To detox or not to detox? Here’s my no nonsense guide to detoxing your body
It’s New Year’s morning and you have the worst hangover. Not surprisingly you’re starting to think about your New Year’s resolutions. Do I get fitter? How do I eat better? How do I improve my health? How do I get rid of this hangover?!
Let’s start at the beginning. Let me cut through the nonsense about detoxing and give you some ideas on how to create a healthy, safe and effect
ive detox programme that is perfect for putting the spring back in your step, will help you shift those extra pounds put on over Christmas, and kick the New Year off with the best start!
Why detox?
Exactly how you feel and look on the outside after a party is how your cells are feeling on the inside – sluggish and clogged with toxins and debris. As a result of the heavy drinking your liver has to work harder and it too can need a bit of a cleanse and helping hand. That’s where a detox can really help. It will support, nourish and kick-start your body’s natural detoxification processes and the release of toxins out of your body.
Can a detox be dangerous?
A detox shouldn’t be dangerous, but if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are on any form of medication you should talk to your GP before beginning any kind of detox plan, even a very gentle one.
My view is that a detox shouldn’t make you feel awful or be overly restrictive so that your blood sugar drops so low that your body struggles to cope. I always advise my clients to include some protein in their detox, rather than a pure vegetable and fruit cleanse. I’ve seen many people go on strict detox programmes, only to find that when they start trying to re-introduce foods and eat normally (but still healthily) again, their digestive system doesn’t seem to keep up and they develop some uncomfortable symptoms.
How to do a detox
The first step is to really clean up your diet. Take out any processed, artificial and sugary foods, as well as alcohol, fizzy drinks and junk food. Then look at food groups which commonly cause digestive discomfort – gluten grains (wheat, rye, barley, spelt) and dairy products. Many detoxes also involve drinking plenty of freshly made juices and smoothies, to give your body a real boost of nutrients which are going to support your liver and the detoxification process. If your digestive system is sluggish, remember this is one of the main channels through which your body gets rid of toxins, in your stools. So if you struggle to go to the toilet, speak to a professional such as myself about how to get it going, or try some natural products such as probiotics, psyllium husks or lepicol, which you can purchase online here.
Finally don’t forget your skin is a major detoxification site, so think about the things you put on it. Choose only natural, unprocessed ingredients (I like brands such as Faith in Nature, Bentley, Green People and Weleda). You can also help clean up your body by making sure all your cleaning products are as natural as possible, as this can be a major source of toxins and chemicals that need to be processed by your liver.
If you’re looking for a bespoke, effective and safe detox this January, then you can purchase my new Detox Programme Package – this includes two private consultations with me and a bespoke 21 day detox programme with supporting supplements. Or you could book onto my Feel Fabulous for Spring Detox Workshop, alongside herbalist Alex Hobbs.
I wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2015!