DETOX DIET

The Detox Diet Plan

2011-12-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

The Detox Diet Plan
Detox Diet
After these three days - for one week put yourself on a monotrophic diet , i.e. eat only one type of fruit at each meal.

BREAKFAST :
could be melon only. Eat as much as you like and feel satisfied that you have had enough. All types of melons are good. Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Gala or Watermelon.

LUNCHTIME:
Eat only oranges and grapefruit or pineapples or plums whatever you fancy but don't mix the fruits. Eat till hunger is satisfied. 4 p.m. Have a large (12 oz.) glass of freshly pressed carrot juice.

EVENING:
Eat only apples, pears, grapes or bananas. Eat only one fruit at a time and eat till hunger is satisfied. During the week you can vary daily the fruits you want to eat on that particular day.

You can resume your household duties or light office work but do not exert yourself physically. Conserve energy. It is possible that some of you may feel some reactions, like light headedness, nausea at times, a little listlessness and feeling of tiredness and mental irritability. Persevere - Rome wasn't built in a day. After all it took you years to get into the toxic state that you now find yourself into. The symptoms will go away eventually. Lots of sleep and rest are essential at this stage so do not plan any social events.

After these ten days - I suggest you go for one month on an all raw food diet as follows:

DETOX BREAKFAST

Fresh fruit only of oranges, kiwi's, pineapple, apple, plums, grapefruit or any other acid fruits. You can now mix the fruits. Eat enough to satisfy your hunger. Just one orange and one apple will not be enough. You have to get your calories from the fruit you eat.

DETOX LUNCH
Eat heartily of grapes, pears, bananas, mangoes, fresh dates, and with this meal eat a head of lettuce, 1-2 sticks of celery and a handful of dried raisins or sultanas, or 3-4 dried figs or 10-12 dried Hunza apricots.

DETOX SNACK
4 p.m. A large 12 oz glass of freshly squeezed carrot juice.

DETOX EVENING
A large Rainbow salad of grated red cabbage, grated carrots, grated beetroot, chopped up celery, watercress, cucumber, and red or green peppers. A dressing could be made as follows: Put 2-3 tomatoes in the blender, 1 whole peeled large size avocado and a pinch of marigold bouillon powder and 1 tea spoonful cold pressed linseed oil or olive oil. Blend the lot and pour it on your Rainbow salad and mix thoroughly. Enjoy it with some lettuce leaves. To this salad you add 3 ozs of nuts and seeds. Not salted nuts and not peanuts. Brazil, Cashew, Almonds, Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds. Whatever you fancy. Chew well or grind the nuts dry and sprinkle on the Rainbow salad or put ground nuts in a blender, add just a little water and make it into nut cream.

On such a regime -- if you have not cheated in between -- at the end of that month you will feel cleaner, fitter, a little slimmer and more energetic with the added bonus of some of your symptoms disappearing. No cooked food should be eaten. Full activity can be resumed on this raw diet. This regime has worked on thousands of cases.

The choice is yours. Remember no one can cure you. Your own body, given the opportunity will rebuild itself.
Detox Diet

List of Foods to Avoid on a Detox Diet

2011-12-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

This is a list of foods to avoid on a detox diet.

Sugar
Includes sugar, products containing sugar, and hidden forms of sugar, such as sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, and turbinado. Artificial sweeteners are usually not recommended. Stevia and erythritol are allowed natural sweeteners.

Dairy Products
Milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and other dairy products.

Wheat
Wheat and products containing wheat, such as pasta and bread.

Gluten
All gluten-containing grains: wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, and barley.

Coffee
Although most detox diets recommend avoiding coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, one cup a day is usually acceptable and may reduce the occurrence of caffeine withdrawal headaches.

Other Foods to Avoid

* Yeast
* Alcohol
* Food additives and preservatives
* Chocolate
* High-Fat Foods

List of Allowed Foods on a Detox Diet.

2011-10-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

List of Allowed Foods on a Detox Diet.
A detox diet is recommended by some alternative practitioners to promote the elimination of unwanted chemicals and environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health.

This is a sample list of allowed foods on a detox diet.

Fruit
Fresh or frozen fruit.

Vegetables
All fresh vegetables. Vegetables thought to be particularly good detox foods include broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables.

Rice
All forms of rice, including rice cakes, rice crackers and rice pasta. Brown rice is typically preferred.

Other Grains
Quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat can be used instead of rice. They can be purchased at a health food store or in some grocery stores.

Beans
Split yellow and green peas and lentils are easiest to digest and require the least soaking time. Other good options include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans.

Nuts and Seeds
Unsalted nuts or seeds can be sprinkled over salads or eaten as a snack. Good options include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Nut butters are permitted. Peanuts and peanut butter are usually not recommended.

Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is a preferred oil.

Condiments
Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, all herbs or spices.

Tea
Herbal teas, green tea.

