Your Own Personalized Detox

 


Tailor your next cleanse to suit your specific needs and get the results you really want.


By by Rob Ayoup, ND

 

Ideally we'd all live away from pollution. Since moving to an isolated island isn't possible, detox may be our best choice at cleansing our body. The only problem is deciding which detox to try. Navigating the cleansing world can be a confusing territory. Do you refrain from all meat and dairy? Or you do you allow some organic meats in your plan? You may even ask yourself why you should bother to detox at all.

In simple terms, detox diets accomplish two things: they reduce unnecessary biochemicals that we ingest through our diet and the local environment and they provide us with specific nutrients needed by our organs to work at an optimal level.

Our intestines, liver, kidneys, and skin form a protective system for the body — our own natural detox. Anything we eat or drink first passes from the intestines through the liver before it reaches the body's bloodstream. The liver tags biochemicals, which allows the kidneys to easily recognize and remove toxins from the bloodstream. Toxins are then removed through urine. When the body becomes overly toxic, it becomes difficult for these organs to do their job. A detox diet removes as many toxins as possible to give the organs a rest. When you return to your normal diet, they will be relaxed and able to work better.


Detox basics

Most detox plans have common themes. A good detox should remove additives, increase the consumption of antioxidants, and replace wheat and dairy in your diet. A detox will encourage you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as 100 percent pure juices (and some even allow free range chicken breasts and fish).

You can branch out and try new vegetables and fruits or stick to your old standbys. The key is to buy fresh and organic whenever possible. As for wheat and dairy, they are more difficult for the body to digest and often induce food sensitivities and allergies. A detox will encourage you to replace these foods with non-allergenic and easy-to-digest foods such as: 100 percent rye and millet breads, brown rice, kamut, spelt, amaranth, buckwheat, rice and almond milk, and hemp.

Herbal supplements are also recommended in most detox programs. Potassium found in dandelion root acts as a diuretic to help cleanse the kidneys. Its choline content stimulates bile flow from the gallbladder, helping the liver to clear toxins. By contrast, silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, plays an essential role in protecting liver cells against the effects of a wide variety of toxins.

Getting personal


From those annoying breakouts on your face to flabby love handles, a basic detox cleanse can be tailored according to your specific goals. Follow the general themes of detox outlined in the previous page and then consider these add-ons to make your plan more personal and effective.


Intestinal Detox

An intestinal detox involves increasing the components needed to optimize digestion, absorption, and intestinal function. This type of detox will help reduce bloating, indigestion, and constipation.

Probiotics are key here as they replenish the “good” bacteria your body may be missing, while preventing unwanted toxins from seeping into your body. Along with probiotics, try digestive enzymes, which will continue to help you absorb nutrients during your detox.

To help you digest food during your detox, consider a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme — this will help you digest carbohydrates, protein, and starches. Chicory tea is also a great way to encourage probiotics to cultivate more helpful bacteria. (Think of chicory tea as food for your probiotics.)


Acne Detox

Licorice root, via its glycyrrhizin content, can help reduce inflammation seen with acne. (Note: If you have high blood pressure refrain from using this supplement since glycyrrhizin reduces the breakdown of cortisol, a blood pressure elevating compound.)

Omega-3 fish oil and vitamin A are also ideal supplements for an acne detox. They help maintain epithelial tissues that make up the skin. This ensures adequate hydration and skin layer renewal, keeping skin smooth. (Note: Pregnant women should consider speaking to their doctors about taking vitamin A, as high doses exceeding 10,000IU per day can cause fetal malformations.)

Supplementing with the herb Burdock is also valuable. A time-tested approach is to treat the skin by supporting the liver. If liver detox capabilities are overwhelmed, the burden is placed on the skin to help clear toxins. Burdock stimulates liver function while simultaneously reducing acne inflammation though its high antioxidant content.


Weight-loss Detox

Body fat is an ideal storage area for toxins; a cleanse will stimulate toxin release and, therefore, healthy weight loss. In addition to a standard liver detox, consider high-fibre supplements. Fibre promotes bowel movement regularity and a sensation of fullness, reducing unhealthy eating habits. Konjac root fibre, oat bran, and inulin help reduce weight, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol since fibre binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract, escorting it out of the body.


Candida Detox

Candida albicans is a benign yeast residing in the digestive tract. However, if the yeast overgrows due to immune or intestinal system weakness it can lead to a wide-range of symptoms including: chronic fatigue, digestive problems, infertility, chronic vaginal yeast infections, and chemical sensitivities.

Consider garlic, onion, and oregano oil supplements to help kill off excess Candida. These contain ingredients such as allicin in garlic and carvacrol oil in oregano that have potent anti-fungal activity. Also, don't forget probiotics to restore balance across the intestinal lining since yeast overgrowth can ‘crowd-out' these health-promoting bacteria.

Overall, the benefits of a detox diet are worthwhile. Not to mention an all-natural household with eco-friendly clothing and cleaning products, essential oil diffusers in place of synthetic air fresheners and jogging along low-traffic roadways could make a difference in your health as well as the environment.