really helpful to remove these inflammatory foods if we want a healthy immune system.

5. Exercise, but not too much

Exercise can be one of the best things to do to boost immunity. But we have to be careful because too much exercise is stressful on the body and can be tough on our immune system. So just keep the other tips in mind: Keep stress low, and if you’re tired, then rest.

6. Stay away from toxins

Toxins can be devastating for the immune system. For example, mycotoxins from mold are notorious for destroying the immune system. Many other toxins and parasites seem to have negative effects on immunity as well. So do a parasite cleanse and minimize exposure to chlorinated drinking water, pesticides, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., air fresheners), heavy metals, air pollution, and food additives.

By taking these actions, we can help prevent ourselves and our loved ones from suffering significantly from the coronavirus.

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A healthy garden has a balance of beneficial insects that keep the destructive pest population under control. Pesticides don’t discriminate; they kill the beneficial insects, too, throwing your garden out of balance so that it has no natural defenses. This perpetuates a vicious cycle, since you’ll just have to resort to more pesticides. Before you reach for a toxins, try a simpler solution: garlic spray.

Benefits

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to certain toxic pesticides poses a health risk. That’s not something you want to worry about if you, your children or your pets enjoy spending time in the yard. Garlic, on the other hand, is a completely organic, “green” solution. It poses no serious health risks to anyone in the household. It doesn’t kill the beneficial bugs; its pungent odor simply makes the plants undesirable as a place to eat or lay eggs. This helps maintain the balance your garden needs to defend itself.

Process

To make a garlic spray, the key ingredients are garlic and water. How much garlic you use depends on how concentrated you want your spray. About six cloves mixed into 1 gallon of water will give you a weak spray. This may be enough for preventative measures. For a highly concentrated spray, you can use up to two full bulbs of garlic pureed into just ½ cup of water.

Crush your garlic and put it into a bowl. Pour boiling water over it, cover it and let it steep overnight. Strain it before you put it into a spray bottle so that garlic pieces won’t clog the nozzle.

Additional Ingredients

You can make your garlic spray even more powerful with a few more additives you probably have in your kitchen. Add a tablespoon of crushed hot pepper or a hot pepper sauce to the water while the garlic steeps and it will repel a wider variety of pests. Add a tablespoon of liquid soap or vegetable oil to the mixture, which coats larvae or eggs and smothers them.

Usage

Spray any plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables or herbs with your garlic spray to repel pests. Spray the bottoms of the leaves, where a lot of pests like to lay their eggs to shelter them. For prevention, spray plants every few days or once per week. If you have a pest problem, spray daily or whenever you see pests. After the plants get wet from rain or watering, re-apply the spray. If you use an irrigation system so your foliage stays dry, then it won’t wash the spray off; you’ll only have to re-apply after rain.

Precautions

Even though garlic spray is nontoxic, it can be an irritant, especially to the eyes. This is especially true if you put in additional ingredients such as pepper or dish detergent. Keep the nozzle turned away from your face and wash your hands after using it or handling your plants. Don’t let children or pets play among sprayed plants.

Store garlic spray in the refrigerator for the short term or in the freezer if it won’t be used up in a few days. Garlic spray will spoil like any other perishable food product.