Body detox plans are popular, but there is no evidence that they are necessary. According to Harvard Medical School, “The human body can defend itself very well against most environmental insults and the effects of occasional indulgence,” while Natural Health Perspective states, “Eat a healthy diet with adequate amounts of water and fiber, and your body will detox naturally.” Detoxing your body with fasts may not be medically recognized, but it is another simple and free way to give your body a little jump start as you commit to your long-term detox diet plan.
Stay Hydrated
Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic agree that drinking between 32 and 64 oz. of water every day is necessary to keep our liver and kidneys functioning properly. Replace your daily soft drinks with water, and you will cut down on sodium, sugar and artificial colors and flavors. To keep from getting bored with the taste of water, try adding lime slices and a cinnamon stick, or lemon wedges and a few fresh mint leaves.
Eat Properly
According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., at the Mayo Clinic, “The best diet is a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein.” Avoid overly processed or deep-fried foods, and substitute fresh fruit for dessert. A diet high in natural fiber will help elimination, and a high-protein diet keeps your blood sugar regulated so that you have less cravings for sweets.
Avoid Salt
Overly processed foods contain high amounts of sodium, and many people add almost as much when they cook at home. Aside from the health risks of a high-sodium diet, salt deadens your sense of taste. According to Dr. Fuhrman: “The more salt you consume, the more you lose the ability to appreciate the subtle flavors of natural food. As salt deadens taste, it makes you want more and more salt to get back some of the missing flavor.” Use fresh lemon juice and experiment with all of those spices sitting in your kitchen.
Exercise
If you have ever eaten a meal laden with fresh garlic, or overindulged in alcohol, you know that we sweat out toxins through our pores. Exercise such as walking, dancing or jogging costs nothing and uses your entire body. According Natural Heath Perspective: "To improve elimination through the skin, regular exercise is important to stimulate sweating. Exercise also improves our general metabolism and helps us overall with our efforts to detox naturally." You don't need expensive workout videos or gym memberships--just get outside and walk.
Jump Start Your Diet
Detox diets are not recognized by Western medicine as being particularly useful, but adherents claim to feel energized and clean after following them. One of the most popular is the Master Cleanse, which involves drinking a concoction of fresh lemon juice, pure maple syrup, cayenne pepper and filtered water. It is best to limit this plan to three days, and it is crucial to stay hydrated--and close to a bathroom--when doing any detox diet. You should also pay attention to your body and stop immediately if you feel dizzy or have severe headaches.
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