As the seasons shift, many of us focus on improving our overall health. A seasonal cleanse is one of the best ways to kickstart a healthier you. Just like you prepare your home or car for changing seasons, your body benefits from a periodic “reset.” Like the “spring cleaning” concept, fall cleansing focuses on detoxifying the body from the inside out, setting the stage for long-term health and vitality.
Why Cleansing Is Essential
Detoxification is one of the body’s most essential functions. The process helps flush out toxins that accumulate from environmental exposure, poor diet, and stress. These toxins, if not removed, can slow down our body’s systems, much like debris would weaken the foundation of a house. A thorough cleanse allows the body to eliminate waste and improves the performance of vital systems such as:
- Gastrointestinal system (liver, spleen, gallbladder, colon, etc.)
- Urinary system (kidneys and bladder)
- Lymphatic system
- Skin
- Respiratory system (lungs and sinuses)
- Cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels)
Cleansing supports the body’s natural detoxification pathways, leading to improved digestion, clearer skin, increased energy, and even enhanced mental clarity.
How Cleansing Works
Your body constantly works to eliminate toxins through urine, sweat, and bowel movements. Cleansing helps speed up this process and enhances the body’s efficiency. A whole-body cleanse typically includes:
- Increased Fiber Intake: Fiber, particularly from sources like flax, helps trap toxins in the colon, ensuring they are expelled from the body instead of reabsorbing. This can prevent discomfort, like diarrhea, and improve bowel regularity during cleansing.
- Adequate Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is vital to effective detoxification. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For instance, weighing 200 pounds, you should consume at least 100 ounces of water daily.
- Probiotics: Cleansing can disturb the balance of gut bacteria, so taking a probiotic supplement helps replenish beneficial bacteria. Probiotics also suppress harmful bacteria that may release toxins bound for elimination.
Types of Cleanses
In addition to whole-body cleanses, targeted cleanses such as liver, kidney, parasite, or heavy metal detoxes can help address specific needs. Depending on your lifestyle, these more focused cleanses can be done during the months between your whole-body detoxifications. For instance, those who eat a lot of sushi may benefit from a parasite cleanse, while those exposed to environmental toxins may require additional liver support.
Regardless of the cleanse, fiber, water, and probiotics remain essential components of the detox process.
Liver Focus
My area of interest is supporting the liver daily. Stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental toxins all stress this vital organ. Throw in OTC, prescriptions, illegal drugs and even alcohol use take their toll. Below are a few of my favorite liver health supplements to incorporate into your everyday supplement regimen.
4Liver
4Liver is a potent herbal extract traditionally used in Ayurvedic formulas. It combines two herbs (Terminalia chebula and Sphaeranthus indicus). A recent study showed that 4Liver helped reduce fatty liver index, impacts the progression of fatty liver, supports liver biomarkers, supports healthy blood fat levels (LDL, HDL, etc.), supports overall liver function, and acts as a potent antioxidant protecting the liver. The study also showed that this potent liver health combination outperformed silymarin by the end of the study.[i]
AltilixTM
Altilix is a unique artichoke extract because it originates from a specific cultivar and has high concentrations of biphenols. One study showed that Altilix improves NAFL and liver enzymes, impacting blood fats (triglycerides and LDL) and glucose metabolism. AltilixTM has also been outperformed silymarin (milk thistle).[ii]
Dandelion
Dandelion has been tested against various drugs and chemical-induced chronic liver diseases in experimental animals and has produced promising results. In vitro studies also show liver-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.[iii]
Milk Thistle
The active substance in milk thistle is silymarin, which comprises several natural plant molecules. Studies show that Silymarin may help with the regeneration of liver cells, decrease inflammation, and protect liver cells from damage in an antioxidant-type manner.[iv]
References:
[i] Rajendra V. A blend of Sphaeranthus indicus flower head and Terminalia chebula fruit extracts reduces fatty liver and improves liver function in non-alcoholic, overweight adults. Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2022; 12(7): 361-379DOI: 10.31989/ffhd.v12i7.958
[ii] Castellino G, Nikolic D, Magán-Fernández A, Malfa GA, Chianetta R, Patti AM, Amato A, Montalto G, Toth PP, Banach M, Cicero AFG, Rizzo M. Altilix®Supplement Containing Chlorogenic Acid and Luteolin Improved Hepatic and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A 6 Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 25;11(11):2580. doi: 10.3390/nu11112580. PMID: 31731527; PMCID: PMC6893885.
[iii] Devaraj, Ezhilarasan. Hepatoprotective properties of Dandelion: Recent update. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 6. 202-205. 10.7324/JAPS.2016.60429
[iv] PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Milk Thistle (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2018 Aug 17. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65780/