What is a Detox?
We often think of a detox as a way of cleaning out the body, cleaning out all of the unhealthy substances that we have consumed.
Cleansing, purifying and detox are words you may have heard recently on television programmes and in articles in newspapers and magazines about diet and detox programmes to cleanse your body. But this is not a trend or a new fad, which is only exclusive to the rich and famous and it is nothing new. For centuries health gurus across the globe have extolled the benefits of having periods of the year set aside to cleanse both the body and the mind.
By doing so, we improve our energy, digestion, skin and physical health and mental clarity and awareness.
We are bombarded with toxins everyday in this modern world that we live in, so it should come to no suprise that many healthy care proffessionals and practitioners today continue to recommend a cleansing regime once or twice a year. As a way to maintain good health and to restore energy levels in the body.
When followed properly these programs can be useful for promoting good health and wellbeing for each and everyone of us.
As my Nutritionist Husband Ravi Singh would say that "A Detox program should not be about punishment or semi starvation", a well-designed detox program gently helps to establish good health through the holistic support of the bodies own elimination processes, embraces healthy eating, exercise, stress management techniques, plenty of rest and rejuvination and food supplements which may be supportive to your cleansing program.
A Good Detox Diet Supports:
Cleansing the Colon and ensuring efficient elimination of waste and toxins from the body.
Improving circulation and strengthening the Lymphatic system to clear toxic substance. Eliminating foods that are allergic and add toxic burden.
Providing nutrients to the Liver-the most under-rated organ in the body.
Insight About Toxins And Where They Are Found?
A Toxin is a substance that has the potential to undermine human health. Types of Toxins come from:
Our Environment and the air we breathe are the most common sources of toxins.
The food that we eat, such as burnt food and hardened fats, trans fats in our diet, as well as all processed foods
Accumulation of pesticides and fertilizers in our food chain.
Household product like cleaning products, air fresheners and toiletries like soap, shampoo and deodorants etc...
Traffic and Industrial pollution.
Alcohol and sugary food, caffeine
Heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium found in dental fillings and cigarette smoke.
These toxins have to be removed from the body by several exit routes by which they may leave the body.
Organs Responsible For The Detox:
The body cleanses itself through the skin, the bowels, urinary tract, the lungs, the liver and the lymphatic system. Are all the primary exit routes. Our bodies produce waste or toxins through the everyday processes of metabloism.
If the primary routes are under pressure or not working efficiently (i.e if you don't drink enough water, or if your bowels are sluggish, or you don't get enough fresh air, or exercise), the body has the option of pushing the toxins out through exit routes. Which are the mucous membranes, skin and in women, through menstrual blood.
Having a proper bowl movement daily is essential for the efficient elimination of toxins from the body.
Our body starts to accumilate toxins, if the amount we produce and absorb starts to exceed the processing and excretin ability of our organs. Toxins remain in the bloodsteam and are stored awain in our tissues, such as fat. Certain organs, such as the liver, are especially vulnerable to this accumulation and can become clogged and congested, with the pressure of excess waste matter and toxins.
The Liver is the main organ for the body’s cleansing process. Optimum health and abundance of energy is possible when your liver is functioning properly. The efficient function of the liver is often compromised by factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, refined and processed foods, medications and hydrogenated fat.
The Lymphatic system plays an essential role in detoxification, but is often overlooked.
The lymphatic system in the body consists of organs, connective tissue, lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are responsible for filtering foreign substances and microorganisms from the body, and stopping harmful bacteria from getting into the blood stream. The lymphatic system is also an integral part of the body’s overall immune system.
Signs of a poor lymphatic function include poor circulation and cellulite. A good diet with regular skin brushing, massage helps to stimulate the healthy lymph flow.
The Skin is the secondary exit route for toxins; its capacity to elimination the toxin can be enhanced by regular exercise, which causes perspiration.
Skin brushing is recommended to stimulate lymph and blood circulation to remove impurities.
If you decide to use a body brush, always use it dry, use a vegetable bristle brush. Brush very gently for the first few days and then gradually increase the pressure.
To body brush effectivly, start at the top of your right foot working upwards towards your leg, inner thigh, tummy, hands and arms on the your front of your body and then the same on the back of your body, from the soles of your feet, upwards towards your buttocks, lower and upper back, back of neck, back of your arms and elbows. Focus the brush strokes all the way up towards your heart. Avoid your face and chest area, if you are female, as they are very soft and sensitive parts of the skin. But don’t forget the back of your neck and the scalp also.
If you would like more information about body brushing and to get your hands on some of the best body brushes you should be using, please contact me here and I would be happy to advise.
