Clients often ask me what I think about cleanses and fasts.  I love the idea of dedicating a period of time to cleanse the body.  Rather than starving the body with a juice or water cleanse, the healthiest way to support cleansing is to eat foods that support the detoxification systems of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, and intestines while you reduce the toxic load you are exposed to. 

 

Extended fasts that restrict food intake severely deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to naturally detoxify and clear of toxins. Also, cleanses can overload the body with stored toxins. It’s like cleaning out the garage by pulling out every box at once and finding yourself unable to live in the house.

What To Avoid

The first step in clearing toxins is to give your body a chance to catch up by reducing the toxic load you are consuming, usually found in highly processed foods.  Some things to avoid are:

 

●      Artificial additives like flavors, dyes, and sweeteners

●      Refined sugar in sweets and candy

●      White flour in foods like bread and pasta

●      Alcohol

●      Excess sodium

●      Trans fats

What To Consume

Next, you’ll want to incorporate foods that support the body’s natural detoxification systems:

 

●      Cruciferous vegetables

○      Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale contain glucosinolates, a sulfur-containing compound that supports liver pathways.

●      Parsley

○      This contains a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, chlorophyll, and volatile oils, all of which support healthy liver function.

○      Chlorophyll increases the activity of phase 2 liver enzymes in removing toxins from the body.

●      Fiber

○      Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains

●      Green tea

○      Polyphenols in green tea, like EGCG and quercetin, provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

●      Lemon

○      Lemon contains vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds that fight oxidative damage and protect the liver.

○      Hot water with lemon

●      Leafy Green Vegetables

○      Leafy Green Vegetables are nutritional powerhouses and most contain both sulfur compounds and chlorophyll.

●      Beets and beet greens

○      Betaine, a compound in beets, supports liver detoxification.

○      It protects bile ducts and increases bile flow by thinning bile and promoting fluidity.  This bile then carries toxins out of the body.

○      It increases glutathione production, which is the master antioxidant.

○      Pectin, the fiber found in beets, clears toxins.

●      Fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, and kefir

○      Probiotics in fermented foods support gut health and reduce the toxic load to the liver. 

●      Dandelion

○      Dandelion root tea and the coffee alternative Dandy Blend increase bile flow, which helps the liver clear toxins from the body.

 

If you’d like to do a cleanse personalized to your individual needs, book a free consultation with me to learn more.