Other Beverages
Water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, rice milk

Daily Detox Do's

* Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, warm or room temperature.
* Take the time to chew food well, especially grains.
Detox Diet
this-is-detox-diet-menu-for-day.

Detox Diet Menu

2011-09-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

DETOX DIET MENU
This is a detox diet menu for a day.

Upon rising

* 1/2 lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water
* 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in a glass of water

Breakfast

* breakfast smoothie made with pear, rice milk and rice protein powder
* supplements: vitamin C

Snacks

* apple juice diluted with water
* water
* vegetable broth
* celery sticks and hummus

Lunch

* chunky vegetable soup made with vegetable stock and your choice of vegetables
* steamed broccoli with sesame seeds and beets sprinkled with lemon juice on brown rice
* apple sauce
* supplements: multivitamin

Snacks

* carrot sticks with hummus dip
* water
* supplements: milk thistle

Dinner

* curried lentils on quinoa
* salad with mixed greens, red peppers, artichokes and sprouts drizzled with salad dressing of garlic, lemon juice and olive oil
* vegetable broth

Before bed

* 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in a glass of water.
Detox Diet: tomato-onion-herb-salad.

Tomato, Onion & Herb Salad

2011-09-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

Detox Diet Recipe : Tomato, Onion & Herb Salad

DETOX DIET RECIPE INGREDIENTS

1 red onion, peeled & halved
3 medium tomatoes, seeded & chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
a large handful of coriander leaves
a large handful of flat-leaved parsley
salt & pepper

DETOX DIET RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Rinse the red onion in cold water, then soak for 10 minutes and chop coarsely- you need slightly less onion than tomatoes. Mix the chopped onion with the tomatoes in a large bowl, add the olive oil and a good grinding of black pepper, and stir well.

Then cover the bowl with glad-wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.Strip the leaves from the stems of the coriander and flat-leaved parsley, chop them roughly and add to the onion and tomato mixture. Stir well and add a little more olive oil if you like. Check the seasoning and serve.

Detox Diet Recipe : Kiwi, Avocado & Spring Onion Salad

2011-09-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

Detox Diet Recipe : Kiwi, Avocado & Spring Onion Salad

DETOX DIET RECIPE INGREDIENTS

1 kiwi fruit
3 spring onions
1 ripe avocado
salad leaves

For the dressing:

a squeeze of lime juice
1 tsp olive oil
a dab of honey (about ½ teaspoon, or to taste)
salt & pepper

DETOX DIET RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Peel the kiwi fruit, cut it into slices and then cut each slice into four. Finely chop the spring onions, and put them, with the kiwi, into a bowl.

Make The Dressing:

Put the lime juice, olive oil and honey in a screw-top jar with lots of freshly ground black pepper. Seal the jar and shake it well, then taste, adding a little salt if wished. Pour over the kiwi and spring onions and leave for 30 minutes for the flavours to develop.Cut the avocado in half and remove the stone, peel and then chop the flesh into chunks. Add these to the bowl containing the kiwi and spring onions, and stir very gently to coat the pieces in the dressing.

Arrange the salad leaves on a plate and arrange the kiwi, spring onion and avocado in the middle. Serve.

Detox Diet Recipe: Bean Salad With Herbs & Wild Leaves

2011-08-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Detox Diet Recipe : Bean Salad With Herbs & Wild Leaves

DETOX DIET RECIPE INGREDIENTS

20g (2/3 oz) dried haricot beans
20g (2/3 oz) dried black-eye beans
40g (1½ oz) dried chickpeas
1 small red onion, chopped
6 olives, chopped
6 cherry tomatoes, chopped
salad leaves eg. rocket, corriander & flat-leaved parsley
a handful of small dandelion leaves
salt & pepper

For the dressing:

1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
black pepper
½ tsp wholegrain mustard
½ tsp clear honey

DETOX DIET RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

Soak the haricots, black-eye beans and chickpeas overnight, keeping the haricots separate. Drain and rinse all of them, and put the haricots into a small pan with fresh water.
Bring to the boil, then simmer gently. When they are beginning to soften, add the chickpeas and continue cooking until tender.

Put the black-eye beans in another pan, cover with fresh water and boil for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender.

Make the dressing:

Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, mustard and honey in a jar, close tightly and then shake well.Drain the cooked beans and rinse with fresh water. Put all the beans in a bowl and add half the dressing. Then add the chopped onions, olives and tomatoes, and mix well. Check
the seasoning.Mix the salad leaves and dandelion greens in another bowl and pour the other half of the dressing over them. Toss and then arrange on a plate, leaving a gap in the middle for
the beans. After the beans have been added, serve.

Detox Diet Criticism

2011-08-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Detox Diet Criticism

Professor Alan Boobis OBE, Toxicologist, Division of Medicine, Imperial College London states that "The body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. They have to be, as the natural environment that we evolved in is hostile. It is remarkable that people are prepared to risk seriously disrupting these systems with unproven ‘detox’ diets, which could well do more harm than good."[5]

The potentially high mercury content in some fish is cited to argue against increased fish consumption. If one is considering eating more fish, it is therefore important to choose fish that have low mercury levels.

