Why we need to detox our bodies plus a handy 4-day detox guide

Features

Detox - Why Do We Need It?

Toxins and Health

Lack of energy, weight problems, insomnia, mood swings, inability to concentrate, headaches, pains in muscles and joints, eczema, asthma, allergies,hayfever.... Complaints not exclusive to the elderly or unfit, but now frequently experienced by almost everybody - even children!

We are the first generation to be exposed to such a high number of man-made chemicals on a daily basis. Synthetic chemicals are everywhere - in the air we breathe, food, drinking water, carpets, wall-paint, foam-filled furniture and household products. We smoke, drink alcohol, eat junk food, take medicines and cover ourselves in man-chemicals using personal care products loaded with synthetic additives.

A build up of toxins can produce any symptom, in any person, at anytime.
Everyone is not affected equally due to differences in body chemistry.
We not only look different from one another on the outside, we are bio-chemically and genetically unique on the inside.

Each of us has the ability to metabolise (break down and get rid of) foreign chemicals. How well we perform this complicated job depends of our genetic ability and on the extent of the environmental burden of chemicals challenging us.

Although nearly every cell has detoxification capabilities, those in the liver carry out a disproportionately large amount of this activity.

Another major part of the detoxification occurs in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

The wrong intestinal organisms, as well as food additives, pesticides and preservatives can jeopardise the integrity of these pathways in the gut. So these are traditional reasons why attention to the diet is essential for successfully detoxifying the body.

The work of detoxification uses up, and loses forever, energy and important nutrients in the process of detoxifying the chemicals.
It is essential that the body have some kind of support to help cleanse itself of impurities.

Cleansing your body of its accumulated toxins is a great way to boost well-being. You will be surprised ones you get back in touch with how good you can feel.

Detoxification

'Detoxification is the biochemistry of handling potentially harmful chemicals that appear within the system and which must be neutralised before they pass from the body'.

'Detoxification is what your body's chemistry does to rid itself of any unwanted chemicals, whether the chemicals are left from your own metabolism or enter your system from the air you breathe, the food and water you consume,substances you put onto your skin or use to treat your hair, or toxins and allergens produced by the germs that inhabit your intestine'.

'Detoxification handles waste not only from the environment, but also from every process in all the organs and systems of the body'.

Ref: Dr Sidney Baker, specialist in environmental and biochemical aspects of disease.

Preparing your Detox

The most practical way to detox is to stop eating refined and processed foods and just to drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices for a couple of days. Mental rest is of great importance too. It is important, however, to prepare yourself for the detox in advance. A detox can last for one day to one month, but if it is your first time, 2-3 days will make a big difference.

Detoxing can cause a strong physical as well as mental reaction, so plan your detox diet well ahead.

Hide away any tempting processed, fatty and sugary foods.
Cut out tea, coffee, sugar, bread, meat, alcohol and tobacco a week before.
Introduce more and more fresh, organic fruit, vegetables and juices in the week leading to your detox.
Eat lots of brown rice and steamed vegetables.
If you have any health problems always consult you're a naturopath or your GP first.
If you are pregnant do not use the detox diet below but follow the advice to enrich your diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, herbal teas and water and cut out coffee and alcohol.

What is a Detox like?

There is no one way to feel during a detox. Everyone's experience will be different.

A detox will renew and refresh you, but as toxins work their way out from your tissues into the bloodstream you will probably experience some"side-effects". Common detox symptoms are; spots, rashes, headaches,body odour, bad breath, nausea and a runny nose, or diarrhoea or constipation. Some will even get flu-like symptoms, slight depression or experience mood swings. Whatever you experience stick with the programme.

It can be unpleasant, but persevere! All of these "side-effects"are signs that your body is expelling toxins. Try to avoid painkillers, and keep drinking plenty of filtered or bottled water.

Buy organic fruits and vegetables

The detox process will work more efficiently if you choose organic produce.
Organic fruits and vegetables contain more vitamins and trace elements and are free from chemical fertilisers and insecticides.
Below is a list of suitable fruits and vegetables.

Fruits:

Apples - Are excellent for detoxification. Leslie Kenton suggests in her book Detox Now eating nothing but apples for two days. Apples are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Grapes - Stop the formation of mucous in the gut and are good cleansers for the skin, liver, intestines and kidneys. They are a great source of energy as well.

Kiwi fruit - A rich source of vitamin C.

Lemon - Rich in vitamin C.

Pears - Rich in carbohydrates, fibre, folic acid and vitamin C, and a great source of energy.

Strawberries - An excellent source of vitamin C.

Vegetables:

Artichoke - A liver cleanser rich in active ingredients such as the bitter substance cynarin, fatty acids, enzymes and vitamins.

Beetroot - A great detoxifier, most valuable for flushing the kidneys and enriching the blood.

Broccoli - This nutrient rich vegetable is rich in chlorophyll and is thought to help lower the risk of all cancers.

Cabbage - Stimulates the immune system, kills bacteria and cleanses the mucous membranes of the intestinal tract.

Carrots - One of the richest sources of betacarotene, a good digestive aid, skin and eye cleanser.

Celery - Stimulates digestion, and eliminate excessive fluids from the body. Alkaline properties make it a good detoxifier.

Lettuce - Contains calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin A and C. Helps with intestinal and liver function.

