BRENDA GILL: Detoxification after the holidays

By Dr. Brenda Gill

Now that you’re getting back on track with eating after the holidays, it is a good time to consider some ways to clear the system of the chemicals from eating, drugs, smoking and  drinking.

• Your foods should be high in fibre and low in animal fats.   So, increased whole grain breads, pastas, crackers and flour and use brown rice or other whole grains such as quinoa, oats, rye, barley, millet or buckwheat.
• Consider blender drinks of beets/papaya/carrot/ grape/ginger with fruit such as apples, berries, plums, apricots, peaches or other fruit you have in the freezer.  These help to clear the blood of metabolites and by-products.
• Eat foods rich in Vitamin C—berries/cherries/plums—any brightly coloured fruit.  This maximizes immune function, so, it can help get rid of any viruses and bacteria that may be in the system.
• Increase foods with Vitamin A such as salmon/halibut or red/orange veggies, such as beets, squash/carrots/red peppers.  This again maximizes immune function and helps the liver clear toxins and metabolites.  For those sun-seekers, it also protects the skin from harmful rays.  I often have folks take Vitamin A before going on a holiday to prevent sunburn.
• Use olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds for your sources of oils.  These oils the gall bladder/liver can break down much more effectively.  They will help lubricate the joints, moisten the skin, keep the scalp from getting itchy and are the source of our hormones. 
• Supplements that may be considered are choline and N-acetyl cysteine which help the liver breakdown chemicals in the system.
• One of the most effective tools I use is a tincture, which is a liquid extract of herbs that have milk thistle (Silymarin), dandelion root (Taraxacum) and Oregon Grape (Berberis). These help decongest the liver, break down drugs and other chemicals in the system.
• Other herbs such as artichoke (Cyarin), turmeric (Curcumin) increase bile production to break down fats, protect the liver from damage, help re-generate liver cells.  Black radish helps gall bladder function. 

These tools should help your body get back on track with increased energy and vitality!