Detoxing is not only for alcohol and drug addicts, it is for anyone who wants to “clean” out their system. It decreases the amount of chemicals that are digested, perhaps by maintaining an organic diet. It also focuses on foods (high fiber and water) that provide vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body naturally needs to keep the body pure from harmful chemicals. This doesn’t seem that bad, right? Well, easier said than done.
Get rid of foods that are hard on the metabolism like alcohol and caffeine (obviously), processed food, salt, sugar, red meat, fried food, yellow cheese, etc. Concentrate on consuming large quantities of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fish, herbal teas, and legumes. Detox is short for detoxification, the body’s natural process of eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins found in food additives, household cleaning products, drugs, pollution, and cigarette smoke, are generally transformed through stools or urine.
Over time, a poor diet is thought to put too much strain on the body and leads to build up in the system. It has also been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, an ineffective metabolism, indigestion, fatigue, poor skin, bad breath and muscle pain. People have reported energy boosts, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, increased concentration, and mental clarity after doing a basic cleanse. Not just anyone can try a detox diet and it is best to consult with your doctor before beginning any program. For example, pregnant women should definitely avoid this at all costs.
As you begin your detox program, (there are many programs on the market or you can make your own home system) you will most likely experience some side effects. The first one being a headache typically contributed to caffeine withdrawal so it is suggested to slowly wean yourself off it to prevent this. You might also benefit from starting a program on the weekend or if you have a few days off from work as you might be running to the bathroom quite frequently. You may also have diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, weight loss, hunger, irritability, and acne.
