14-Day Liver Enhancement ©2006 by Eric E. Berg, D.C.

Starting weight loss with a strong liver will make all the difference in the world. All six fat-burning hormones do their work through the liver. In fact, 80 percent of your thyroid function occurs through the liver. Here’s how it works:

You will be on this cleanse for 14 days.

OVERVIEWThe first three days might be a bit rough, as your body is switching from running on sugar to running on fat. Your body’s receptors for sugar have to be readjusted, and after this program you’ll find you will need less sugar, which results in less sweet cravings. Also, coming off caffeine can create some lethargy, which typically lasts up to three days. The fourth day will be easier, and so on, and so on. Your energy usually starts to improve as your sleep becomes deeper. Cravings should also decrease, and you’ll find you are not as hungry. Other benefits noted are weight loss, inches loss, aches and pains improve, skin and nails improve, and some people experience an increased sex drive. As the liver improves, fat can be made more available for energy.

On the 14th day of this program, you will determine what diet to start based on your results. Due to the positive changes they experience, many people continue this program for a longer period of time.

This short program is not necessarily a detoxification cleansing process, as it is a healthy liver re-builder. A healthy liver can greatly enhance weight loss.

Food IntakeYou can eat an unlimited quantity of the vegetables listed below.

Unlimited Vegetables:

alfalfa sprouts cauliflower* leeks snow peas

artichokes celery lettuce spinach

asparagus cilantro mushrooms squash

bamboo shoots corn (some) okra string beans

beans cucumbers onions kale*

beets dill parsley Swiss chard

bok choy* eggplant peas turnips*

broccoli* escarole peppers (all) water chestnuts

Brussels sprouts* garlic radishes* seaweed

cabbage* ginger root carrots zucchini

tomatoes (these are really classified as fruit)

avocado collard greens salsa (w/out sugar)

pickles (w/out sugar)

sauerkraut olives

The foods marked *, mean they are cruciferous: they have a tendency to deplete iodine, which the thyroid needs to make its hormones.

*Do not consume if you have a true full-blown thyroid problem. (If you do eat them, also eat sea kelp or alfalfa to supply the iodine that has been depleted. A recommended product described later in this program, called Organic Cruciferous Food™, will supply enough iodine to counter the effects of eating cruciferous vegetables.)

These vegetables may be lightly steamed. I prefer that at least 50% of them are raw.

Avoid StarchesDon’t eat starchy vegetables like potato, French fries, baked potato, mashed potatoes, yam, and sweet potatoes. Corn can only be consumed in very small quantities.

Some people are sensitive to sulfur-based vegetables like broccoli. If you experience bloating or gas, you might need to cook these vegetables more thoroughly or eat vegetables which give you no reaction.

Avoid all GrainsDon’t consume breads, pasta, cereal, crackers, biscuits, waffles, muffins, pancakes, rice, rice cakes, donuts, etc. as they readily turn into sugar.

Salad DressingsUse salad dressing very sparingly (just enough to flavor salad). If you use dressing on your salad, go light on the quantity, and, if possible, use low-sugar, natural and organic. Try to use dressing that contains no added sugar—avoid high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, and sugar cane. Also avoid monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as modified food starch. Raw honey in very small amounts is an acceptable substitute. The health food store is your best bet, but Newman’s Own® has a few good salad dressings, such as Ranch Dressing and Basalmic and Vinaigrette. Other recommendations are: Annie’s Naturals®, 365 ORGANIC®, and Organic Ville™.

As a simple alternative, mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil or even apple cider vinegar and olive oil as a dressing.

You may eat certain fruits (see below) but only at night, with the exception of apples, which can be eaten anytime, and as many as you desire.

Beans/LentilsYou could add beans/lentils to this program as well. Make sure the amount does not exceed 1/3 the amount of vegetables. Refried beans are not recommended.

Fruits/Berries/Melons:

Only eat a third as many total vegetables per day as fruits/berries and melons. (Example: 1 cup of vegetables—1/3 cup of fruit).

apples grapefruit pineapples (small amounts)

apricots melons plums

berries (all) oranges tomatoes (also in vegetable category

grapes peaches lemons/limes

kiwis pears nectarines

Avoid the following fruits, as they have extra sugar content with lower fiber: bananas, figs, raisins, canned fruit (unless its pineapple), dried fruit, mangoes, and cherries.

Even though all fruits are sweet, some have a higher fiber content and slow the absorption of sugar.

