Elements Of A Detox Program

Detox programs are promoted as a way to lose weight, improve vitality and boost health. However, when you don't perform all necessary program elements you can actually do more harm than good, advises Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "The Fast Track Detox Diet." Skipping steps means you risk unpleasant symptoms, health problems and weight regain. A proper detox program will take at least a couple of weeks, and will involve more than the main detox element.

Doctor Advice

Check with a doctor before attempting a detox program, especially if you have medical conditions such as gallstones, advises DeWayne McCulley in "Death to Diabetes." The liver is the body's primary detoxification organ, says Bruce Fife in "The Detox Book," meaning any effective detox program will target this organ. The liver produces bile, which drains into the gallbladder, the body's reservoir for this substance. It's possible to that a gallstone can get stuck in the gallbladder's opening if your liver detox calls for using large amounts of oil, which would lead to emergency surgery, McCulley advises. Also check to ensure that any herbal detox formulations will not worsen an existing medical condition and to see whether it's advisable to quit taking medicines as recommended in many programs. If you are pregnant or nursing, malnourished, have weakened immunity, have cancer, type 1 diabetes, liver disease, cardiac arrhythmia, ulcers, mental illness or congestive heart failure, for example, you should not perform a program that calls for a fast, advises Gittleman.

Liver Preparation

For a full seven days prior to detoxing you need to provide your liver with nutritional support. That means eating foods that are good for your liver like cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, green leafy vegetables like kale, citrus fruits like lemons, sulfur rich foods like garlic and eggs, and liver healing foods such as artichokes, beets and celery. It also means eliminating foods with hormones and nitrates, refined carbohydrates, caffeine and preservatives. Such foods disrupt the liver's ability to process toxins, and can actually enhance the toxins' effects, Gittleman advises.

Colon Cleanse

Cleanse your colon before you move on to detoxing other organs to provide an outlet for the toxins that will be released, says Jon Barron in "Lessons from the Miracle Doctors." However, if your colon is clogged your body is not efficiently eliminating these toxins. The longer waste products sit in your colon, the more opportunity there is for toxins to re-enter your bloodstream, meaning your body has to deal with them all over again, advises Gittleman.

Post-Detox Care

Following the main portion of your detox program, spend three days on a special eating plan before easing back into your regular eating habits, Gittleman advises. You need to provide your liver nutritional support again with green leafy and cruciferous veggies, citrus, sulfur-rich foods and liver healing foods like dandelion root tea and celery. Also utilize foods that help care for your colon, including psyllium, flaxseeds, carrots, berries, apples and pears. Top off this eating program with plenty of water. Meanwhile avoid extra fats, gluten, artificial sweeteners, sugar, gluten, soy protein isolates, alcohol, caffeine, milk products and over-the-counter drugs during this timeframe.

Boost Lymphatic and Circulatory Systems

Utilize techniques like dry skin brushing to stimulate your lymphatic system and hydrotherapy to boost circulation throughout your detox, recommends Michelle Schoffro Cook in "The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan." Skin brushing should start at the groin area, hands and feet and progress to your arms, shoulders, chest and back. Do this daily in the morning. Follow this by alternating hot and cold water in your shower. Do not use hydrotherapy if you are pregnant, have heart problems or blood pressure issues, Cook warns.