Should I detox?
The idea of a "detox" for many people is often associated with extreme deprivation and misery. This idea, for some, is actually pretty accurate. For others, however, it just depends on your lifestyle, and what your personal eating habits have been up to this point. It can be difficult to know when it is necessary or appropriate to detox. Some people recommend once in the spring, and then again in the fall, but for me, it really has more to do with how I am feeling. Those who know me well know that I have a condition called "Candida". This is basically an upset in the balance of the "flora" of my body. If I eat the same way that I did growing up, or the way that most of the people around me eat, my body will quickly become toxic, basically creating an abundance of yeast, and a lack of healthy bacteria to balance it out. A simple term for this is "Gut Disbiosis". There is currently a trend towards everything related to "Gut Disorders", and Candida is just one of them. After extensive research, I managed to pinpoint what was happening with my body, and then had it confirmed with testing. This has been a long road! There are many books on candida, but reading the books didn't make the treatment/management any easier for me. The advice they gave was difficult, and at the time, I just wasn't ready. Those of you who struggle with other challenges, such as trying to lose weight and keep it off, I can relate! I did my first long detox in June of 2010, with results that were so positive, I made a few permanent adjustments to my diet. It was time consuming. It was hard. I was finally tired enough of my situation to make the change. I had been getting sick frequently, and the other symptoms that I was struggling with were getting to be unbearable; night sweats, hives, itching, cravings, weight gain, bloating, depression, mood swings, fatigue, etc. I needed to learn to prepare meals ahead of time so that when I was hungry, I wouldn't be tempted to eat something that I wasn't supposed to. It was difficult socially. Eating at restaurants was more of a pain than it was worth, and most beverages (especially alcohol) and appetizers were out, so it was just easier to eat at home. It was imperative to understand the role that stress played in my gut disbiosis, as well. It was SO WORTH IT! I had completely forgotten what it was like to really feel good.
There are many different types of detoxes, most of which do a very good job of bringing anyone's body back into a state of balance again; this will actually help to avoid colds and flus, since our bodies are better equipped to combat whatever wonderful pathogens come our way. That is why you will often hear about detoxing as a means of prevention. An added bonus, is that weight loss is common, and appetite is often stabilized. Most detox programs have a few things in common; taking out caffeine, sugar, alcohol, processed foods and meat for 2 or 3 weeks, while taking a few supplements, and lots of veggies such as kale and cabbage to support your immune system, and aid in the removal of toxins. Some programs recommend liquids only, but I don't think that is suitable for most people. The best one that I have seen suggests 2 liquid meals (snoothies) and one regualr meal eaten midday. That is pretty much it-our bodies know what to do, we simply need to stop overloading our systems and let it do its work! There are a ton of books on detoxing, so if you are curious, check one out-I highly recommend a program called "Clean". You can also find information on this program online at https://www.cleanprogram.com/the-program/what-to-eat. Another excellent thing to consider is an elimination diet, which can be instrumental in finding out which foods trigger unwanted reactions in your body. I have found that I need to go easy on most carbs, choosing smaller portions, but not necessarily eliminating them completely. Corn chips trigger water retention almost immediately, adding an extra pound or two in one day, even if I only have a modest portion! When I eliminate my trigger foods, extra pounds shed very quickly. It is worth checking out!
Symptoms: you may need to detox if...
Self Care: During my detox, I typically rely on several tools which assist the detoxification process.
* Detoxing may induce cold symptoms, general fatigue, or headaches the first few days.
Cheating: If a craving takes you over, or you go to a party and just can't say no to your favorite appetizer or drink, just let it go. The idea is to try to reduce the level of toxins in our bodies. There is no need to throw in the towel if you cave a couple of times. The best results will happen if we can give our systems a break from the toxic load it has to bear on a constant basis.
