DETOXING FOR HEALTH....

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor
(B.Appl Sci: Comp Med, Clin Chiro: Masters, B.Nursing)

With parties, indulgent nights out and insufficient sleep, your body may be telling you that it is time to detoxify. The winter months also don’t help as people tend to eat more 'warming' or heavier foods, which generally means high fat meals. Winter diets can often lack nutrition from vegetables (mainly due to seasonal unavailability and because of the fact that winter meals are cooked rather than raw). If sugar and alcohol are added to the equation, the body is placed under duress to function optimally. 

The body has an impressive ability to detoxify after boozy nights, fatty meals, and mild poison ingestion, however every now and then is a little a little help goes a long way… And this is where detoxing comes into play. Most people are totally unaware or ignore the signs and symptoms associated with toxicity, and in many cases leads to ill health or persistent ailments such as bloating, headaches, sluggishness and poor immunity. This can all be avoided when lifestyle changes are implemented, thus restoring and enhancing 'health'. In order to augment the detoxification process specific supplements/ herbs, as well as probiotics may be recommended to assist the efficiency of your body’s natural detoxification functions.

Why detoxification is important...

Besides the obvious ailments leading someone to undertake a cyclic detox, there are many reasons why 'detoxing for health' is a great concept.

The human body is an incredible machine, which is able to self-heal and self-regulate. Very simply, the liver and kidneys are the primary organs of detoxification (the gut, lungs and skin are also able to eliminate waste). Every day the nervous system sends and receives vital messages in response to environmental stimulus. This communication occurs between the brain and the organs of the body, allowing such processes as waste elimination to occur. Without this innate process our health status would be deplorable, in fact we would be in big trouble. 

If the body is not eliminating and detoxifying effectively and efficiently each day, we are more susceptible to parasitic invasion and poor immunity, gut dysbiosis (overgrowth of 'bad' bacteria), a compromised ability to cope with stress, leaky gut syndrome, offensive body and foot odour, headaches, muscle fatigue and pain (non-exercise related), skin rashes (eczema etc), poor short term memory, fatigue and mood swings.

Symptoms aside, even if you 'feel great' and your body is eliminating efficiently, periodic cleansing or detoxing is a great step towards health prevention and may increase energy, slow the rate of cellular aging (due to a reduction in free radicals in the bloodstream), improve digestion, aid weight loss, reduce the risk of colon cancer & digestive ailments, improve nutrient absorption and increase vitality.  

There are many factors involved in maintaining and achieving optimal health, although internal cleanliness is possibly one of the most important factors and a magnesium oxide colon cleanse is a beneficial option. This supplement literally flushes waste out of the bowel by increasing the osmolarity (water pressure) of the gut leading to a very effective liquid elimination.

DETOX GUIDE:

For health it is essential to have minimal toxic load, minimal free radicals and efficient waste removal. There are many theories that exist about periodic detoxing, of which all promote regular cleansing and flushing of the digestive system. How often and for how long you do your cleanse is a personal choice.

For your health and safety, during your detox period, ensure that you are under the supervision of your preferred health care practitioner.

            

1. Eat high water content foods

During a cleansing period, be sure to eat an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Consume organic produce where possible and eat a varied diet. Ingesting a diet that has 'high water content' allows the body to maintain hydration, and at the same time has a cleansing function for the gut.

In order to reduce free radicals in the bloodstream have plenty of antioxidants (from sources such as; brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, spirulina, gojiberries, incaberries, acaiberries, olive leaf extract and noni).

Provided there is no issue with fructose-intolerance, a great ‘high-water’ start to a detox day is with a fruit salad, a fruit smoothie (with almond milk) or some fresh home-made juice (use a cold-press juicer so that all goodness is retained). On day one, lunch and snacks can be salads and cut veggies and dinner may be steamed vegetables and soup. After the first day, add some protein and healthy fats to your meals for sustenance and repair.

In order to get the most out of a detox program, avoid: dairy, coffee, wheat, tap water, alcohol, cigarettes, sugar, processed foods, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavouring, additives and preservatives.

2. Food combining & optimal digestion

For the past 30 years a ‘food combining’ movement has existed. 'Food combining' theorises that by not combining complex proteins with complex carbohydrates and by not eating fruit after midday that digestion and health may improve. This theory has elements of logic and at the same time makes no sense. The flaw that science/ physiology points out is that the human body produces a variety of digestive enzymes that are capable of digesting any meal at any time. On the other hand, some people report that after a meal where they have combined carbohydrates with proteins they feel tired, bloated and gassy. Perhaps test out the theory for yourself, and observe how you feel after each meal. By implementing food combining principals you may notice; increased energy, reduced constipation, weight loss and a reduction in bloating and flatulence. 

4. Organic Food & Supplements

There has been much speculation, enquiry and research into the advantages of eating organic foods and products. The likelihood of there being greater nutritional value in organic produce may be_­ questionable, however the greatest benefit of organic is simply the reduced toxic load. Organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers or genetic modification. For those who are not convinced, just think of how sweet, juicy and tasty an organic home-grown tomato is, grown naturally just as nature intended.

5. Water

Water is essential to human survival and even more important during a detox period. The amount of water a person should drink is dependent on body type/ composition. A smaller person may like to drink 1.5L-2L, whereas a larger person may like to drink 2L-3L a day. In an attempt to avoid heavy metals, bacteria, slime, rust, chemicals and industrial by-products (such as fluoride) always drink filtered water. A helpful tip is to enhance water with fresh lemon. This augments the cleansing process and at the same time makes water a little more refreshing and appealing. Interestingly, Chinese people have for thousands of years started their day with 1/2 a fresh lemon squeezed into warm water to aid digestion before breakfast. Try it today!

With today’s unhealthy or indulgent lifestyle it is apparent that periodic detoxification is a positive adjunct to a healthy lifestyle. In order to support compliance, try not to be too strict (but at the same time stay away from doughnuts and custard tarts!). For the best results, implement a detox at least 2 times a year, for at least 1-4 week. Keep in mind that detoxing isn't necessarily an enjoyable or pleasant practice, and you may feel tired, suffer from withdrawal headaches, muscle aches and sluggishness, however at its conclusion your body will benefit and within a week or so you should be feeling great.

Remember, taking healthy action is a step closer to better health. Enjoy the salads... Enjoy the freshly squeezed juices... Enjoy the results, and good luck with your detox.