LivClear and Thrive FAQs

This 28-day program was developed over 30 years ago to help my patients who were chronically unwell, and could not find any assistance from the traditional allopathic medicine. Patients would frequently present with similar symptoms such as:

• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Aches and pains
• Gastro-intestinal distress
• Hormone imbalances
• Unexplained weight gain
• Insomnia

And many other medical conditions I came to discover that there was one common thread that every patient shared—poor cellular function. The imbalances patients exhibited were due to the body’s inability to handle the oxidative burden in their cells, and an inability to breakdown and clear out all of the cellular debris. Of course, this takes place on a deep cellular level, which is not where we usually go when considering our health. But improving cellular health is the foundation for improving total body health.

Cells take the nutrients you digest and absorb from your gut and use them for all of their needs, in the most basic way. In fact, every cell in your body works in the exact same way. They make energy in order to make proteins. 

Cells use proteins for both structure of new cells, glands, organs and tissues. They also make proteins to conduct functions, like cell to cell communication, hormones, enzymes—you get the picture. And each cell therefore makes the proper proteins for their particular function whether it be a liver cell, muscle cell, or brain cell. All cells are designed to do a specific “job” based on what gland, organ or tissue they are! 

We call this process metabolism. A normal part of the metabolic process is to produce reactive species. In cell metabolism, reactive species refer to molecules that are highly reactive because they have one or more unpaired electrons. These molecules can easily react with other molecules in the cell, potentially causing damage. These reactive species area also known as “free radicals” because they travel around looking for a free lunch, in the form of electrons. So they steal them from mitochondrial, where your make your energy. And they steal the electrons from other proteins inside the cell that are needed for communication. The end result: loss of energy and loss of function!

Cells have mechanisms to control the levels of reactive species and repair damage. This is what antioxidants do. But when these mechanisms are overwhelmed, it can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease. When a cell loses its ability to neutralize the free radicals produced by normal metabolism, then three things happen: 

• You don’t make adequate energy. 
• The free radicals become scavengers causing damage the cell and their ability to function. 
• The cell has an increased burden for detoxifying all the debris and trash from the increased metabolic activity 

It is these three major issues which lead to symptoms of disease and aging. In fact, all chronic diseases can be distilled down to these simple cellular problems. This is exactly what the LivClear Detoxification Program does—it balances out these three metabolic burdens.

Toxins are defined as any substance either taken in from the environment or created within our own body that do not serve a useful physiologic function and cause damage to our health. 

The idea of detoxification has been around for centuries. Herbs, bowel cleansing, fasts, steams, and saunas are a few of the ways our ancestors detoxed. And over eons we have developed a very elaborate system, consisting mostly of liver enzymes, to break down and clean out toxic debris.

Toxins come from various sources in the environment such as water, air, soil, and food. Given the current condition of our planet it is clear we’re exposed to thousands of toxins every day. In fact, it’s estimated that we’re subjected to over 50,000 manufacture chemicals, and over 1,500 organophosphates in our environment. I call these “new-to-nature” substances.

In 2019, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over 3 billion pounds of chemical pollutants were released into the environment. Toxins can be derived from:

• Chemical pollutants
• Industrial manufacturing
• Heavy metals
• Drugs
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Food additives
• Cigarette smoke (either passive or active)
• Alcohol
• Home care products
• Cosmetics

Toxins also come from an intestinal buildup of unhealthy flora, viral overload and normal metabolic activity. Over the span of our lives, we come into contact with more toxins than we can detoxify. Most food, water and air is polluted with toxicants. Unfortunately, no one escapes being exposed to the environmental burden of these “new to nature” chemicals.

Detoxification refers to our body’s natural ability to transform, transfer, and eliminate toxins. As medical science has evolved, so has our understanding of how our bodies process toxins. We have gained a fairly clear picture of the nutritional biochemistry involved in breaking down and eliminating these substances. The process of transforming toxicants primarily involves the liver, along with the kidneys, skin, lungs, gallbladder/biliary system, and intestines. The immune system (comprised of white blood cells), the circulatory system (comprised of the vascular system), the lymphatic system, and adipose tissue all help to move and store toxins.

