Detox cleanse 101
Posted on June 15, 2009
I've been reading a lot about different detox diets and have been figuring out the healthiest way to cleanse. After 6 hours (that's all I could handle) on the Master Cleanse, I knew there had to be a healthier way to rid myself of toxins, and eliminate diary (I have allergies), caffeine (a 15-year habit from the workforce) and sugar (a sweet tooth and love of all bread products).
I dusted off a cleanse program that my holistic physician at the George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine gave me a few years ago, and picked up the book Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger.
The basics of both programs are identical: eliminate processed foods, added sugar, dairy and dairy substitutes, wheat & gluten products, nightshade vegetables, soybean products, caffeine, alcohol, pork and red meat. The purpose: give your digestive system a rest by consuming all natural foods, no processed foods and more liquid meals. Unlike a fast which puts your body into starvation mode, cleansing is designed to support detoxification and allow your liver and digestive tract to rest, while renewing your body's vitality.
The need to cleanse and detoxify our bodies has grown as the number and quantity of poisonous compounds in the air, water and food have increased. Toxins are obstacles to normal cell function -- and they cause irritation and inflammation. Toxins damage cells and tissues, and can go on to damage the body's systems. By eliminating toxins for a period of time, you allow your body to heal itself, cells, tissues and the digestive lining to help improve the efficiency for absorbing nutrients.
Dr. Alejandro suggests cleansing for at least 7 days, my doctor suggested up to 30 days. I'm trying 7 days, we'll see how it goes after that. And I'll be sharing my recipes and the effects of cleaning out all the toxins.
I dusted off a cleanse program that my holistic physician at the George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine gave me a few years ago, and picked up the book Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger.
The basics of both programs are identical: eliminate processed foods, added sugar, dairy and dairy substitutes, wheat & gluten products, nightshade vegetables, soybean products, caffeine, alcohol, pork and red meat. The purpose: give your digestive system a rest by consuming all natural foods, no processed foods and more liquid meals. Unlike a fast which puts your body into starvation mode, cleansing is designed to support detoxification and allow your liver and digestive tract to rest, while renewing your body's vitality.
The need to cleanse and detoxify our bodies has grown as the number and quantity of poisonous compounds in the air, water and food have increased. Toxins are obstacles to normal cell function -- and they cause irritation and inflammation. Toxins damage cells and tissues, and can go on to damage the body's systems. By eliminating toxins for a period of time, you allow your body to heal itself, cells, tissues and the digestive lining to help improve the efficiency for absorbing nutrients.
Dr. Alejandro suggests cleansing for at least 7 days, my doctor suggested up to 30 days. I'm trying 7 days, we'll see how it goes after that. And I'll be sharing my recipes and the effects of cleaning out all the toxins.
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