Sudden changes in diet have been linked to fainting and other medical issues. It is therefore of utmost importance to gradually introduce the dietary changes, especially if they are extreme compared to the present diet. Fasting should never be undertaken without a proper understanding of its procedures, and long-term changes to the diet should always include a balance of the nutrients needed for the sustenance of the human body - carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and water. The same is advisable for any diet, cleansing or otherwise, in order to maintain optimal health.

Highly restrictive detox diets such as Water fasting or the Master Cleanse are not the safest form of weight loss. These diets, if done improperly or for too long, may result in nutrient deficiencies. Of particular concern is lack of protein, which may result in wasting of muscle tissue, due to insufficient amino acids for repair. With less lean muscle tissue, the body's metabolic needs decrease, which hampers weight loss efforts unless calories are lessened further in the diet.

While many people have provided testimonials to their health improvements in following a "detox" diet lifestyle, some of these people may have started the detox diet after coming off an unhealthy diet high in sugar and processed food that may lack nutrients. Any improvements cited from such people would only prove the effectiveness of a detox diet over an average diet, and not that it is the ideal diet that doesn't carry its own unique health risks. It is therefore necessary to investigate whether or not the diets advocated provide sufficient nutritional value for optimal physical functioning.

Some of the changes recommended in certain "detox"diet lifestyles are ones that agree with mainstream medical advice, such as consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Separating the beneficial effects of such changes from the rest of the recommendations made in a "detoxifying" diet is difficult.
Detox Diet
what-is-detox-diet.

What is Detox Diet ?

2011-08-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

What is Detox Diet ?

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins (anything that can potentially harm body tissue) are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds and excreted via stools or urine.

Sources of toxins include those produced in the body during normal functions, such as the ammonia produced during the breakdown of protein, and chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals like lead that enter the body when we ingest or inhale them.

What is a Detox Diet?

Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health

There are many different types of detox diets. Generally, a detox diet is a short-term diet that:

* Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).
* Emphasizes foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.
* Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water, that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

Why do People go on a Detox Diet?

A growing body of research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body.

The cumulative load, called the "body burden", is thought to lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs are thought to include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.

Some private labs, such as Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs, offer tests that assess urine, stools, blood, and liver function. These tests are not standard medical tests and many medical doctors do not recognize them or consider them valid.

Benefits of a Detox Diet

People often report improved energy, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity after a detox diet.

Who Shouldn't Try a Detox Diet?

Anyone considering a detox diet should consult a qualified health professional and/or their medical doctor first.

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn't go on a detox diet. People with anemia, eating disorder, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, terminal illness, certain genetic diseases, and other chronic conditions shouldn't try this diet or should do so only under the supervision of their primary care provider. It is not intended for alcohol or drug detoxification.

Side Effects of Detox Diet

One of the most common side effects is headache within the first few days of starting the detox diet, often due to caffeine withdrawal. For this reason, practitioners often suggest gradually decreasing the amount of caffeine prior to starting a detox diet. In addition, some people opt to take time off work to begin a detox diet or start the diet on the weekend.

Other side effects include excessive diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. Constipation may occur if people consume excess fiber without also increasing their fluid intake. Other side effects can include tiredness, irritability, acne, weight loss, and hunger. Any worsening of symptoms or new symptoms that occur during a detox diet should prompt a visit to a qualified health professional.

If a detox diet is continued for a longer time, it may result in nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein (some detox diets omit animal products) and calcium.

Getting Started with Detox Diet

Fatigue, indigestion, cough, muscle pain, and poor sleep can be signs of serious illness. That's why it's important to see a primary care provider for a thorough assessment to ensure that any symptoms are not caused by a medical condition that requires immediate treatment.
Continued on the next page...

Choosing a Detox Diet Method

Detox diet plans may include a special diet, herbs and supplements, hydrotherapy, exercise, breathing techniques and/or sauna therapy. Although more controversial, some detox programs include fasting, colon hydrotherapy, liver flush, and chelation.

Alternative practitioners usually recommend that people trying a detox diet for the first time opt for a gentle detox diet plan.

Some detox diets claim to target different organ systems involved in detoxification, such as the skin, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and lymph system.

Alternative practitioners often can customize a program to suit individual needs.

How Often Do People Go On a Detox Diet?

Proponents of detox diets generally recommend one to two times a year to improve health and prevent disease. They are usually not recommended more than three times per year. In some cases, however, alternative practitioners may recommend a detox diet more frequently or may recommend a longer detox diet.

What Do People Eat After the Detox Diet is Over?

After the detox diet is over, alternative practitioners often suggest gradually easing back into a healthy, but less restrictive diet. Many people use a detox diet as a springboard for a healthier lifestyle and continue eating many of the vegetables and fruits they ate on the detox diet.

Do People Temporarily Stop Taking Medication During a Detox Diet?