A substance must be able to dissolve in water for it to be easily eliminated from the body. This is why we have to detoxify toxicants in the first place, since toxins simply don’t dissolve out of your body easily on their own. Most toxic compounds are manufactured and stored as fatty molecules, and therefore do not mix well with water—think of oil and water. The detoxification process transforms these fatty, oil-like agents to water-soluble molecules, which can then be excreted from the body.

Phase One: Liver Function - Part One

These are also known as the cytochrome P-450 pathways. Fat-soluble toxins are transformed into intermediate compounds, which are very reactive, and hence more toxic. These join more easily to nontoxic, antioxidant, water-soluble molecules in Phase Two.

Phase Two: Liver Function - Part Two

These are also known as the conjugation pathways. Joining of the newly formed reactive intermediate molecules with water-soluble nutrients make the entire compound harmless and easier to excrete from the body.

Phase Three: Excretion

Neutralized toxins, that are now water-soluble, are removed from the body in the urine via the kidneys, or the bile/feces through the intestinal tract.

Think of the detoxification process like a septic system you find in rural homes. The effluent travels out through our drainpipes to the septic tank, where bacteria work on reducing the waste to small particulate compounds. The intermediate form of waste is then leached out into the earth, where it is further reduced to organic compounds by microbes in the soil. It then becomes nontoxic and recycles with the soil.

The nutrients required for supporting the three phases of your detox are extensive. Some of them may sound familiar, but many are complex molecules that are best consumed in supplement form.

The LivClear II Detoxification Shake provides all the necessary nutrients to convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble intermediates. To emphasize, the LivClear II Formula is not doing the detoxifying—that’s your liver’s job. It simply provides the nutrient ingredients to best support the liver during the detoxification process. Some of those nutrients are:

• Vitamins A, B3, B6, B12, C, and E
• Beta-carotene
• Folate
• Amino acids such as L-cysteine, L-glutamine, and taurine
• Zinc
• Pantothenic acid
• N-acetycysteine
• Sodium sulphate 
• Glutathione
• Green tea catechin

During the LivClear Program, all of these nutrients are provided in a palatable medicinal food drink that will be consumed throughout the 28-day program. Drinking the LivClear shake eliminates the need for dozens supplements taken in pill form! Using this medicinal food shake fits nicely into creating a new life-style while making it unnecessary to take handfuls of supplements. Through many years of offering this program to thousands of individuals just like you, I have found that this meal replacement shake is a great tool for change in both the body and mind.

Each of us is unique. Not just our specific personalities, but also our own biochemistry. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, the same is true for humans. However, everyone who participates in the LivClear Detox Program will benefit. We all have the same detoxing and anti oxidation capabilities, so most will have positive, clear, and obvious results with the four-week program. You may struggle for a short time with cravings, slight body aches, or headaches, but these symptoms of clearing are short-lived. Some of the benefits typically experienced:

• Increased energy
• Balanced hormones
• Weight loss
• Improved neurologic function
• Better sleep
• Fewer aches and pains
• Decreased cravings
• Stronger immunity
• Clearer thinking
• Improved digestion
• Reduced muscle tension
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Healthier bowel movements
• Decreased headache and migraine
• Better attitude
• Greater enjoyment of food
• Greater productivity
• Enhanced social responsibility

It’s important for you to know that this program does NOT treat diseases. What we call diseases are really a compilation of imbalances in your organs glands and tissues. So, in my opinion and experience, there is no such thing as a disease, only physiologic imbalances. And it is with this approach that it makes getting to the root cause of conditions and symptoms easier. However, I CAN safely say that there are a host of conditions that have shown improvement with the LivClear Detox Program. Some of them include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Elevated cholesterol
• Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• Hypoglycemia
• Eczema and psoriasis
• Allergy
• Asthma
• Hormone imbalances like PMS
• Chemical sensitivity
• Insomnia
• Chronic inflammation
• Autoimmune conditions
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Indigestion

Since each of us has our own unique biochemistry, state of health, and history, every person will  respond to the LivClear Detox Program differently. We’ve found that 99% of individuals who have gone through the program have had significant positive results. 

Deliberately changing your lifestyle is a positive step toward living a healthier life. When you choose to stop consuming sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and wheat, you will go through a period of withdrawal both mentally and physically. Sugar, alcohol, wheat, and dairy are addictive as they increase your dopamine levels and endorphins. These foods also have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels and your immune system. 

