Naturalpath

If your cells don’t function well, then you don’t function well; and if these building blocks of your body are tired and stressed, then you, the sum of these tiny parts, will feel the same way. Many people interested in being healthier and feeling better choose a periodic dietary and lifestyle detox to power their cells with nutrients and rid them of the heft of burdensome toxins. Some report that a good detox helps them feel better, have more energy, sleep better, and even lose weight.

These toxins can originate from stress, hormones, sleeplessness, or difficulty in digestion. They can also sprout from external pollutants, such as the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even what touches our skin. But the greatest assault of daily toxins often comes from the food that we eat, particularly our ingestion of sugar, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and chemicals - what nutritionist and detox specialist Dr. Elson Haas calls "SNACCs".

A carefully-planned detoxification program is a chance to take a break and relieve your body of many of these stresses. The goals of the program are to remove SNACCs from the diet entirely (or to the best of your ability), and to replace them with nutrients that help the body function and repair at optimal levels, either through supplements or highly nutritious foods.

Choosing a Cleansing

There are as many detoxification programs as there are practitioners, but here are a few of the most common. Note that these can be undertaken independently or combined.

Juicing is a great way to absorb concentrated nutrients, either with a standard diet or alone as a juice fast.

Elimination diets suggest staying away from foods that place undue burdens on the body. This includes SNACCs, but also common foods we tend to overdo, such as wheat or dairy. The Master Cleanse is an example of this type of program.

Supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutraceuticals to optimize the functioning of the body. There are many supplments that can help the liver detox, like the B-vitamins, N-Acetylcysteine, L-Glutathione, and Glycine.

Herbs such as Cascara, Aloe rind, and Senna are often used to cleanse the digestive tract, but they can be harsh. Other herbs used for detoxification include liver-supporting dandelion, milk thistle, and burdon.

People who follow a good detoxification program report better sleep and vigorous energy. Please note, however, that a detox may not be a good choice for everyone. Before embarking upon this or any other new dietary schedule, consult with your health care professional.