Encouragement is something we all need once in a while, and most of the time we tend to turn to the people closest to us or even professionals just to get it.
It’s hard to stay consistent when you’re not seeing results, which to me is what makes detoxing great.
With detox depending on the type and length, it can have a significant impact on your health, body, and mind immediately.
We all know of people close to us be it immediate family, friends or co-workers who can benefit so make sure to share this article!
So what do we mean when we say health?
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, health is the condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness or the state of being well.
Being healthy on the other hand means being in a good physical or mental condition.
Therefore having this in mind, there are simple steps that one can take to support the journey towards a great healthy lifestyle.
Such a significant step is one that we are going to indulge in this article today.
Detoxification or as it commonly known as Detox is not what you may think it is.
For most, it’s a quick and easy way to flush and maintain healthy digestive, for others it’s a full transformation into a healthy eating, physical, and lifestyle.
What is detox?
It is straightforward. We detox to get rid of the toxins in our body.
What Are These Toxins?
Toxins are substances that are considered to cause physical damage or harm and can even prove to be fatal if taken in large doses or amounts.
When an individual continues to consume large quantities of toxins, his or her body becomes saturated with it, and this means that the levels of the substance being high in the body, can be fatal.
This mostly happens with consumption of substances like alcohol which leads to alcohol poisoning.
Caffeine which when taken in excess poses a significant risk to the body.
Intake of sweet substances which leads to increased risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease just to mention a few.
As well as a diet filled with preservatives and commercial food.
With this in mind, most people in the world today have realized that detoxification is of great importance if they want to live to see their grandchildren.
What is Detoxification?
The different school of thoughts have defined detoxification or rather detox (as many of us know it), in very many ways but with the core principle of these definitions being the removal of harmful substances.
Within the natural health field, detoxification has developed its own extraordinary meaning.
When detoxification occurs, there is a removal of potentially damaging and harmful substances from your diet, your environment, and even our bodies.
This in the long or short run will affect us directly or indirectly.
In essence, the body can detoxify itself, and this is because it has several systems in place specifically put there for that job, which is removing waste.
There is the excretory system that plays the largest role in detoxification.
Other organs compose the excretory system as well.
The main ones are the large intestines, kidneys, skin, liver and the lungs.
The good thing about a detoxification program is that it helps in cleansing our colon, kidneys, and liver.
A person’s vitality is reduced when regularly exposed to such harmful substances.
Thankfully, the process of detoxification can clear off the toxic substances that have accumulated in our bodies and getting our system stressed.
Natural Detoxification
Cleansing of the body has been apart of nearly all early cultures including much indigenous North American Indians using individual plants believed to have had some advantages in the body.
Individual plants can be used in supporting different systems in our bodies, and this includes the digestive or urinary system.
Natural supplements assisting in this particular way, are usually not taken for an extended period but a specified time.
Some plants when used wisely and sensibly, can come in handy for cleanses.
When doing a detox, you can start in very many ways that do not have to be necessarily time-consuming.
In fact, it is effortless for you to start taking one or two initiative about your health today. Below are some tips that are quite helpful on your detoxification journey.
Detox Diet
One good way to start a detox diet is by giving our bodies a break and rest from foods that have been causing a strain on our digestive systems.
Such foods that have been highly processed and has been stripped of most of its healthy nutrients is sugar.
To begin, you can start by substituting refined sugar with fruits. Naturally, fruits contain high fruit sugar which is known as fructose. Anytime you want to feel energized, just get a fruit and eat it.
You will get the energy and vibrancy as it.
It’s even high in vitamins.
Try and avoid foods that are rich in sugars that are refined. Examples of such foods with refined sugars include but are not limited to chocolates, cakes, sauces, ice creams, many canned drinks, and fruits.
Consuming Organic Fresh Farm Produce
Another way to develop a detox diet is by taking the initiative to consume fresh farm produce.
In this current times, the best food to probably purchase is organic food.
Supermarkets are also currently having the options of free range fresh vegetables and some organic products which is a perfect thing in this day and age because of the convenience.
On the other hand, the next best option would be to purchase these fruits and vegetables from the local markets as the chances of them having been sprayed heavily is quite small as compared to the pre-packaged foods.
If one can also get the fresh farm produce from the actual farm, that would be the number 1 option as one is less exposed to harmful chemicals, insecticides, and fertilizers.
Fresh Mineral Water Consumption
Water has got numerous benefits to our bodies, and it has been incorporated in various detox diet programs.
