One Powerful Simple Action Will Double Your Weight Loss

 What if I told you there was one simple action that would increase your weight loss, was easy to do, has no side-effects and costs nothing..would you do it?  Of course, you would.  The action I am referring to is accountability.  This particular form of accountability – ‘food tracking’ research shows, results in double the weight loss and much quicker. 

Food tracking helps in providing objective information on food intake, portion sizes and patterns. It gives you a quick glance into what actions you are taking or are not making and clearly lets you know what changes need to happen.

A very typical surprise when tracking food/drink intake is that we really misjudge our food intake. Misjudging serving sizes and how much one eats, is one of the most common mistakes people make when evaluating their eating habits. 

Research shows that people UNDERestimate how much grains, fats, oils and sweets they eat, and OVERestimate their intake of veggies and other healthful foods.

There are different types of accountability and adding at least one or all of them, will take you to success. However, finding one that is a good match is important. Start out with the one you believe you will maintain on a consistent basis. Below is a sampling of the different forms of accountability available to choose from.

Various types of Accountability

Keep a Food Journal.  A food journal is the #1 accountability tool to weight loss success. Research shows that simply “tracking” every bite and sip doubles weight loss. It is crucial to writing down everything (every nibble too) that crosses your lips as we tend to underestimate the amount, the size and how often we eat.

Have a Diet BFF.  

Having a weight loss buddy not only reinforces accountability but also provides positive motivation to stay on track. Buddying-up can make the difference between failure and success with any weight loss plan. Many people put effort into finding the right weight loss or fitness program but neglect the necessary success components of support and accountability.

Keep a Fitness Log.  

Exercise is an important element to weight loss and optimal health. By maintaining a fitness log and only marking an “X” on the day you workout is highly rewarding and motivating. You can also add in what type of cardio and/or strength training. At the end of the week, you can see how successfully active you have been.

Use Your Smartphone.  

Apps provide an excellent opportunity to have virtual accountability in many areas such as fitness, water intake, weight loss, calorie counting and much more. Apps such as Lose It!, Snap it or My Fitness Pal, to name a few.

Enlist a Weight Loss Coach.  

A weight loss coach has an expertise and will help you stay accountable and succeed. Knowing that you have to be accountable to your coach means that you will, in most cases, do your best and if you have any obstacles, they will be overcome. For example, if you had a video crew following you 24/7, you would most likely do what you are supposed to do. The same applies to having a coach – you will do what you need to do; ambitious goals become achievable, and the process becomes much more rewarding, fulfilling and fun.

Learning to rely less on an external accountability system and more on an internal one is a crucial step = a mindset shift that will carry through to weight loss success.

                                                                                                                                                               source: OneSimpleStep

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST AND EASY WITH THE JAPANESE MORNING BANANA DIET

Did you know that you can lose up to 10 pounds within one week without engaging in the usual strenuous exercises or changing your dietary habits?

According to Hitoshi Watanabe, a Japanese, all you have to do is eat bananas and drink warm water every morning.

You can eat anything else for lunch and dinner.

Should you feel hungry between the meals, you can eat some fruits.

During this diet program, you should avoid intake of alcohol and milk.

You should also not eat anything after 8 pm; your dinner should be earlier than 8 pm.

You need to be in bed by midnight, as sleeping late is associated with obesity.

What makes the morning banana diet so unique?

§  It is super-healthy

§  Bananas have a high fibre and potassium content, and they boost energy

§  Bananas are cost effective

§  With regular breakfast, your metabolism will be enhanced, keeping you from overeating in the course of the day

§  Without coffee in the morning, you can quickly control blood glucose as well as your appetite

§  Warm water boosts metabolism

§  This morning diet helps reduce alcohol intake

§  If you avoid eating after 8 pm, you’ll be able to minimise late night craving and keep your weight in check

§  Banana diet is also effective in eliminating cellulite

                                                                                                                                                 source: BannanaJapanDiet

High-Fiber Diet May Prevent Asthma, Allergies; Fruits And Veggies Reduce Lung Inflammation From Dust Mites

A sudden shortness of breath, intense wheezing, and "coughing your lungs out” are an all too common sight in the everyday life of asthma patients. While an inhaler acts as a security blanket to alleviate these symptoms, a modification in a patient’s diet could protect them against the condition. According to a recent study, a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables may protect against asthma and allergies by reducing inflamed lungs triggered by dust mites.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports asthma and allergies strike one out of five Americans, or 60 million people.

