A whole body cleanse involves adopting a restrictive diet to purge your organs of environmental toxins. Cleanse proponents claim the technique boosts energy and decreases risk for certain chronic diseases. Manufactured cleanse supplements are often expensive, but homemade alternatives can cut costs. Talk to your doctor before beginning a cleanse to ensure that it is safe for you.
Significance
Dr. Ben Kim, a chiropractor and acupuncturist, identifies two major sources of toxin accumulation in the body: the environment and metabolic processes. Environmental toxins include pesticides, hormones, medications, food additives, bisphenol A and other chemicals that enter the body through the air, food or water. Metabolic toxins build up as cells, and microorganisms produce waste products. A full body cleanse supposedly eliminates environmental toxins from your body, restoring good health.
Time Frame
Whole body cleanse plans vary in length. Water fasting, a restrictive cleanse in which dieters drink only filtered water, typically lasts three to seven days. Cleanses involving dietary restriction may last two to three weeks, reports the Homemade Body Cleanse website. Following a whole body cleanse plan for longer than two or three weeks may cause malnourishment and negative health consequences.
Features
Begin a homemade body cleanse by eliminating all processed foods from your diet. Avoid alcohol, coffee, salt, sugar, animal products, food additives and preservatives. During the cleanse, consume only fruits, vegetables and juices. Eat four or five times per day to keep your energy levels high. Drink plenty of water and juice to stay hydrated.
Supplement your whole body cleanse with herbal remedies. The Whole Body Detox Diet website reports that kelp, chlorella or spirulina increase energy during a body cleanse. Taking psyllium husk or flax seeds promotes bowel movements, cleansing your colon of toxins and excess waste.
Budget Considerations
A homemade body cleanse requires few expensive supplies and is more economical than special cleansing supplements or powders. Kim reports that organic produce is best for detoxification, but non-organic produce is an acceptable alternative. If your budget prevents you from purchasing organic produce, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption. Making your own juice from fresh fruits or vegetables is healthier and less expensive than supermarket alternatives that often contain additives.
Benefits
Cleanse proponents claim that a detoxifying diet reduces fatigue, boosts energy levels and relieves gastrointestinal distress. Following a cleanse promotes weight loss by clearing your digestive system of excess waste and restricting caloric intake. Kim reports that cleansing reduces toxin levels and alleviates symptoms of chronic diseases.
Warning
Following a restrictive body cleanse diet can result in serious health consequences. The Mayo Clinic reports that little scientific evidence supports the use of detoxification diets to reduce gastrointestinal distress, symptoms of chronic diseases or fatigue. Your body efficiently detoxifies itself naturally, making a restrictive cleanse unnecessary and possibly harmful. Talk to your doctor before beginning a cleanse diet to determine if it is a safe, healthy choice for your body.
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