Body cleansing has been a part of religious rituals for thousands of years. As the world becomes more complicated and it becomes harder to control --- or even understand --- what is in commercially produced foods, a multimillion dollar industry has sprung up to cater to these fears. A natural food cleanse does not have to be a draconian fast, or a diet consisting of bizarre food combinations. Cleansing your body is simply a matter of not putting anything unhealthy into it.
Cleansing Facts
Colonics, laxatives and other "flushing" methods are not necessary for a natural food body cleanse, and they can do more harm than good. According to Columbia University's health advice website, colonics done with improperly-sterilized equipment can lead to infection, and the introduction of too much fluid into your body can wipe out necessary bacteria and severely deplete potassium levels. Overuse of laxatives or flushing with oils and Epsom salts can cause complications such as dehydration and can lead to laxative dependence and chronic constipation.
Method
Clear out your freezer, refrigerator and pantry of any processed and refined foods. Replace them with fresh vegetables, raw fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean proteins such as chicken and fish and essential fatty acids like those found in olive oil. Stick to a meal plan that contains no fewer than 1,500 calories if you are a woman and 1,800 calories if you are a man. Get most of your calories from vegetables and fruits. Drink between 32 and 64 oz. of water every day and avoid alcohol and soft drinks.
Benefits
Feeding your body natural, whole foods supplies it with the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and fiber that it needs to function at peak efficiency. According to John Emsley of the Royal Society of Chemistry, it is not possible to speed up the the rate at which our bodies eliminate toxins. The Harvard School of Public health suggests that it is best to avoid all red and processed meat, salty snacks, sugar-laden drinks, refined grains and potatoes as part of a healthy overall lifestyle.
Warning
According to registered dietitian Steve Mariani at State University of New York's Institute of Technology, you should avoid any diet regimen that requires you to avoid any group of foods, or that demands combining certain foods.
References
- The Times Online; Ben Goldacre: Detox Debunked; Ben Goldacre; January 2008
- Harvard School of Public Health; Nutrition Source; Healthy Eating Pyramid
- MayoClinic.com; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- The Times Online: Detox Diets Are a Waste of Time and Money, Say Scientists; Mark Hendersonand Fran Yeoman; January 2006
- Go Ask Alice!; Colon Cleanse; August 2008
- State University of New York Institute of Technology; Identifying Fad Diets; Stacey Genther; March 2011
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