Detox diets are more popular than ever before, but are they truly beneficial to your wellbeing? And, if they are, how do you get started, and how should you round things off? We spoke to the wellness experts to find out more.
According to nutritional wellness expert Deborahann Smith, ‘Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world — including ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems — detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.’
So how does a detox programme help your body’s natural cleansing processes? Detoxing…
- Rests your organs through fasting
- Stimulates your liver to drive toxins from your body
- Promotes elimination through your intestines, kidneys and skin
- Improves the circulation of your blood
- Refuels your body with healthy nutrients
As Peter Bennett, ND, co-author of 7-Day Detox Miracle, puts it, ‘Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.’ But how do you start a detox? ‘First, lighten up your toxin load,’ Smith instructs. ‘Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimise use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.’
Smith adds, ‘Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the “adrenaline rush” to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, Qigong and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.’ After this, you should complete a seven-day detox programme – of which there are many to chose from – but then what about afterwards? Here’s your post-detox game plan:
1. Eat Right: Smith instructs, ‘Eat plenty of fibre, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.’
2. Look After Your Liver: Smith notes, ‘Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.’
3. Hydrate: ‘Drink at least two quarts of water a day,’ Smith advises.
4. Work on Your Breathing: Smith recommends, ‘Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.’
5. Think Positively: ‘Transform stress by emphasising positive emotions,’ says Smith.
6. Shower Yourself Well: ‘Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back,’ Smith details. ‘Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.’
7. Take Care of Your Skin: ‘Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration,’ Smith directs. ‘Dry-brush your skin or try detox foot spas/foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.’
Comments are closed.