| 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.
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
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
| The Detox Plan |
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.
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.
INCREASING ELIMINATION
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.
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.
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.
half a lemon into warm water and drink immediately after rising in the morning, before having the
bentonite clay and flaxseed drink.
NUTRIENTS AND SUPPORT FOR THE LIVER, GALLBLADDER
AND KIDNEYS
AND KIDNEYS
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.
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.
and copper.
CHOLINE and METHIONINE -- Known as lipotropic factors, the supplements choline and methionine help
to regulate fat metabolism and increase bile flow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
kale, kholrabi) support the liver's detoxification enzymes.
FRESH FRUITS and VEGETABLES -- Food sources of vitamin C and glutathione, which are
essential for detoxification.
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.
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.
detoxification pathway for environmental chemicals and certain drugs and food additives. Helps with the
elimination of harmful heavy metals from the body.
DANDELION ROOT -- Increases the flow of bile. Can be
taken as a tea.
taken as a tea.
| FOODS TO ENJOY |
- FRESH FRUIT -- Go easy on grapefruit. A compound in grapefruit called naringin can significantly
inhibit liver detoxification enzymes and should be avoided during detoxification. - FRESH
VEGETABLES -- except corn, which can be an allergenic food. Great detox foods include broccoli,
cauliflower, broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables. -
RICE -- Rice is easily digested by most people. Choose brown or basmati rice, rice cakes, rice
crackers and rice pasta. - QUINOA, AMARANTH, MILLET, BUCKWHEAT -- can be used instead
of rice. They can be purchased at a health food store. - BEANS -- Split yellow and green
peas and lentils are easy to digest and require less soaking time. Other beans include kidney
beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans. - NUTS and
SEEDS -- Unsalted nuts, seeds and nut butters can be sprinkled over any meal. Includes flaxseed,
pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Avoid peanuts. - FISH -- Poached, broiled or steamed fish in moderation.
- EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE
OIL - CONDIMENTS -- Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, naturally fermented soy sauce or
tamari, any culinary herbs or spices, limited amounts of honey. - HERBAL TEA -- Herbal non-
caffeinated teas, except green tea. - WATER, LEMON WATER, JUICES, RICE MILK
FOODS TO AVOID
- SUGAR -- Refined sugar and mixtures containing refined sugar including sucrose, dextrose, corn
syrup, brown sugar, turbinado. Avoid artificial sweeteners. - DAIRY PRODUCTS -- Milk, eggs,
butter and other dairy products. - WHEAT -- Wheat and products containing wheat.
-
GLUTEN -- All gluten-containing grains, including barley, oats, rye, spelt and kamut. Some people
are sensitive to gluten, a protein fragment in these grains. - CORN -- Corn and all corn
products - YEAST
- CAFFEINE -- Coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, black tea, green
tea and other drinks containing caffeine. - ALCOHOL
- FOOD ADDITIVES AND
PRESERVATIVES - CHOCOLATE
- HIGH-FAT FOODS
DAILY MUST-DO'S
- Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day. Water is essential to clear waste from the blood.
Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. - Do not drink liquids around mealtime.
- Dilute fruit
juice with 50% water. - Take the time to chew food well, especially grains.
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