Asthma patients often experience a temporary narrowing of the airways that can be triggered by allergens or irritants that are inhaled into the lungs that lead to inflamed, clogged, and constricted airways. The production of mucus could make it difficult to breathe for patients causing asthma symptoms to exacerbate. 

Different Medical Sources say the cause of asthma is most likely due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors, although it still remains unclear. The exposure to various substances that trigger allergies — airborne allergens like dust mites — can trigger signs and symptoms of asthma such as lung inflammation. Now, Swiss researchers believe a high-fiber diet can alleviate the immune reaction asthma patients experience in their lungs. 

Published in the journal Nature Medicine, a team of researchers from the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland, sought to determine if dietary fibre could influence disease development outside the digestive tract, such as asthma, by studying two groups of mice. The groups of mice were assigned to either a normal diet, a low-fiber diet, or a high-fiber diet for two weeks. In the study, the two groups of mice were exposed to dust mites in order to evaluate the effects a fibre diet had.

There are two types of dietary fibre from food humans can consume: insoluble and soluble. Sources of insoluble fibre such as whole grains, cucumbers, and broccoli help cleanse the bowels. Oatmeal, lentils, and apples are sources of soluble fibre that slow down digestion and make you feel full longer.

The findings revealed the mice that were fed a low-fiber diet developed an increase in lung inflammation in response to dust mites. The mice that consumed a high-fiber diet had a high tolerance for dust mites compared with the other two groups of test mice. The researchers found that the immunity to allergens and a resistance to the development of asthma was attributed to the consumption of foods high in fibre.

“…dietary fibre changes the bacteria in our intestinal tract which changes the metabolites in our circulation and this is influencing how our immune cells develop,” said Benjamin Marsland, an immunologist at the university, Voice of America reports. In other words, the consumption of fruits and vegetables produces a larger amount of fermentable fibre that becomes available to the bacteria in the gut.

The bacteria then converts the fibre into short-chain amino acids that enter the blood stream through the intestines and end up in the bone marrow. The bone marrow begins to form immune proteins common to allergens to produce anti-inflammatory proteins that help prevent asthma.

Although the study involved mice and not humans, the researchers believe the digestive and lung systems of both groups are almost identical. The human consumption of high-fiber foods could possibly reduce the severity of asthma reactions triggered by allergens. The Swiss researchers plan to conduct human studies to confirm the mouse trial results in the future.

Currently, patients are advised to seek prevention and long-term control in stopping asthma attacks before they start. Despite there being no cure for the condition, asthma patients are prescribed daily medications to keep their symptoms under control. 

Many Clinics say the long-term asthma control medications, taken daily, are the basis of asthma treatment. These medications will keep symptoms in check and reduce the likelihood of experiencing an asthma attack.

           High Fiber High Protein Diet

Basing your diet around sources of lean protein and fibre is a tasty way to create a healthy meal plan. Consider biting into a succulent chopped pear salsa atop a dollop of Greek yoghurt and a breast of grilled chicken. Creating a diet based on fiber-rich foods such as fruits, veggies and whole grains combined with lean proteins such as tofu, eggs and poultry is a delicious way to reap antioxidants and amino acids. Moreover, lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains are waist- friendly thanks to their nutrients and low-calorie content.

Each step below outlines meals and snacks to give you an idea of how to make each meal and snack chock full of fibre and lean proteins.

Step1

Start your morning with a glass of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice to sip on along with warm quinoa, a protein grain and milk along with a topping of dried fruit and nuts. Smoothies make a delicious breakfast or dessert; simply toss ice with Greek yoghurt, almonds, bananas, dark leafy greens, ground flax seeds and strawberries for a protein-packed fruity beverage. Pair your omelette with a side of cottage cheese and fresh fruit such as cantaloupe, mango, strawberries and blueberries.