Some individuals experience minimal reactions. Others have only mild withdrawal symptoms of irritability, headache, and lethargy for a day or two. Some have a more intense reaction that can take a week or two to overcome.

As you can imagine, the reactions are different in everyone depending on many variables. But I want to reassure you that in the many years I have prescribed this program, only a few have not been able to overcome their “attachments” to foods and substances. In fact simply choosing to take care of yourself is a major positive step to better health. And yes, it is helpful to continually remind yourself of all the benefits you will derive from going through the LivClear Detoxification Program.

While there are few adverse reactions, you might experience some side effects.

• The most common reaction on day one is a headache due to caffeine withdrawal. It largely depends on your daily caffeine intake and dependency. The caffeine withdrawal headache lasts one to two days.
• As you increase the number of shakes and begin the five days of shakes only, you may not feel as energetic as usual. This is an expected reaction to releasing and breaking down excess toxicants and will last a day or two at most.
• Carbohydrates and sugar cravings are expected when they’ve been part of your regular dietary routine. It takes about seven to ten days to shift your metabolism into fat-burning mode. The key to assisting in this transition is to eat more protein and never ignore your hunger.

Yes. It’s encouraged. The shake is formulated to act as a multiple vitamin, an anti-oxidant formula, a detoxification formula, and a meal replacement. Many participants continue with at least one and sometimes two per day.

Do not stop any of your medications. Continue to take them as prescribed. However, your need for many types of medications may decrease. Cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure tend to lower when going through the LivClear Detox Program. Have your prescribing doctor retest you after you’ve completed the program.

You do not need to take supplements while going through the LivClear Detox Program. However, it’s up to your individual preference. The LivClear formula is nutrient-dense and satisfies most nutritional needs. Most people who have gone through the program like the freedom of NOT taking additional supplements. Also, it is best to focus on the LivClear Detox program when going through it and not many other supplements. However, if you have been prescribed nutrient supplements by your treating physician, consult with them if you have concerns about stopping them.

LC Boost is a unique formulation that provides nutrient support for Phase II of biotransformation. It is also known as the conjugation phase. It helps to prevent the build of intermediary toxins produced by Phase I.

Absolutely yes. Most patients who have gone through the entire program go through it a second and third time. Many make it a part of their wellness program and do it annually or biannually, depending on their individual needs and goals for improved health.

Everyone is different in their response, just as everyone has different health needs. Most begin to have positive shifts by the sixth or seventh day. 

You can expect:

• Better sleep
• Improved cognition
• Improved energy
• Less cravings

Rarely does anyone experience loose stool or diarrhea. On occasion, the bowels will become sluggish. This is due to the microbiome change your gastrointestinal tract experiences during the LivClear Program.

*See the LivClear Workbook for instructions on using magnesium to encourage regular bowel movements.

The LivClear Detox Program will encourage a healthy balance between the water inside and outside your cells. If you are out of balance, you may have to relieve yourself more frequently during the first few days of the program.

While completely eliminating caffeine is recommended, green and herbal teas are acceptable.

There are no mistakes when going through the LivClear Detox Program. If you slip up and eat or drink something not in the Basic Dietary Guidelines, simply move on and jump right back in wherever you left off.

*It is suggested to avoid any major social events during the five days of not eating, and drinking shakes only.

You can return unopened containers or bottles for a full refund within 30 days of delivery.

You will go through approximately 4 ½ containers during the program in total. There is some variability depending on how many shakes you take during the 5 days of no food/shakes only. It is recommended that once you’ve completed the full program you continue to enjoy at least one shake per day.

No, the LivClear Detox Program does not chelate heavy metals out of the body directly. But it is the most important first step in doing so. The best way to pull heavy metals out of the body is with chelators like EDTA or DMSA. However, one of the best things to do before going through the chelation process for heavy metals is to prepare your body for the metabolic burden it causes. I always have patients go through the LivClear Detox program before addressing heavy metals and to use it while chelating as well.

