Super Detoxification tea, a cleansing juice fast, I have even seen one called parasite purge, I kid you not, the Detoxification products are EVERYWHERE!
But do they really work and do you even need to detox? I have met quite a few people that have some misconceptions when it comes to cleansing and detox so I thought I would clear some things up.
While it is true that the allopathic medical definition of detoxification refers to the process of withdrawing a person from dependence on a habituating drug, in actuality, your body is always capable of detoxification because it is simply the metabolic process by which toxins are changed into less toxic or more readily excreted substances. Individual cells get detoxified in the lymph and circulatory system. The liver is the principal organ of detoxification, assisted by the kidneys and intestines. Toxins can be excreted from the body by the kidneys, bowels, skin, and lungs.
Detoxification treatments become necessary when the body’s natural detoxification systems become overwhelmed. This can be caused by long-term effects of improper diet, stress, overeating, sedentary lifestyles, illness, and poor health habits in general. Some people’s digestive tracts become unable to digest food properly, due to years of overeating and diets that are high in fat and processed foods and low in fiber (the Standard American Diet -SAD). When this happens, food cannot pass through the digestive tract efficiently. Instead of being digested properly or eliminated from the bowel, food can literally rot inside the digestive tract and produce toxic by-products.
de·tox·i·fi·ca·tion(dē-tŏk′sə-fĭ-kā′shən) n.
1. The process of detoxifying.2. The state or condition of being detoxified.3. Physiology The metabolic process by which the toxic qualities of a poison or toxin are reduced by the body.4. A medically supervised treatment program for alcohol or drug dependence designed to purge the body of intoxicating or addictive substances.
What is a detoxing and cleansing program?
Basically, this generally entails one to follow a structured program that is based upon a diet change (juice fast, vegan) or supplement regimen in order to try to eliminate from the body some of the toxins and parasites that build up over time.
We live in a toxic society that is bombarded by chemicals, they are in our cleaning & beauty products as well as being in our air, food, and water. When working properly, our bodies are constantly eliminating harmful substances through the detoxification pathways of the kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and colon. Unfortunately, many toxins can remain in the body, either lodged in the fat cells or in the organs or intestines. For optimal health, it is important to try to help the body from time to time to eliminate these toxins.
A car could possibly run a very long time without an oil change but eventually, this neglect will cause excessive wear and tear on the engine and the mechanics of the car will be affected. Regular maintenance can prolong peak performance. It is the same with us, Why wait until there is a problem?
Purpose
Origins
The United States Centers forDisease Control estimate that over 80% of all illnesses have environmental and lifestyle causes.
the environment
agriculture
for best results
For best results: For three days leading up to your detox or cleanse, eliminate: alcohol, sugar, dairy, wheat, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and packaged, boxed, canned or fast food. People going on a juice fast usually eliminate meat and poultry. Up your intake of raw vegetable salads and lightly steamed vegetables.
Ellice’s recommends taking the ZENDOCRINE® DETOXIFICATION BLEND for at least the 7 days before your detox. dōTERRA Zendocrine Detoxification Blend is a proprietary blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils including Tangerine, Rosemary, Geranium, Juniper Berry, and Cilantro. Studies of these oils have been found to support healthy liver function.
Effective Detoxification therapies activate and assist the body’s own detoxification processes. For best results, try to eliminate additional exposure to toxins and strengthen the body and immune system so that toxic imbalances won’t occur in the future.
We have numerous articles regarding diet throughout our website but always adopt a common sense approach.
Try what works for you. Some people do well on a diet of grains, raw foods and fruit. Others need a wider variety. Never forget, the body is a tool and is meant to work for you.
GET READY
You may also want to take this time to rid your kitchen of any foods or beverages that might tempt you during your detox.
Plan your menu for the week and make time to grocery shop. If you don’t normally buy organic, look for local farmers’ markets, health food stores, or grocery stores with a good selection of organic foods. If eunable to buy all produce organic, get a fruit and vegetable wash to help rid your produce of pesticide residues, waxes, and other undesirable chemicals.
Need inspiration? See a sample menu.
Going on a juice fast? Have all of your produce and storage bottles ready if you will be preparing larger quantities to last you through the day.
Prevent Caffeine Withdrawal
If you drink caffeinated beverages on a regular basis, you may experience headaches, tiredness and other caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Here are some tips on how to prevent it:
- Gradually decrease your caffeine intake prior to starting the detox.
- Switch to lower-caffeine green tea, white tea, matcha, or oolong tea.
- If it’s the bitter taste of coffee you miss, try a caffeine-free herbal coffee substitute.
Drink More Water
Your body needs plenty of water during a detox. Drinking lots of water keeps you hydrated and may help flush out toxins, so be sure to drink at least eight glasses of filtered water daily. Also try having a cup of room temperature or lukewarm filtered water with lemon in the morning.
Tools for Detox Success
Some practices may help promote cleansing throughout your detox. Exfoliating your skin with a dry brush, for instance, may help support circulation and prompt the passage of toxins from your lymph.
To enhance relaxation as you detox, consider buying some essential oils to add to your bathwater or use for massage. Incredibly calming, lavender oil may be especially helpful for those suffering from caffeine-withdrawal-related headaches.
Know What Not to Cut Out
Don’t stop taking any prescription medications while on a detox. Discontinuing certain medications can have serious, possibly life-threatening consequences.
Research and general acceptance
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.
References
detoxification. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved January 8 2015 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/detoxification
detoxification. (n.d.) Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. (2010). Retrieved January 8 2015 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/detoxification
Detoxification. (n.d.) Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. (2008). Retrieved January 8 2015 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Detoxification