I found this very interesting interview with Tosca Reno in the January issue of First for Women - one of those chick magazines they sell in the checkout line at the grocery store. I usually ignore them, but there was a headline about Clean Eating and that was it; I had to buy it. Turns out it was worthwhile.
"Researchers have found that a high fat, high sugar diet triggers a sharp increase in liver enzymes ( a key indicator of liver damage ) and triglyceride deposits ( fats that hinder liver function ) in just one week. The reason for the damage: Sugar and fat metabolism occur in the liver, so increased consumption of these foods forces the organ to work overtime - and it wears down quickly explains Tosca Reno, author of Your Best Body Now. Once liver health is compromised, it becomes near impossible to prevent weight gain.
The good news: you can reverse liver damage to ward off weight gain and shed excess pounds with a diet rich in healing whole foods, promised Reno. When you eliminate highly processed foods like white sugar and flour, high fructose corn syrup, and trans fats, you dramatically lighten the load on the liver, which helps optimize its ability to metabolize fats. For best results, stick to lean proteins, plant based fats, nuts, legumes, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains like quinoa and brown rice.To further aid the liver, Reno suggests bulking up meals with detoxifying foods and spices like broccoli, garlic, onions, rosemary, and coconut oil. These foods contain powerful anti-viral compounds that flush toxins and safeguard the liver from harmful compounds."