No. Medication should never be discontinued or reduced without consulting the prescribing doctor and/or your primary care provider.

What Critics of the Detox Diet Say

* Detox diets aren't needed. The body can detoxify on its own without the help of a detox diet. Our system has evolved to adequately elimate new chemicals in our environment without extra assistance.
* There is no evidence that detox diets work.
* Herbal detox products are unproven and expensive. In some cases, they can even be harmful.

detoxification-diets

Detoxification Diets

2011-08-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

DETOXIFICATION DIET

Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate toxins in many ways. First, natural vegetarian diets include the fiber needed for stimulating good bowel eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of vitamins that feed and nourish the bowels and the liver, as well as other eliminative organs. They also include a valuable source of enzymes since most vegetarian diets are eaten raw. The elimination of meat from the diet for a short period enhances detoxification because meat is so difficult to digest and requires many enzymes for its digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing diets and aid the body in elimination of toxins.

Of course, changing diets and lifestyle is easier said than done for some people. Many people want health and will go to any length to improve their health, including dietary changes. But there are others who do not want to change their life style for anything. These people will be difficult to motivate and will not stick with the detox programs for one day. They may not want to give up their sodas, or their cigarettes, their beer or their coffee. They may make a few changes, like drinking more water, or they may give up completely in a very short notice. Our way of eating has been cultivated over many years and will not change over night. But to those who do want better health and do not want to rely on pills/drugs for their existence, nutritional changes will be welcomed, especially when they start feeling better and having more energy.

Detox Diets are very important and are usually the basis for any detox program, whether it is herbs, cleansing or other detox programs.[i] Detox diets will generally eliminate trigger foods, which may cause many problems with digestion and elimination. Foods like wheat (glutens) and dairy (milk, cheese) are often the cause of allergies. Sugar is eliminated because of its "empty calories" and tendency to produce hypoglycemia. Meats are eliminated because they may contain hormones, antibiotics and are difficult to digest. Caffeine is wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the body's digestion. Refined, processed and junk foods are also out for any detox program to work.
Detox Diet

Introduction to detoxification

2011-08-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION TO DETOXIFICATION
Detox Diet

Detoxification comes in many forms and refers to many different programs that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is toxic and the foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden with chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some type of detoxification to maintain life and health.

Although basic detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and blood.

We will soon see why these organs are so important in detoxification. Detoxification for the body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved in detoxification of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver acts as an
"in-line" filter for the removal of foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The kidneys
filter wastes from the blood into the urine, while the lungs remove volatile gases as we breathe.

Our body is designed to utilize natural substances, which includes foods, herbs and phytochemicals. Any foreign substance will serve as a stimulus to our immune system, which has the function of removing these substances. Although the toxicity of a chemical may vary, it is the job of the liver to reduce toxins into compounds that the body can safely handle and eliminate through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (as expelled air) and bowels (as feces). Maintaining these eliminative organs in good working order is essential for one's good health to continue.
While there are many detoxification programs available, they differ in their actions and their
intent. Some detoxification programs (DP) work only with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others may aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these detox programs into a total health program, one can effectively restore their health to an optimal level and look younger in the process. When the body can eliminate toxins, then health is restored and energy and vigor are revitalized. Many different approaches to detoxification and wellness will work, even though they attack the problem at different levels. Any program that augments detoxification will improve health. Other factors must be considered in detoxification, like nutrition, water, and exercise, rest, sunshine, and fresh air.
Detox Diet

Symptoms and signs on Detox Diet

2011-07-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Symptoms and signs of Detox Diet

What are the symptoms or signs which become evident when we first begin to omit the lower grade foods and instead introduce superior foods--those which are most alive, more natural than we are accustomed to?
When the use of toxic stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, or cocoa is suddenly stopped, headaches are common and a letdown occurs. This is due to the discard by the body of the toxins called caffeine and theobromine which are removed from the tissues and transported through the bloodstream during its many bodily rounds.

Before the noxious agents reach their final destination for elimination, these irritants register in our consciousness as pain--in other words, headache. The letdown is due to the slower action of the heart--the resting phase which follows the stimulation of more rapid heart beat forced upon the body by certain poisons called stimulants. The more rapid heart beat (or pulse) produces a feeling of exhilaration, and the slower action produces a depressed state of mind. Usually, within three days, the symptoms vanish and we feel stronger due to the recuperation which follows.

To a lesser extent, the same process occurs when we abandon lower quality foods and replace them with better foods. Lower quality foods have undergone more preparation. Spices, salt, and other ingredients have been added, as they tend to be more stimulating than less prepared and more natural foods. Animal foods such as meat, fowl, fish, etc. are more stimulating than cheese, nuts, and vegetable proteins.

Consequently, the withdrawal of stimulation which follows the abandonment of animal food produces a slower heart action--a resting phase--which registers in the mind as relaxation or a decrease of energy. This initial letdown lasts about ten days or slightly longer and is followed by an increase of strength, a feeling of diminishing stress and greater well-being.