Animal Proteins:

Avoiding animal proteins (meats, fish, etc.) is recommended; however, if by the third or fourth day you are feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or feel brain fog, fatigue, or overall body cold due to low blood sugar, add a small amount of animal protein to your meals. With this program, you are consuming lots of greens, little fat and minimal protein. Since fats are satisfying and diminish hunger, and this program is low in fat, you need to compensate by eating more food more frequently to avoid hunger. The most important action is to eat enough food to keep your calories up, since low calories will add stress and more weight gain. That is why it’s imperative you eat between meals.

Acceptable and preferred proteins:

Fish/Tuna Squid Shrimp Sushi (without rice)

Eggs

1. Start with one egg per meal (it could be hard-boiled) or 2 oz of fish with meals.

(The goal is to eat as little animal protein as possible. If the dizziness, fatigue, etc., continues, gradually increase the amount of proteins with each meal. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not overeat animal proteins—eat just the right amount to satisfy your hunger. It’s better to eat frequent, small amounts, since overeating will stress the liver and convert protein to fat. Sushi is the best protein on this program because raw proteins are more easily digested, causing less liver stress.

2. You can eat a moderate amount of raw nuts and raw seeds, especially between meals. (Some people are allergic to nuts. If you experience bloating or fatigue, ensure you don’t have an allergy.) FYI: I have found that eating cashews makes some people tired. Keep this in mind.

Supplement IntakeThere are two supplements you will take that include all the nutrients you need to cleanse your liver. These nutrients will help support a healthy liver. You can take all the supplements at once, or split them up and take them three times a day, whichever is preferable. Of course, you may be able to find similar products in your local health food store. Any products of similar quality would be acceptable.

Recommended Supplements Needed: (THIS IS OPTIONAL BUT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO MAXIMIZE RESULTS) Call 703-354-7336 or go to http://www.nutrition-n-wellness.com/index.cfm/7924 to order.

1. Organic Cruciferous Food—15 per day (take five, three times per day). One bottle of 250 will last 16 days.

This product is a well-balanced, natural WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENT from organic cruciferous vegetables, supplying enzymes, minerals, amino acids, and essential vitamins.

It contains the following:

Organic alfalfa, organic beet root, organic broccoli, organic Brussels sprouts, organic cabbage, organic celery, organic collard greens, organic asparagus, organic kale, organic parsley leaf, organic cauliflower, organic radish, organic spinach

The benefits of this product are unique in that they are highly beneficial in increasing the liver’s ability to detoxify.,

2. Springreen Whole Beet Plant Juice—nine per day (take three tablets, three times per day). One bottle of 150 will last 14 days. Go to this link to order:http://www.nutrition-n-wellness.com/index.cfm/7149

This product contains beets organically grown with compost and sea kelp. No chemical fertilizers or insecticides are used.

The whole beet is used (leaves, stem and root) and its juice is evaporated to dryness under a high vacuum with infinite care and at low temperature to retain a maximum of enzymes, vitamins, and mineral factors.

One TON (2,000 lbs) of beets produces less than 20 pounds of powder, which is then compressed into tablets. Beets have a high iron content, which rejuvenates and activates the red blood cells. Beets contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, iodine, and many trace minerals—all extremely valuable to the proper functioning of the body.

ShakeThis mixture should be taken three times per day (total 12 oz.):

1st — first thing in the morning upon rising2nd — before lunch3rd — before dinner

Shake Mixture spring water (8 oz.) unsweetened cranberry juice (2 oz.) lemon juice (1 tsp) or True Lemon™ (1 packet) apple cider vinegar (½ tsp)If you can’t stand the taste of this mixture, add ¼ cup apple juice to make it more palatable.

It is recommended that you mix the entire combination together in a container the night before, and place it in the refrigerator or a cooler.

Making a Daily Supply (Three Servings): spring water (24 oz.—3 glasses of water) unsweetened cranberry juice (6 oz.—small glass) lemon juice concentrate (3 tsp) or True Lemon™ (3 packets) or 2 squeezed

lemons apple cider vinegar (1½ tsp)

Purpose of Ingredients

Unsweetened Cranberry JuiceThis juice helps normal kidney, bladder and urinary tract function. You can get it at any health-food store. Make sure you get the one without any other juices.

Lemon JuiceLemons support normal immune function. Lemon juice also helps contract the liver (astringent). You can use 1/3 of a real lemon, lemon juice or a product called True Lemon™ (look in your grocery store or supermarket).

Apple Cider VinegarI would recommend Bragg™ apple cider vinegar. This product has many benefits, including balancing out the pH of the body, eliminating waste acids, providing potassium, and fortifying the friendly bacteria in your intestine. It helps reduce water retention through the normalization of acid and alkaline levels.

