The liver is constantly working to detoxify our bodies through its Phase I and Phase II pathways. Here are some ways to support your liver’s detoxification abilities…
This is one reason I continue to promote the Liver Cleanse Diet at least 2-3x per year!
Adapted from a post Cancer Playbook shared based on study by healthcare company Patient First:
• Ensure drinking plenty of water, even if you have to add some to the bowl.
• Use teas like lemon/ginger, peppermint, and green tea. Offer them to your dog in a water bowl-- but keep fresh water down as well. Don’t give up if they don’t drink it day one. repeat for several days! Add a bit to food.
• Add turmeric, lemon and ginger to foods
Another post from PSRI Hospital describes further strategies to enhance detoxification, including:
• Sweating - Toxins can be expelled through the sweat, and achieving a good sweat through exercise is the most effective. Your don’t won’t sweat in the same way you and I do – but good exercise keeps lymph moving and toxins pumping out.
• Raw vegetable juice - Vegetables contain enzymes that are generally healthy for the body, and can reduce acid levels to support the liver; Your dog may prefer lightly steamed, well chopped or pureed veggies stirred into their food. But you can off some juice in frozen popsicles, yogurt parfaits, lick mats, etc. Experiment to see what your dog likes.
• Potassium-rich foods - Potassium helps cleanse the liver and lower blood pressure. Rotate and use in moderation healthy potassium rich foods: * Salmon, Bananas, Sweet Potatoes, Clams, Spinach, Squash.
• Supplements - Certain foods and herbs, like beetroot and turmeric, are associated with improved detoxification. Milk thistle has also been noted to protect the liver from toxins. In some cases we may move up to glutathione for liver detoxification. But we want to start slowly.