BODY CLEANSING AND DETOXIFICATION
I am in the fourth day of my first time ever body cleanse. I finally feel like I’m on the upswing of this experience and I feel like sharing, as well as recommending, body cleansing and detoxification for health and weight loss.
Background:
Body cleansing or detoxification, is a treatment in Alternative Medicine which can rid the body of accumulated harmful toxins that exert a negative effect on individual health. Cleansing is based on the Ancient Egyptian and Greek idea of “Autointoxication” (Poisoning of the body by toxins formed within the body). Even though detoxification based approaches fell out of favor in the early 20th century, the idea has persisted and is beginning to become popular again in recent years.
The main function of the bowel is to facilitate the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients and to facilitate the elimination of waste matter from the body. When the colon and the bowels do not function properly due to poor elimination harmful toxins and waste may build up in the colon which contributes to overall poor or impaired health. Cleansing supports and promotes optimal health and wellness and supports a healthy digestive system and healthy skin and hair as well as healthy energy levels, blood sugar levels and cardiovascular function.
The definition of a Toxin is: “A poisonous substance, especially a protein that is produced by living cells or organisms and is capable or causing disease when introduced into the body. “ A toxin may also be bacterial which we will discuss a little later.
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance is able to damage an exposed organism. There are three types of toxicity:
Chemical toxins include Inorganic substances like lead, mercury, asbestos, hydrofluoric acid and chlorine gas. Organic compounds such as methyl alcohol, most medications and poisons from living things.
Biological toxins include bacteria and viruses that are able to induce disease in living organisms. Theoretically one virus or bacteria can cause serious infection. However in a host with an intact immune system the toxicity of the organism is balanced by the host’s ability to fight back.
Physical toxins include things not usually thought of under the heading of “toxic” by many people such as: direct blows, concussion, sound and vibration, heat and cold, non-ionizing electro magnetic radiation (infra red and visible light).
There are various modalities of body cleansing:
Colon Cleansing: A program to help detoxify the body by cleansing toxins and impurities from the colon. You can rid yourself of harmful toxins and restore normal healthy bowel function.
Colon Therapy is a detox regime which uses Colonics to cleanse the colon ridding the colon and intestinal area of toxic build up. This is a somewhat intrusive procedure consisting of 5 - 25 gallons of water pumped into the colon through the rectum flushing out wastes and toxins.
Many who choose this form of colon cleansing say this is a very relaxing and comforting procedure.
Dietary Restrictions: Simply tweaking your diet is not sufficient for detoxing needs. You will need to use a detoxing program designed to facilitate and maximize the effects of the body’s cleansing. There is:
Fasting, which is abstaining from food which allows the body to focus on it’s own cleansing without further introducing toxins which slow down the process. All fasts allow you to consume water, which is necessary for the purification process and to keep the body hydrated. Some allow freshly blended fruit or vegetable juices or a lemon based drink throughout the duration of the fast.
Specific Detox Diets may contain organic food and drink, whole, unprocessed foods (grains, nuts, seeds), lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, 2 liters of water per day, certain herbs to aid the detoxification process.
Most detox programs avoid:
Dairy, Red Meat, Sugar
Processed and refined foods
Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and drugs
Dietary Supplements: Many detox diets incorporate herbal supplements to aid in the cleansing process. There may also be special vitamins and supplements that are proven antioxidants to help the body purge itself of toxins.
Detox diets can vary in length from one week to one month. It is recommended that for your first detox, you choose a gentler, shorter program as your body will be shocked at the drastic changes necessary for the program’s success. Deciding which detox program is best for you is a choice that only you (and your physician) can make.
I personally chose the *5 Day Cleansing Program from Youngevity. The program consists of herbal supplements (which comes in capsule form - I know me, if I didn’t like the taste of the product I wouldn’t have finished it), Organic Apple Juice and of course Water. It also allows for a healthy energy drink ( I used *Trion from Ovation Lifestyles. *#Pollen Burst from Projoba is also good - both are sugar free) throughout the day to boost energy and clear vegetable soup broth to help ward off hunger pangs.
What to Expect:
If you, like me have never detoxed before, you may have no idea what to expect. First of all detoxification is not easy. If possible, detox with a buddy or family member or at least stay in contact with someone who has done a detox for the moral support and coaching to help get you through it. (Thank you for your support TW! I probably would not have made it through without you.)
Physical symptoms you may or may not experience during this time could include: headaches, chills, flu like symptoms, bowel changes, skin eruptions, skin rashes, nausea, fatigue, lightheadedness, and wakefulness at night. You may also experience cravings for sugar or proteins. These are all normal responses and are a good sign that your body is getting rid of toxins so hang in there.
Suggestions to help with these symptoms:
Remember to drink water. This is what enables your body to flush the toxins out of the body. If you have a headache do not take otc pain relievers. These too are toxic, drink more water.
Are you cold? Wrap yourself in a blanket and get comfy. If you can’t do that, then drink a hot cup of natural Green or Peppermint tea, have a hot bath or dress warmly.
Constipation/bloating a problem? This is an indication that your body is dumping toxins faster than your bowels can handle them. You need to keep things moving. Try drinking more water.
Nausea/Loose stool: Try easing up on the cleanse a bit by lowering the dosage.
Fatigue: a little exercise may be helpful, but nothing too strenuous. Try to relax as much as you can. Your body will thank you.
I have one more day before reintroducing food - which should be done slowly by the way and plan to use this as the stepping stone to incorporating a healthier diet into my lifestyle. No sense doing a body cleanse and going back to an unhealthy diet!
So here’s to a diet of more natural/organic foods which provide nutrients which are required for cell construction. Dietary fiber is another food component which influences health even though it is not actually absorbed into the body. Any diet that fails to meet minimum nutritional requirements can threaten general health
Essential Fatty Acids are required for brain and cell membrane construction. Vitamins and minerals help maintain proper electrolyte balance and are required for many metabolic processes.
Hmmmmm what shall I eat first?
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