A Few Guidelines1. Refrain from eating anything that is not on the list. This especially includes avoiding sugar and hidden sugars (juice, sports drinks, protein bars, vanilla yogurt, etc.)

2. You can drink as much water and herbal tea as you like.

3. Avoid drinking tap water.

4. Avoid coffee during this phase. If you find this impossible, gradually cut down and mix decaffeinated coffee for 1–2 weeks until you are weaned off. Coming off coffee cold turkey will create lethargy for about 1–2 days. If possible, use organic coffee.

5. This cleanse can be done every other month to keep the liver in top shape. Some people continue this program until they start craving protein, at which point they introduce an adequate amount to turn off these cravings.

6. The exercise program can be combined when doing this cleanse (keep pulse rate low, below 130).

7. Avoid dairy (cheese, yogurt, etc.). A small amount of butter is acceptable.

8. Avoid anything with MSG (monosodium glutamate); also known as modified food starch, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, glutamic acid and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. This is a flavor enhancer, which not only makes the food taste better than it is but makes you more hungry. This is why you can’t stop eating just one potato chip, and also why you get hungry one hour after consuming Chinese food. Many restaurant foods, especially those in Chinese restaurants, contain this chemical. They might even state they add no extra MSG, yet it’s in their sauces unknowingly as other ingredients. This is a big fluid retainer.

Three-day sample of 14-Day Cleanse ProgramMonday Tuesday Wednesday

BREAKFAST

Shake + Greens Product

Cut vegetables, w/raw nuts Apple dipped in

peanut butter

Shake + Greens Product

Cut carrots, celery, avocado

1 apple + raw nuts

Shake + Greens Product

Sautéed mushrooms with onions

Raw pecans

SNACK Raw nuts / seeds 1 apple Peanut butter with celery

LUNCH

Shake + Greens Product Salad with

almonds, kale, red cabbage and black olives

1 apple

Shake + Greens Product Asparagus + butter Sliced cucumbers

1 apple + raw nuts

Shake + Greens Product Green pepper,

steamed broccoli w/ butter

1 apple + raw almonds

SNACK 1 apple Grapefruit Celery and carrot sticks with nuts

DINNER

Shake + Greens Product

Kidney beans (cooked)

Hummus

Avocado

Shake + Greens Product

Fruit salad + raw nuts

Coleslaw

Shake + Greens Product

Fried cauliflower w/ butter

+ mixed green salad

SNACK Black olives and pickles

Bowl of berries Raw nuts

Salad IdeasTomatoAvocadoBlack pepperBasil leaves

Chick PeasRomaine lettuceFeta cheeseBlack olives

Pinto beansTomatoesAvocadoOlivesRed cabbage

Black eye peasKidney beansBell pepperOnionParsley

Cut appleBlack olivesCeleryLemon juiceMayonnaise

CabbagePineapple chunksAlmondsRomaine lettuce

Bok ChoyAsparagusSnap peasCarrotsSunflower seeds

Cooked cabbageSautéed mushroomsFried cauliflower

Red cabbageCut pearsShredded carrotsCut apple

LettuceHoneydew melonStrawberriesMint leaf

Steamed beets or pickled beetsCucumbersOnion (sautéed)

Cabbage (shredded)CeleryParsleyCashews

CauliflowerSpinachCarrotsBroccoli

Green pepperCucumbersCarrotsLettuce

Baby spinachSproutsCeleryBeets (canned)

LettuceAppleLemon juiceKidney beans

Steamed spinachPeasGinger rootLentilsLime juice

Cauliflower sautéed with butter until slightly brown

Broccoli with ranch dip andartichoke hearts

LettucePapayaAvocadoAppleBlack olives

Final NotesRefrain from eating anything that is not on the lists given in this liver cleanse other than avocado, raw nuts and animal proteins (only if needed), as mentioned earlier. You can drink as much water and herbal tea as you like. But only drink the amount of water you are thirsty for; don’t ever force yourself to drink too much water. Green tea is best. Consume walnuts, as they are the best nuts.

Call 703-354-7336 for ordering or go to: www.nutrition-n-wellness.com

To order Dr. Berg’s Body Shape Diets Book to decide what diet to go onto after the Liver Enhancement Cleanse, go to:www.bergdiets.com

Also go to www.ridcravings.com to find Dr. Berg’s CraveStopper™ Product.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products described are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure any disease. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are essential for achieving your weight loss goal.