Step 2

Kick up the fibre content in your lunch by enjoying a cup of lentil soup; add protein-packed grains, cheese and tomatoes for a heartier flavour. Mix and match your grains, proteins and veggies every day to keep your taste buds excited and longing for more variety. Start with brown rice today and switch to buckwheat tomorrow, stewed tomatoes today and roasted asparagus tomorrow or turkey burgers today and smoked salmon tomorrow. Reheat last leftover chilli, made with split peas, black beans, avocado, Parmesan cheese and sunflower seeds for a quick and easy way to warm up at noon. Create a tuna salad and spice it up with cashews, pecans, dried cherries, fresh basil and a dollop of Greek yogurt in lieu of mayonnaise.

Step 3

Whip up a stir-fry for dinner with amaranth, a protein-packed whole grain, red and orange bell peppers, apples and snap peas. When yearning for a chicken dish, get creative and stuff your chicken breasts with hearty dried fruits such as apricots, pears and raisins. Experiment with sources of protein such as bison; create burgers using dried cranberries and topped with fresh mango and avocado salsa. Grill a light fish dish and top with a raspberry and balsamic demi-glaze or serve chicken, vegetable and fruit kabobs at your barbeque.

Step 4

Savour an afternoon snack of apples and nut butter with a sprinkle of ground flax seeds and dried cranberries for a unique treat that will keep your taste buds happy. Trail mix is an easy way to pair protein-rich pumpkin seeds with almonds, dried bananas and dates. Try stuffing figs with nut butter or topping your protein-rich Greek yogurt parfait with nuts and fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. Desserts are always tastier when moist and rich with fresh flavour; bake a zucchini nut bread or carrot cake by adding pureed fruit to the batter for a healthier, fiber-rich alternative.

Warnings

Too much fibre may lead to gas, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, constipation and bloat. Moreover, consuming too much fibre may lead to an inability to absorb certain nutrients.

High protein diets may cause problems with mood changes, which may result in cravings for carb-rich foods.

High protein diets may lead to a loss of calcium in bones, which in turn may cause osteoporosis.

Consuming too much protein may put a strain on the kidneys.

Tips

Soaring with fibre and minerals, fruits and veggies are a water-rich, healthy way to naturally add the sweet flavour to any dish. Low on the glycemic index, they can increase energy levels and leave you feeling refreshed and cleansed. Other great sources of fibre include beans, legumes and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and spelt.

Protein, an essential nutrient for cell repair and maintenance comes from a vast array of tasty sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, beans, seeds, grains, Greek yogurt, low-fat dairy and lean beef.

Combine sources rich in fibre and protein, which when paired together will stabilise your blood sugar and keeping you satiated.

Moderation is always best; be sure to drink enough water when eating high fibre foods to keep from causing a blockage in your system.

Be sure to reach for lean sources of protein and keep an eye on the cholesterol you consume in protein-rich foods such as red meat, whole dairy and other high-fat foods.

Before starting any diet, be sure to talk to your doctor to determine if the low carb, high protein approach is right for you.

Things You'll Need

Whole grain bread, pasta, crackers, pizzas, bagels, tortilla chips

Vegetables and fruits

Seeds and nuts

Nut butter (no added sugar)

Brown rice and other whole grains

source:HighFiberHighProteinDiet 

           DietFiberAllergies

    12 Simple Ways To Break Sugar Addiction

Sugary sweets are a guilty indulgence for most of us. As young children, there’s little that matched up to the thrill of reaching into that candy jar for an illicit treat. As adults giving in to that decadent dessert or second piece of chocolate was the allowance you’d make once in a way. But when that turned into a regular pattern or habit, you probably knew something was wrong. You’ve may initially have joked about how sweet your sweet tooth is. But this daily indulgence can actually turn to addiction. So if you’re already hooked on sugar, how do you let go?

Why Is It Called A Sugar “Addiction”?

Sugar is of little to no value to the body. In fact, it can potentially be problematic even for those who aren’t addicted, raising the risk of cardiovascular problems, obesity, and metabolic disorder, among other things. Which is why the American Heart Association wants the United States to cut down how much sugar it is consuming.¹

Researchers have said sugar can actually be even more addictive than certain drugs. Sweets and sugar cause cravings and are associated with rewards by your mind and body. Some have compared it to cocaine and said sugar is actually even more attractive and perceived as more rewarding, as far as neurobiological responses to it are concerned. This has been attributed to the dopamine and opioids released by the body when sugar is consumed. And that’s why sugar addicts exhibit compulsive, uncontrollable behaviour typical of addiction like craving, bingeing, and even withdrawal.

