Total Body Detox

Getting rid of all the toxic waste in your body will make you feel better, improve your energy levels and reduce the number of sick days you take. Most of us don't realize that we have toxins stored in our fat cells. The food we eat makes it more difficult for our liver, kidneys and colon to eliminate these toxins. As a result, we aren't able to absorb nutrients as efficiently. A total body detox will help you get your body back to optimal performance.

Total Body vs. Target Organs

• Some detox programs focus on specific areas of your body. There are herbal teas that promote liver detox versus kidney detox. You may perform a colon cleanse with a colon irrigation or enema.

  While there are individual methods for each area of the body and these can be done in conjunction with each other, it is often easier to do a complete body cleanse and detox. This will also ensure that supplements, herbal concoctions and methods will not create adverse reactions when combined. Always consult a doctor prior to starting any detox or cleansing program.

Total Body Detox

• Doing a total body detox often requires that you remove, at the very least, all processed foods from your diet. You should consume only organic whole foods and limit the amount of fat and protein consumed to reduce the metabolic work required to break them down. If you are able to go on complete fruit diet or liquid diet you will be able to have a much more effective body cleanse. To accomplish a cleanse where you are removing solid food from your diet, such as the lemonade diet or the fruit juice detox, you will need to prepare your body by limiting your solid food intake to only fresh fruits and vegetables for three days prior to the detox. When on any detox, water consumption is essential---consume at least two liters of water daily. Depending on the detox program you choose, you will be able to drink as much of the juice or detox liquid as desired to provide nourishment and alleviate hunger pangs. When the detox is done, you should ease back into solid food by starting with broths and juices and slowly adding fruits and vegetables. Going right for that burger may cause constipation.

Expectations

• Everyone goes into a detox with different expectations. Some people want to lose weight, while others want to feel better about daily performance. Understand that a detox is not a cure-all and will not be a long-term solution for weight loss or a substitute for healthier eating and exercise habits.

  You will most likely feel sluggish or even get flu symptoms when you start the detox as toxins are released into your bloodstream. This is normal and to be expected. Keep drinking fluids to help flush them out. If you experience lightheaded periods or dizziness, talk to your doctor. This can indicate a serious medical condition that needs immediate attention.