The Kidneys and the Bladder work synergistic with the liver to eliminate waste.
Water is the best friend of the kidneys, so drink plenty of fresh water, ideally filtered water
is best, avoiding plastic water bottles as much as you can. Drinking plenty of fresh water everyday, at least 1.5 litres of water, avoiding sparkling water. Drinking plenty of water is one of the most important parts of a detox, as it can help with the elimination of toxins from the body.
If you wasn't able to drink enough water, you could get some unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, rashes and general aches, pains and tension.
This is why I always recommend all of my clients who are either coming to me for a massage, facial or an energy healing session: such as Reiki healing. To drink plenty of water a few days previous to their session and to continue to drink plenty of water after their session.
This will prevent dehydration, dehydration causes the unpleaseant physical and mental effects, such as heachaches, feel dizzy or light headed, confusion, brain fog, feel tired and lethargic, having a dry mouth, lips and eyes, constipation, aches and pain, muscle cramps, feel nausea, dark or yellow pee that smells.
That is why we need to consume more water, our body doesnt store and hold water, instead the is continually needing water to remove waste out of the body. So the more water that you drink throughout your day, the better you will feel.
To find out more about how the body detoxifies and what's needed, please read my latest blog post on It takes Guts To Be Healthy
How Do I Know If A Detox Programme Would Be Of Benefit To Me?
We are all-toxic to some degree, may be it is the inhaling of air, eating food.
Our body does neutralize some of these toxins up in some level.
But the real problems start when the toxic load becomes too much for our organs to manage, the toxins are not eliminated fast enough. The body has a number of ways of alterting us to the fact that toxins are not being removed efficiently. It does this by producing symptoms such as the following below:
Some Of The Many Types Of Symptoms Of Toxicity Are:
Feeling below par
Aches, pains and stiffness in your joints and muscles
Food sensitivity
Allergies and sensitivities, including hayfever
Excessive weight, especially around the belly
Unable to lose weight, no matter how much you exercise and dieting you do
You suffer with water or fluid retention
Constripation, diarrhea, and other digestive issues
Skin problems - such as rashes, eczema, acne, itchiness, etc...
Bad PMS
Bad breath
Sluggish digestion/poor digestion or digestive problems
Inability to feel rested after sleep
Cellulite
Mood swings, such as crankiness, anxiety and depression
Low sex drive
Felling sluggish
You have dark circles and puffy eyes
Insomnia
Trouble sleeping and falling alseep
Frequent colds and viruses
Find it hard to cope with stress
You have sinus congestion, sore throat and a runny nose
You have a white coating on your tongue
You have a metallic taste in your mouth
Unexplained headaches you have more than occasionally
Fatique, tiredness and low energy
Brain fog, thinking impairment and problems focusing
Have problems concentrating
Unpleasant Body odor
You get ovely hot or sweaty - it's not menopausal related
You easily feel addicted to foods you know arent good for you, or that deplete you
You have cravings for sugar or starchy foods
If you are feeling any number of these symptoms, this is your body giving you some important signs that it needs some support and some time off from the toxic imput.
Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of a serious health problem, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is importat that, in any doubt, a healthcare practitioner should be consulted.
So it is the right time to start doing some good to your body, giving it plenty of good food your body will recover well and you will feel and reap the many good and healthy benefits that come from a healthy detox.
If you would like some professional help with starting a healthy detox program, my husband Ravi Singh would be happy to help, he has been a qualified health and gut nutritionist for 10 years and he has a specific Master detox programme that he offers, that can help you on your path to a healthy detox and a healthy body, check it out here...
How Might I Benefit From A Detox?
Make sure you are in a good state of mind and health to detox, and to go on a gentle and light detox programme that will not leave you weak, tired and wobbly, but instead rejuvenated and to allow you to feel full of energy and vitality. Generally you may expect to experience the following from a healthy detox programme, such as:
Improved digestion
Balance energy levels
Better sleep quality
Hair, skin and nails gets better
Helps to loose weight
Enhanced mental function
Helps with weight reduction
Increase Metabolism
Helps with Aches and pains
When Is The Best Time To Detox And For How Long Should You Detox For?
Traditionally a cleansing diet/detox should be carried out with the changes of the season, but you can choose any time that suits you. I personally prefer either spring or summer months, as it's easier to do during this time of year.
Typically most people think of doing a big detox after having any heavy indulgences, such as Christmas, New Year and after Easter or before a big occasion, like a Wedding or a beach holiday. I personally believe the best time for a healthy detox, is during a time when you are less stressed, and where you have time to make and prepare your food from scratch and time to rest as and when you need it. I would advise anyone to avoid doing any type of detox while your moving house or changing jobs.
