By Anna Martello, ND CHT
Time to Clear Things Up
In today’s fast-paced, fast food, chemical world, our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins from various sources, including environmental pollution, processed foods, metabolic waste and stress. These toxins can accumulate over time, leading to a range of health issues. Detoxification, at times referred to as fasting or cleansing, is a natural process which helps eliminate harmful substances from the body.
Unfortunately, the word detoxification has been overused and mis-used. The word is interpreted in many ways and has strayed further and further away from its original, vital purpose. The concept and function have lost their very essence. In my practice, clients inquire about the latest social media trend and how effective they are. One such program suggests detoxifying the body by adding one tbsp of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water daily. This is an example of a marketing fad which has no resemblance to a true, detoxification program. There are effective and ineffective ways to rid the body of waste and toxins. This example is an incorrect way. Let’s start at the beginning.
Understanding Detoxification
Detoxification is not about purging your body of everything. It’s a gentle process that supports your body’s natural elimination systems while fasting. The fasting process preserves metabolic digestive energy, prohibits the intake of acidic foods, and permits the body to begin the cleansing process. The liver, kidneys, large intestine, skin and lungs are involved in this cleanse. Cellular waste, toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals exit the body through these organs of elimination. A 100% juice and smoothie detox program provides your body with necessary nutrients to help your body function optimally while eliminating toxins found in the layers of tissues and organs. A detox also gives the digestive organs a well-deserved vacation. Some experts say 75% of the body’s energy is used for digestion, due to the multiple organs involved in this vital process. Detoxification is telling your digestive organs “Thank you for keeping me alive and healthy; it’s time to take a well-deserved break.” The body is repeatedly trying to keep itself clean and in balance, and it does this through the natural process of cleansing.
Natural Detoxification Lifestyle Tips
Here are some effective, natural, well-known lifestyle tips you can integrate into your day which support internal cleansing, encourage efficient metabolism, and improve cellular nourishment:
- Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water is essential for flushing out toxins. Aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed, uncooked foods which are rich in nutrients. Include plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, preferably in liquid form during your cleansing program.
- Limit Toxins: Reduce your exposure to harmful substances, such as excessive alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps boost your metabolism and promote detoxification through increased bowel movements and perspiration.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can impair your body’s ability to detoxify. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
- Support Your Liver: Your liver plays a crucial role in detoxification. Consume foods which support liver function, such as dark leafy greens (e.g. dandelion leaves), beets, and garlic. Herbal medicine also plays an important role in liver health, consider Milk Thistle and Dandelion tinctures, teas, or capsules.
- Saunas and Sweating: Sweating can help eliminate toxins through the skin. Consider using a sauna, sit in the sun, or include a cardio workout.
- Rest and Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health. It also helps your body repair its tissues while calming your nervous system through the physical, emotional, and mental demands triggered by detoxification.
Difference Between Lifestyle Choices and Detoxification Programs
Unlike the natural lifestyle detoxification strategies mentioned above, proper detoxification programs offer a structured, disciplined approach to supporting your body’s natural cleansing processes.
There are various types of program options which either scratch the surface of an internal cleanse, or dive deep into a tissue detox. These programs require preparation and commitment. Detoxification programs can last 1 day, 7 days, 20 days, or longer. The longer the detox program, the deeper the cleanse. True detoxification programs share the common goal of helping you eliminate toxins and improve your overall health. True Naturopathy includes detoxification, “…a little-known science of nature that has been used for hundreds of years, by hundreds of thousands of people and animals worldwide. It has restored health and vitality to their physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Detoxification encompasses the sciences of chemistry, biochemistry, botanical science and physics, and has always been at the heart of true healing.”1 (The Detox Miracle Sourcebook, by Robert Morse N.D.)
There are different levels of detoxification programs, some more powerful and detoxifying than others. For example, consuming only raw fruits & vegetables throughout your day has a different cleansing impact as a water fast program. (I do not recommend a water fast without the guidance of an alternative healthcare practitioner). There is a hierarchy of detoxification programs which range in cleansing power. A mono-fruit juice cleanse is different than a raw vegetable detox. They are both important, yet they vary in cleansing strength.