How To Break Sugar Addiction

There are some ways to set yourself on the path to beating that sugar addiction. Some, like reorganising your grocery list may seem natural but are the hardest to live with. Others that seem harsh, like exercise or mindfulness training, may actually be more welcome than you think. Whether you find these steps difficult or easy, just know that the results are well worth it.

1. Take It Slow

Remember, you may not be able to do this overnight. As one sugar addict who beat the habit suggests, start to wean yourself off sugar one step at a time.⁴ Ease yourself into the program by cutting down on how often you indulge, slowly put in the rules, and work your way up to a diet that isn’t loaded with sugar.

2. Cut Back On Sugar In Drinks

Skip the sugar you have in your tea or coffee. If you drink milk, avoid adding syrups or flavours to them that contain sugar. You may not be able to quit the sugar in your drink all at once, so try cutting back a little. Go from two spoons of sugar to one, then half, then to a quarter, until one day when you won’t miss having any in that cuppa anymore! It goes without saying that you should skip the sugary sodas. A 12 ounce can of cola contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar.

3. Buy Foods With No Added Sugar

Switch from pre-sugared brands of foods to those that allow you to add the sugar or sweetener yourself. This way you’ll have more control over the sugar you’re consuming and will be clear on just how much you are having too. Cereals are a common culprit when it comes to high sugar intake. Completely cut out readymade sweet foods from stores and restaurants like cake, ice cream, biscuits, or chocolate. For most people, limiting intake and knowing when to have how much prove to be challenging. And if you stock these foods at home or allow yourself the “occasional indulgence”, you could quickly fall off the waggon on a bad day and binge.

4. Watch Out For Sugar In Savory Food

Don’t forget good foods have sugar too! You’ll also need to check the food labels of any readymade sauces and processed foods you eat. Many savoury foods like salad cream, sauces, and ketchup actually contain a lot of sugar that isn’t as obvious or easy to spot.⁷

5. Pick Healthier Sweets

Substitute heavily sweetened food and drink for healthier alternatives. For instance, you could enjoy a bowl of fruit or a spoon of homemade granola that is sweetened with dried fruit or a dash of honey instead of sugar. Instead of a sweet milkshake or soda, make your own fresh fruit juice. You can even throw in some vegetables to up the nutrient intake and cut the sugar you’re having in the drink. Instead of store bought cake, bake your own that’s sweetened with the natural sugars of beets, ripened bananas, or dates. And remember even if you do switch to healthy alternatives, moderation and small portion sizes are still key. Continue to treat these as “desserts” or “treats”.

6. Have Protein

Consuming protein is another trick those who are successful at kicking their sugar habit have shared. Protein is known to keep you satiated longer, making you less susceptible to sudden hunger pangs that are quickly quelled by a sweet treat, candy, or chocolate.

7. Choose Low Glycemic Index Foods

Low glycemic index foods(especially those with low glycemic load)do not cause a sudden rise in blood sugar levels in your body. Your body doesn’t burn through the sugar at a frenetic pace. Instead, it is released slowly and steadily. Because of this, you will be able to enjoy a snack without a case of the munchies kicking in an hour or so later. Aim at Foods with a low glycemic load of 10 or less like whole wheat tortillas, tomato juice, couscous, skim milk, or grapefruit.

8. Get In Some Fibre

Fibre, like protein, keeps you satiated longer. Your blood sugar won’t suddenly rise after eating a high fibre snack. Which means you won’t experience a “crash” and the subsequent craving for sugar either.

9. Chew Gum

While this isn’t ideal – because even sugar-free chewing gum contains artificial sweeteners which come with other health implications – it can help you through the early days of trying to cut out sugar. It has worked for some and could work for you as a last resort. Some research also backs this up. Researchers found that chewing gum can curb the appetite, especially when it comes to desire for sweets.¹¹

10. Find Other Rewards

Due to the high association of sweets and sugar with awards, you will need to also find a way to reward yourself that doesn’t involve sugar. And it will have to be something that’s really worth it or something you know is special if the plan is to work. Depending on the level of reward you feel you deserve this could be a special dinner (as opposed to dessert), buying a new book, or just meeting a friend at a cafe for a cup of tea, coffee, or some fresh juice.