If you choose to do your healthy detox in the winter months make sure that you eat more warming foods such as; home made soups, steamed vegetables, plenty of whole grains and spices like ginger and cinnamon.
Sometimes a weekend detox could be a good idea in order to avoid a distraction from your working week, but I still suggest that a healthy detox has to be gentle and a bit longer than a weekend in order to get the optimum results from a sucessful detox. A short detox can be a bit intensive sometimes and it could possibly make you feel groggy. If you choose to have a longer detox, which I would recommend, say a month which may include some cleansing juices, some raw foods, could all be carried out quite easily. Making sure that you eat food on regular intervals and that you drink plenty of fresh water, to enhance your detoxification.
When You Should't Follow A Detox Programme
Under certain circumstances, a detoxification programme is not advisable:
If you are underweight
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
Suffering from an eating disorder
Immediately after an illness or surgery
Feeling unwell, have a fever or a viral infection
Having your period/ Menstruation in women
If you are diabetic
If you are on any type of medication for any health condition
Have a health condition and under doctors or specialist care
Do I Need To Exercise During My Detox?
Regular exercise is an essential part of an effective detox. It enhances the function of the lymphatic system, boosting the circulation and encouraging the elimination of toxins through sweat. Exercise boosts Metabolism and it also encourages a healthy bowel function and the liver’s ability to detox.
Including regular exercise in your daily schedule, preferably in fresh air. It doesnt have to be in large amounts, just 10 minutes of brisk walking, 2-3 times a day, as long as it's done consistenly. Regular exercise stirs up the lymphatic system and opens up the lungs, which is one of your bodies primary exit routes for detoxification and releasing toxins out from the body. So the more you exercise the better it is for your body and the detoxification process, being a success.
Is There Any Supplelment's That Are Helpful During A Detox?
As I have mentioned, that my husband, Ravi Singh is a fully qualified Nutritionist and his recommendations regarding supplementaltion during a detox programs would be to first have a good quality and high potency Multivitamin and minerals supplement, which will supply you with a healthy top up of nutrients and vitamins, which may be missing from your diet.
Ravi would also recommend some Psyllium husk, which is a natural source of fiber, which is an important addition to a detox programme; it can help to remove the old debris from the intestines that may have accumulated as a result of constipation.
NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) is a sulphur containing amino acid's and a powerful antioxidant. NAC is involved with the production of Glutathione. You can also take other useful antioxidants supplements such as; Vitamin C, Milk thistle, which is helpful for the liver to cleanse, Turmeric, which is great for inflammation in the body and especially in the gut and dandelion roots, which is a powerful antioxidant. The beauty of antioxidants is that they mop up the free radical damage in the body and help in the function of the detox programme.
If you would like any supplementation tips and advice from Ravi, please message him here with your questions and queries on any of the above, he would be happy to help.
What Does A Healthy Detox Diet Involve?
A good and healthy detox involves simple and natural food and drink that help to stimulate the bodies own detoxification process. Refined, processed and allergenic food should not be consumed during a detox. The Key rules for a healthy and sucessful detox are as follows:
Choose organic food where possible.
All food found in their natural state are always good. Choose whole foods only, no refined and processed food. No ready meals, packaged foods, tinned food and any artificial coloring in anything that you consume, during your detox.
Include plenty of nuts, seeds, pulses, fruits, vegetables and whole grain's such as brown rice, buckwheat, miller, rye, and quinoa. These are all great sources of fibre, which your gut needs to process
Avoid any dehdrating drinks such as teas, coffee's, fizzy drinks, alcohol, soft drinks and fruit squashes. Drink lots of fresh filtered water instead with a little bit of lime/lemon in it, herbal teas that contain no caffeine and freshly squeezed fruit juices are accepable, but must take these in addition to, rather than instead of, the 1.5 litres of fresh water. Always try to aim for at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
Make a green smoothie with all powerful green vegetables and fruits, with some essential omegas like 3-6-9.
Eliminate sugar all-together during your detox programme.
Limit or cut out completly the use of animal products like read meat, dairy, cheese, milk and eggs, as they are all very acidic and take a long time to digest.
Protein is a vital source for liver detoxification so eatting a good amount of cold-waterfish (organic), plenty of oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, which are a great source of protein and essential fats.
Eat an abundance of the detox-enhancing foods-, such as - apples, sprouted beans, all types of beans, such as blackbeans, kidney beans, chick pea's, seeds, all kinds of berries, onions and garlic, cruciferous vegetables like - broccoli, cabbage, watercress, cauliflower and Brusselssprouts.