Yes, the LivClear Detox Program is very effective at removing mold, fungus and yeast based toxins. These are all lipophilic substances and put a demand on the Phase I and Phase II detox pathways which LivClear II is formulated to address. The challenge with mycotoxins is they imbed in the cell membrane and cell receptors thereby interfering with both structure and function. I recommend going “up-stream” and clean out the mycotoxins at their source with LivClear II and in addition using binding agents in the GI Tract like zeolite, hydrogen infused water and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

The LivClear and Thrive in its essence is a powerful life-style changing program. It is designed to provide a seamless road map for a healthier you. As no two individuals are the same, remember we are all like snow flakes, everyone who goes through the program will have different experiences. However an easy thing to remember is this; if you continue to repeat the same patterns of behavior, making the same choices that you did before going through the detox program, then you’ll get the same results. So the benefits last as long as you continue to nurture yourself, live a healthy lifestyle and keep offensive and destructive foods and drinks minimal and in control.

No, of course not! But as your begin to reintroduce various foods back into your diet, you learn which affect you and how. There is a guide for food reintroduction in the LivClear and Thrive Workbook which describes how to reintroduce foods back into your diet. Think of an 90-10 rule, where 90% of the time you live a very healthy life-style and 10% of the time you let it slide.

Again each of us is different and so each of us has different abilities to tolerate various foods and drinks that aren’t good for us. For example, hanging out with friends on a weekend, having enjoying a beer or glass of wine with pizza, is fine, if your body can handle it. On the other hand, alcohol, wheat or cheese may cause some kind of reaction in your body, which only you will be able to know. However, going through the LivClear Detox program is the best way for you to discover what foods you react to and how they affect you.

Coffee is an amazing drink as it is loaded with antioxidants and all kinds of other goodness,

including the caffeine. In fact, if you do a PubMed search on the benefits of coffee there are over 800 published studies going back to 1954. So yes, enjoy your coffee but not through the detox program for several reasons. Caffeine requires detoxification via the Phase I detox enzymes, so by eliminating coffee and high caffeine beverages for a month helps support you during detoxification. Coffee beans are heavily treated with chemical agents you don’t want in your body. In fact, one of the reasons you’ll go through the detox program is to get these out of your body. Glyphosate aka Roundup is used for weed control, mancozeb as an antifungal and insecticide. for insect and pest control. Insecticides, such as endosulfan include organophosphates (OP), pyrethroids, and carbamates. Additionally, coffee beans become loaded with mycotoxins in their harvesting and storage process. And finally, caffeine dependency is a behavior you want to change and the LivClear Detox program is an easy way for you to break the coffee habit.

If you do go back to enjoying a cup of java, consider using a 50:50 blend or better yet a 70:30 blend of decaffeinated to caffeinated. Also, drink ONLY organic coffee and mold free. Purity is one such company who goes to great lengths to offer clean, organic coffee.

(https://puritycoffee.com )

Remember, the foundation rule throughout the entire LivClear and Thrive Detox Program is this: you are not allowed to go hungry! So, when going through the 5+ days of drinking LivClear II only and not eating foods, you simply drink as many shakes as you need to satisfy your hunger.

It is recommended that you don’t, as the less work your gut has to do for digestion, the better it is for you. One of the values of drinking the LivClear II only for 5 days is to give your gut a much needed rest. However, for some, extra calories are needed and for some, it is a texture and taste issue. So, yes you can, however keep it as minimal as possible. Also, adding a scoop of a high quality protein powder to your shakes is acceptable if needed.

Organic foods have greater nutrient density than commercially raised foods, so they are much better for you. On the other hand, commercially grown foods are treated with chemical agents including fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides all of which are toxic to us. The less you use the better for you.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that apart from lacking pesticides, a meta-analysis (a combination of the results of many different studies) found that organic foods are about 25% more nutritious than their non-organic counterparts. When comparing the price of GMOs to organic produce, the average price difference is roughly 12.5%. This means that by spending 12.5% extra, you can get an extra 25% utility from the product. By that measure, organic food would definitely be considered a worthwhile investment, and not just an expensive marketing ploy.

The LivClear Detox program is unique in many ways and is the only one which truly addresses deep cellular function and biotransformation. The LivClear II is specifically formulated to support cellular detoxification and to promote better energy. Most “detoxification” programs really are gut cleansing protocols, which is fine. And while cleaning out the gut is beneficial to truly detoxify the body it has to start deep inside on a cellular level. This is what the LivClear program does.