Cleanse and Nourish – that’s what detoxification is all about!
With Detox fast becoming a ‘four letter’ word it’s hard to know what is really good for you and what isn’t. Should we be following detox programmes? What is it really all about?
The facts:
The role of detoxification is to remove any harmful substances (toxins) from the body, so they cannot cause any internal damage to our DNA, hormone and nerve signalling processes and cell structure. The liver is one of the major organs responsible for identifying and eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins can be from internal by-products of metabolism (carbon dioxide, spent hormones, ammonia, urea, lactic acid) or external substances (traffic fumes, cleaning products, pesticides, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, prescriptive and over-the-counter medication, plastic food containers, heavy metals, for example aluminium foil, and certain beauty products such as creams, soaps, perfumes, shampoos).
The argument:
If Detoxification is something that your body does daily and quite effectively too then why should we do a detox programme?
Well, in order for all of these processes to take place; it is essential that the body has adequate supplies of specific nutrients. It is important to note that unfortunately we can be loading toxins in faster than our liver can eliminate them and it therefore can become burdened. Lets be honest, the world we live in is fast paced, full of convenience foods and a lot of the time high in alcohol. A lot of us are burning the candle at both ends.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LIVER
I am talking about your DIY home detox kit! Not a gruelling unheathy and restrictive fad or fast.
Reduce your toxin intake:
Choose organic foods where possible; reduce intake of alcohol & caffeine; stop smoking; choose more natural household products and skincare; don’t heat food in plastic containers; drink filtered or bottled water; don’t fry or cook food at high temperatures; avoid food colourings and additives.
Improve your digestion to support your body’s ability to excrete toxins:
Increase fibre intake; increase water intake; consume plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; take regular light/moderate exercise; consume less sugar and refined foods.
Supply the liver with the nutrients it needs for optimum function:
- Fruit and vegetables: Think variety, a rainbow of colours and seasons:
- Fruit – Berries, apples, pears, oranges, clementines, prunes, plums, figs, melon,apricots, kiwi, cherries, pineapple, papaya, pomegranate
- Green: broccoli, brussel sprouts, peas, cabbage, courgettes, cucumber, beans
- Green leafy: rocket, kale, spinach, watercress, romaine lettuce
- Red: peppers, red onions, radishes, tomatoes
- Orange/yellow: sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, squash, swede, peppers
- Dark blue/purple/black: beetroot, cabbage, aubergine
- White: onions, celery, leeks, garlic, cauliflower, cabbage, celariac
- Good quality lean sources of protein such as turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, lentils
- Sulphur rich foods such as eggs, onions, garlic, asparagus, alfalfa and avocado
- Herbs and spices- especially turmeric, parsley, basil, sage, ginger
- Aim to drink at least 2 litres of filtered/ bottled water throughout the day
- Drink herbal teas such as ; dandelion, nettle, fennel, peppermint, green, rooibos/ redbush
Detoxing is all about cleaning, restoring and nourishing from inside out to protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health and vitality! Lend a helping hand by ensuring it has the right nutrients to do so…. Eat. Cleanse. Nourish!
Consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any health problems, before embarking on any new health regimes, using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications or food programmes.
Part of my work in clinic is to identity and address the root cause which is responsible for the symptoms a client is experiencing. The most common underlying condition I see is unbalanced hormones. Once I noticed that balancing hormones leads to the reduction of so many other symptoms, I knew I had to create a simple plan to help people understand and support their hormones.
Follow the plan
It can sounds like a clique to say how much energy you have when you employ this sort of diet, but it really works. Feeling so good helps you to be motivated to continue. Thanks Angelique cx
Hello Chloe,
Thank you, that is music to my ears! I find that is the first thing that my clients notice- sudden energy, which is very different to feeling hyper from stimulants. So pleased that you are feeling so good and motivated! Keep it up 🙂
Joy and light x