Body Detox Remedies

In the Western world, toxins are an inevitable part of life. People eat processed foods that contain synthetic, toxic chemicals. Manufacturing facilities release toxins into the air that end up in rain and soil as well as the animals and plants that are used for food. Even stress can produce toxins, as the brain releases cortisol , adrenaline and other chemicals that remain in the body long after the stressful event has passed, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, there are remedies you can use to detoxify your body and maintain optimal health. Check with your doctor before beginning any detox regimen, especially if you have recently been ill or currently experience poor health.

Fasting

Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food for a period of time to allow the body to cleanse or to pursue spiritual enlightenment. According to James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," fasting is an effective detox remedy because the body's natural toxin excretions continue, but the introduction of new toxins from foods is suspended. This reduces the overall level of toxins present in the body, says Balch. Fasting may involve drinking only water, or it may involve adding honey and lemon juice to water. Some practitioners believe that honey and lemon speeds the detoxification process.
Dr. Balch recommends eating only raw fruits and vegetables for 48 hours before the fast to decrease the shock to your digestive system. You should not maintain a fast for longer than 48 hours.

Juicing

People who are not ready to commit to a water fast may try juicing instead. Juicing involves drinking fruit and vegetable juices in place of some or all meals. The body still receives nutrients from the juices, but not the toxins it would otherwise receive from solid foods. Dr. Balch recommends blending your own juices from organic produce, noting that commercially available juices are often subjected to heat and chemical treatments that strip the juices of vitamins and minerals. Avoid maintaining a full juice fast without any solid foods for more than three days.

Raw Food Diet

Cooked foods, particularly those that have been processed or are high in protein or fat, generate toxins in the body, says Rita Romano, author of "Dining in the Raw." The body may not be able to digest these foods, leaving them to turn into poisons in the colon and bloodstream. According to Romano, raw vegan foods, or items not derived from animal sources, are easily digested and leave far fewer toxins in the body. A raw food diet allows the body to clear out old toxins without adding new poisons.