Listed here are commonly asked questions relating to detoxing and cleansing safely:
Detox and cleansing
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What is a toxin? |
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Any kind of substance which is harmful to your body may be considered a toxin. There are many different types of pollution and toxins including poisonous substances generated by plants, some wildlife and disease-causing bacteria, in addition to non-naturally occurring chemical substances, synthetics, artificial foods and by-products which often contaminate our environment.Some use the somewhat narrow definition for a toxin as a xenobiotic, meaning a foreign chemical not produced by the human body. This definition isn’t quite accurate in that the human body itself produces toxins as part of normal metabolism. For instance, we breathe in air and use the oxygen in the air and convert it into carbon dioxide (CO2). Our breathing reflex is driven by levels of CO2 in our blood (not by a lack of oxygen) and in large quantities, CO2 will kill us.Toxins come in various forms and from numerous sources and we absorb them though food, water and air. The actual response of the body to toxins is different from person to person and also is determined by numerous factors. To name a few, these include the susceptibility of that person, the nature of that person, the amount of toxicity, and the length of exposure. Read more about Symptoms of Toxicity |
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What is Detoxification? |
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The actual term ‘detoxification’ means to decrease or remove the toxic quality of compound(s) as well as cleansing out toxic chemicals and waste from your body. Your body does this naturally on a regular basis through metabolism which uses naturally occurring chemical responses in order to change compounds into much less toxic compounds which can be excreted from your body through bowel movements, sweating, urinating.However, numerous factors can weaken this crucial function and hindering your body to eliminate these kinds of harmful substances when needed. When your system becomes overloaded, toxins begin to develop in the body and consequently impacting its overall health. Body detox and cleansing helps to release this burden.
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Who are encouraged to detox? |
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Our bodies detoxify naturally each and every day, which in turn allows you to stay well balanced (also referred to as homeostasis). For many other people, a sluggish detoxification system along with a multitude of exposures to toxins triggers their bodies to eventually become overloaded.Under these circumstances, the detoxification mechanisms in the body can become unable to thoroughly cleanse the tissues and the organs, and therefore the body is not able to maintain balance. In these instances, detoxification procedures will certainly help the body to cleanse and then balance itself, eliminating the cause of disease before illness manifests.The majority of us can usually benefit from the rest to their body that a detox will provide. Your whole body is an impressive self-cleansing machine, however, it can become hindered in this job if you consume an excessive amount of dairy products, meat, processed food and fatty food, which congest the system, or you are exposed to the huge range of harmful chemicals all around us. A detoxification provides your body with a “service and a tune-up”, just as you would give your car a service when it is not running smoothly.
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What is it like to detox? |
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There are many ways that you can feel whilst detoxing. Everyone’s experience will certainly end up being different and unique to your circumstances. Your current level of health and fitness will certainly play a very large part. Essentially, the healthier you are when you commence a detox, the simpler it will likely be. However, assuming you lead a sedentary lifestyle, indulge on unhealthy junk foods as well as drink too many fizzy drinks, the likelihood is it won’t be as easy for you as you think.You could feel restless, cold, unmotivated, headachy and bored. No matter what you experience, you need to stay on the programme and stay motivated. Take a walk, sleep, walk the dog, have a bath – anything to distract yourself, until this feeling passes. Sooner or later you will enjoy the rewards – and start to have an amazing sense of wellbeing and health.
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Should I detox at home? |
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Yes, of course you can detox from the luxury in your own home. Most of the methods described on this website can easily be done at home. However some people may prefer to go to a health resort or a spa. There are many beautiful places you can book yourself into and indulge in their health giving treatments.
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What is the right time to start a detox? |
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The right time to detox is when you start to feel lethargic and congested. Detoxing usually gives your whole body a beneficial boost of injection of renewed energy and vitality. Generally speaking, times during the seasonal changes tend to be usually the most effective time to detox your body, especially springtime and the autumn months.A variety of experts recommend at least a one/two week programme. If you think that a one week detox is demanding, or you don’t initially have the time, then start with a shorter programme. If you want better results, try repeating the one day detox approximately every two weeks or twice a month. When you start to become cleaner, you will notice that you will have less side-effects and have more energy and feel fresher. Once you’ve reached this stage there are many ways to maintain this level of health and vitality.
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Should I seek advice from my doctor before starting a detox and cleanse? |
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Yes. You should always seek advice from your doctor before starting any detox and cleanse program. You should endeavour to tell your doctor of how you are trying to help yourself or seek advice from other suitably qualified practitioners if you have any concerns or queries. If you ever have any uncertainties regarding your state of health or already have a medical complaint, or you are pregnant and/or breast feeding, please consult your doctor before beginning any detox and cleanse program.
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What precautions and safeguards should I take? |
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You shouldn’t undertake any detoxification program without having first obtaining professional advice: • If you are pregnant and/or breast-feeding a baby. Especially, avoid using spa techniques which involve essentials oils or massage reflex points. Also, you should not take herbal medicines without professional guidance • Before or shortly after any major surgery when the body is weak • If you suffer from any long-term physical or mental illness, or if you are undertaking treatment for cancer • If you are under 18 years or over 65 years of age • You should consult with your doctor before stopping any kind of medications that were prescribed by your doctor for you • If you take medication as a diabetic, it is important to continue to monitor your blood sugar frequently while on a detox or cleanse program, and be supervised by your doctor
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Should I follow a detox or cleanse program if I am pregnant? |
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Before commencing any detox and cleanse program, it is recommended that you consult with a qualified practitioner or your doctor. Please follow the advice of your doctor. You should also consult with your doctor if you’re considering using herbal medicines and spa techniques while pregnant.
