How To Detox The Healthy Way

Colon cleansing is well on its way to becoming a popular health routine, especially among health enthusiasts and people who are interested in alternative medicine. It is extremely beneficial for a number of ailments like chronic constipation, acne, chronic fatigue, candida and almost all kinds of digestive tract problems– including build up of toxins.

Constipation can be caused because of irritable bowel movements, excessive and chronic use of laxatives, worry, anxiety, fear, lack of physical activity and problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation) etc. However, the most common reasons for constipation are a diet low in fiber or a diet that is high in fats, such as cheese, eggs, and meat.

Bowel Friendly Foods

Grapes have proved extremely advantageous in overcoming the occurrence of constipation and irregularity. The combination of the properties of the cellulose sugar and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food. Fennel has properties in curing digestive troubles. The habutual use of fennel will normalize the working of the digestive system and cure the constipation problems. Fennel has extraordinary attributes which assit in curing digestive problems. It is traditionally provided in Indian cuisine after each meal. It is also found in many commercial colon cleanse products.

Fruit salad containing guava and papaya is advisable. It provides good roughage and clears your bowel system and prevents constipation. Fruits like papaya and guava are very beneficial in treating constipation. Regular intake of papaya at early morning on an empty stomach helps prevent constipation. Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food. They contain the right balance of nutrients with distilled water.

Exercise

Exercise, or lack thereof, is seen as a cause of constipation because some believe that without regular exercise our metabolic rate slows, which means a longer digestive cycle and thus less regular bowel movement. Among other reasons the fact is, the longer the stool spends in your digestive system, the more water is excreted from the stool, which results in a harder stool which is more difficult and painful to pass.

Colon Cleanse

There are many good commercial colon cleanses on the market. A good commercial colon cleanse will normally be plant based, and will encourage, by its action intestinal detoxification. It is not uncommon for these colon cleansers to contain substances such as psyllium husk herbs like Slippery Elm bark, Cascara Sagrada, and Marshmallow.

In a nutshell bad eating habits, lack of exercise, not drinking enough water etc., lead to constipation, and the sooner these habits are dropped and corrective habits instituted, the sooner relief from constipation will be realized.

When most people think of learning how to detox at home, they think about the fasting detox that requires you to give up food and drink glasses full of strange inredients. That is one way of detoxifying your body. But if you have never done a detox or it has been a long time since you have done it, you should be aware that going into it with full gusto can be shocking to your body. The best way to detox at home is to go healthy by cutting out foods and substances that are overworking your liver and add foods that have been shown to have beneficial effects.

How To Detox at Home - The Guidelines

Fruits and vegetables will be the mainstay of your detox plan. You can have up to three servings of fruit in a day and unlimited amounts of most vegetables. Do not eat bananas, potatoes or corn. If you eat peas, add them to your servings of legumes rather than counting them as vegetables. All of these are high in sugars and starch. You should get your starch from whole grains and legumes. Whenever possible, eat your food whole or put the fruit or vegetable in a juicer with skins intact. Remember to always wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them!

Whole grains should be eaten twice a day. Morning and evening are good times to add them. In the morning, you can have a serving of steel-cut oatmeal. In the evening, eat a serving of brown rice or a slice of 100% whole grain bread.

For the duration of the detox, steer away from animal products, including meat, eggs, cheese and milk. Eating raw almonds, unsalted sunflower seeds, beans and legumes will give you enough protein to get you through your detox at home.

The only fat you should eat will come from olive or canola oil. These have omega 3 fatty acids as well as other ingredients that are good for you. Eat a tablespoon or two a day mixed with some balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for a salad dressing. No butter, margarine, mayonnaise or bottled dressings.

Your detox at home plan should include a gallon of water or more a day. Water helps to flush out the toxins that are being released into your system. This is essential if you wish to get the detox done quickly and without all the nasty side effects involved.

There are people who should not detox at home at all. Children and elderly adults are advised to steer clear of a detox program. Those who are battling alcohol or drug addiction should only detox under professional supervision. If you take medicines or have a health condition you must talk to your doctor before detoxifying. Detox at home is a big change in your habits and can be shocking for the body. Make sure your health can take these abrupt changes.

Detox diets are naturally low in calories so it is best not to stay on them for longer than a week to 10 days. If you choose to go longer, you need to add proteins and yogurt to your daily menus. Salmon, tuna and chicken breast are all good low-fat proteins. Plain yogurt with active cultures may be mixed with fruit. This will give you calcium and help to keep yeast growth in the body at a healthy balance. It should be stressed again: When learning how to detox at home, it’s always a good idea to include your doctor in on any detoxing plans you may have.