Nettle - An excellent blood purifier. Stimulate the metabolism and the kidneys.

Onion - Like garlic, onions look after the heart. They help to thin the blood, regulate blood sugar levels and are anti-bacterial.

Watercress - A great blood cleanser. Has a stimulating effect on the spleen, liver and gallbladder. Aids digestion and elimination of mucous.

Supplements:

There are plenty of supplements to choose from. In the instance of detoxifying your body the following supplements can be recommended - before,during as well as after your detox. Diet.

Seaweed - natures widest variety of essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements in natural balance. Or try Kelp, Spirulina or Chorella. Milk Thistle to support your liver while detoxing. Ginger to support your digestive system. Hawthorn & Artichoke Formula, is a great cleansing and rejuvenating herbal tonic made from organic, cold-pressed herbal juices -excellent for all the family. For more information call the Green People Care-line on: 08702 401444.

Detox Diet

Coffee and tea, bread, sugar and alcohol have not been a part of your diet for a week. Continue to avoid them for a few days after the detox has ended. Before you begin prepare your system by taking a spoonful of flax/linseeds with a large glass of water.

Day one

Morning: Drink a glass of hot water with the juice of half a lemon(200ml).

Rest of the day: Eat grapes whenever you feel hungry. Aim to eat at least 1 kilo of grapes. Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water, herbal teas(try peppermint, camomile or ginger) and freshly squeezed, diluted carrot,celery and apple juice throughout the day. Minimum 8 glasses (200ml each).

Day two

Morning: Drink a glass of hot water with the juice of half a lemon(200ml).

Rest of the day: Drink filtered or bottled water, herbal teas and vegetable juice made from any of the vegetables mentioned in the list above. Dilute with water: one part vegetable juice to one part water. Minimum 8 glasses(200ml each).

Day three

Morning: Raw fruits from the list above. Eat as much as you like. Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water and herbal teas. If you find it difficult to eat raw fruits, try to create various fresh juice blends.

Lunch: Vegetable salad made with the vegetables from the above list. Can be raw or slightly cooked. Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water and herbal teas.

Supper: Vegetable soup made with vegetables from the list above. Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water and herbal teas.

Day four...

Congratulations your detox diet is successfully over!

It is always detox time for our bodies, the body is working 24 hours to eliminate toxins. If you can't live without coffee, alcohol, sugar, bread, meats etc. please introduce them slowly.

Staying Healthy

All you need to do is to make a few 'lifestyle' changes to support optimum health.

Enrich your diet with plenty of fresh organic fruit and vegetables.
Limit your intake of red meat, refined and canned food, sugar, salt,saturated fats, coffee, dairy products and alcohol.
Quit smoking.
Drink 2 pints of water a day.
Exercise regularly.
Switch to organic personal care products.
Replace chemical household cleansers with eco-friendly brands.

The detox diet can be repeated every 3 months.

If you find detox diets an unpleasant session, try Green People's Hawthorn & Artichoke Formula - a simple daily routine for all the family, which will help clear your body of everyday toxins and boost your immune system.

Used regularly as a part of your everyday diet, it will help maintain a healthy immune system, eliminate toxins, aid the absorption of essential nutrients, and provide essential vitamins, minerals and live enzymes (essential in promoting digestive health and overall energy levels) on a daily basis.

Organic Juice Cocktails

Carrot & Apple

3 carrots, 1 apple

Feed all the vegetables into the juicer - blitz and stir. Dilute with water and sip slowly.

Apple & Red Grape

2 apples, 225g red grapes

Feed the fruits into the juicer - blitz and stir. Dilute with water and sip slowly

Carrot & Celery

4 carrots, 5 chopped celery sticks

Feed all the vegetables into the juicer - blitz and stir. Dilute with water and sip slowly.

Beetroot, Carrot & Celery

4 carrots, 1 raw beetroot, 3 chopped celery sticks

Feed all the vegetables into the juicer - blitz and stir. Dilute with water and sip slowly.

Apples, Lettuce & Watercress

2 apples, 6 lettuce leaves, a small handful of watercress

Feed the fruit and vegetables into the juicer - blitz and stir. Dilute with water and sip slowly.

Organic Detox Salad

1 Raw beetroot, 2 carrots, 1 cabbage leaf, 6 lettuce leaves, 1 handful of watercress, 1/2 small onion and 6 nettle leaves, 1/4 broccoli.

Grate the beetroot and carrots. Chop the rest of the vegetables and mix all together. Sprinkle with a little olive oil, fresh lemon juice and a clove of garlic. (Try to avoid the use of too much salt).

Organic Vegetable Soup

4 carrots, 2 beetroots, 3 celery sticks, 4 cabbage leaves, 1 onion, 2 cloves of, 1/2 broccoli, 1 litre spring or filtered water, a little watercress.

Chop carrots, beetroot, celery, cabbage, onion, garlic and broccoli into small pieces. Add to water that has been brought to the boil. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Put soup into blender or food processor and blend. Sprinkle with fresh watercress on top.

Further reading:
Detox Now by Leslie Kenton, Vermillion
Detox Plan, Gaia Books
Cleanse Your System by Amanda Ursell, Thorsons
Healing with Herbal Juices by Siegfried Gursche, Alive Books
Juice High by Leslie Kenton, Random House
Detoxification & Healing by Sidney MacDonald Baker, Keats Publishing