11. Exercise!

Stress is known to trigger a craving for hyper palatable high sugar and high-fat foods.¹³Exercise works well for a lot of people when it comes to managing stress better. It triggers the release of feel-good hormones and can cut weight, reducing the need for you to turn to sugar to ease the pressure.

12. Mindfulness Training

This approach can help you use visualisation techniques to cut your cravings. Researchers have found it was useful in treating food cravings.

 source:NoSugar

Detox Diets - Good? Bad?

Let's start with, "What are toxins?" Toxins are chemicals known to have unfavorable effects on the human body. They can be found in food (or substances used in growing food), water and even in the air. Toxins are processed through organs like the liver and kidneys and are eliminated through perspiration, urination and bowel movements.

Those that promote detox diets believe that toxins don't entirely leave our bodies through these natural processes and instead they linger in the digestive or lymph systems and can cause harmful effects such as headaches or fatigue. These type of diets require giving up specific foods that may contain toxins to purge the body of them, and initially involve a fast; you are required to completely go without food for two days and then you gradually introduce specified foods back into your diet. Most detox diets also encourage some sort of "cleansing" process via a colonic irrigation or by the use of enemas. Some detox plans may also recommend the use of supplements or laxatives to aid in the purification process. It is believed that these types of diets do anything from increasing energy levels to preventing... or even curing... health conditions.

This sounds great! But do Detox Diets help you lose weight?

Many people believe they can lose weight with detox diets, but these plans are not the best method for healthy, permanent weight-loss results. Diets that involve fasting or restriction of entire food groups are not ideal for everyone. While people who fast do seem to lose weight, this weight is water loss, not a fat loss (which is what you need to achieve to permanently reduce your weight). This type of crash dieting can lead to muscle loss, and if done on a regular basis can cause the metabolism to slow down.

Children, teenagers, diabetics, pregnant women, those with heart disease, or anyone suffering from medical conditions should not follow a detox diet. Anyone with an eating disorder should not follow this type of diet. Additionally, these diets are not appropriate for people who are very active, have physically demanding jobs or participate in sports, because they do not provide sufficient energy or nutrition.

A detox diet is a short-term diet, often three to 21 days, focused on removing toxins from the body. Although detoxification is ongoing in the body, toxins and stress prevent us from doing it optimally, which can eventually affect other systems in the body. This diet allows our bodies to focus on self-healing, with the goal being to raise energy levels, stimulate digestive health, clear headaches, remove bloating, improve concentration and mood, avoid getting allergies, regain our natural ability to ward off colds and flu and prevent premature aging and disease.

Considering the touted benefits, it's easy to see why a detox diet may appeal to some.

Is a Detox Diet Right For You?

If you're considering a detox diet, it's important to consult with your doctor before starting. Keep in mind that these foods are not intended to cure disease. Instead, they are designed to make obstacles to health and allow all body systems to run more efficiently.

Although there are many types of detox diets, most eliminate foods that contain potentially harmful substances and allow foods that support the body's natural ability to rid itself of toxins, such as dark, leafy green vegetables. Overall food intake is usually reduced, ranging from small meals to full-fledged juice fast:

The Master Cleanse: Also called the "lemonade diet," is a fast that involves drinking only lemonade, grade B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.

Juice Fasting: A type of fast that calls for consuming only fresh vegetable and fruit juices, such as beet juice and wheatgrass juice, and water. Juice fasts include the Blueprint Cleanse.

Smoothie and Shake fasting: Involves drinking pureed or blended vegetable and fruit smoothies, especially green smoothies.

Commercial cleanse programs: Specially designed protein powders, vitamins, nutrients for detoxification. Examples include the acai cleanse, Colon cleanse, and Bowtrol.

Raw food detox diet: Based on the raw food diet. Involves only eating food that is raw or hasn't been heated above 118 degrees.

Ayurvedic detox diet: An Ayurvedic cleansing and rejuvenation plan called panchakarma.

Other menus can be used on their own as detox diets, including the brown rice diet, elimination diet, a candida cleanses, macrobiotic diet, and a digestive cleanse.

