CLEANSING & DETOX PROGRAM Awakening Your Health Potential Detox Module The Process of Detoxing After you have been following the cleansing diet regime for at least 5 days, you can move onto the detox component of the program. This more strict detox component is good to do for at least 3-5 days in the middle of the cleansing program. But even if you can only manage as little as 1-2 days, it will still offer important benefits. The detox program is designed to remove waste from the body to enable it to function better, to improve energy, immunity and vitality. It will also encourage weight loss in those who are overweight. This part of the cleansing programme involves restricting carbohydrate intake (the body s preferred source of energy) and limiting fats. Without a ready source of energy available, the body will start to access fat stores which it will burn for energy. As many of our waste and toxins are stored in the fat tissue, as the fat cells get broken down, they will also release stored toxins which we can eliminate from the body in the process. Some protein is required during the detox to ensure that muscle mass is not lost by being used for energy. Protein also gives the liver beneficial raw materials to enable detoxification.
Supporting the Liver Amino acids are small molecules that come from protein in our food and are an important component of liver enzymes. Enzymes are simply substances that catalyse different actions in the body. The liver uses a range of enzymes in its important detoxification work. Before most things enter the bloodstream from the digestive tract they must first pass through the liver's detoxification process. A healthy liver eliminates unnatural or harmful compounds, such as food colorings, artificial flavourings, preservatives, pesticide residue, medications, alcohol and also hormones. The liver detoxifies the blood through two complex phases. Phases I and II change fat-soluble substances into water-soluble substances that can be excreted from the body. Along with protein, vitamins and minerals also assist in the detoxification pathway of the liver. These include the B group vitamins (in particular B6, B12 & folic acid), the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and the minerals copper, manganese, selenium, zinc and sulphur. Consuming plenty of vegetables, including the sulphur-containing cruciferous family (such as broccoli and cabbage) is a very important part of the cleansing diet and detox program. GENERAL WARNING & CONTRAINDICATIONS õ The detox program should not be undertaken whilst sick, pregnant or during breastfeeding. õ The detox program is not advisable for children. õ The detox program requires the participant to be able to rest and be prepared for the possibility of some mild side effects in the early stages (such as headaches and fatigue). õ To facilitate healing and rest, the detox diet is best done when not at work or when strenuous activity is required. õ If side effects are more pronounced or concerning to the participant, it is strongly recommended that appropriate medical care or advice be sought.
Foods To Include During the Detox Bone broths/home made stocks Vegetable juices Green smoothies Water Cleansing Tea (2-3 cups daily) NB: See Detox Recipe Guide for ideas & recipes õ A word on water Water is the essential juice of life and most people live in a state of mild dehydration. During the cleansing diet and detox, it is important to source good quality water. If you cannot access good quality rainwater or mineral water which are the purest sources of water, then please filter your water. Town water supplies have many added chemicals, which you are really best to not consume, especially during a cleansing program. Reverse osmosis filters are the best ones, but any water filter that you can afford will at least remove some impurities and chemicals like chlorine. As you will be consuming lots of fluids by way of broths, teas and juices during the detox, you do not need massive quantities of water. Aim to drink an additional litre per day as a minimum, but be guided by your thirst. It is important to realise that too much water can have a negative side effect as you will excrete too many of your minerals and electrolytes that play an very important role in your health.
Other General Advice õ Ensure that you eat/drink enough during the detox o Remember, you are not trying to fast it is important to keep your body nourished so that it has the resources to properly eliminate toxins. o Detox and cleansing diets also offer a beneficial way to practice mindfulness around emotional eating patterns. If you experience cravings, try to tune into what else you might be needing that doesn t involve food and nurture yourself accordingly. o See my blog on mindful eating for more ideas: http://karenmcelroy.com.au/mindful-eating/ õ Get plenty of sleep o During sleep your body carries out many tasks and in particular your liver and kidneys are active overnight and in the early morning. o Make sure you go to bed early, avoid media at night where possible and take a book to bed instead. õ Be gentle on yourself o Practice self compassion and kindnesss and try not to be too hard on yourself during the detox. o If you slip up, just get back on track again without guilt or self criticism J
õ Gentle exercise is ideal to support your body o The best form of exercise during a detox is brisk walking each day, ideally out in nature. o Gentle swimming or cycling is also permitted. o Avoid high impact or extensive cardio exercise as this will potentially divert resources away from the detoxification process. o Other practices such as yoga, tai chi & qi gong are also very beneficial during a detox. õ Emotional Detox o It is not just the physical body that needs a detox from time to time, but also our mind and emotions. o Just as we carry a lot of physical waste in our bodies from accumulated toxins over the years, we also carry a lot of emotional baggage or toxins. o So consider using the detox time to hit the refresh button on all aspects of your life. o Take some time each day in quiet contemplation and assess what is working well or not working in different spheres of your life. o Journaling, reflection and meditation are all beneficial to increase awareness and help to facilitate changes in our emotions and inner life.
Supplements (included in the program) õ Cleansing Tea This tea has specific diuretic herbs that will support kidney function and gently help to eliminate waste from your body. o Use 2 teaspoons of tea per cup of boiling water, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. o Drink 2 cups daily throughout the program. o This tea can also be consumed cold as an ice tea if desired. õ Liver Tonic This herbal tonic has important liver herbs that help to improve liver function and detoxification and protect liver cells from toxins. o Take 5mls in 30-40mls of water once or twice daily during cleansing diet and then increase to 3 x daily during detox. NB: Additional supplements such as a B complex vitamin can also be useful to take during the cleansing program. These are available from the Noosa or Buderim clinics, please contact Karen if you would like more information on how to obtain specific vitamin supplements.