How often do you think about your liver? Chances are, not enough! But this hardworking organ – the largest in the body – plays a vital role, from breaking down fats and absorbing nutrients to producing proteins and filtering waste and toxins from the blood. In short, if your liver isn’t healthy, YOU won’t be healthy!
Symptoms of an unhealthy or damaged liver include fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, impaired metabolism, immune system disorders, and hormone dysfunction. Not a pretty picture!
Here’s how to eat (and drink) well for your liver:
Drink in moderation. Alcohol (along with drugs and cigarettes) can stress the liver and interfere with its ability to perform its vital functions. Limit your consumption to one drink a day, max.
What about caffeine? Some studies suggest that caffeinated drinks like coffee and green tea might be good for the liver, but don’t overdo it. High doses can actually be damaging.
Maintain a healthy weight. Fatty deposits can damage the liver. Avoid saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and excess meat, sugar, fried foods, and processed foods. (And, on the flip side, keeping your liver healthy can help keep your weight down, too!)
Focus on fresh, unprocessed foods. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and foods high in fiber and vitamins B, C, and E. Beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bitter greens, brown rice, carrots, garlic and onions, tomatoes, wheat germ, avocados, and almonds are all especially good for the liver.
Take liver-cleansing herbs. Liver-cleansing herbs include milk thistle, dandelion root, liquorice, ginger, and turmeric, which can be ingested as tea. For ready-made tea bags, try Traditional Medicinals EveryDay Detox or Dandelion Root.
Q: Hi Tanja, I am a HUGE fan of your fitness and workout DVDs; they are the perfect level for me and I LOVE your upbeat yet calming attitude. Do you have any recommendations for yoga or Pilates DVDs for pregnancy? Thanks and keep up the amazing work! – Anna
A: Hi Anna, Thank you for your question and kudos! Gaiam definitely has some good yoga and Pilates DVDs, but the most important thing for you to remember when you are pregnant is to really listen to your body. It important to FEEL comfortable, so if a workout or a move makes you feel nervous and insecure of doing it – just don’t at that time. Maybe you will feel different next time. Also, twists are not recommended during pregnancy so it would be useful to find yoga DVDs that are specific to prenatal and pregnancy. There is tons of material out there!! Try Shiva Rea’s Prenatal Yoga DVD and Kit. Have a beautiful pregnancy!
Best,
Tanja
Do you have a question? Don’t be shy – ask it here!
I spent some time at the IDEA World Fitness Convention in LA earlier this month and thought I’d share some of the hot, fun fitness trends I saw…
• JUKARI Fit to Flex: The latest program in the Reebok-Cirque du Soleil partnership, JUKARI Fit to Flex is a class designed to improve your flexibility, muscle endurance, and core strength … all while experiencing the joy of movement. It looks like so much fun!
• P90X: You may have seen this DVD program on infomercials, but it’s actually a very sound system of exercise and nutrition. It’ll kick your butt and make you leaner and stronger through an intense, varying schedule of workouts and moves. I actually just recommended it for getting rid of love handles and saddle bags!
• Bodyblade: Developed by a physical therapist, this vibrating piece of exercise equipment can be used to work out the arms, legs, and core.
• TRX Suspension Training: I’m a big fan of TRX, which is a fun way to get a total-body workout. Ask your gym if they offer classes or get the system to use in your own home!
Q: Which exercises work best to get rid of love handles and saddle bags? – Tiffany
A: Dear Tiffany, The spots you are talking about are common areas for fat storage, which means you have to do the right thing to burn the fat off your body and build a nice, strong body from the inside out. My suggestion for you is to find a strength program to build some muscle and in that way raise your body’s metabolism and use up your fat deposits (the areas you are talking about).
If you ask yourself honestly, are you working your body as hard as you can?? For a complete workout, get the P90X workout (I’m not offering it in my shop quite yet but it’s on the way!) and do the best that you can!!!
Best,
Tanja
Do you have a question? Don’t be shy – ask it here!
Q: Hi Tanja, I’m 36 and had a child four years ago. My stomach is less than toned now than two years ago and I’m a thin, petite person. Besides yoga, hiking, and jogging (once a week) and cardio videos, what would you recommend? I am aware that diet has its positive health benefits, too. Thanks. – Heather
A: Dear Heather, Thank you for your question! Congratulations on being a healthy mom!! For many, there is always a little stretchy skin that remains after having a baby but, that said, everyone is different when it comes to the elasticity of the skin.
I think strength training could be a great new thing for you to explore, and with that a lot of core and abdominal work based on Pilates. In this way you will strengthen the abdominal structures from the inside out, so to speak. Balance Ball ab work is great for that (click the video preview link for my 8 Minute Ball Workout). Also, Ana Caban has great Pilates DVDs through Gaiam!!
Of course, diet as you know is crucial here!! If you want tips on how to recharge and restructure, refer to my 10-Week Transformation here on the blog! It might help you on the way.
Best,
Tanja
Do you have a question? Don’t be shy – ask it here!
