Detoxification – A healthy way to eliminate toxins

Detoxification is an essential part of our lives. Detoxification can do more than make your eyes sparkle and your skin glow .It can boost energy levels, improve digestion and help shift a few unwanted kilos too. Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world including ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems .Detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out.

Basically detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

Although detoxification may not necessarily promote weight loss but it is one of the many benefits.

 Food to be avoided

  a)   Cigarettes

b)   Alcohol

c)    Sugar, honey, maple syrup, artificial sweeteners

d)   Coffee

e)   Milk products (except ½ cup unsweetened yoghurt with acidophilus each day)

f)   Dried fruit

g)  Grains: wheat (bread, biscuits, cakes, pasta), rye, barley, oats, spelt and rice

Foods that help promote detoxification

a)    Fish: fresh, canned

b)  Vegetables: any and all fresh vegetables

c)  Fruit: any and all fresh fruit in water or olive oil

d)   Lean red meat, chicken (without the skin). Limit to two serves per week.

e)   Eggs: preferably organic

f)    Legumes: dried or canned, such as kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils

g)   Seeds: raw unsalted sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds

h)    Nuts: raw unsalted almonds, walnuts, macadamias and cashews

i)      Olive oil (preferably extra virgin), Coconut oil (unprocessed)

 j)    Water: from one to three litres of water per day

k)     Green tea, white tea, weak black tea (decaffeinated)

Detoxification in the next 7 days

1. Morning lemon juice:This is an oldie but a goodie to kick start the digestion and cleanse the system. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a cup of hot water. Drink first thing in the morning before breakfast.
2. Exercise: During detox aim to exercise for one hour daily. And not just any exercise – something that makes you pant and puff and raise a sweat like a spin class, jog along the beach, walking uphill, hot yoga or boxing. Vigorous exercise increases lymph flow and circulation to help sweat out toxins.
3. Raw foods:Aim to cut out the cooking process and eat mainly raw foods. Raw foods contain more nutrients and enzymes. Try adding fresh sprouts to a salad daily.
4. Detox the mind:While you're detoxing the body, it is good to clear the clutter from the mind too. Aim for 15 minutes of meditation per day. If you don't know how to meditate, try belly breathing. Start by placing hands palm down on your lower belly. Breathe in through your nose, counting slowly to 3 or 4 counts. Feel your tummy rise with the breath. Breathe out just as slowly, allowing the belly to drop. Do this for 15 minutes daily.
5. Drink:Aim to drink three litres of fluid daily. This will help move the lymph and support kidney detoxification. Choose from pure spring water, fresh vegetable juice and herbal detox teas. Or make your own brew by mixing one or a combination of Dandelion root and nettle, cleavers, calendula, burdock and red clover. Add one teaspoon of the dried herbs to a cup of boiling water. Leave to steep for five minutes, strain and drink.
6. Body brushing:Doing this daily will support circulation and increase skin detoxification. Using a loofah or natural fibre body brush, brush the skin with firm circular strokes before you step into the shower. Start from the feet and hands, moving up the legs and towards the arms, avoiding the delicate area of throat and face, and any rash or sore spots. Then jump in the shower. Finish your shower with a one-minute burst cold water which brings the blood circulation to the skin.
7. Chew:Aim to chew each mouthful of food 10 to 12 times before swallowing. Bringing mindfulness to mealtimes improves digestion, allowing you to feel a sense of fullness without a need to overeat.

(TNT News)

(Featured Image:Representational)