Body detoxification and or cleansing are important part of maintaining health, slowing the aging process and preventing diseases, by allowing the body to rid itself of a build up of toxins. Our bodies are exposed to various toxins regularly – in our foods, in the air we breathe, in our environments among other areas, while the body has a tremendous capacity to put up with junk, it does eventually break down and that is when the body starts to suffer from various symptoms of feeling sluggish, lack of energy, digestive issues such as bloating and constipation among other symptoms.
The body has four major organs for detoxification – these include skin – the largest detoxification organ, lungs, liver and kidneys. It is very important to pick the right type of detox program for efficient cleansing, as well, it is important that the detoxification organs are functioning well before doing any cleanses. The toxins will produce many metabolites when broken down, that need to be eliminated from the body and if the organs of detoxification are not working efficiently, this may cause an unwanted accumulation of toxin metabolites, which can be quite harmful for the body.
When doing a cleanse or a detoxification program, your schedule should ideally be free of commitments and excessive physical activity, allowing the body adequate time and resources of detoxify more efficiently. Health food stores carry all kinds of cleanses hence its quite confusing when it comes to picking the right kind of cleanse. The cleanses/ detox should be specific for your symptoms and your body, not the other way around. There are many options – candida cleanses, liver and gall bladder cleanses or flushes, colon cleanses, kidney cleanses, so which one should you pick? Talk to your naturopathic physician before starting any cleanse/ detoxification program, as they have in depth knowledge about different cleanses and what would be most suitable for your body without harming it. Think you need to do a detox? Please fill out the following detox questionnaire to see if you do need to do a cleanse or a body detox.
In terms of cleanses, it could be a fast or a specific program that you follow for a few days. It could also be in the form of an enema or colonic irrigation. Most fasts will allow you to eat while cleansing, but of course most cleanses come with restrictions in terms of what types of foods you can eat – most cleanses will allow fruits or vegetable intake, along with other easily digestible foods that would help with the detoxification process of the body as opposed to clogging it up more.
For more information on cleansing and detoxification, please click here.
IF YOU ARE TAKING PRESCRITION MEDICATION, PLEASE TALK TO YOUR NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY CLEANSES.
By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.