Naomi
The idea of a "detox" for many people is often associated with extreme deprivation and misery. This idea, for some, is actually pretty accurate. For others, however, it just depends on your lifestyle, and what your personal eating habits have been up to this point. It can be difficult to know when it is necessary or appropriate to detox. Some people recommend once in the spring, and then again in the fall, but for me, it really has more to do with how I am feeling. Those who know me well know that I have a condition called "Candida". This is basically an upset in the balance of the "flora" of my body. If I eat the same way that I did growing up, or the way that most of the people around me eat, my body will quickly become toxic, basically creating an abundance of yeast, and a lack of healthy bacteria to balance it out. A simple term for this is "Gut Disbiosis". There is currently a trend towards everything related to "Gut Disorders", and Candida is just one of them. After extensive research, I managed to pinpoint what was happening with my body, and then had it confirmed with testing. This has been a long road! There are many books on candida, but reading the books didn't make the treatment/management any easier for me. The advice they gave was difficult, and at the time, I just wasn't ready. Those of you who struggle with other challenges, such as trying to lose weight and keep it off, I can relate! I did my first long detox in June of 2010, with results that were so positive, I made a few permanent adjustments to my diet. It was time consuming. It was hard. I was finally tired enough of my situation to make the change. I had been getting sick frequently, and the other symptoms that I was struggling with were getting to be unbearable; night sweats, hives, itching, cravings, weight gain, bloating, depression, mood swings, fatigue, etc. I needed to learn to prepare meals ahead of time so that when I was hungry, I wouldn't be tempted to eat something that I wasn't supposed to. It was difficult socially. Eating at restaurants was more of a pain than it was worth, and most beverages (especially alcohol) and appetizers were out, so it was just easier to eat at home. It was imperative to understand the role that stress played in my gut disbiosis, as well. It was SO WORTH IT! I had completely forgotten what it was like to really feel good.
There are many different types of detoxes, most of which do a very good job of bringing anyone's body back into a state of balance again; this will actually help to avoid colds and flus, since our bodies are better equipped to combat whatever wonderful pathogens come our way. That is why you will often hear about detoxing as a means of prevention. An added bonus, is that weight loss is common, and appetite is often stabilized. Most detox programs have a few things in common; taking out caffeine, sugar, alcohol, processed foods and meat for 2 or 3 weeks, while taking a few supplements, and lots of veggies such as kale and cabbage to support your immune system, and aid in the removal of toxins. Some programs recommend liquids only, but I don't think that is suitable for most people. The best one that I have seen suggests 2 liquid meals (snoothies) and one regualr meal eaten midday. That is pretty much it-our bodies know what to do, we simply need to stop overloading our systems and let it do its work! There are a ton of books on detoxing, so if you are curious, check one out-I highly recommend a program called "Clean". You can also find information on this program online at https://www.cleanprogram.com/the-program/what-to-eat. Another excellent thing to consider is an elimination diet, which can be instrumental in finding out which foods trigger unwanted reactions in your body. I have found that I need to go easy on most carbs, choosing smaller portions, but not necessarily eliminating them completely. Corn chips trigger water retention almost immediately, adding an extra pound or two in one day, even if I only have a modest portion! When I eliminate my trigger foods, extra pounds shed very quickly. It is worth checking out!
Symptoms: you may need to detox if...
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Sinus congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Excessive sinus problems
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Foul-smelling stools
- Heartburn
- Sleep Problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Food cravings
- Increasing number of food sensitivities
- Water retention
- Trouble losing weight
- Rashes
- Skin problems
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Canker sores
- Acne
- Puffy, dark circles under your eyes
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Other menstrual disorders
- Bad breath
- Frequent colds or sore throat
Self Care: During my detox, I typically rely on several tools which assist the detoxification process.
- Mineral Baths-1-2 cups epsom salts, several drops essential oils, 1/2 cup baking soda, oils (optional)
- Tongue Scraper
- Dry Skin Brushing-several minutes before a bath or shower (stimulates lymph)
- Alternating Showers-Alternating very hot and very cold water temperatures for 1-3 minutes on each temp setting does a great job of stimulating your lymph
- Sauna/Steam Rooms
- Light Movement-The detoxification process requires a lot of energy, challenging workouts may hinder its progress
- Hydration-Large glass of water upon rising in the am, several glasses throughout the day, particularly 15 minutes prior to meals (adding 1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar aids in the digestion process)
- Plenty of rest
* Detoxing may induce cold symptoms, general fatigue, or headaches the first few days.
Cheating: If a craving takes you over, or you go to a party and just can't say no to your favorite appetizer or drink, just let it go. The idea is to try to reduce the level of toxins in our bodies. There is no need to throw in the towel if you cave a couple of times. The best results will happen if we can give our systems a break from the toxic load it has to bear on a constant basis.
Naomi
