Detox is short for detoxification, which is the removal of potentially toxic substances from the body. The term can refer to alcohol or drug dependence treatment, but for our purposes, it means the use of herbs/supplements, diet, and other methods of

removing environmental and food induced toxins from the body for the purpose of improving health and well-being.

Some general symptoms that a detox is needed:

  • Feeling sluggish, low-energy
  • Fuzzy, muddied thinking, absent-mindedness
  • Bloat, digestive discomfort
  • Rashes, allergies
  • Chronic bronchial/sinus issues
  • Constipation
  • Depression, anxiety, anger

There are different degrees of detoxing. It can be as straightforward and simple as taking an herbal blend that will aid colon cleansing or boost liver function, or it can be a multi-level detox that combines diet, herbs/supplements, and health practices for a deep cleanse. A strong detox works best when done in conjunction with a cleansing diet, where some or all of the more acidic/toxicity causing foods are eliminated for at least the duration of the detox.

Detoxing can also be an extreme water or juice only fast. Although this may be helpful on some levels for some people, it has to be done under the supervision of a skilled, trained healthcare provider. I don’t usually recommend such an extreme measure as it can be difficult to function normally in your life, as energy tend to run low during a cleanse this intense.

Detoxing elements that will help speed the process, as well as make it more comfortable for you are;

  • 4 liters of water daily
  • plenty of sleep (minimum of 5 continuous hours)
  • 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise
  • fresh air
  • breathing/meditation exercises
  • steams
  • baths (with essential oils & salts)

What to Expect From the Detox Process

In the beginning, you may feel to one degree or another:

  • Achey
  • Tired
  • Cranky
  • Some colon cramping
  • Cravings for the foods you’re fasting from
  • Emotional detoxing in the form of sadness, fear, etc.
  • Euphoria

During the detox, you will begin to feel lighter, cleaner, clearer, even as more of the funkier effects may come and go in waves. Afterwards, expect things like more energy and feelings of well-being, weight loss, and a stronger immune system.

Diet

Eating lightly is important for a strong detox. How lightly you eat depends on what sort of activities you need to do while you’re detoxing. If you’ll be doing a normal work and lifestyle schedule, you’ll want to eat more protein than if you are able to take it easier for a bit.

Many of the foods we eat these days are processed, and therefore are difficult for the body to break down for use. They also often don’t contain adequate nutrition, which adds to the toxicity load when the body’s systems don’t have the building blocks and fuel they need to function optimally. While doing a detox, it’s best to cut out all processed foods (anything in a bag, box or can is out), which means that simpler foods, prepared simply, become the basis of your diet. A sample of a day of meals is:

Breakfast – meal replacement shake made with 1/4 cup of nutrition powder. 1tsp EFA Oil, 1 tsp Flax Oil all available from Fitness Arts, 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 banana, few ice cubes

Lunch – green salad with avocado, grated raw/aged cheddar, vinaigrette

Snack – meal replacement shake or fruit

Dinner – Approx 4 oz of protein, 2-3 cups of veggies-raw or steamed, 1/2 cup of Buckwheat

The most important foods to avoid are sugar, flour products/baked goods, and anything processed/packaged (ie anything you don’t cook yourself – unless it’s a super high quality restaurant that you know has super clean food). Try to cut down as much as possible on meat, dairy, and eggs. If you can’t cut out caffeine, cut the amount down as much as possible, and quit soda altogether. If you drink coffee, switch to tea.

Foods to avoid while detoxing:

  • Salt
  • Alcohol
  • Tea/Coffee
  • Soft drinks
  • Baked goods (anything made with flour: cookies, cake, crackers, bread, etc.)
  • Sugar (& all sweets, ie maltose, sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, etc.
  • •Artificial sweeteners (stevia is fine to use as it’s an herb, not a chemical)
  • Chocolate
  • Chips (or any such snack food)
  • Eggs (unless you need them for protein, then use local, organic eggs)
  • Dairy: Milk, cream, cheeses, Butter/margarine
  • Meats
  • Processed/Heated Oils

What food to eat while detoxing:

  • Fruit
  • Veggies
  • Beans
  • Fresh fish (organic chicken/turkey if needed)
  • Buckwheat, Brown Rice
  • Cold pressed, organic olive oil, flax oil, sesame oil
  • Meal replacement shakes w/ almond milk

Also:

Evening fasts

A great way to get some extra cleansing in is to eat your last solid food by four or five pm. Then afterwards, only have herbal tea, vegetable broth or Stomach Tea*.

Green Juice

Green Juice is made from green veggies, fruit, and raw local honey. It is incredibly vibrant for your body, full of vitamins and antioxidants. It sounds odd, it looks downright funky, but it actually tastes delicious, like a banana shake. Using a Vitamix (not a regular blender, which doesn’t chop the veggies fine enough), blend:

  • 1 tsp of Greens mix powder
  • a banana (no peel) and/or hunks of apple with core removed (leave skin)
  • you can also add celery, parsley, or cucumber
  • add Canadian Gold* raw honey and water to taste

Lots of water (with lemon)

Everyone knows this. And it’s so very true: we need plenty of water to keep our body hydrated. This is especially true during a detox. Adding some lemon, or even lime, will help flush toxins from your system.

Herbs & Supplements & Superfoods

Cleanse Blend Capsules, Cat’s Claw and Galactan

What is it?

• Cleanses the digestive system, especially the colon

• An herbal laxative that contains a blend of herbs and flowers that work in harmony with the body to relieve chronic or sporadic constipation and promote regularity without the side effects of synthetic laxatives.

• 100% natural herbs:

  • The gentle laxative effect of senna
  • the digestive benefits of papaya leaves and centaury herbs
  • the anti-spasmodic benefits of calendula and caraway
  • the anti-gas benefits of peppermint leaves, parsley and anise
  • the tonic benefit of lemon verbena
  • the mild diuretic benefit of dandelion leaves

Usage

• 3 caps each of Cleanse Blend Complex and Cat’s Claw Complex

  • 1 TBS of Galactin
  • Not meant for long term use

all Detox Program

I’m a health educator, not a physician and therefore cannot prescribe. We provide you with educational information and suggestions, but cannot be prescriptive as there is no way we have enough of your personal data to understand what will and won’t interact with your particular body’s needs and reactions. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us or see your physician before taking any of the herbs or supplements, or following any of the suggestions mentioned in this class. Your health is in your hands. With the help of health professionals and your own research, you choose what’s best for you. Choose responsibly!