Detoxing Regimen

DETOXING- Knowledge is POWER

A Detox program is nothing more than providing support for the body's natural cleansing functions

A healthy and responsible Detox program helps the body Detox naturally by:

1)       Resting the digestive organs through fasting or eating of whole foods in small amounts

2)       Improving circulation of the blood and lymph systems

3)       Stimulating the liver to filter toxins from the body

4)       Moving the bowels and cleansing the colon

5)       Nourishing the body with essential nutrients

Detox Tip #1 Understand Why a Detox Regimen is important: With the lifestyle most of us lead on a day to day basis, we are surrounded by toxins. Eliminating these from our bodies is like a tune up.

Why do a Detox?

1.  It reduces the amount of chemicals that your body is actually absorbing through the food that you eat as well as those absorbed from the environment.

2.  It places a great deal of emphasis on the person to increase the amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that their body digests as well as increasing the amount of antioxidants as well.  All of which are suitable for helping in the detoxification process.

3. A good detox diet plan is one that will ensure that the user eats plenty of foods that contain high levels of fiber and also ensures that they consume sufficient amounts of water as well.  It is through the use of these foods and drinking plenty of water that the body can easily and effectively remove unwanted toxins and waste from the body.

The main detoxification organs/pathways are the Kidneys, Liver, Colon and Lymph and the secondary detoxification pathways are the skin and lungs. Each is just as important as the other, all working in unison to keep the body healthy and toxin-free.

Kidneys: Filter the Blood and Make Urine

Liver: Process Toxins for Elimination via Bile

Colon: Separate Toxins from Nutrients and Pass Toxins on for Elimination

Skin: A Pathway for the Release of Internal Toxins

Lungs: Bring Oxygen to the Heart and Remove Toxins through Exhale

Lymph: Transports White Blood Cells for Immunity and Removes Toxins, Wastes and Pathogens for Elimination

Detox Tip #2 Figure out what’s right for YOU:  Different people are at different stages of bodily malfunction. Determine where you fit in, and find a detox plan that will work for you.

Detox Tips Increase:	Decrease or Eliminate:	Other Actions:
Water Lemon Water Coconut water Fresh fruits & vegetables Whole foods Vitamins & minerals Anti-oxidants Essential fatty acids Non-toxic personal care products Organic foods Green Drinks Alkaline Foods Fresh  pressed Vegetable Juices Herbal Teas Naturally detoxifying foods Air-filtering houseplants Air purifiers Zeolites	Toxic environments Sugars Saturated and hydrogenated fats Avoid artificial sweeteners Caffeine Refined flour products Gluten Milk & Dairy products Meat & Poultry - Animal Products Late night eating Food preservatives & additives Processed foods High-Fat Foods- Fried foods Yeasts Nicotine Alcohol Recreational drugs Stress	Use a dry skin brush daily Make healthier meals Replace household toxic chemicals & materials with safer alternatives Neti nasal irrigation Colonic Therapy Coffee Enema Good night's sleep Exercise regularly- Rebounder Yoga, meditation, time in nature Improve digestion Address unresolved emotional issues Massage Positive attitude Adopt a detox lifestyle Oil Pulling Tongue Scraping Lymphatic Massage

List of Detox Foods to Include:

Apple contains pectin which helps to excrete heavy metals and is cleansing for the liver and the kidneys.

Artichoke increases bile production and purifies and protects the liver and has a diuretic effect on the kidneys.

Asparagus is a great diuretic that helps to support and maintain restorative properties that promote good bacteria in the intestines.

Avocados We rarely think of avocados as a cleansing food but these nutritional powerhouses lower cholesterol and dilate blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxicity. Avocados contain a nutrient called glutathione, which blocks at least thirty different carcinogens while helping the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals.

Beets are loaded with antioxidants. The purple pigment in beets is called betacyanin, and it has been shown to fight cancer. Betaine, another substance found in beets, has been shown to stimulate liver cells and protect liver and bile ducts. . It also has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism The fiber in beets, called pectin, has been shown to bind to and help eliminate heavy metals and toxins from the body.

Blueberries Truly one of the most powerful healing foods, blueberries contain natural aspirin that helps lessen the tissue-damaging effects of chronic inflammation, while lessening pain. Blueberries also act as antibiotics by blocking bacteria in the urinary tract, thereby helping to prevent infections. They also have antiviral properties and help to block toxins from crossing the blood-brain barrier to gain access to the delicate brain.

Broccoli sprouts They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

Burdock root It acts as an antioxidant and aids in the elimination of excess fluid and toxins. It helps purify the blood, supports liver and gallbladder function, stimulates digestion, boosts immune function, helps with skin disorders, and may help relieve PMS symptoms.

Cayenne Enhances blood circulation, stimulates the digestive system, and protects the body with its antioxidants from the effects of harmful chemicals.

