6 Steps for Liver Detox for Fertility Patients
Women who are preparing for conception often consider doing a detox as a way to get their bodies ready for a healthy pregnancy.
A detox for fertility can be a good idea, as long as you keep it gentle.
If done unsafely, you may be dumping toxins into your blood stream that your body has a hard time eliminating.
The liver is one of our hardest-working organs.
It acts as a gatekeeper for the blood, filtering out the toxins and working to keep our hormones in balance. Giving it a break before pregnancy is an excellent way to show love to your liver.
Detox for Fertility: When
You can plan a detox in preparation for an upcoming pregnancy. A detox should be avoided when pregnant, or during any cycle when you are actively trying to conceive.
Looking at the annual calendar, women often find it convenient to plan a detox in the month of April with the start of spring. It’s the perfect time for “spring cleaning” the body.
Detox for Fertility: What
A nice and gentle way to detox is to eat a whole foods diet that eliminates:
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Junk food
- Processed foods
- Gluten
- Dairy
Consider following a paleo diet, such as the Whole 30 diet, which eemphasizes whole foods and eliminate foods that burden the liver. You’ll want to include plenty of greens and other fresh vegetables. Make sure to stay well-hydrated, and drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily.
Detox Support
Include these to support detox:
- Lemon and water
- Milk thistle
- Turmeric
- Fish oil
- Fiber
Turmeric and fish oil are particularly good at cleaning hormonal receptor sites, an important consideration for women who are trying to conceive and preparing for pregnancy.
Additional Detox Support
- Epsom salt baths
- Mild to moderate exercise
- Plenty of rest, sleep 8 -9 hours per night
- Acupuncture, 1 – 2 x weekly
Detox for Fertility: Duration
How long should your detox for fertility last?
2-4 weeks is an ideal duration.
Detox for Fertility: What to Expect
What to expect with detox
Adequate hydration and fiber ensure that the toxins are completely eliminated from the body. Without fiber and water, toxins may be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Symptoms of detox are normal in the first 3-10 days of a detox as your body is eliminating toxins.
Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Strange body odor
Improvements with detox:
- Clear thinking
- Vibrant skin
- Decreased pain, especially in joints and muscles
- Better sleep
- More energy
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, we would love to work with you. We can answer your questions and help you get scheduled for your first appointment. Call today 510-595-1175!
Leslie Oldershaw, L.Ac.
Medical Director
Fertility Acupuncturist East Bay
510-595-1175
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