A century or so ago, the idea of needing liver detoxification was not even given thought. There was little pollution and foods did not contain the chemicals and hormones they contain now. Our livers are our defense against all forms of toxic substances and they work very hard to keep our bodies clear, but in this day and age of convenience foods, aerosols and chemicals, our livers are getting bombarded with too much way too fast. The toxins build up in our systems and make us ill because our livers can’t keep up. Never has it been more important to consider liver detoxification for the sake of our health.

There is no denying that our livers need protein, but fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the best for cleaning and keeping the liver clear. Vegetarians have been telling us this for several decades. Meat, dairy and preservatives are hazardous to our health.

The healthiest way to eat is organic. Unfortunately, organic produce is more costly simply because there is less of it available. If you cannot afford organic fruits and vegetables and growing them is not an option, then at least be sure you wash everything before you eat it.

It is self-defeating to partake of alcohol, drugs or nicotine during a liver detoxification. These are completely off the list of acceptable consumption when you are detoxifying. If you are struggling with addiction or alcoholism, do not detox outside of a medical clinic. Detoxifying from hard drugs can be dangerous and without proper treatment, the result can even be death. Don’t take the risk. Go through treatment before you try this type of detox.

An exception is addiction to tobacco. If you quit smoking and go on a liver detoxification plan, you will cleanse your body of nicotine faster than quitting without the cleanse. There are many former smokers who claim detoxification helped them get rid of biological cravings for nicotine.

Hormones are another issue that come into play when it comes to detoxifying the liver. The hormones added to dairy products and meats are harmful. While official studies have not prompted FDA warnings regarding hormones, thousands of doctors agree that added hormones in our food are linked to early puberty and reproductive cancers. It makes sense that putting these hormones into our bodies is not only unnecessary but can be harmful. Whether or not you choose a liver detoxification plan, you should start purchasing dairy and meat that has not been treated with hormones.

There are a variety of ways to detoxify your liver. You might choose to eat only fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains or you can choose to drink specially-formulated beverages throughout your detox. Some people use a combination of the two plans. While the juice or liquid fast works more quickly, it is also more stressful on your system. A combination plan might include substituting two meals with a cleansing drink.

If you choose to use the elixir type of detox, go into it slowly by eating the foods described above and leaving out sugars, fats and meats for a couple of days before going into a fast. When you are done with your elixir plan, gradually add these foods back in. Keep things moderate and be gentle with your body. Liver detoxification is meant to help, not hurt.