Now let us return to the symptoms which occur in the process of regeneration. The person who starts a better detox diet, stays on it for three days to a week, and then quits will say, "Oh, I felt better on the old diet--the new one makes me feel weak." He failed because he didn't give his body a chance to adjust and complete its first phase of action--recuperation. If he had waited a while longer, he would have begun to feel better than before he started.
Initial stage

During the initial stage of detox diet (lasting about ten days on the average to several weeks in others), the vital energies which are usually in the periphery or external part of the body such as the muscles and skin, begin to move to the vital internal organs and start reconstruction. This shunting of much of the power to the internal region produces a feeling of less energy in the muscles, which the mind interprets as some weakness.

Actually, the power is increased, but most of it is being used for rebuilding the more important organs and less of it is available for muscular work. Any weakness which is felt here is not true weakness, but merely a redeploying of forces to the more important internal parts. Here it is important for the person to stop wasting energy, and to rest and sleep more. This is a crucial phase, and if the person resorts to stimulants of any kind, he will abort and defeat the regenerative intent of the body.

It is important that he have patience and faith and just wait it out, and after a while he will get increasing strength which will exceed by far what he felt before he began the new program.

Success in recovery or improvement of health hinges upon the correct understanding of this point -- realizing that the body is using its main energies in more important internal work and not wasting it in external work involving muscle movements. Be wise, take it easy here, and relax. Just coast in your work and social obligations until you're out of the woods.

Improving diet

As one continues on the improved detox diet and gradually raises the food quality, interesting symptoms being to appear. The body begins a process called retracing. It says to itself, "Now we have a chance to get rid of this old garbage and build a beautiful new house. Let's get started immediately. Let's get this excess bile out of the liver and gall bladder and send it to the intestines for elimination. Let's get the sludge moving out of the arteries, veins, and capillaries. These smelly, gassy, brain-stupefying masses have been here too long--out with them! These arthritic deposits in the joints need cleaning up. Let's get these irritating food preservatives, aspirins, sleeping pills, and drugs out of the way, along with these other masses of fat which have made life so burdensome for us for so long. Let's get going till the job is down--till we have a beautiful house--and from there on we'll keep it a beautiful ideal model house."

First phase

During the first phase (called catabolism), the accent is on elimination, or breaking down of tissue. The body begins to clean house--in short, to remove the garbage deposited in all the tissues--everywhere. During this period, the body removes the ashes from the furnace preparatory to getting a better fire. Here the accentuation is on removal of the gross and immediate body obstructions. Wastes are discarded more rapidly than new tissue is made from the new food. This becomes evident as weight loss.
This persists for a while and is then followed by the second phase--called stabilization.

Here, the weight remains more or less stable. During this phase, the amount of waste material being discarded daily is equal to the amount of tissue which is being formed and replaced by the newer, more vital food. This occurs after the excess of obstructing material in the tissues has been removed.

Third phase

This state persists for a while and is then followed by a third phase -- a build-up period called anabolism, wherein weight starts to go up, even though the detox diet is lower in calories than it was before. At this point, much or more of the interfering wastes have already been discarded -- the tissues which have been formed since the diet was raised in quality are more durable and do not break down easily. Also, new tissues are now being formed faster. This is due to the improved assimilation made possible by the ceasing of wrong food combining. The body's need for the usual amounts of food decreases, and we are able to maintain our weight and increased energies with less food.

Many are able to function very efficiently on two meals a day. As the body progressively increases in efficiency and decreases in tissue breakdown under exercise, so do we gradually need less and less food to maintain life. The higher the percentage of raw food one lives on, the slower the rate of tissue deterioration which one evolves into. A sick body requires a gradual, carefully worked-out entry into this stage, where one is able to live on a 100% unfired (raw) detox diet, if desired.

Symptoms of Detox Diet

Returning to the symptoms which occur on a superior nutritional program, people who have had tendencies in the past to recurring skin rashes or eruptions will frequently tend to eliminate poisons and harmful drugs through the skin with new rashes or eruptions. If they go to a doctor now who is not familiar with this aspect of nutrition, he will diagnose it as an allergy.

They ask, "How come? I'm eating better now than I ever did before, and instead I'm getting worse." They don't understand that the body is retracing.

The skin is getting more alive and active. It's throwing out more poisons more rapidly now that the body is building more power which is saved from those hard-to-ingest meals which have been discontinued. These toxins being discarded are saving you from more serious disease which will result if you keep them in your body too much longer--possibly hepatitis, kidney disorders, blood disease, heart disease, arthritis, nerve degenerations or even cancer--depending upon your hereditary or structural weaknesses. Be happy you're paying your bills now in an easy-payment plan.

With some, colds which haven't appeared for a long time may occur, or even fevers. This is nature's way of housecleaning. Understand that these actions are constructive, even though unpleasant at the moment. Don't, but don't, try to stop these symptoms by the use of certain drugs, or even massive doses of vitamins which will act as drugs in huge concentrations. These symptoms are part of a curing process, and don't try to cure a cure.

