By Laura Burk MPH, RD, LDN, personal trainer
Bring in the New Year by clearing your body of toxins and filling your body cells with nutrition. Reoccurring messages of detoxifying your body are everywhere. Dr. Oz recommends shakes, Cleaning Eating recommends no processed foods, Reboot Nutrition recommends juicing, Virgin Diet recommends eliminating gluten, sugar, artificial sweeteners, eggs, peanuts, dairy, soy, corn, yoga recommends relaxing the body to release toxins, and exercise recommends exerting your body to the point of exhaustion and sweating the toxins out. Detox products such as Advocare, Isogenix, Shakelogy, and Herbalife are everywhere. What detox programs are right for you and do you even need to detox?
What Is Detox?
- To eliminate food, household, environment, and lifestyle toxin from bodies.
- To reduce acidity levels in body (not scientifically proven)
- To reduce risk of chronic diseases, vision loss, aging, and arthritis.
- Restore digestion balance in the gut
- Proliferation of free radicals within bodies
Toxins In Your Body Present As?
- Poor digestion
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Excess weight
- Food allergies and sensitivities
- Bad breath
- Acid reflux
- Parasites
- Sleeping troubles
- Moodiness and mental irritability
- Frequent minor illness such as head colds
- Chronic headaches
- Flatulence
- Chronic fatigue
- Skin rashes, eczema, or other skin conditions.
Why Detox?
- Increase energy
- Increase mental clarity
- Decrease weight
- Improved complexion
- Better breath
- Improved digestion and regularity
- Stronger immune system – fewer colds and illnesses
- Improved sense of wellbeing
- Better sleep
- Better stress management
Who Should NOT Detox?
- Existing health condition
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Diabetic
- Immune deficiency
- Compromised organs
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems
- Heart disease
What Are The Side Effects Of Detox?
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Mood Swings
- Irritability
What Does Detox Diet Include?
- Eliminate any synthetic chemicals and stimulants
- Eliminate foods such as dairy, wheat, white flour products, sugar, soft drinks, and caffeine
- Include many fresh, organic, green juices and/or smoothies (perhaps to the exclusion of solid food)
- Drink plenty of water
- Include superfoods and plenty of leafy greens (Kale, broccoli, spinach, wheat grass, spirulina)
- Eat nutrient-rich foods such as organic fruits and vegetables and whole grains,
- Include foods, herbs and teas that are known to help detoxify the body
- Often includes an herbal preparation such as teas, tinctures, or pills to aid the removal of toxins.
When choosing a detox program for you, find one that fits your lifestyle. If you need food, try a detox vitamins, minerals, and liquids done for you. If you’re unsure if a detox plan is right for you, ask your doctor. When undergoing regular medical treatment, it’s always a good idea to get a health practitioner’s approval before you make any significant lifestyle changes.
Try this simple Detox guideline below to start reducing toxins in your body and feeling more energy right now. For more ideas or questions please contact Laura at lburk@elb-consulting.com
Simple Detox Guidelines
- Drink plenty of water all day long. At least your ½ your body weight in ounces
- No food after 7:00pm
- Sleep 8 hours a night
- Exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day
- No Caffeine (sorry J)
- Every morning, drink room temperature water with lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to cleanse your liver and stimulates circulation.
- Sip herbal tea all day if you would like.
- More fruits and vegetables the better. (Eat more not less)
- Lean carbohydrates for breakfast such as oatmeal or millet with cinnamon, almonds, and pears.
- Drink as much green juice that your stomach can handle. Juice or blend cucumber, celery, broccoli stems, kale, romaine, one pear, and inch piece of gingerroot.
- Plain (no dressing) salads for lunch.
- Drink soup for dinner.