detox today or diet tomorrow?
by Patsy Wescott
what is detoxing?
Detoxing is not new. Juice fasts and other dietary regimens designed to cleanse the system form an integral part of complementary therapies such as naturopathy. In nutritional therapy elimination diets are used to help detect and treat food intolerances and allergies. Detoxification is also central to the ancient Asian medical system of ayurveda, which is becoming increasingly popular.
The aim of detoxing is to encourage your body to rid itself of chemicals and toxic by-products alleged to accumulate in the tissues as a consequence of stress, poor dietary habits, pollution, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, too many late nights and lack of exercise.
Detoxing is said by nutritional therapists to help boost the body's natural self-cleansing mechanisms, reducing strain on the digestive system and strengthening organs such as the kidneys, the skin, the liver, the lungs and the lymphatic system. The process promises to deliver more energy, clearer skin, improved sleep, greater mental clarity and a more efficient immune system as well as helping you lose weight, although its primary purpose is not weight loss. Proponents also claim it can relieve headaches, joint pain, indigestion, constipation and high blood pressure.
what does detoxing involve?
During a detoxification programme you are encouraged to adhere to a diet consisting mainly of fruit and vegetables and to abstain from items such as wheat, meat, dairy products, salt, alcohol, caffeine, fried foods, spices and foods containing artificial additives, preservatives, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Detox diets may last anything from a day to a week or more, although they should not be continued for more than two or three weeks. You'll usually be encouraged to drink at least two to three litres of filtered or mineral water a day, with the aim of helping the kidneys to flush out toxins. However, drinking much more than the medically recommended two litres of fluids per day can have a harmful effect on the body's natural fluid control systems.
Diets vary but usually involve eating or drinking nothing but raw, steamed or gently stir-fried vegetables and fruit (preferably organic), pulses, sprouted seeds, thin soups, juices and plain cereals such as brown rice, millet or buckwheat. Some detox diets are vegetarian; others include animal protein such as chicken, fish and/or dairy products.
To support the body and aid the cleansing process you may be recommended to take herbs and/or nutritional supplements. These may include:
- Antioxidant vitamins and minerals, eg, vitamins A, C, E and selenium: to combat free radicals, harmful molecules that can damage cells
- Goldenseal root extract (Hydrastis canadensis): to encourage regular bowel movements
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): to help repair and regenerate the liver cells
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): as a liver tonic.
- Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): to reduce stress on the digestive system
- Yellow dock root (Rumex crispus): to cleanse the liver and stimulate the lymphatic system
- Artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus): to stimulate bile production and reduce bloating
- Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): to purify the blood, strengthen the immune system and ease fluid retention
- Ginkgo biloba: to enhance circulation and increase energy
- Chlorophyl-containing algae such as chlorella and spirulina. These are nutrient rich and said to help build strong cell walls
- Chlorophyl to regenerate the liver
- Psyllium husks, the fibrous seeds of the plaintain: to help eliminate toxins and cholesterol
- Wheatgrass juice: to help purify the blood and aid the liver to eliminate toxins
- Probiotics, 'friendly bacteria': to help restore the balance of intestinal flora.
It's best only to take these herbs and supplements on the recommendation of your doctor, qualified medical herbalist or naturopath who can advise you on the most appropriate ones and the optimum dosage.
Although diet is at the core of detoxification, some detox programmes include other therapeutic practices designed to accelerate the elimination of toxins. These may include:
- Dry skin brushing: to unblock pores and stimulate the lymphatic system to transport wastes to the liver and the kidneys
- Massage: to relax the body and aid digestion
- Salt rubs: to encourage sweating
- Saunas and hydrotherapy baths: to encourage elimination of toxins in sweat
- Colonic irrigation: a type of enema designed to cleanse the bowel of stagnated faeces.
Light exercise may be recommended to stimulate the elimination of toxins through the skin in perspiration, yoga (particularly postures – asanas – that stretch the muscles, bringing freshly oxygenated blood to the tissues which encourages the removal of toxins) and/or mind-body disciplines such as meditation, visualisation and/or t'ai chi.
(January 2003, resources updated February 2005)
