Does your body seem sluggish or do you long for an afternoon nap followed by an evening nap? Are there irritations on your skin? Do you have an increase in allergies or low-grade infections? What about bags under your eyes? Are you having menstrual cycle difficulties? Do you sometimes feel confused? These are all signs that you have too much toxicity in your body!
If you're like me you can say "yes" to just about all of these questions. Toxins build in our bodies by the foods we eat and toxins in the air we breath. It is impossible to live without building some toxicity in your body. Doctors recommend that you should do a detox at least once a year (unless you are pregnant, a nursing
mother, child, or patient with chronic degenerative disease, cancer or
tuberculosis. You should consult a physician first before beginning a detox program.
By detoxing and feeding your body healthy nutrients, your body will function at optimal health levels and it will help protect you from disease. Basically,
detoxification means cleaning the blood. It is removing impurities (toxins) from the blood, liver, kidneys, skin, intestines, lymph and lungs and replacing it with the nutrients and minerals your body needs to remain healthy.
To detoxify, begin by eliminating as many toxins from your diet as possible: coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugars, saturated fats and minimize the chemical-based household cleaners & personal items you use.
Stress is another factor that affects your health. Try a program where you can effectively release the stress from your life such as Yoga.
There are many detox programs and recipes out there, most of which follow a 7 day schedule. It will usually involve 2-3 days of fasting with juice or water only followed by eating organic fruits and vegetables for the remaining period. It is also advised to use supplements, herbs, to exercise and try using a dry-skin brush and hydrotherapy to enhance blood circulation.
There are also cleansing
supplement packages available, which generally contain fiber, vitamins, herbs and
minerals. There are several safe products on the market, with
easy-to-follow instructions.
Immediately following the detox schedule, begin a healthy regimin:
1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and
organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage,
broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root,
burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound
that drives away toxins.
4. Drink at least two quarts of water daily.
5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your
system.
6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.
7. Exercise regularly.
You will find your body will not only function better, you will feel better, have more energy, be more resistent to illness, and your skin will look younger too!
~Wendy Anguiano
(http://life.gaiam.com)
