Signs of poor liver function include being tired all the time, skin problems, not sleeping well, weight fluctuation, excess cravings, an ache in the abdomen on the upper right side, PMS, and grogginess in the morning.

In Chinese medicine, poor liver function is associated with negative emotions - being irritable and angry, stressed, or unable to concentrate. Conventional medicine doesn’t always identify the connection between emotions and the physical body.

But even people who aren't experiencing these things but just want to lose weight or improve their health can benefit from the diet.

Why do you recommend cleansing the colon by eating artichokes?

Artichokes have long been known as a liver food. They stimulate the flow of bile, which helps rid the body of fat and toxins in the liver. They're also a gentle laxative and can reduce gallstone formation.

But there are also many other colon cleansing food options besides artichokes on The Inside Out Diet. Examples are apples, pears, beans, grapefruit, and newer foods like shirataki noodles.

What are the most important things I can do to detox my body?

First, avoid certain foods temporarily. In the book, I describe how to do it, explain why it will help you detox, and show you how to reintroduce the foods back into your diet to identify any problem foods that might be triggering cravings and other symptoms.

Second, eat vegetables and fruit. One component of The Inside Out Diet is devoted to the benefits of specific fruits and vegetables. They are categorized by function and color; their pigments are the active components. Eat a variety from the different groups in your daily diet. They not only help with weight loss, but help to detox the body.

Third, add fiber to the diet. Fiber detoxifies the liver by sticking to toxins and moving them out of the body. If they're not physically carried out, these poisons become reabsorbed in the body. Fiber also keeps you full and helps regulate blood sugar; it should be in every weight loss diet.

A newer colon cleansing food I recommend is shirataki noodles - they're very low in calories and carbs, but have fiber. They're very beneficial and expand in the stomach so you feel full for hours.

How much fiber a day should I get?

The typical American eats three to four grams of soluble fiber per day. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends 10 to 25 grams. I personally eat more than 25 grams daily by eating a variety of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

What are you eating tonight?

Tonight, I’m preparing a stir fry with chicken breast, red peppers, and red onions over brown rice with kale.

Will your husband eat this too?

He loves the stir fry but has been slower accepting brown rice.