Make a smoothie with Sea algae like Spirulina, and chlorella - they are both termed as a super food, which are both packed with vital nutrients and helps with cleaning and cleansing the heavy metals from the body.
Avoid any unnecessary non-‐prescription drugs during your detox (such as painkillers, cough medicine etc.) and do not use any recreational drugs, including tobacco.
Body brush daily, as I mentioned above. If you need more help with this, such as which body brush should I get, please message me here and I will be happy to help and advice on how to use a body brush effectively.
Have a regular Detox Massage - Detox massage is a type of gentle manipulation.
My Detox massage's that I provide to my clients, includes Lympathic drainage to help the body to naturally remove toxins and waste within the tissues of the skin.
By stimulating the lymphatic system during a detox massage, you are enabling the body to eliminate excess fluid build-up, expel harmful bacteria and flush out waste products that have built up from the metabolic processes. Stimulation in the form of gentle massage will actually promote the detox process, which in turn will benefit the immune system and facilitate the healing process.
The lymphatic system also has the ability, when stimulated during a detoxification massage, to promote the regeneration of cells and increase the flow of fluids in and around the connective tissue which will kick start the detox process.
This is why massage, especially a detox massage is highly recommended during a healthy detox programme.
If you would like to incorporate the benefits of a detox massage into your next detox period, please click here to book a session with me, a course of sessions would be recommended during your detox programmme, please get in contact with me, to find ways in which you could save money on a few detox massages to get the best results from your detox programme that you wish to put into place, I would be happy to help you.
Have a Detoxifying Salt Bath - Salt detox baths are usually made of Epsom salt, or Himalayan salts, which allows for minerals to “draw out” toxins from the body.
One of the best-known ways to leach heavy metals from the body is through the skin, submerged in a salt bath. The sulphates in Epsom salt or Himalayan salts, help to flush out toxins and heavy metals. The process is called reverse osmosis, and it literally pulls toxins out of your body.
For a detox bath, add at least two cups of Epson salt or Himalayan salt to warm bathwater and soak for up to 40 minutes in total. The first 20 minutes will give your body time to remove toxins from your system while the last 20 minutes will allow you to absorb the minerals in the water.
How often? Once, twice, or three times a week.
It’s especially good for anyone who suffers from muscle cramps and growing pains (low magnesium), or has trouble sleeping.
Each of my Organic Himalayan Bath Salts are uniquely handmade with only the purist therapeutic high grade essential oils and Himalayan Pink Salt to help to bring balance, detox, harmony, relaxation, peace, happiness, less tension and a better nights sleep to name but a few. Himalayan Pink Salt is pure, hand-mined salt found naturally, deep within the pristine Himalayan Mountains. Crystallised over 250 million years ago these Himalayan Salts are naturally rich in 84 nourishing and skin replenishing minerals all vital minerals for maintaining good health and human life, and is the most purist form of salt on the earth, as it hasn't come into contact with external chemicals and untouched by pollutants. Some benefits of Himalayan Salt are:
Promotes healthy sleep patterns
Prevents muscle cramps
Strengthens bones
Lowers blood pressure
Improves circulation
Boosts energy levels
Helps with weight loss
Detoxifies the body of heavy metals and toxins
Cleanses your energetic field/Aura
and so much more... please read more about the many more benefits of Himalayan Salt and what it is here.
Including the powerful benefits of pure therapeutic grade essential oils these unique bath salts pack a punch of healing benefits for body, mind and spirit.
My Total Weight Loss Detox Bath Salts - £4.50 Each
Ingredients:- Ginger, Rosemary, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Cinnamon and Lemon pure essential oils and organic Himalayan Pink Salt
All of my products are completely free from artificial fragrances, no phthalates, no petrochemicals, no artificial colours or paragons and chemicals. Only the most natural ingredients that offer a therapeutic experience.
Contact me here , if you would like to purchase any of my detoxifying Himalayan Salts
If you would like further help and advice on creating a healthy detox for yourself, please either get in contact with myself, Kelly at Pure Bliss Holistic Therapies here, or to chat to my nutritionist husband Ravi Singh, please message him here and he would be happy to advice on foods, supplements and what can benefit you on your detox program and your long term health goals.
Happy Detoxing!
Check out Ravi's weight loss and supplement ebook with helpful tips and advice on all things health and well-being to help you get results. Check them out in our shop to download.
Best Wishes
Kelly
from Pure Bliss Holistic Therapies and
Ravi
from RS Nutrition.
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