Water to be consumed should be checked as it could contain heavy metals having passed through old pipes which are rusty and this could pose an even greater danger.
Since water provides our bodies with life giving minerals, it is then very crucial to invest in drinking mineral water that is bottled or getting a healthy drinking supply of water.
A Detox Diet Plan
Now, it is imperative to note that people detox differently and for very different reasons and this is because we are created uniquely from each other.
For some, it could be disease related while for others it could be for weight reasons.
I would quickly want to touch on weight loss.
One way to get rid of the unwanted weight is by coming up with a detox diet plan.
This just means filling up on the veggies, fruits, beans, water (at least drink your current body weight in ounces), healthy fats, avocado, fish oil, canola, nuts e.t.c., lean protein, turkey breast, fish, chicken e.t.c.
And finally and most importantly, fiber from fruits and vegetables.
Aside from filling up with the foods mentioned above, one should also take a voluntary initiative of cutting out on caffeine, alcohol and other liquid calories.
Soft drinks and sports drinks have unwanted added sugar levels.
There are many detox diet plans, and many people have tried quite a number of them.
A simple sample of a “Detox” Diet Plan can look like:
Meal 1:
Squeeze a lemon or cucumber in 2 cups of water.
Serve 2 whole eggs with sautéed vegetables of your choice in about 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Pair with a fruit of your choice e.g. A handful of strawberries
Meal 2:
1 handful of any nuts of your choice e.g. Pistachios
1 fruit of your choice e.g. Apple
Meal 3:
Squeeze a lemon or cucumber in 2 cups of water.
Make a large salad with a 3-4 cup base of vegetables, 4 oz of grilled chicken, black beans a cup, mix together and squeeze the juice of an orange and for dressing, use a balsamic-based vinaigrette dressing.
Meal 4:
Squeeze a lemon or cucumber in 2 cups of water.
Mix avocado, 1 sliced tomato, and salmon with a pinch is black pepper and salt. Mix all the
ingredients with 1 tea spoon dressing of balsamic vinaigrette.
Meal 5:
Grilled 4 oz chicken marinated in balsamic vinaigrette.
Pair with 1/2. Favorite vegetables and grilled squash marinated in balsamic vinaigrette
Bake a small sweet potato.
Recommended Foods for Detoxification
There are many techniques you can follow and supplements you can take when it comes to detoxification of your body.
Some detox diets recommend only water and juice, while others allow whole foods that are easy to digest.
The Northwestern Health Sciences University recommends following a detox that meets your basic nutritional needs and not putting your body into starvation mode.
Since many people prefer the most natural and safest way to detox, many go for foods that can aid in this detox process.
When following a detox diet, I cannot emphasize more that refined and processed foods such as chemically enhanced foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial flavors should be avoided in every possible way.
The following is a list of the detox foods that are perfect for anybody’s diet.
Green Foods
Greens such a spinach, kale, arugula, alfalfa and other greens that are leafy and organic give our digestive tract a boost of chlorophyll that aids in detoxification.
The chlorophyll from these leafy greens enables the body to get rid of the harmful environmental toxins that come from toxic metals such as cleaning products, pesticides, and even herbicides. Chlorophyll also helps the liver in detoxification.
Garlic
One of the best detoxifying food that is widely used is garlic.
Adding sliced garlic to a particular meal that one is having will help any detox diet.
Garlic helps the liver to produce detoxification enzymes that filter toxic residues from our digestive system.
Fruits
The high liquid content in fruits helps the body wash out toxins. Fruits are usually high in antioxidants, fiber, nutrients and necessary vitamins.
They are also easy to digest, and that is why they are included in most detox diet plans.
Oranges, Limes, and Lemons
The digestive tract is jump-started with the enzymatic process, and all this happens with the help of the citrus fruits which also flush out the toxins.
The cleansing processes of the liver and the kidneys is supported a lot by the lemon juices.
It is recommended that one starts his or her morning with a warm glass of lemon water to increase the process of detoxification.
Green Tea
One important benefit of green tea is that it washes toxins from the system through its liquid content as it is packed with antioxidants.
The particular type of antioxidants known as catechins is also known to increase the functions of the liver.
Broccoli Sprouts
It is kind of interesting to note that the broccoli sprouts are even more efficient in detoxing than the fully grown vegetables.
The broccoli sprouts are very high in antioxidants which give it the ability to stimulate detoxification enzymes at the cellular level.
Raw Vegetables
These vegetables, whether eaten raw or juiced, provide an excellent foundation for a healthy diet.
