Why don’t I do cleanses? And what I recommend for you in midlife.

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means – it’s time for some spring cleaning! But I’m not just talking about tidying up the house. It’s the perfect season to give our bodies a little refresh too. And if there’s one star of the show when it comes to spring cleaning our system, it’s definitely the liver.

The liver is often overlooked. But it performs essential detoxification functions in your body to help digest food, make proteins for your blood, regulate cholesterol, balance your hormones, removes toxins and waste products from your body, and metabolize fats. It is small but mighty!

I frequently get asked questions about juice cleanses or the idea of a 5-day liver supplement plan. While there’s a time and place for such approaches, I’m a big believer that our daily habits play the most significant role in enhancing our health. It’s the little things we do regularly that really make a difference!

🧽 In honor of spring cleaning, let’s show the liver some love!

Eat more fiber-filled foods: 

Foods that contain fiber support your body’s natural detoxification processes. Fiber binds to waste so the liver can process it and remove it from your body. I like to aim for at least 25g of fiber per day.

Some easy fiber-filled foods to reach for:

• Chia seeds
• Beans and lentils
• Berries
• Cruciferous veggies (things like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, cabbage, arugula)

Stay hydrated: 

Your liver needs water to do it’s job. And minerals like sodium, magnesium and potassium support liver function. Using a high-quality electrolyte is a powerful way to stay hydrated and ensure you have the minerals you need at the same time. It’s an easy add. My favorite is LMNT. I use it daily.

Use bitter greens, herbs, and green teas: 

Anything bitter is going to support your liver. Bitter greens, herbs and green teas are nutrient and antioxidant dense, they aid in digestion by stimulating the release of digestive juices, they help regulate pancreatic hormones that impact blood sugar and insulin, and they help the liver do detox work by increasing the flow of bile. 

These are things like:

• Arugula
• Radicchio
• Endive
• Dandelion root
• Chamomile
• Matcha green tea

It’s no secret that how we nourish ourselves in this stage of life matters more than ever. And remember, consistency is the key because drastic or extreme actions often lead to temporary solutions that fail to support long-term health.

Happy spring cleaning! 

Coach Chris