Tackling a hangover

Jennifer Harper-Deacon, naturopathic physician :

Your liver performs numerous vital functions in your body including the metabolism of food, drugs and hormones and is the key organ primarily responsible for the detoxification of substances like alcohol. Diet and keeping hydrated by drinking sufficient water between meals (and indeed between alcoholic drinks) are simple ways to support this essential organ. Favour organic alkaline-rich fruit, vegetables and essential fatty acids (oily fish, flax and hemp seed oil) through the week to reduce your toxic load and include some of the liver Superfoods: artichoke, with its liver purifying and protective effects (coupled with the bonus that it has a diuretic action on the kidneys); avocado, a rich source of glutathione - both the liver and kidneys have a high demand for glutathione production during the detoxification process of drugs, chemicals and environmental toxins; potassium-rich beetroot stimulates and strengthens the bowels, thus moving toxins out of the system and supports kidney and liver function and the anti-oxidant spice turmeric, traditionally used in Asian medicine for digestive disorders and liver problems. Add a teaspoon when cooking rice or millet.

As well as the alcohol itself, you may not be aware that drinks can contain other additives, which will not help your situation. BioCare's HepaGuard Forte is an excellent supplement to support your liver's ability to eliminate alcohol (£14.65 for 60 capsules). It contains protective antioxidants in the form of green tea, apple extract and alpha lipoic acid and nutrients such as methionine, taurine and artichoke to promote excretion of toxins. Take 2 capsules at bedtime (11am to 3am is the time that the liver regenerates according to Chinese Medicine).

On rising, favour hot water with the grated zest and juice of half a lemon added, can help your liver recover. Why the zest? From a scientific standing, the peel is considered to contain the highest concentrations of the phytochemicals including limonene, which helps your liver inactivate toxins and allows for their safe removal from the body. When showering, follow the old naturopathic regime of alternating hot and cold water, finishing with a blast of cold to stimulate and detoxify. Grapefruit essential oil not only has a wonderful fruity, uplifting smell that can ease frustration and tension, it has an affinity with the liver, so try the divine exfoliating Grapefruit Brown Sugar Scrub by Soap of the Earth (£16.95 plus £2.95 p&p available www.perfectlypureskincare.com).

If you have had a heavy night and intend on driving to work, I suggest that you consider investing in AlcoSense™ (£59.99 and is available from www.alcosense.co.uk), a mobile phone-sized breathalyser which can accurately measure if you are near or over the UK drink driving limit. Fresh hygiene tubes are available in packs of 20 priced at £4.99.


- The Sunday Times