There are various types of detox available in the market such as kidney flushes and liver flushes and quite often i have patients who ask me what the best detox is and when is it a right time to do a detox? Generally speaking, the best times to do a detox are Spring and Fall, however since we are exposed to various toxins all year long, anytime is a good time.

Bear in mind that the majority of the detoxification products available on the market are general and not specific, and can do more harm than good in certain instances, hence talk to your health care provider before starting one as they can best determine if the timing is ideal for the cleanse or detox you are interested in doing. Here are here are some detoxification tips all of us can benefit from:

Tips for Spring Detoxification

•   Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses/day).

•   Add half a lemon to a warm glass of water with a pinch of cayenne pepper and ½ tsp of olive oil and enjoy it first thing in the morning.

•   Eat your salads and greens – they provide you with lots and lots of live enzymes and minerals and also help detoxify heavy metals from the body.

•   If you haven’t eaten fruit and vegetables on a regular basis, start to eat a lots of fruit, your body will detoxify itself first. Even if you do not change your use of stimulants (coffee, sugar and nicotine).

•   Steam bath to remove heavy metals: Using 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1/2 cup of sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a loofah / face towel. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and “dirty” due to heavy metals coming out of the skin, including aluminum and mercury. Do this once a week during detox and once a month for maintenance.

•   Exercise regularly, for at least 20 minutes. Partner up with a friend or family member if motivation is a problem. Go for a brisk walk or jog, or try something different like a spinning class or Yoga!

By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.