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Can I detox and work at the same time? |
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It will depend on the duration of the detox program that you are following the length of time of the detox program that you are following. For short rigorous detoxes and fasts, avoid trying to work. Instead, think about taking a short break. On lengthier, less challenging detox programmes, anyone may carry on working; however, you may want to schedule the detox programme for a timeframe when your current workload will be less demanding.
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Is it OK to exercise and detox? |
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Yes it is OK. A little exercise is essential for the detoxing process, but perhaps its best not to be as energetic or doing more vigorous exercises. Monitor how your body and energy levels are, and listen to how your body feels on a regular basis. Exercise does help flush out toxins more affectively from your body and also helps release stored stress and tension. Exercise helps to promote positive thinking, boost your confidence and calms your mind; it also overall improves a sense of health and wellbeing.
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Should I smoke cigarettes and detox? |
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No, you should not smoke cigarettes, in fact smoking is very bad for you and in the interest of your future health you should try give it up as soon as possible. However, if you can’t stop smoking, don’t allow this to prevent you from commencing a detox program but the benefits of your detox will be compromised. Instead, try hard not to smoke very much at all if possible when undergoing a detox programme. Considering that your body is going to feel much more energized and cleaner afterwards, hopefully you might feel very inspired to completely give up smoking.
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What’s the indicators to know when a detox could be working? |
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People usually experience something that is known as the cleansing crisis. During a typical day, the body processes toxins as quickly as possible, and deposits those excess toxins into your body’s fat cells where they’re able to do the minimal range of damage. Whenever you detox, the body uses this kind of energy store. When the fat is broken down, the toxins are released within your system. Such a sudden increase of toxins is what causes toxic overload/crisis (as it is often called). After that, for the next 3-4 hours, there could be additional toxins that are circulating in the body than normal.Another signal for toxic overload could show on your tongue being coated with the impurities. You might notice your breath may smell as well, you may find that you have stronger smelling sweat odour, as well as your urine could look darker, stronger smelling. You may even experience nausea, headaches, or flu-type symptoms. Sometimes previous symptoms could return and sinus or skin problems could worsen. These are all signs that the detox process is taking place, but if symptoms persist or they become overwhelming you must seek further advice from your doctor as soon as possible.
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Do I need to keep taking my medication during detox? |
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If you’re taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, then it’s best to consult your doctor concerning your situation. Your doctor will advise you what to do about your medication and will talk about any concerns you have. If you feel uncertain, then it is sometimes best to seek a second opinion, this can give you peace of mind.
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Colonic Irrigation
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Should I make use of an enema and/or should I do colonic irrigation? |
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There are many opinions about the benefits of these types of procedures, while there are some experts that recommend the use of them, there are others that advise against them, especially when undergoing water-only fasting. In the course of the cleansing process, the large intestine lets out a huge quantity of toxins. Therefore, if the colon isn’t doing its job efficiently, then this could further increase the body toxin load by re-absorption back into the body. A colonic irrigation or an enema can then assist in helping to move the stagnant waste material.Some people advise against colonic irrigation and one of the reasons is because during a detox or fast, limiting the type of food that you eat allows the digestive system and connected organs a total rest, and therefore they are better left undisturbed. Some people believe that it is easy to become fixated with the bowel movements throughout a detox. Some people think that it is beneficial to allow the body time to rebalance and adjust itself.Other people also recommend waiting for a few days before contemplating using either treatment, and then only always under the supervision of a specialist or professional.
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Fasting
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What’s the big difference between fasting and a detox? |
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Fasting will involve the overall avoidance of liquid and food, except for drinking water. Most detox diets require you use certain kinds of food and/or dietary supplements or substances which assist in the detoxification process and to help cleanse your body. Detox diets usually you mean you will eat much more healthier foods and drink vegetable or fruit juices as well as drinking water.
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Is fasting a good practice? |
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Due to the high levels of toxins coming from numerous sources existing these days in the environment, both outside and inside the home, many practitioners and specialists do not recommend fasting. They believe you shouldn’t have to follow a rigorous program of fasting and excessive self-denial.Refraining from all foods is certainly not recommended for numerous reasons. Fasting results in an extremely fast release of toxins from your tissues into your bloodstream. This tends to cause you to feel quite unwell. Whenever your liver is working hard in order to process toxins it requires a good supply of antioxidants and nutrients to clean up the free radicals generated during this process. Therefore, when you don’t eat anything at all, and don’t take antioxidant supplements, the free radicals may cause a good deal of damage to tissues.
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What type of person should not fast? |
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If you do wish to fast, it may be possible that a 48 hour (2 days) fast could be safely undertaken by the majority of people. Nevertheless, certain people should definitely not fast to begin with, not even for the shortest amount of time: menstruating women; breast-feeding or pregnant women; children; diabetics; people with serious liver disease or kidney failure or anaemia; people which are very over or under weight; or anybody on prescription medications. If you have any doubts if a fast will be safe and suitable for you, please consult with a qualified specialist or your family doctor.Fasts that are longer than 2 days should be undertaken only with professional help from a qualified specialist or your doctor.
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Further reading
Cabot S & Jasinska M, The Ultimate Detox, WHAS, Camden, 2005
Farquharson M, Natural Detox, Element Books Limited, Dorset, 1999
Harper J, Natural Care Detox Handbook, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London, 2002
Krohn J, & Taylor F, Natural Detoxification, Hartley & Marks Publishers Inc. Vancouver, 2000
Brewer, S, The Total Detox Plan, Carlton Books, London, 2000
USDA-United States Department of Agriculture – National Nutrient Database – Search for nutritional contents of common foods. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html