Cinnamon Helpful for reducing intestinal gas and aids in increasing blood circulation. This spice is also known to treat diarrhea, nausea, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and Candida

Celery and Celery Seeds Celery and celery seeds are excellent blood cleansers and contain many different anti-cancer compounds that help detoxify cancer cells from the body. Celery seeds contain over twenty anti-inflammatory substances. It is particularly good for detoxifying substances found in cigarette smoke.

Cilantro has been found to chelate (remove) heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, and lead from the body. In fact, it is believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and actually remove said metals from the brain. It’s rich in all kinds of beneficial phytonutrients, flavonoids, detoxing substances, and antimicrobial compounds. Cilantro helps to normalize blood sugar levels and stabilize lipid levels. Cilantro has been shown to bind to mercury, cadmium, lead, and aluminum, allowing these heavy metals to be flushed from the body.

Cranberries Cleanse your body from harmful bacteria and viruses that may be lingering in your urinary tract with cranberries since they contain antibiotic and antiviral substances.

Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Sprouts, Cabbage and Cauliflower) increase levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that supports the liver in releasing toxins. They are all known for their cancer-fighting properties.

Dandelion Greens & Root: rich in nutrients and compounds that support the liver. In one animal study, dandelion improved the liver’s ability to clear toxins by 244 percent Increases the flow of bile.

Flaxseeds and Flaxseed Oil. Loaded with essential fatty acids, particularly the Omega-3s, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are essential for many cleansing functions throughout the body.

Fennel has strong diuretic properties that help eliminate fats from the body.

Fruits, fruits, and fruits They’re full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Garlic Antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, and antifungal, garlic is used to treat ear infections, influenza, blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It eliminates toxins from the body and is antiparasitic. Known as nature’s pharmacy has powerful antioxidants properties that convert to sulphur based compounds which bind to mercury as well as food additives.  It also activates liver enzymes that help to filter out refined foods.

Ginger Used to improve circulation, aid detoxification, and improve the cleansing of the kidneys and bowels. It is also used to treat colds, motion sickness, nausea, and morning sickness. It is known as a panacea that relieves bloating, but also helps to stimulate digestive enzymes which supports healthy digestion.

Green leafy vegetables  Eat them raw or throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.  They are considered a powerhouse of nutrients that are probably the number one food missing from the American diet.  They are a rich source of minerals and provide a variety of phytonutrients.  They are super antioxidants that support cleansing of the digestive tract.

Green tea  This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.

Grapefruit  Add a ruby red grapefruit to your breakfast to benefit from pectin fiber that binds to cholesterol, thereby cleansing the blood. Pectin also binds to heavy metals and helps escort them out of the body. It also has antiviral compounds that cleanse harmful viruses out of the body. Grapefruit is an excellent intestinal and liver detoxifier.

Parsley contains powerful phytonutrients and is a diuretic and helps the kidneys to release toxins.  As a side note, parsley will help to reduce the flavor after eating raw garlic.

Psyllium  A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

Legumes Add a handful of cooked beans to your next meal since they loaded with fiber that helps lower cholesterol, cleanses the intestines, and regulates blood sugar levels. Legumes also help protect the body against cancer.

Lemon stimulates the release of enzymes and helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that’s easily excreted from the body. Drinking lemon water, which is alkaline- forming first thing in the morning, will help to balance out the acidity foods we’ve consumed. You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.

Miso Helps to protect the body from radiation, cancer, air pollution, and environmental toxins. A wonderful digestive aid and protein source.

Nori This sea veggie is great paired with higher fat foods since it emulsifies fat and aids in its digestion. Rich in vitamin A, protein, B vitamins, calcium, and iron.

Quinoa This simple seed is a complete protein, and also boasts high calcium and lysine contents.

Sesame seeds  They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.

Sea Vegetables, often called seaweeds are powerful antioxidants that help to alkalize the blood and strengthen the digestive tract.  The algin in seaweeds absorbs toxins from the digestive tract in much the same way that a water softener removes the hardness from tap water.  Sea vegetables offer the broadest range of minerals of any food, containing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean-the same minerals that are found in human blood. Studies at McGill University in Montreal showed that seaweeds bind to radioactive waste in the body. Seaweed also binds to heavy metals to help eliminate them from the body.

Sweet Potatoes are nutritional powerhouses and are filled with antioxidants. They are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and a very good source of vitamin C—both of which are very powerful antioxidants that work in the body to eliminate free radicals. Also, sweet potatoes contain compounds called phytochelatins that can bind heavy metals to help detoxify the body.

Turmeric Found in most curry powders, this mustard-colored spice is high in beta carotene, strengthens the immune system, and helps to dissolve cysts and tumors. Anti- Inflammatory

Watercress a natural diuretic purifies the blood and encourages enzyme production.

Adding these detox superfoods to your diet will help to reduce the toxic load on your organs and will also help to reduce the amount of acidity and inflammation in the body.

Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.

Winter Squash A warming food, these sweet squashes are a good source of vitamins A, C, and potassium.

Take care of your body.  It’s the only place you have to live.