Introduction to Essential Detox

Detox – a waste of time and money?

Scientists would have us believe that the concept of detox is no more than an expensive gimmick, thought up by the health and beauty industry to relieve us of our hard-earned cash. Detoxing has been around for centuries, having origins in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and used historically in the treatment of many diseases.
so what does detox really mean?

Most detoxes aim to encourage your body to rid itself of chemicals and toxic by-products that accumulate in the tissues as a consequence of stress, poor dietary habits, pollution, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, too many late nights and lack of exercise. The healthy body is perfectly able to deal with and disarm these toxins or non-nutrients by breaking them down, storing them in fat tissue or excreting them. However, valuable energy, vitamins and minerals are used up in the process. Performing a detox is a way of supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes, giving them a welcome break and allowing the body some time-out to recharge.

What is the best way to detox?
Most detox diets are too low in protein. Protein is vital to the liver, our main detox organ, and detoxification is impaired if we don’t eat it. The best way to detox is gently over 2-4 weeks, following the four main steps:

1.  Reduce exposure to toxins: Avoid processed (refined or white) foods, artificial food additives, caffeine, alcohol, sugar and red meat. Drink 8 glasses (2 litres) of filtered or bottled water per day. Eat more organic food. Use pharmaceutical medications only when absolutely necessary.

2.  Help your liver break down toxins: Avoid foods that stress or congest your liver i.e. alcohol, caffeine, fried/fatty foods etc. Consider taking foods and supplements to boost antioxidant levels liver enzyme production including milk thistle, dandelion root, and brightly coloured fruit/veg containing vital antioxidants.

3.  Stimulate bile production: Bile flushes wastes out of your liver cells and then out of your body via your gall-bladder and intestines. Several foods and herbal teas can help to step up your bile production, including bitter/pungent herbs such as rocket or basil, dandelion root, and ½ lemon in warm water every morning.

4.  Stimulate rapid clearance of wastes: This is done with foods and natural products that stimulate the drainage of waste-laden bile from liver and gall-bladder and increase the frequency of bowel motions, such as soluble fibre found in porridge oats or psyllium husk. Also take frequent Epsom salts hot baths or saunas to encourage sweating.

What is the best time of year for detoxing?

The traditional time for a detox is at the change of season from Winter to Spring, as Spring is the time of year that the liver has the most energy.

Can anyone do a detox?

Detox is not recommended if you are pregnant as toxins may come out of safe storage and circulate in the bloodstream, crossing over into the placenta and potentially harming the baby.
supporting your detox programme

At Xynergy, we have a good choice of superfoods, honeys and herbs that can either support a full detoxing programme or provide routine maintenance to help rid the body of toxins. See separate category pages for information about detoxing herbs, honeys and superfoods.

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