All Natural Two-Part Cleanse

An all-natural, two-part cleanse assists in detoxification, the process of eliminating harmful substances. Northwestern Health Sciences University's Healthy U website defines toxin as a compound that harms health or impairs organ function. Toxins include cigarette smoke, pesticides, preservatives, hormones from food, industrial pollution and drugs. The cleanse helps reduce this toxic load.

Detoxification Diet

• During a cleanse, you reduce food made with chemicals and use food and drinks that help clear out stored toxins. The Healthy U website advises eating more vegetables, fruits, brown rice and drinking a protein shake with a little fat twice a day for energy. Organic food make a good choice for the cleanse.

  Eating light, healthy foods makes a safer choice for a detoxification diet than fasting. The cleanse is a modified fast. The moderate food intake prevents the risk of losing muscle, a danger of unsupervised liquid fasts. Severe diets and fasts can cause the break-down of healthy lean tissue. A two-part cleanse assists in detoxification in a gentle and natural manner.

Supplements

• Removing toxic build-up creates a lot of work for the organs. Part 2 of the cleanse consists of herbs and supplements to support the cleansing process. Take the supplements at the same time as the detoxification diet. The Healthy U website recommends using a formula to support liver function with milk thistle and turmeric; an antioxidant formula; probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and taking a fiber supplement between meals.

  Other supplements may be added. For example, seaweed and garlic are good for heavy metal detoxification. Heavy metals such as mercury from seafood can build up in the body. Garlic, turmeric, cilantro, seaweed and kelp powder make good additions to brown rice and vegetable dishes, such as soups and casseroles.

Tips

• It may help to choose a time frame for the cleanse. For example, try a weekend first, then five days, then 10 days. It's also possible to make changes gradually, prior to attempting a cleanse. The University of Minnesota's Taking Charge of Your Health website advises a whole-food diet including colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, eggs, nuts, grass-fed lean beef and free-range chicken. The site also recommends: drinking more water and adding B-vitamins; cutting out refined foods, hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners; and reducing alcohol and caffeine to help detoxification.

  Read supplement labels and do some detective work on ingredients and what they claim to do.

  Consult with your health care professional regarding health concerns before attempting dietary changes and before stopping any medications.

  Stop eating in the evening to allow the digestive organs to rest.

  Use filtered or distilled water.

  Add lemon juice to drinking water to help flush the liver.

  Refrain from using any chemical laxatives.

  Fiber such as psyllium or guar assist elimination. Check product labels and avoid the ones with added sugar and artificial sweeteners. Add them to juice or take them in capsules.