Detox Diet
Air fresheners and household cleaners. Food preservatives and colors. Medications. Car exhaust fumes. Cigarette smoke. These products and more have become apart of our Westernized lifestyle. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we are exposed to tens of thousands of chemicals and contaminates on a daily basis. These harmful toxics are present in the air we breathe, the food we ingest, and the water we consume. Overtime the operation of our body’s organ systems can become sluggish leading to slower metabolic rates, fatigue, reduced immunity, and perhaps even significant health concerns. So as you complete your taxes and spend the weekend spring cleaning the house, you may want to consider adding a detoxification diet to your to-do list.
What is a detoxification diet?
Detoxification refers to the elimination of toxins. A detoxification diet can assist the body’s natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Our liver, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skin are the organ systems primarily responsible for removing the harmful substances we are exposed to. The liver chemically transforms toxic material into less harmful compounds which are then excreted via urine or stool.
What is involved in a detoxification diet?
I believe the most optimal detoxification program is based on safe, all-natural nutrients and supplements. The program, especially if this is your first cleanse, should be gentle and gradual. You want to achieve the following by including a detoxification diet to your lifestyle:
• Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (choose all-natural unprocessed foods for example).
• Cleanse your intestines naturally, loosening and eliminating stored toxins.
• Bind freed toxins with fiber for excretion and elimination through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Regenerate and restore balance to the liver cells
• Add blood purifiers to your regimen
• Cleanse the lymphatic system.
Food the Detoxify and Heal
Two of the easiest things you can do to improve your health is drink more water and ingest foods that are FREE of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Choosing foods that have not been altered by the exposure to high temperatures, radiation, or other methods of shelf-life extension is another simple but extremely wise health choice. Look for certified organic or organic labeling to be sure you are ingesting the best quality whole foods. See the Feburary 2009 issue in toyourhelath.com for more details on this topic.
Cleanse the Intestines
I should start by stating that I rarely recommend strong laxatives for detoxification. Over-the-counter medications such as bisacodyl, senna, or cascara seem excessive (and even harmful) to me. Some laxatives such as phenolphthalein have been taken off the market due to concerns over carcinogenicity. The laxative mentioned above are stimulant laxatives that act on the intestinal mucosa or nerve plexus and they also alter water and electrolyte secretion. Long term use of these laxatives can create bowel dependence and deplete the body of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
I do recommend magnesium citrate at times, as a mild laxative. Herbs such as slippery elm bark and marshmallow root, coat and sooth the intestinal walls and when taken orally can assist in softer, easier-to-eliminate stool. Green tea can also improve bowel transit time; it also has high antioxidant values and chemoprotective characteristics.
Fiber
Recommendations:
• Psyllium husk
• Ground flax seeds
• Ground chia seeds
• Legumes/beans
• Oat bran
• Thick skinned berries and fruits (prunes, cherries, blueberries)
• Seaweeds (mucinaginous fiber)
Liver Cleansers
The most famous herb for assisting with liver cell detoxification and regeneration is milk thistle. Milk thistle has been shown to prevent liver damage in persons suffering from hepatitis and alcoholism.
There are other herbs, known as alteratives, which are also beneficial:
• Artichoke extract
• Licorice root
• Dandelion root
• Burdock root
• Yellow dock
• Alfalfa
These herbs stimulate healthy bile production and flow and/or assist in liver restoration.
Blood Purifiers
As we know, the blood is responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body. It also plays an essential role in removing toxic wastes from the system by carrying harmful chemical substances to the liver for break down and neutralization, and transporting wastes to the kidneys for elimination.
Natural Blood purifiers and cleansers
• Burdock – helps kidneys filter impurities. Assists the respiratory, lymphatic, and circulatory systems also.
• Oregon Grape Root, Barberry, and Goldenseal are alteratives which work as antiseptics, antibiotics, mild laxatives, and health-inducing tonics. They stimulate the liver, gall bladder, thyroid gland and are very effective in treating various gastrointestinal infections and skin conditions.
• Dandelion Root is an excellent blood. It is rich in easily absorbable minerals and electrolytes
• Various homeopathic detox/drainage drops may assist in the body’s natural elimination of toxins and help support realistic and healthy weight management programs. Detox drops may also promote healthy energy levels and stamina.
Also consider:
• Chlorophyll – a pigment that makes plants green
• Turmeric root (Curmuna)
• Neem leaf
• Fennel
• Fenugreek
Cleanse the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is often referred to as the “fluid of health”. It consists of a network of lymph organs, vessels and nodes. This system carries lymphatic fluid – a clear, watery solution containing protein and immune cells. The purpose of the lymph is to absorbs cellular wastes and drain them in to the system; the nodes then carry out a process of filtration. Once drained and filtered, the fluid re-enters the bloodsteam. You can imagine that the inability of the lymphatic system to properly carry away toxins may translate into many health problems.
Here are some of the most effective herbs for lymph detoxification:
• Red Clover
• Red Root
• Cleavers
• Poke root
Ask your physician about appropriate dosing and whether these herbs are safe for you to take.
SAFETY
For most people detoxification diets are sage however pregnant or nursing women should not use any detox programs.
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