Detox Diets & Fitness

Gill Paul, health writer and author of the "Need to Know? Detox" book, 2007, says "Moderate-intensity exercise will boost your detox program." It is important to stay fit, especially when detoxing, and exercise increases heart rate and pumps oxygenated blood around your system, flushing out waste and delivering nutrients to essential organs on its way. Never embark on a rigorous new fitness program when detoxing and always ask your doctor before starting any detox diet or new fitness regime.

Detox and Yoga Fitness

Tara Stiles, founder of the New York Yoga Studio, Strala, says Yoga can help "eradicate food cravings," while making you more supple and toned. By slowing down and becoming mindful of every move you make, mind and body work together -- making yoga and detox a good match for healthy fitness success. Yoga breathing exercises are used as part of a detox plan, to cleanse both mind and body.

Colonic Irrigation

Colonic irrigation is the cleansing of the bowel and large intestine. Bernard Jensen, author of many health books, including "Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management," believed that cleansing the body of waste was essential for good health. Combining colonic irrigation treatment with detox and fitness must be done under the supervision and control of health professionals. Detox holiday retreats offer inclusive detox diet, colonic and exercise programs and include nutrition information to continue with a healthy lifestyle.

Detox and Fasting

Dr. Otto Buchinger (1878-1966) is described as the "pioneer of therapeutic fasting." He tackled illness with a strict fasting regime and rid himself of disease, becoming healthy and fit. Buchinger believed in "healthy nutrition and lots of exercise" and regular fasting. He has left his legacy in the form of Buchinger Clinics in Spain and Germany popular for fasting and detox programs, which include regular exercise.

Detox, Fitness and Ageing

Leslie Kenton, author of "Ageless Ageing,"1988, recommends a detox she calls "Long Weekend Spring-clean," which consists mainly of cups of herb tea, potassium broth, apples and vegetable juice. On exercise, Kenton says it is important that "you take a brisk walk in the open air for at least half an hour each day." To combat the ravages of ageing, she suggests that a three-day detox with regular exercise works well after overeating at Christmas or other occasions of excess, although she also finds it works better if you eat only raw foods the day prior to the detox.

Considerations and Conclusions

In a "Sunday Times" newspaper article on August 10, 2008, health journalist Peta Bee talks to Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital in London, who says she has "seen dozens of people with debilitating detox side effects, usually as a result of consuming more water and less salty food, often in conjunction with increased activity." To stay fit and healthy and lose weight safely, always consult with your physician first.