Body cleanses are short-term diet programs that purportedly eliminate toxic substances from your organs. A body cleanse typically lasts about seven days and involves eating and drinking specific foods that cleanse inside the body. Some cleanse practices can be dangerous for your health, so talk to your doctor before beginning a body cleanse.
Purpose
The typical American is exposed to a variety of toxins from food additives, preservatives, pesticides, unclean water and air pollution. Proponents of body cleansing claim these toxins accumulate in the liver, colon and other organs. Environmental toxins cause weight gain, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue and other medical symptoms that are supposedly eliminated by a body cleanse.
Meal Planning
Body cleanse diets require you to eliminate all processed foods from your meals. Fresh fruits and vegetables cleanse the colon while providing your body with necessary nutrients. Create homemade juices to maximize your intake of fruits and vegetables. Whole grain foods such as brown rice, millet, quinoa and buckwheat provide your body with complex carbohydrates to keep energy high. Eliminating meat from your diet reduces intake of saturated fats. Instead, get protein from soy products, nonfat dairy products or beans.
To cleanse your body, avoid caffeinated beverages and energy drinks. Replace these drinks with herbal teas, water or juice to stay hydrated. Alcohol should also be avoided for the duration of the cleanse.
Herbal Supplements
To cleanse your body of toxins, take herbal supplements such as psyllium husk, cascara sagrada, slippery elm or flaxseeds. The website Healing Daily recommends drinking liquid bentonite and ground flaxseeds dissolved in water each morning. This stimulates bowel movements that purportedly eliminate excess waste and toxic substances from the digestive system. Quickly drinking a quart of warm salt water also flushes your colon.
Benefits
A common effect of a body cleanse is rapid weight loss. As you decrease caloric intake and eliminate processed foods from your diet, you may feel more energetic and less fatigued. Proponents of body cleansing also claim the diet decreases gastrointestinal problems, reduces headaches, improves breath and boosts mood.
Warning
Cleanse diets are unnecessary and potentially dangerous, reports MayoClinic.com. While certain environmental toxins may be unhealthy, the liver and other organs effectively remove toxic chemicals from the body. Stimulating frequent bowel movements may cause dehydration or lead to dangerous loss of electrolytes. Before beginning a cleanse diet, consult your doctor. Symptoms that cleanse advocates attribute to environmental toxins may be caused by an underlying medical condition.
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