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January 12, 2017
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“Cleanse and detox for faster weight loss”. I mean, it sounds strategic & promising, doesn’t it? And it is a message that is blasted to you every time you open up your Instagram or Facebook feed from some sponsor or ‘fit-spirational’ account. So, do you think that a cleanse or so-called-detox is really necessary for you to lose weight?

Let me save you some time, money, and discomfort. Cleanses and detoxes are useless, and a ploy to get your money. 

First of all, our bodies are excellent machines that come equipped with a special organ that’s built to “detox”. That organ is the liver. If there is a problem with your liver, you will know about it FAST. (Jaundice, anyone?) Unless your doctor has performed medical tests on you that have indicated some degree of hepatic insufficiency (chronic or acute liver failure), you need not fret about your liver’s performance. It’s really good at it’s job. 

Second, any type of program that promises a “liver cleanse for weight loss” is likely trying to sell you something. Expensive supplements or drink mixes, for example. And most likely these concoctions are full of diuretics, stimulants, and laxative-like substances that will definitely make you feel like you are having delirium tremens (DTs on the streets, yo) and explosive diarrhea. Which of course, will result in a fast and uncomfortable weight loss of waste matter and fluid, not body fat.

However, there are foods you can eat more of that are supportive of liver health. I’ll give you one guess on which food group…

VEGETABLES. Duh.

Yep, there are antioxidant compounds found in veggies that are particularly useful to liver cells that help it do what it does best – detoxify the body. These compounds include anthocyanidins, polyphenols, resveratol, and sulphoraphane. Sulphoraphane has received much attention in the last few years due to it’s possible influence on liver support and cancer, and it is found in higher concentrations in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Therefore, if you simply eat more vibrant-colored non-starchy vegetables, you’ll get this detox-supporting goodness in your diet. AND if you substitute these low calorie, fiber-rich foods for not-so-great foods (french fries, chips and white pasta, for example), you’ll eat fewer calories. Which will help you lose weight. Duh.

So save your money, ditch the detox, and just eat more veggies already. 🙂

Keep up the good work, & stay tuned!

Monica

 

 

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    • Stephanie Scott
    • January 12, 2017
    Reply

    Preach it Sister!! This is a GREAT post! And totally relevant as I was juuuuuuuuuuuust being lured in by the 24 day cleanses! 😉 But now I know. I won’t be fooled again! So thank you for keeping it real. 🙂

      • Monica Amburn
      • January 12, 2017
      Reply

      Haha! Yes, it is so tempting to buy into the lore! I’m glad you stopped by for this article – just in time! 😉 Thanks for reading & commenting!

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