Post by bluerose on Jul 20, 2008 19:24:07 GMT -5
Detoxing your body: FAQs
That's where body detoxification and cleansing programs come in. They are meant to help clear the body's natural toxin filters and return your system to a natural balance and homeostasis. Think of them not as a method of weight loss, but more like clearing the lint from your dryer. Cleansing and detoxing will help your body run at optimum capacity.
Naturopathic Doctor Holly Fennell joined Steven and Chris to explain some FAQs about body detox and cleansing regimes:
What are toxins?
In our everyday life, there are things that we encounter that aren't good for us in everything, including the air we breath, the water we drink and the foods we eat. Even the cleaning products we use in our homes release toxins that we absorb through our skin and lungs.
What does a detox program do to your body?
It stimulates and supports two of the body's natural filters, the liver and kidneys.
When should you do a detox?
It's best to have detoxification as part of your lifestyle. For structured detoxes, once or twice a year is good.
The best time to do it is in the spring and summer when it's warmer and the days are longer. That's when your body is in a good "renewal" phase. In winter, your body is busy working hard to stay warm. Most importantly, only do a structured detox when you have the time to rest -- your body will be working hard at getting cleaned up!
Whenever you choose, be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Detoxing is not a weight loss method.
What would a basic detox consist of?
Elimination of foods, including the following, would be a good start: sugar, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners. Some people also switch to organic cleaners to give their bodies a break.
What about those detoxes where you just drink juice? Are they any good?
Detoxing programs where you're not eating can be dangerous. They stress the immune system. Also, when you're not eating, you're not eliminating, and that means you're not getting all of the bad stuff out of your system.
Are there harmful detoxes?
Be smart and listen to your body. Some commercial detoxes work by stimulating bowel movements. Avoid detoxes like that as they can strip your body of all the good bacteria.
Also, many store-bought detox programs contain herbs that can interact poorly with prescription drubs. Definitely check with your doctor before trying anything.
What daily detoxifications can you add to your routine?
Tea detoxifies the liver. Try dandelion Tea, milk thistle tea and white tea. Just make sure the quality is good.
Add half a lemon to warm water. This get the body going and stimulates the liver.
Epsom salt in the bath draws out toxins.
Use castor oil on the skin over the liver as a poultice to enhance the liver's ability to detoxify. Get an old organic cotton T-shirt and soak it in castor oil. Wrap the T-shirt up and apply with a hot water bottle or a heating pack. The castor oil will stain your sheets, so watch out where you do this!
How will a detox make you feel at the end?
Most people say they feel more energetic, have greater mental clarity and better concentration after a detox. Some also report reduces symptoms of menopause, arthritis and asthma. The objective of a detox is to provide the body with support in doing what it's supposed to do--healing itself.
That's where body detoxification and cleansing programs come in. They are meant to help clear the body's natural toxin filters and return your system to a natural balance and homeostasis. Think of them not as a method of weight loss, but more like clearing the lint from your dryer. Cleansing and detoxing will help your body run at optimum capacity.
Naturopathic Doctor Holly Fennell joined Steven and Chris to explain some FAQs about body detox and cleansing regimes:
What are toxins?
In our everyday life, there are things that we encounter that aren't good for us in everything, including the air we breath, the water we drink and the foods we eat. Even the cleaning products we use in our homes release toxins that we absorb through our skin and lungs.
What does a detox program do to your body?
It stimulates and supports two of the body's natural filters, the liver and kidneys.
When should you do a detox?
It's best to have detoxification as part of your lifestyle. For structured detoxes, once or twice a year is good.
The best time to do it is in the spring and summer when it's warmer and the days are longer. That's when your body is in a good "renewal" phase. In winter, your body is busy working hard to stay warm. Most importantly, only do a structured detox when you have the time to rest -- your body will be working hard at getting cleaned up!
Whenever you choose, be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Detoxing is not a weight loss method.
What would a basic detox consist of?
Elimination of foods, including the following, would be a good start: sugar, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners. Some people also switch to organic cleaners to give their bodies a break.
What about those detoxes where you just drink juice? Are they any good?
Detoxing programs where you're not eating can be dangerous. They stress the immune system. Also, when you're not eating, you're not eliminating, and that means you're not getting all of the bad stuff out of your system.
Are there harmful detoxes?
Be smart and listen to your body. Some commercial detoxes work by stimulating bowel movements. Avoid detoxes like that as they can strip your body of all the good bacteria.
Also, many store-bought detox programs contain herbs that can interact poorly with prescription drubs. Definitely check with your doctor before trying anything.
What daily detoxifications can you add to your routine?
Tea detoxifies the liver. Try dandelion Tea, milk thistle tea and white tea. Just make sure the quality is good.
Add half a lemon to warm water. This get the body going and stimulates the liver.
Epsom salt in the bath draws out toxins.
Use castor oil on the skin over the liver as a poultice to enhance the liver's ability to detoxify. Get an old organic cotton T-shirt and soak it in castor oil. Wrap the T-shirt up and apply with a hot water bottle or a heating pack. The castor oil will stain your sheets, so watch out where you do this!
How will a detox make you feel at the end?
Most people say they feel more energetic, have greater mental clarity and better concentration after a detox. Some also report reduces symptoms of menopause, arthritis and asthma. The objective of a detox is to provide the body with support in doing what it's supposed to do--healing itself.