A detoxifying diet should support what your body already does naturally. If you eat a healthy diet all the time, you do not need to detox. Most people do not eat a healthy diet all the time. In pre-industrial societies, people ate poorly in the winter, and so detox diets were popular in spring. In modern society, we have the opportunity to eat healthy foods all the time, but most of us choose to eat poorly instead. Whichever detox diet you choose, it should not be drastic. Dr. Anne Louise Gittleman, for example, takes a sensible approach that eases into the diet and back out again.
Prepare for the Detox Diet
Before you begin any detox diet, prepare for two to three weeks by slowly eliminating caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and artificial flavorings and colorings from the diet. Dr. Gittleman suggests that you can do more harm than good by shocking your body. Many critics of detox diets criticize their drastic nature. A sensible detox diet supports the body and its functions. Slowly easing into and out of the diet is important.
Healthy Foods to Include
Eat foods rich in sulfur such as egg yolks, onions, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, kale, and wheat germ. Garlic is especially high in sulfur. If you choose to add garlic to your diet for your detox, roast it or mash it in oil (as for salad dressing). According to Dr. Eric Block, a preeminent researcher on the chemistry of garlic, studies show that more medicinal properties are released when used this way. It is important to include foods rich in sulfur because sulfur plays an important role in detoxifying your body. Increasing your intake of sulfur increases bile production, helping your liver to function better.
Also include berries and other fruits rich in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help your body detox by eliminating free radicals, which occur when a molecule splits and has an extra electron. It then tries to bond with another molecule, resulting in a chain reaction. When antioxidants “eat” the free radicals, this stops the chain reaction.
Include flax seeds to help the colon this week. Toast the flax seeds in a 250 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes for best effect. You can grind the flax seed and sprinkle it on yogurt, or on top of fruit. Flax will help to absorb toxins being eliminated by the colon, and also help with blood sugar regulation.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as sugar. Also avoid caffeine, alcohol and heavily processed foods. Foods with preservatives in them should be avoided as well. The week of your detox, try to consume only foods that are fresh and prepared by you or someone you know well. Avoid foods which are high in fat and avoid red meat.
Helpful Herbs and Supplements
According to Dr. Sheri Lieberman, taking supplements which are high in sulfur will help your body detox. Recommended sulfur supplements include chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate. The dose she recommends is 1,500 mg glucosamine sulfate; 1,200 mg of chondroitin; 1,000 to 2,000 mg of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and also 100 mg of alpha-lipoid acid. Do not use alpha lipoic acid if you have thyroid problems.
Dr. Lieberman also recommends milk thistle and dandelion herbs. Either drink as a tea, or take between 100mg to 200 mg as a supplement.
Other Lifestyle Changes During The Detox Diet
Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water per day during the detoxification process.
Try Epsom (magnesium sulfate) baths. Bathing in minerals has a centuries long tradition for detoxification. Exercise but do not overdo it during the detox diet. Listen to your body. Some people experience headaches during a detox diet. If you do experience headaches, drink more water, try to eat protein and consult a doctor.
Wendy Kelly - Wendy's background includes travel to over 25 countries and over 20 years experience teaching and writing. She has started and run a ...
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