Produce Spotlight: Garlic
That truly is the question!
While the body naturally detoxifies itself in the spring, there are a lot of kits, programs & diets out there to help get rid of the residual cobwebs leftover from the winter ‘hibernation’. How to navigate them depends heavily on what sort of an effect you would like it to have on your body.
One approach may be to simply eliminate the ‘junk’ for a week or two. Quitting sugar, dairy, gluten, smoking, or drinking alcohol for any period of time will be beneficial for your body. Be sure to stock your fridge full of lots of fresh veggies & fruit, organic protein & nuts and drink lots of water. Warm water with a slice of lemon in particular is a great way to begin the day with an alkalizing boost for your body. These guidelines are applicable for any sort of detox you may embark on however.
The Wild Rose detox is commonly recommended as a great beginner cleanse because the kit comes with everything you need in one box. The instructions are detailed & easy to follow if this is your first foray into manipulating your dietary intake. The same company also sells a cookbook full of recipes for the program, which is worth the cost in my opinion.
Renew Life also has great quality products including a wide range of detox kits. Looking to rid your body of a parasite or heavy metals? Candida or a kidney cleanse? They’ve got it. You can target exactly what you’re looking to improve in your body.
Juice fasts seem to be all the rage lately. The basic premise is that you consume only fresh juice for a period of time: anywhere from 3 days on. This provides your body with a high amount of hydration, antioxidants & nutrients (depending on what you’re juicing) however it does leave out fats, protein & most importantly fiber. Consuming only juice gives your digestive tract a break from the ‘stresses’ of solid food, but without the bulk from fiber you’re likely to need some assistance in the constipation department. I personally would not do one for more than a few days.
If you’re not too keen on making changes in your diet, but would like to give your intestinal tract a bit of love, consider Colon Hydrotherapy. Warm water softens & gently removes the built up waste in the lower half of the large intestine relieving constipation, bloating & can aid in weight loss. Contact our office for more info on this service.
Whether you choose to purge your body of toxins in the coming months or not be sure to remember one thing: Making healthy choices for a week or two doesn’t give you permission to binge once you’re “done”. The binge/purge cycle or healthy eating then gorging on candy & fast food is worse for you than to have done the detox in the first place. And borders on disordered eating behavior at that. My advice is to try taking a few things out of your diet for a little while: maybe quitting smoking or cutting down your coffee consumption rather than taking a drastic approach by cutting it all out. We’ve all heard the story of someone who has lost weight, then gains it back after they’re done their ‘diet’. Healthy eating is a lifestyle, not a temporary kick when you are feeling ambitious.
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