Detox Diet

Detox Diet

Cleanse your system and improve energy, digestion and mental clarity

Say the word detox, and what comes to mind for most people is cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. But detoxification is also a process that occurs within our bodies on a continual basis. When we drink a cup of coffee, for example, the caffeine is transformed by the liver to a more harmless substance that can be excreted in the urine. With all the medications, refined foods, additives, alcohol, pesticides and other chemicals we are exposed to in the environment, our ability to adapt and detoxify can become overwhelmed.

The result is familiar, vague symptoms that are often overlooked until more severe illness develops. Symptoms such as frequent colds, feeling sluggish and tired, allergies, poor skin, coated tongue, bad breath, headache, and feeling ill after eating fats and other foods may indicate an impairment in the body's functional ability without any overt organ damage.

A two week nutritional diet can reduce the risk of chronic disease, but it also has immediate benefits: improved vitality and stamina, better digestion, mental clarity and focus, a feeling of calm and decreased allergic symptoms. It does not involve starvation or require eating strange foods, but emphasizes fresh, simply prepared foods that are easy on the body -- to digest, absorb and eliminate -- and minimizes toxins and allergenic foods. This diet is well-suited to warm weather, when there is an abundance of flavorful fresh produce that requires little preparation

This is a two week plan that supports detoxification by increasing elimination from the body, enhancing circulation to clear toxic substances, eliminating foods from the diet that require detoxification or are allergenic, and providing nutrients to support and protect the liver which is the main organ involved in detoxification.

Elimination of stools and urine is the body's primary method of getting rid of toxic substances. Especially important during detoxification, regular bowel movements decrease the likelihood that toxins will be reabsorbed into the body.

BENTONITE CLAY and FLAXSEEDS assist with this process. Bentonite is a type of edible clay that acts as a bulk laxative by absorbing water to form a gel. It binds toxins such as pesticides and helps to carry them out of the colon. Flaxseeds also absorb water and expand in the colon, allowing toxins and mucus to be removed. In addition, flaxseeds have been found to lower cholesterol levels. Take one tablespoon of liquid bentonite and one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in a glass of water first thing in the morning (wait at least 1/2 hour before eating) and before bed. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day or constipation may result. If flaxseed is unavailable, psyllium or oatbran can be substituted. Bentonite intake should be reduced and timed away from medication intake as it may interfere with absorption.

LEMON JUICE in water also has a slightly laxative effect and stimulates the digestive juices. Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink immediately after rising in the morning, before having the bentonite clay and flaxseed drink.

The liver requires nutrients for detoxification. In addition, increasing the flow of bile is an important part of detoxification because bile carries stored fat-soluble toxins away from the liver to be excreted in the stools. Signs of poor bile flow include constipation which may be aggravated by fiber supplements, flatulence, dry skin and hair, indigestion 1-2 hours after eating, indigestion after fatty foods and small, hard stools.

MULTIVITAMIN -- Choose a high-potency multivitamin with selenium, molybdenum, zinc and copper.

CHOLINE and METHIONINE -- Known as lipotropic factors, the supplements choline and methionine help to regulate fat metabolism and increase bile flow.

VITAMIN C -- A water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports detoxification. It may also help to decrease some of the side effects of detoxification, such as headache or nausea.

MILK THISTLE -- This herb has many positive effects on the liver. It is an antioxidant, assists in liver cell regeneration, and is used after exposure to chemical and industrial pollutants or adverse effects from excess alcohol or fat consumption.

ARTICHOKES -- Contains plant compounds known as caffeoylquinic acids, which increase the flow of bile and help to digest fats.

BEETS -- Beets contain betaine, which promotes the regeneration of liver cells and the flow of bile. It also has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism.

BROCCOLI -- Broccoli and other members of the brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kholrabi) support the liver's detoxification enzymes.

FRESH FRUITS and VEGETABLES -- Food sources of vitamin C and glutathione, which are essential for detoxification.

PROTEIN -- Protein is required by the liver for detoxification. Beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, protein powder. Some people may choose to eat fish in moderation.

ONIONS and GARLIC -- Rich in sulfur-containing compounds. Involved in sulfation, the main detoxification pathway for environmental chemicals and certain drugs and food additives. Helps with the elimination of harmful heavy metals from the body.