Overview
The human body is designed to naturally eliminate toxins that you come into contact with through your environment and your food. However, some health care experts in the fields of natural or integrative medicine believe that the daily toxic load we are currently exposed to is often too great for our detoxification systems to handle. Detoxification diets, when followed sensibly, may help your body's detoxification system work more effectively. Research into the effectiveness of detoxification diets is limited, and detoxing may pose health threats if not done safely. Consult a medical professional before attempting to treat any major illness with a detoxification diet.
Defining Detoxing
According to Dr. Frank Lipman, founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York, a healthy detoxification diet must address both internal and external toxins. This means decreasing the number of toxins going into your body from food, drinks, chemicals that you breathe or products that you use in or near your body. It also means assisting your body's ability to neutralize and remove toxins by supporting the function of your gastrointestinal system and liver.
Detoxification Duration
The duration of your detoxification period depends on several factors, such as your individual needs, the current state of your diet, your ability to adhere to the detox diet guidelines and the time available in your schedule to prepare healthy meals. The University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine Department of Family Medicine recommends a seven-day cleansing program. Dr. Alejandro Junger, author of "Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself," recommends a full three weeks of detoxification. For your first attempt at a detoxification diet, you may wish to begin with a few days and work your way up to a longer program.
Foods to Eat
A healthy detoxification diet must include targeted nutrition to maintain health and boost the body's natural cleansing process, says Dr. Lipman. Beware of detoxification diets that advocate extended periods of fasting or eating one type of food exclusively, as these may cause nutritional deficiencies. Dr. Lipman recommends eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. His diet plan also allows organic or free-range chicken, duck, turkey, lamb and wild game.
Foods to Avoid
A healthy detoxification diet should eliminate any foods that are difficult to digest or pose potential digestive or allergic reactions, says Dr. Junger. His "Clean" diet program eliminates processed foods, wheat, dairy, corn, soy and beef, as well as common allergens such as tomatoes, eggs, bell peppers, strawberries, peanuts and strawberries. According to Dr. Junger, even if you do not have a known allergy to these foods, you may be experiencing undiagnosed reactions that could interfere with your body's detoxification process.
Other Healthful Practices
Certain other practices may help promote health during your detoxification period. The University of Wisconsin recommends gentle exercise such as yoga, saunas, meditation, and body work such as massage. Dr. Junger recommends leaving a 12-hour window between your dinner and breakfast the next day in order to ease the digestive burden on your system and allow your body to fully enter into detoxification mode. Dr. Lipman recommends using dietary supplements such as digestive enzymes and fiber to boost the body's natural detoxification process. Some supplements may have side effects or interfere with certain medications, so talk to your doctor before using dietary supplements or any herbal remedies.
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