These are not deficiency conditions or allergic manifestations -- not if you're eating properly in quality, quantity, combination and sequence. Here is where experienced advice is a great value. Unfortunately, there are few good books present today which give full guidance to the average reader. Try to find guidance through a doctor or teacher who has the requisite experience in this most confusing of all subjects--nutrition in relation to health and disease.

You may be eating perfectly in regard to quantity, quality, and observing all the correct rules, and still symptoms will occur. Those who have lived better lives in the past--who have eaten better foods and who have abused their bodies less with over-eating will have reactions ranging from almost none at all or very mild symptoms which may be uncomfortable or acute. Those who have lived worse lives and poisoned themselves more will experience more severe symptoms if their liver, kidneys, or other important eliminating organs have been damaged. When they have been renovated to the point of fair working order, they will no longer produce symptoms of detox diet.

Headaches may occur at the beginning of detox diet; fever and/or colds may also appear; the skin may break out; there may be a short interval of bowel sluggishness, occasional diarrhea, feelings of tiredness and weakness, disinclination to exercise, nervousness, irritability, negativity or mental depression, frequent urination, etc. However, the great majority of people find their reactions tolerable and are encouraged to bear with them because of the many improvements which have already occurred and are becoming more evident with each day. This acts as an inspirational force to them.

The symptoms will vary according to the materials being discarded, the conditions of the organs involved in the elimination, and the amount of energy you have available. The more you rest and sleep when symptoms are present, the milder they are and the more quickly they are terminated.

Be happy you are having symptoms. Realize deeply that your body is becoming younger and healthier every day because you are throwing off more and more wastes which would eventually have brought pain, disease, and much suffering. Those who have the worst symptom-reactions and follow through to their successful termination are thus avoiding some of the worst diseases which would eventually have developed had they continued their careless eating habits.

Don't expect to go on an ascending scale of quality, that improving your diet will make you feel better and better each day until you reach perfection. The body is cyclical in nature, and health returns in a series of gradually-diminishing cycles. For example, you start a better detox diet and for a while you feel much better. After some time, a symptom occurs--you feel nauseous for a day and have diarrhea with a foul-smelling stool. After a day, you feel even better than before and all goes fine for awhile. Then you suddenly develop a cold, feel chills and lose your appetite. After about two or three days (assuming you don't take drugs or do anything else about it), you suddenly recover and feel better than you did for years.

Let us say this well-being continues for two months, when you suddenly develop an itch or rash. You don't take anything special for it. This rash flares up, gets worse and continues for ten days, and suddenly subsides, immediately after this you find that your hepatitis is gone and your energy has increased more than ever before. The rash became an outlet for the poisons in the liver which produced the hepatitis.

This is how recovery occurs--like the cycles in the Dow-Jones Average at the beginning of a bull market recovery. You feel better, a reaction occurs and you don't feel as well for a short while. You recover and go even higher. Then another reaction occurs, milder than the last. You recover and go even higher. And so it goes, each reaction milder than the last as the body becomes pure--each becoming shorter in duration and being followed by a longer period of feeling better than ever before, until you reach a level plateau of vibrant health. Here you become relatively disease-free.

We must learn to obey the laws of Nature. We must learn to eat simple, pure, and natural foods, properly prepared and combined, and our bodies in return will cast off all the poisons we have taken in during our lives. The mysteries of the body, the operations of nature, the vital forces working in nature are far beyond what our minds are prepared to understand at present. Every great physician or scientist who ever lived marveled in awe and humility at the wonders of nature. Yes--we are "fearfully and wonderfully made!"
Detox diet..
what-is-detox-diet ?

Detox Diet Morning Sunshine Smoothie

2008-11-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

Detox Diet Morning Sunshine Smoothie ...a great detox diet recipes to try !

Detox Diet INGREDIENTS

2 large oranges
1 red grapefruit
½ cup strawberries
½ banana

Detox Diet INSTRUCTIONS
Squeeze juice from oranges and grapefruit. Then blend with strawberries and banana in blender. The detox diet recipe is ready.

gazpacho-soup.

Melon Juice

2008-11-29T19:42:00.000-08:00

Detox Diet: Melon Juice...a great detox diet to try ! Nice one !

DETOX DIET INGREDIENTS

2 cups watermelon
2 cups cantaloupe
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled

DETOX DIET INSTRUCTIONS
Cut and put in juicer (you can prepare this detox diet juice recipe in a blender ).

gazpacho-soup

Detox Diet Carrot-Vegetable Juice

2008-11-29T19:40:00.000-08:00

Detox Diet Carrot-Vegetable Juice ...nice detox diet recipe to try !

Detox Diet INGREDIENTS

A handful of dandelion leaves
1 kale leaf
4 carrots
Fresh basil leaves

Detox Diet INSTRUCTIONS
Cut and put in juicer. The detox diet juice is ready ...enjoy !
detox-diet-plan.