Types of Detoxification Programs
- Juice & Smoothie Cleanses: These programs involve consuming only freshly squeezed juices, or fruits and vegetables in the form of smoothies. It is important to include dark, leafy greens in your juices and smoothies. Dark leafy green vegetables are great options in that they contain many of the necessary minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, however keep in mind that fruits are the ultimate cleansers, and the citrus fruits in particular are the most powerful during a detox.
- Herbal Detox Programs: These programs utilize herbs known for their detoxifying properties. There are herbs which stimulate bowel movements, support the kidneys and lymphatic systems, and support liver health. They involve consuming botanical remedies in the form of teas, powders, tinctures, and capsules.
- Dietary Detox Programs: These programs focus on eliminating certain foods or food groups that are believed to contribute to toxin buildup. They involve following specific living food intake which include the consumption of only raw fruits, vegetables, and salads. These foods begin the detoxification and rehydration processes.
- Colon Cleansing Program: This program aims to cleanse the colon of heavy metals, toxins, parasites, and metabolic waste through dietary changes, supplements, enemas, and scheduled colonic hydrotherapy sessions. Colonic sessions help avoid “healing crises” by eliminating increased toxins and waste moving through the entire colon. If excessive bowel movement is not attained, accumulation of waste becomes too much for the colon to handle, it congests the colon, and causes a “back-up” of feces, negatively impacting your lymphatic system and liver. Healing or cleansing crises may present as asthma, bronchitis, fevers, sweats, coughing, mucus discharge, diarrhea, skin rashes, nausea, and acid reflux, all of which can be avoided with colon hydrotherapy sessions.
- Liver Detox Programs: Such programs focus on supporting liver function, as the liver is a key organ involved in detoxification. They usually involve dietary changes, herbs, and lifestyle modifications. There are programs such as Liver & Gallbladder Flush, which involve the intake of olive oil & fresh lemon juice. (This program should occur under the guidance and supervision of a naturopath or clinical herbal therapist.)
Best Time to Detoxify
Spring and Fall are the two preferable seasons during which we should rid the body of waste. As we transition from spring into summer, and fall into winter, we embark on a cleansing spree, usually by tidying up our cupboards and closets, and eliminating unnecessary items. We clean our external space and so should we clean our internal space. Your body is your temple, your home, and the physical form you use to live life on this earth. Value it, do not take it for granted.
Important Considerations
- Consult with a Healthcare Professional: Before starting any detoxification program, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
- Gradual Approach: Sudden and drastic changes to your diet or lifestyle can be harmful. It’s generally recommended to adopt a gradual approach to detoxification.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Your body continuously speaks to you, therefore be mindful of this dialogue. If you experience any adverse symptoms during a detox program, stop and consult with a healthcare provider. Consider documenting your symptoms and experiences in a journal. Include details of your daily diet, your digestive process, bowel elimination, exercise and sleep patterns, along with any other pertinent physical, mental, and emotional information.
- Focus on Overall Health: While detoxification programs can be beneficial, it is important to focus on overall healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management before and after embarking on a detoxification program.
The Ultimate Goal
Detoxification programs are valuable tools for supporting your body’s natural cleansing processes. However, it’s important to choose a program which is appropriate for you. By combining a detoxification program with healthy lifestyle habits, you can dramatically improve your overall health and well-being. True Naturopathy begins with creating a clean, internal environment. Once the science of detoxification is complete, cellular regeneration can begin.
“Detoxification is not a system of treatment or a way to remove symptoms; it is a system of curing by addressing the cause of the disease. It involves the understanding that the body is the healer, and that energy is at the core of healing. It also sheds light on the true cause of disease – the destruction of energy. Energy or the destruction of energy results from what we eat, drink, breathe, put on our skin, and from what we think and feel. These are the six ways we either make ourselves healthy and vital, or sick and weak.” – Dr. Morse