If you have ever been irregular as a result of overeating, not drinking adequate water during the day or not exercising, you probably remember how uncomfortable it can be. Constipation, abdominal bloating, gas or flatulence are all symptoms that the gastrointestinal system is not operating smoothly.
If yo wish to return to optimal digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination, detox diets can help by allowing your body to slowly release waste from the colon and other internal organs.
Getting regular exercise, practicing effective stress management and drinking adequate water all contribute to a successful detoxification program.
Consume Fruits and Vegetables
Consume seasonal fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes as a detox diet, as detailed in The New Detox Diet, written by Elson Haas, M.D. Constipation is a common symptom of a body that can benefit from a detox diet.
Dr. Haas recommends a detox diet that includes organic whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats, legumes of all kinds, fruits, vegetables and small amounts of non-saturated fats, including flax seed, olive, canola and hemp seed oil. Steam the vegetables, eat the fruits raw or stewed and cook the whole grains and legumes by boiling until cooked and drizzle with one of the non-saturated fats.
By eating these foods, Dr. Haas writes that the colon and all the other internal organs can be cleansed. Having at least one daily bowel movement is one sign that your body is detoxifying adequately.
Juicing
Juice fasting is an even simplier detox diet: put whole, organic vegetables and fruits through a juicer. According to Carrie L'Esperance in her book, The New Seasonal Detox Diet, juicing provides excellent nutrition and allows the internal organs to rest as they are not burdened with digesting solid foods during the fast.
She recommends people consume at least six, six-ounce juices and an equal amount of water to form a detox diet. Drinking apple juice, for example, can soften stool and help the colon cleanse. Lemons help the kidneys cleanse. Carrot juice is a well-known diuretic.
She also advises readers to drink organic herbal teas for regularity as juices do not provide fiber to prevent constipation. Consider drinking senna, cascara sagrada or Triphala teas to stay regular.
The Master Cleanse
Drinking a detox lemonade called the Master Cleanser is probably the simplest detox regimen. Made from organic lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and filtered or distilled water, the Master Cleanser was developed by Stanley Burroughs and he self-published a nutritional booklet with the same name in 1976.
The idea was to consume at least five or six six-ounce glasses of the fasting lemonade until the tongue no longer had a white coating. The appearance of the tongue was believed to show the condition of the stomach: no coating meant the gastrointestinal system was clear of waste.
Check with your physician before undergoing the Master Cleanse as it does not provide many calories.
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