Detox Diet Carrot-Apple Juice

2008-11-29T19:39:00.000-08:00

Detox Diet Carrot-Apple Juice... a healthy detox diet recipe to try ! Great for you !

Detox Diet INGREDIENTS

2-3 green apples
1 carrot
Fresh basil leaves

Detox Diet INSTRUCTIONS
Cut and put in juicer...and the detox diet is ready...enjoy it !
this-is-detox-diet-menu-for-day

Vegetable Juice Combo

2008-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

Vegetable Juice Combo...a nice detox diet recipe to try !

INGREDIENTS

2 Swiss chard leaves
½ beet root
2 or 3 sprigs of watercress
3 carrots
1 celery stalk

INSTRUCTIONS
Cut and put in juice. The detox diet is ready ...!
baked-apples.

Carrot Cleanser Juice

2008-11-29T19:36:00.000-08:00

Detox diet...

Carrot Cleanser Juice

INGREDIENTS

4 carrots
1 celery stalk
1 apple
Handful spinach
Juice from half lemon

INSTRUCTIONS
Cut and put in juicer box..and the detox diet recipe is ready !
Detox diet...
carrot-vegetable-juice

Baked Apples

2008-11-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

Baked Apples....a great detox diet recipe to try !

DETOX DIET INGREDIENTS

2 apples (organic is best)
1/8 cup raisins
8 almonds
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water

DETOX DIET INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off tops of apple- don't throw tops away. Cut out the apple's core but don't puncture all the way through. Fill each core with half the almonds, raisins, and cinnamon. Fill the rest with water and replace the top. Put apples in a baking dish and bake
for 45 minutes. Makes 2 servings.These ingredients in this dessert are easy on the liver, as
well.The detox diet recipe is ready ...
vegetable-juice-combo.

Lentil Stew

2008-11-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

Lentil Stew....a great detox diet recipe to try !

Ingredients:

2 cups raw lentils
4 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 onions, chopped
6-10 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS:
Rinse lentils. Boil with water in pot. Combine with all other ingredients and cook for 30 minutes. Makes 8 servings.The ingredients in this stew are easy on the liver, and the cumin and coriander are herbs that help the liver to function well. The detox diet recipe is ready ...enjoy !
creamless-spinach-soup.

Vegetable Broth

2008-11-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

Vegetable Broth ....a great detox diet recipe to try !

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach
2 cups broccoli heads
3 cups celery
2 cups red-skinned potato peels, ½ inch thick
1 small zucchini
2 quarts distilled water

INSTRUCTIONS
Chop all vegetables into very fine pieces. Place in water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and drink the broth. Makes 8 servings.This broth will help flush toxins out of your system...great detox diet recipe !

Creamless Spinach Soup

2008-11-29T19:30:00.000-08:00

Creamless Spinach Soup

A detox diet recipe to try ! Cleanse !!
INGREDIENTS

Two pounds chopped organic spinach
One teaspoon chopped organic garlic
One cup organic diced onion
One cup organic diced carrots
One cup organic diced celery
One cup organic diced leek
Two organic bay leaves
On sprig organic thyme
Two tablespoons cold-pressed organic olive oil
Six cups purified water

INSTRUCTIONS
(You should use organic ingredients in any detox diet recipe, because they are grown without any of the toxic herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers which you are trying to flush from your system.)
In a large pot, sauté the garlic in the olive oil over medium heat for two minute, while slowly adding the celery, leek, carrots, and onion. The onions will become translucent when they are cooked, and then you can add the water, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring the mix to a boil, turn
down the heat, and let it simmer, covered for sixty minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for an hour before straining out the thyme and bay leaves.
When the mixture is cooled, puree it in a blender and return it to the pot, adding the chopped spinach. Cook the mix over medium heat until the spinach has wilted, and remove it from the heat immediately. You want to avid over cooking the spinach or you will destroy its nutritional
content. All foods, but especially fruits and vegetables, will lose some of their nutrients when they are cooked, so it's a good idea to eat your fruits and veggies raw when you can. The detox diet recipe is ready.....

Carrot-Apple Juice Fasting

2008-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

Carrot-Apple Juice Fasting
Detox Diet
Juice fasting is a great way to detoxify your body. If you are new to juice fasting, it is important to start out slow(start with one day before you continue in longer period). Most fruit juice is high in sugar, so if you are a diabetic you should be cautious of trying a juice fast.