Common Questions About Detox Diets

The following are some answers that alternative medicine practitioners typically give in response to common questions about detox diets. Be sure to speak with your health care provider if you have questions about detox diets or about making a change to your own regimen.

How should I prepare for the detox diet?

Start removing certain foods such as coffee. Following this step minimizes and reduces unpleasant reactions such as headaches, tiredness, and nausea.

Find out how to prepare for a detox diet.

If you work from Monday to Friday, it’s a good idea to begin the detox on a Friday, so that you are at home for the first few days, which are usually the most difficult.

Who shouldn't try a detox diet?

Consult your health care provider before starting a rehab. People who have health conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease or eating disorders should avoid detox diets and should only modify their diet after consulting their doctor. Children and women who are pregnant or nursing should not try the food.

Should I continue taking my prescription medications and my supplements?

Speak with your doctor, but discontinuing prescription medication is not recommended. Medication should never be discontinued or reduced without consulting the prescribing doctor and/or your primary care provider.

What should I do if I get a headache?

If you have followed the guidelines on how to prepare for the detox but still get a headache, be sure to drink lots of water, massage the temples, try aromatherapy, or have a cup of green or white tea, which both contain less caffeine.

Can I work out?

Exercise boosts circulation, which can help the body to eliminate waste products. Try light exercise such as walking, gentle yoga, or stretching or exercises but don’t push yourself, especially if you’re tired. Also, if you don’t exercise regularly, talk with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.

How can I expect to feel?

The first few days are usually the most difficult. If a person is accustomed to drinking coffee in the morning, he or she may get headaches. People often feel tired. By day 4 or 5, people may begin to feel more energetic and notice that their digestion is improving.

What should I do if I’m constipated or bloated?

There are some foods that can help to prevent or relieve constipation while on a detox diet. Ways to Getting Constipation Relief Naturally

If you’re not used to eating a lot of fiber, it may take a few days for the body to adjust. Try herbal tea such as ginger tea, peppermint tea, caraway tea, or cinnamon tea to ease digestion. If you’re suddenly eating beans, try Beano® or try adding a piece of kombu seaweed to the soaking water (if you’re using dried beans).

How often do people go on it?

Proponents of detox diets generally recommend one to two times a year to improve health and prevent disease. In some cases, however, alternative practitioners may recommend a detox diet more frequently or may recommend a longer detox diet.

What do people eat afterward?

After the detox diet is over, alternative practitioners often suggest gradually easing back into a healthy, but less restrictive diet. Many people use a detox diet as a springboard for a healthier lifestyle and continue eating many of the vegetables and fruits they ate on the detox diet.

How to End a Cleanse?

A health practitioner can help to systematically reintroduce food groups (wheat, dairy, gluten, corn) and note reactions to identify the food groups that may be aggravating health conditions such as sinus congestion, fatigue, skin conditions, arthritis and bloat and constipation. Flare-ups may occur, so supervision is recommended.

A qualified practitioner can help design a long-term dietary plan to maximize health and well-being and prevent disease.

The Top 8 Cleanses of 2016

2016 was the year of the cleanse diet. Celebrities swear by them and more and more people have been getting in on the action, whether it's to detox diet, brighten skin, lose weight, or get a fresh start. And nowhere is that more evident than in Yahoo's Year in Review, where different health cleanses consistently topped the site's most popular stories lists. Here, the year's top 10 most popular cleanses:

1. A Colon Cleanse. Our colons have the important, albeit kind of icky, job of taking digested food from our stomachs, pulling the nutrients out, and excreting waste. While for most of us, our colons perform their duties just fine, every once in a while you might feel like giving a helping hand, er, enema. Colon cleanses come in many different types, methods, and prices, but the main idea is to use water, fiber, and/or supplements to flush all the gunk out of your intestines so you can start fresh. Considering a colonic? 

2. A Liver Cleanse. Just like our colons, our livers play an important role in ridding our bodies of unwanted toxins. The three-pound organ sits just under your ribs and is responsible for cleaning your blood. Some people believe that eating certain foods or taking certain supplements can help your liver perform better—or help it when it's overwhelmed by too many trips through the drive-thru. However, experts caution that most "liver detox" products don't work as advertised. Some can actually cause harm to your liver as the organ is responsible for metabolizing any drugs, medications, or herbals supplements. In fact, diet supplements are the number two cause of hospitalizations for liver damage—and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against these types of detoxes. There are some healthy ways to support your liver in its important detox work, however.

