What Is Detox?

Some people may still associate “detoxification” with the process of quitting an addiction, such as drugs or alcohol. However, today, detoxifying the body by purifying your intake of elements and increasing your output of toxins is de rigueur in the world of healthy-minded individuals, naturopaths and homeopathic practitioners. Methods of undergoing detoxification are varied, but the main avenue is a diet-based undertaking.

In order to remove toxins, foods or environmental “build up” from their bodies, some turn to their diet for help. In theory, purifying the diet, and therefore the whole body, helps the body to work better, and may even contribute to helping rid the body of disease.

Overview of Traditional or Rigorous Detox Diets

Diet and fasting based detox programs are traditionally very serious undertakings. They can best be defined by the products they take away- almost everything. Most rely on fruits and vegetables as the main or exclusive source of nutrition during the time of the fast. The patient must forego contaminants such as alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, sugars and wheat-based items. Obviously, this would include smoking. Some include only raw foods, some include only juices, and some include only water. In order to help the body’s system process foods, rigorous detox diets often require extensive intake of water and even laxatives.


A Gentler Route

Obviously, such regimens are difficult to undertake. However, those looking to cleanse up their body without such a difficult program do have some options. A “city detox” allows one to benefit from some of the practices of a full-out detox without a complete change in lifestyle.

Add In, Don’t Take Away

Does the thought of waking up without your morning cup o’ joe send you into tremors? Instead of concentrating on the things that one should take away, a city detox can begin by making sure you have the herbal remedies that help your body naturally detoxify itself. The vitamins that your body needs to do this process are:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• B Vitamins
• Folic acids

In addition, be sure to add these minerals into your life during your gentle detox:

• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Copper
• Selenium

Lastly, look for a supplement combining these herbs:

• Garlic
• Silymarin (milk thistle)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Green tea extract
• Flaxseed

Your Diet

Of course, it would be silly to go through the trouble of adding in these substances, while also continuing to digest excess fats, oils, and white sugars.

However, since we’re looking at a gentle detox, it may be advisable to simply reduce these items. Reach for an apple or a package of strawberries for a snack. If you must ingest chocolate, look for varieties that are dark and add in antioxidants.

Plan a week of dinners so that you are not tempted to eat fast food during your gentle detox. Add in fish in place of one or two meat-based meals, and have a vegetarian dinner on a third night. This plan alone will help you to cut your meat intake from 7 nights a week to only four, and your body will thank you! Ready to go the extra mile? Make two of those four nights “organic only” nights, and become acquainted with your grocer’s organic options.

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