health and wellness

Detoxification 

It might be the right time for detoxification if you are feeling sluggish, bloated, or just feeling out of sync with your body. Other symptoms might be digestive problems, skin problems, aches and pains and the likes.

Practiced for centuries by many cultures around the world - including ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems - detox is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. Co-author, Peter Bennett, N.D., of 7-Day Detox Miracle explains that detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is usually done in a 7 day period by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. Bennett suggests that everyone should detox once per year, but cautions against it without discussing it with your care practitioner first, should your medical conditions not support detoxification.

Where Do You Begin?

There are many choices to detoxification. Finding the right one for you should be the one that suits your lifestyle and personal preference. Be sure to take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.

Juice Fasting

The  best for detoxification, because it supplies an abundance of nutrients, including enzymes and calories to reduce the cleansing intensity to a more comfortable level.  If you do not have a juicer, you can fast by blending fruit and filtering it. You should start on a day that will not require a lot of activity, and a period when stress levels are kept at bay.

Lemon Juice and Honey

This can be easier than water fasting. The honey and lemon supply nutrients that assist in detoxing while the honey provides a more comfortable level as well.

High Fiber Fasting

The high fiber content of fruits and vegetables is excellent for flushing toxic residues out of the body. Begin with drinking at least 2 liters of water per day. Herbal teas are ok as well. Choose fruit and vegetable juice - either carrot or apple juice and include fresh watermelon juice per day. The flesh of the watermelon is high in beta-carotene and vitamin C. The seeds are high in vitamin E, as well as the antioxidant minerals zinc and selenium. You can make a great antioxidant cocktail by blending fresh fruit and seeds in a blender making a great tasting drink.

Eat in Abundance:

Fruit - the most beneficial fruits with the highest detox potential include the flesh apricots, all berries, cantaloupe melons, citrus fruits, kiwis, papayas, peaches, mangoes, melons, and red grapes. Vegetables - especially good are artichokes, peppers, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, kale, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, tomatoes, watercress and bean sprouts. The vegetables should mostly be eaten raw, but can also be lightly steamed.

It is helpful to include exercise, and also to sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration. Not only will you lose a lot of weight in a safe manner, but you will feel light and clean on the inside.