3. The Master Cleanse. While the Master Cleanse has been around for decades, it was Beyonce who made it mainstream. She used the diet to drop some serious weight for her role in Dreamgirls. To do it, you drink a concoction of lemon water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper, along with an herbal detox tea, daily for at least 10 days—and nothing else. While it may work in the short term, experts say it isn't safe long-term. And even Miss B said it was "awful" and made her "cranky." Before you try it, get the facts about the Master Cleanse and what it entails.

4. The 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse. Pictures of green smoothies have probably been all over your Facebook feed for months as this popular cleanse has spread through social media. Participants say they drop up to 15 pounds by drinking only smoothies made of blended fruits and veggies for 10 days, as outlined by J.J. Smith's favorite book. While the diet is high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it lacks other essential nutrients, like protein. To reap all the benefits of a green smoothie cleanse while still eating a balanced diet, check out our Clean Green Food and Drink Plan. http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/clean-green-food-drink-cleanse 

5. A Juice Cleanse. Juicing has long been used as a way to get lots of vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables without having to, well, eat all those fruits and vegetables. So juice cleanses, of which there are many different types, take advantage of this vitamin mega-dose by having people replace all (or part) of their solid food with specially formulated juices. While the cleanses can be an excellent way to get your daily produce in, experts warn that many juices are high in sugar and lack the fiber that whole fruit has. Try our Non-Juice Detox for all the health benefits of juicing without the blood sugar spikes.http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/your-non-juice-detox-7-day-clean-eating-plan

6. Detox Cleanse. Detoxing—or removing unhealthy toxins from the body—is one of the main reasons people give for wanting to do a cleanse. Toxic overload can make you feel sluggish, lead to acne, and can cause allergic reactions—among a host of other ills. But most experts warn against pill- or drink-based detox cleanses. The body's own mechanisms for cleansing using the liver, kidneys, and colon are sufficient to rid your body of most toxins, they say. Thankfully, there are lots of healthy changes you can make to support your body while it does all the tough detox work. Try our post-weekend detox plan to get back on track after a long weekend of office parties and holiday goodies.http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/your-weekend-detox-meal-plan

7. Forskolin and Garcinia and Natural Cleanse. Forskolin (coleonol) is a labdane diterpene that is produced by the Indian Coleus plant. Forskolin is commonly used as a tool in biochemistry to raise levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the study and research of cell physiology. Forskolin activates the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and increases intracellular levels of cAMP. cAMP is an important second messenger necessary for the proper biological response of cells to hormones and other extracellular signals. It is required for cell communication in the hypothalamus/pituitary gland axis and for the feedback control of hormones. Cyclic AMP acts by activating cAMP-sensitive pathways such as protein kinase A and Epac. For the Right Forskolin Formula Recommended by us visit:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DIZ5OQI

Garcinia Cambogia is a supplement made from the tropical fruit that bears its name (also known as a tamarind). It's high in fiber and boosts serotonin levels in your brain, possibly helping you feel full faster and longer. A Garcinia cambogia supplement that is often combined with a larger cleansing plan involving "natural" laxatives and diuretics. Most experts advise steering clear of laxatives and diuretics, physical or otherwise unless your doctor advises you to take them for a particular reason. Long-term use can be very harmful to your body. However, both Forskolin and Garcinia Cambogia extracts may offer a boost for dieters.

8. Blueprint Cleanse. A celebrity favorite and "2015 diet of the year," the Blueprint Cleanse is a pre-packaged juice cleanse in which you are sent six bottles of vegan juices made from fruits, vegetables, and spices, customized to your health goals. You drink the juices—and nothing else—for periods ranging from three days to two weeks. The company says their plans range from 860 to 1,040 calories per day. While this is not specifically billed as a weight-loss cleanse, you probably will drop some pounds. Interested in a DIY juice cleanse?http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/best-juice-whats-bugging-you

Again, please do not start a fast or detox plan, or eliminate food groups from your diet, without talking to your healthcare provider.