These food combinations help the liver to remove all toxic substances during the cleaning process.
These vegetables are naturally very high in sulfur which helps the liver detoxify harmful chemicals.
Some of these vegetables are broccoli, carrots, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, garlic, turmeric, just to mention a few,
Nuts and Seeds
Sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds and even flax seed should be incorporated in your diet as they are more easily digestible seeds and nuts.
Omega-3 Oils
To help lubricate intestinal walls, it is essential to use fish, avocado or even flax seed oil while detoxing.
Mung beans
Mung Beans absorb toxic residue from the intestinal walls, and Ayurvedic doctors have used this bean for thousands of years.
Whole Grains
Without taxing your digestive system, these complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy.
When on a detox diet, portion sizes of whole grains should be small and should be eaten early in the day.
Examples of these whole grains are brown and wild rice, steel-cut oatmeal and quinoa.
These whole grains should be free of any sauces or salt when being eaten during detox.
Avocados
We eat avocados as guacamole or have a few slices on our breakfast, but this healthy-fat fruit is an excellent detox superstar.
Avocados help the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals, and this helps our bodies to get rid of unwanted toxins.
This is because avocados contain glutathione.
Basil
Apart from this herb that is giving salads a very refreshing after-taste it also helps in elimination of chemicals in the blood and also metabolic breakdown.
Benefits of Detoxing the Body
The question frequently asked is if detox diet programmers good for an individual.
Seemingly, there are equal amounts of recommendations and warnings for detoxing, and this makes it quite confusing for a person thinking of a detox diet program.
As long as one can get it right, he or she will be helping his or herself in several different ways which I will outline below, and this is after the person has followed an organized detox program.
Weight Loss
When detoxing, a healthier way of long term eating habits is established and one gets rid of unhealthy eating habits.
The sad part is that rapid weight loss and rapid reduction in calories is what is focused on by the media.
Therefore, if an individual does not make it a point to replace bad foods with the good, then the short term results will not last.
The new found energy should be used to exercise more.
Stronger Immune System
After detoxification, the body organs are now free to function the way they should.
This, in turn, helps in giving the immune system the boost it requires.
Light exercises during detox circulate the lymph fluid through the body helping it to drain and in the process strengthening the immune system.
Better Breath
Following a detox plan that includes colon cleanse is very important as those toxins need to be released from the body.
Bad breath comes about as a result of a backed up colon.
Your breath can improve when you are able to clear the colon and get the digestive system functioning well.
Clearer Thinking
Meditation is often recommended just as a way of getting in touch with your body during this time of cleansing toxins.
People who detox ten to agree that they think more clearly during a detox and that they tend to lose that sense of fogginess.
This makes sense because all the sugar and fat filled foods that surround us daily make us feel quite lethargic and can also affect the quality of our thinking.
Improved Skin
During and mostly after detox is when our skin shows great positive results as it is the largest part of our body.
At the end of your detox plan, you can expect clearer and smoother skin.
Before clearing up, you can notice that your skin itches and even patchy, but this is a sign that you are on the right track with the detoxification program.
Healthy Hair
This is a crucial factor, especially for women.
Detox can help the hair grow uninhibited by removal of internal toxins.
In most cases, the hair feels very soft to the touch and even gets shinier.
This is the reason we should keep our bodies functioning at their maximum through a regular detoxing regiment.
Boosts Your Energy
While detoxing, you are stopping the influx of things that caused you to need to detox in the first place, and I is for this reason that after a detox program, many followers report feeling more energetic.
By consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables, you will get a natural boost that comes without a resultant crash.
Rids the Body of Any Excess Waste
Allowing the body to rid itself of any excess waste that it has been storing is the biggest thing that detoxing helps with.
One important part of the detox process is cleansing the colon as those toxins need to exit the body.
A backed up colon can cause to be reintroduced back to the body, rather than leaving as planned.
This is why it is crucial to eat fruits and vegetables even after the detox program is over.
Promotes Healthy Changes
One way to put a big wedge between your old and new ways is by beginning a detox program to help you kill the cravings and to change a long standing habit.
Cleansing the body and replacing he did foods with healthier choices helps you to be more likely to stick to your new clean habits and retrain yourself.
In conclusion, to make detoxing a part of your health routine is important to both your physical and mental state.
You don’t even need a doctor to detoxify your body.
Detox drinks are quite easy to make as there are quite some vegetables and fruits that stimulate detoxification while providing minerals and vitamins that keep the body functioning well. Experiment with detox today and notice how light, fresh and clear-headed you feel afterward.