The holidays are special: spending time with friends and family, attending parties, celebrating old traditions and making new ones, exchanging gifts, and indulging in delicious food, desserts, and drinks. But as you probably know, indulging too much in holiday feasts, treats, and beverages can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal health, weight, energy, and mood. That’s why, in January, many people consider detoxing or cleansing.
What is a Detox?
There are many different detox or cleanse programs or diets, but the basic idea of a detox or cleanse is that it’s a method geared towards removing toxins from the body, losing weight, or promoting overall health, usually involving one or more approaches like:
- Fasting
- Drinking only certain beverages or eating certain foods
- Using herbs
- Using dietary supplements
How to Detox Your Kidneys
First, try turning toward kidney-supporting dietary sources to support a natural kidney detox after the holidays. Cranberries (or cranberry juice) are perhaps the best-known natural way to support kidney health, but another great dietary option is kidney beans. Kidney beans contain minerals, vitamin K, and vitamin B, which may help support kidney health and detoxification. Kidney beans are also high in dietary fiber, which is essential after the holidays to help get back to regularity.
How to Detox Liver
Wondering how to detox liver or what vitamin is good for liver health? Return to better health habits when the holidays are over, starting with the five herbs below.
6 Best Herbs for Post-Holiday Detox
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a well-known herb valued for its liver-protecting properties. Its active compound, silymarin, supports liver cell regeneration, reduces inflammation, and shields the liver from toxins. It’s a key ingredient in supplements like Body Ecology LivAmend Liver Detox, which blends milk thistle with other beneficial ingredients.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a polyphenol, a naturally occurring micronutrient in plants. Green tea extract is a nutrition powerhouse with powerful antiviral antioxidant properties. Because it’s rich in catechins (a kind of antioxidant), green tea extract may help support liver detox. Some studies show that it may help support liver function and help protect against toxin and alcohol-induced damage, which can be especially useful after the holidays.
Green tea extract is a key ingredient in Bluebonnet EGCG Green Tea Leaf Extract, which is formulated with polyphenols, catechins, and EGCG to provide free radical protection and promote brain health.
Spirulina
Spirulina is an algae rich in nutrients like antioxidants and amino acids, which promote kidney and liver health. For a post-holiday detox, look for spirulina supplements like Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder Detox & Digest.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a popular herb used to support various health conditions. Ginseng’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties indicate that it may help protect the liver against damage caused by toxins, viruses, and alcohol. For a GI cleanse from American Ginseng and many other nutrients, try BioRay Microbe Slayer.
Licorice
Licorice root is a common herbal ingredient in many natural and alternative medicine traditions. It has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, and research indicates that licorice root may support liver health. Some studies have found that daily licorice root supplementation significantly reduced alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels – enzymes that indicate liver disease or damage – in people with fatty liver disease. Solaray Organically Grown Licorice Root offers digestive support and is 100% vegan, excipient-free and contains no fillers or additional ingredients.
Garlic
Garlic, which is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, may support liver function. Studies have even shown an association between garlic supplementation and lower levels of bad cholesterol. Try Himalaya Organic Garlic, a USDA Certified Organic herbal supplement.
What Vitamin is Good for Liver Health?
Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for liver health. If you want to know what vitamin is good for liver health, how to detox liver, or how to help keep your liver healthy throughout the year, look for foods and supplements with vitamins such as:
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that guards liver cells against damage
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports natural detoxification processes in the body
- B Vitamins: B vitamins are critical for energy production and liver enzyme activity
As you look for healthy ways to recover after the busy holiday season, don’t neglect your health. Along with dietary sources, consider adding a supplement like NutriDyn Detox Support, a comprehensive supplement containing green tea leaf extract, milk thistle seed extract, and pomegranate extract, to your routine to help support healthy liver and kidney function.
