Firstly, why do we detox? It is not just for weight loss as
some believe, though this can be an added bonus. So many ‘Detox’ products and
programmes are coming out of the woodwork these days and trying to cash in on
many people’s desire for a ‘quick fix’ for weight loss. That is not what I’ll be
talking about here, as these are both unhealthy and unsuccessful. I will be discussing the importance of detoxing for
over-all and long-term health, and how to do it carefully.
The human body is naturally skilled at eliminating waste
materials from the body and cleansing the liver, gut, lungs and kidneys of harmful
toxins. Unfortunately, many people's elimination systems are becoming
overburdened, due to excess red meat, animal fats, fried foods, processed
foods, alcohol, smoking, medications, environmental toxins, additives, chemical
preservatives etc. These extra toxins in the body lead to the body's
detoxification systems slowing down, resulting in symptoms such as
constipation, bloating, IBS, fatigue, lowered immune function, eczema, food
intolerances, sinus congestion and headaches, to name but a few.
Firstly, and most importantly, detoxing is not about
starving yourself. Depriving your body of food is never necessary. Nor is
detoxing just about alcohol and the liver. The liver is only one of the body’s
elimination systems. Overloading the body with stress and toxins will have an
effect on the gut, the lungs, the skin and the kidneys as well.
Detoxing is really just a way of giving your body a rest
from the hard work of breaking down heavy foods, chemicals, additives,
medications, alcohol and environmental toxins that it is exposed to every day.
A lot of these, such as pollution and medications, are difficult to avoid, so
reducing the burden on the body is most easily done through reducing certain
foods and drinks.
In certain diets and cultures the concept of detoxing is
built in, with one or two days a week being devoted to eating 'light' foods,
foods that our bodies can break down with little effort, for example fresh
vegetables, fruits, brown rice and fish. This works just as well, if not
better, than week-long juicing binges once a year. So those are the principles
I based my detox on. Fresh, organic fruit and veg, some of them as juices, smaller
meals, brown rice and vegetables, seeds and nuts, and plenty of clean, filtered
water.
The main elimination organs are the gut, the liver, the
kidneys, the skin and the lungs. Include healthy sources of fibre, and drinking
plenty of clean, filtered water and herbal teas should support elimination
from the gut and kidneys, but what about the others? Exercise plays a large part here. Increasing your heart rate
will cause deeper and faster breathing, expelling waste gases from the lungs,
and sweating will begin to remove toxins through the skin. Deep breathing
activities like Yoga and T'ai Chi are also a good idea.
Dry Skin brushing (using dry exfoliating gloves or similar
brushes on skin before showering, brushing as much of the body as possible)
will remove dead skin cells, allowing toxins to move out through the skin
freely and stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
The liver is the main organ for breaking down waste
substances that would otherwise become toxic. Therefore it can be the organ under
the most pressure. Some herbs and spices can be helpful for supporting the
liver, such as turmeric, dandelion, milk thistle and nettle. Luckily many of
these can be found in the form of herbal teas.
You should be aware that detoxing comes with some other
side-effects. As the toxins leave your body they must escape form the various
organs and tissues they have been stored in and are then released into the
blood prior to elimination. Some common symptoms include headaches, diarrhoea,
lethargy, and irritability, a bit like with withdrawals from nicotine or other
drugs.
The good news is that these rarely last beyond 2 days, and
they are a sign that what you are doing is working, so stick with it.
Detox Tips:
Foods/drinks to avoid:
Meat, most dairy foods, eggs, sugar, refined carbohydrate
products (bread, biscuits, cakes), fats and oils, high-fat products, fried
foods, processed foods, alcohol, fizzy drinks, coffee, tobacco, foods you
have/suspect an intolerance to.
Foods/Drinks to include:
Eat less food than normal, 3 small meals ideally
Drink plenty of filtered/mineral water and herbal teas
Eat mostly fruit and vegetables; a variety of raw, cooked
and juiced, and organic when possible
Keeping the bowel functioning is essential as it is one of
the largest elimination organs. Include fibre from brown rice, quinoa, millet,
buckwheat, seeds, nuts, porridge (made with water/dairy-free milk)
- Start each day with a cup of warm water and fresh lemon juice. The liver is the organ most in need of support in our current environment, with our current lifestyle and diet. Starting the day like this will waken up the liver and prepare it for what is to come. It also has a similar effect on the digestive system, so take this warm lemon drink before your breakfast each morning.
- If constipation is an issue it must be dealt with, as proper elimination from the gut is necessary to remove certain toxins. Include the fibre products mentioned above, but if this is not adequate try a teaspoon of Psyllium Husks twice daily just before meals with plenty of water.
- Try in include organic fruit and veg when possible, to avoid toxins from pesticides and industrial farming. If organic is not available or is too expensive then go for locally grown, in-season produce. If it doesn’t have to travel across oceans or be preserved for months at a time, then it will naturally be exposed to less chemicals.
- Rest and relax. Eat only when calm and unhurried. Chew slowly and finish eating before you are stuffed. Don’t embark on a detox unless you can properly wind down for the duration of it. Include ten minutes of mindfulness or meditation each day.
As I have mentioned many times, detoxing is not suitable for
many people and should only be continued for more than 2 days if under the
supervision of a nutrition/health professional.
You should not detox if you are:
Pregnant or nursing
Suffering from a serious illness
Highly stressed or going through a busy/emotional time
Diabetic
Underweight, convalescing or debilitated.
Detoxing is also not suitable for elderly people or children
unless closely supervised.