Is detox needed for optimum health?
Our bodies are wonderfully effective at warding off the toxins that we encounter every day. We are being constantly bombarded by toxins of all kinds. Harmful chemicals are found everywhere, in the water, in the air, and in foods. If you’re using products to smell good, soften your skin, or shave, then you have a higher chance of toxic exposure. In fact, our skin is the largest organ in the body that soaks up these chemicals every day.
The liver is not only one of the hardest working organs in the human body; it’s also one of the most amazing, too. Modern medical studies have shown that up to 75% of the liver can be regenerated without harm if the toxin burden has not taken a severe toll on such a delicate organ. In fact, within a period of just 2 to 3 months, it will regrow to its former shape and size. Even the ancients knew that the liver has the ability to completely regenerate itself.
The following are signs and symptoms that indicate your body is overexposed to toxins:
- Pain and inflammation
- Difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue
- Heart problems
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Gas, bloating, nausea, heartburn, and abdominal cramps
- Frequent cold and flu
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Allergies
- Sinus problems
- Cough, wheezing
- Headache
- Acne and eczema
- Excessive sweating
- Dark circles under the eye
- ADHD
- Insomnia
- Excess sleepiness
- Mood swings
- Infertility
Common ways you get exposed to toxins:
- Air and water pollution
- Medications
- Food additives and contaminants
- Insecticides and pesticides in food
- Cosmetics
- Household cleaners
- Alcohol
- Heavy metals in the environment, foods, and occupational exposure
- Stress
- Excess sugar in the diet
There is no better time than now to eliminate bad guys from your body. Detoxing will help you feel less bloated and more energized while freeing your body from toxins.
Green Tea for Detoxing
A natural flush for your system, antioxidant-rich green tea will not only help your body increase the production of detoxification properties but will also boost your immune system while protecting your liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol.
Our skin, our body’s immune, respiratory, and glandular systems all work constantly to keep us healthy.
How Can Green Tea Assist the Liver?
It’s important to note that green tea doesn’t detoxify the body on its own.
The phytochemical constituents within the leaves of green tea assist the body’s natural actions in eliminating toxins. Green tea is an excellent supporter of liver function because it contains lots of natural polyphenols. Polyphenols have been shown to support the body’s normal detoxification processes.
The polyphenols especially work with the elimination processes which are mostly handled by the liver and the kidneys. These polyphenols along with a number of antioxidants found within green tea help the body to fight off unstable cells, known as free radicals, before they can harm healthy cells within the body.
Antioxidants known as catechins are also found in green tea. These work to lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and have a liver-protecting or hepatoprotective effect.
A number of studies over the past 20 years have shown that the antioxidants within green tea are antihepatotoxic, which helps to maintain healthy liver function. Green tea also works to enhance the immune system by providing antiviral and antifungal properties that provide additional protection by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Specific Antioxidants in Green Tea
All true teas which include green, black, and white teas are derived from the plant, camellia Sinensis. However, according to Stephen Harrod Buhner, a recognized professional herbalist at the American Herbalist Guild (AHG), the antioxidants found in green tea are up to four times higher than those which are found in black tea.
In 2007, the USDA determined that 1 gram of green tea leaves contains 200 milligrams of catechins. A cup of tea generally uses approximately 3 grams of tea leaves. The following antioxidant properties are at their highest concentration within green tea:
- Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which makes up about half of all catechins. This antioxidant has been found to be twice as powerful as resveratrol, the antioxidant which is most commonly found in red wine. EGCG is also more powerful than the antioxidants BHT or, butylated hydroxytoluene and BHA butylated hydroxyanisole.
- Gallic acid is another powerful antioxidant that is commonly found in the leaves of plants, including green tea.
The antioxidant compounds and phytochemical action within green tea also block the influenza virus from adhering to normal cells, which can also cause stress to liver function. Green tea also contains supporting phytochemical compounds that also assist the antioxidants. These include chromium, manganese, selenium, glutathione, L-theanine, zinc, and Vitamin C.
So How Much Green Tea Should You Consume?
As you can see, drinking green tea every day can definitely help the liver to do its job and can keep the body healthy.
But how much green tea should you drink?
While it is true that too much of a good thing probably isn’t a good thing, drinking green tea is generally considered safe–so you can drink what you like. Herbalists and health experts, generally believe that for health purposes drinking four to five cups a day is ideal. The quality of green tea is crucial for optimal liver health. You want to make sure your green tea is organic, NO sugar added, and least processed.
Growing up on my organic farm in Europe (Kosovo), my mother used to brew hot green tea every morning from the raw leaves of the organic plant. Organic green tea without chemicals tastes slightly bitter and sweet aftertaste. When you drink green tea regularly like this, you’re doing your body a tremendous favor to heal itself.
Stop drinking all those bubbly beverages and go back to the flavored drink that actually aids your health, not harms it!
Pick up some Sir Jason Winters tea, a favorite of mine to consume.
CLICK HERE to watch my video where I discussed additional powerful superfoods to quickly flush out toxins from your body for a stronger immune system and flat tummy!
Comment #replay when you watch my video so I can hop in there to answer your questions and give you a big shout-out.