Ingredients :

* 2-3 Green Apples
* 1 carrot
* Fresh basil leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer.For this juice detox diet recipe, avoid peeling off the skin of the green apples because most of the nutrients of apples are located on its skin. Apples are excellent sources of dietary fiber, antioxidants and vitamins K and C. Recent
studies also show that certain types of apples may contain UV-B protection that can protect your skin from the sun.
Detox Diet
expert-warns-on-detox-diet

Detox Diet: Lentil & Roast Pepper Salad

2008-11-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

Detox Diet:Lentil & Roast Pepper Salad

Detox Diet INGREDIENTS

1 large red pepper, halved & seeded
a little olive oil
60g (2oz) green lentils, eg. Le Puy, rinsed well
½ small red onion, chopped
salad leaves
flat-leaved parsley, to garnish

For the dressing:

2 tsp balsamic vinegar
(or lemon juice)
1 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp Dijon mustard
salt & pepper

Detox Diet INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Rub the outside of each pepper half with olive oil and put them, cut side down, in an over-proof dish. Roast them in the over for 15-20 minutes until the skins begin to blister and darken. Set aside until just cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, put the lentils into a pan of boiling water and cook until soft; how long this takes will depend on their age, but it should be approximately the same time as the peppers- about 20 minutes.

Make the dressing:

Whisk the balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice), olive oil and mustard together. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, and whisk again.Drain the lentils and put them in a large bowl; pour most
of the dressing over them while they are warm, add the onion and stir thoroughly.Gently remove the skin from the peppers, easing it away with a knife if necessary, and cut the flesh into strips.

Add to the lentils with the red onion, mixing them in gently. Arrange the salad leaves on a plate, drizzle the remaining dressing over them and put the lentils and peppers in the middle. Garnish with flat-leaved parsley and the detox diet lentil & roast pepper salad is ready to serve...enjoy it !

Detox 'Colesaw' With Seeds

2008-11-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Detox 'Colesaw' With Seeds
A great detox diet recipe to try !
INGREDIENTS

75g (3oz) white cabbage, finely shredded
2 carrots, grated
½ yellow pepper, seeded & finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
6 black olives, chopped
1 tsp pumpkin seeds
1 tsp sunflower seeds

For the dressing:

1 tbsp apple juice
1 tsp olive oil
½ tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon juice
salt & black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Put the cabbage, carrots, yellow pepper, onions and olives in a large bowl.Put all the dressing ingredients in a jar, make sure the lid is firmly fastened, and shake well. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then pour over the vegetables and stir well.
Dry-roast the pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a dry frying pan, stirring them so that they don't catch too much. Remove the pan from the heat when they begin to colour.
Put the coleslaw on a serving plate and scatter the seeds on top. The detox diet recipe is ready to serve immediately...nice and healthy !

Warm Asparagus & Courgette Salad

2008-11-29T19:13:00.000-08:00

Warm Asparagus & Courgette Salad
A great detox diet recipe to try !
INGREDIENTS

6-10 hazelnuts
250g (8oz) bunch of asparagus
1 large handful of salad leaves
½ large courgette
salt & black pepper

For the Dressing:

½ tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp clear honey
juice of ½ small lemon
1 tsp olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Chop the hazelnuts and then dry-roast them in a non-stick pan; when they start to smell toasted, remove the pan from the heat.
Fill a large pan with water and put it on to boil. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and then discard them (they can go toward vegetable stock if you wish). Cut the remaining stems halfway along and put the thicker, lower halves into the boiling water for 3 minutes. Now add the
rest of the asparagus to the pan of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes.

Make the dressing:

Whisk the mustard, honey, lemon juice and olive oil together until smooth. Arrange the salad leaves on a plate.Meanwhile, make long strips of courgette with a potato peeler; discard any which are entirely peel and also get rid of the rather seedy core. Add the strips to the asparagus and cook for a further minute.Drain and allow to cool briefly until the asparagus can be handled, and then arrange both the asparagus pieces and the courgette strips on top of the salad leaves. Whisk the dressing once more and drizzle it over everything, season with salt and black pepper and scatter the hazelnuts on top. Serve immediately. The detox diet recipe of warm asparagus is ready to serve...enjoy !

Avocado & Tomato Salad With Shallots

2008-11-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

Avocado & Tomato Salad With Shallots
A great detox diet recipe to try !
INGREDIENTS

1 large shallot or
2 smaller ones, peeled and finely chopped
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
3 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 ripe avocado
olive oil
salt & black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Put the finely chopped shallot in a small bowl or container, such as an egg cup, with the balsamic vinegar while you prepare the salad.
Arrange the sliced tomatoes on one side of a plate. Cut the avocado into halves and remove the stone; cut through the flesh to the skin but not through the skin itself. Starting at the pointed end, peel the skin away with your fingers; if the avocado is ripe enough, this should be easy. Arrange the avocado slices on the other half of the plate.

Carefully, using a teaspoon, arrange the chopped shallot in a fine line between the two halves, leaving any excess vinegar behind. Drizzle olive oil over the salad, grind some black pepper over everything and put a little salt on the tomatoes. the detox diet recipe is ready to serve immediately. Nice !

Alkaline Diet Vegetable Broth Recipe

2008-11-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

Alkaline Diet Vegetable Broth Recipe

An alkaline detox diet is a diet that emphasizes, fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes.This vegetable broth fits the guidelines of the alkaline detox diet.
Ingredients:

* 2 cups spinach
* 2 cups broccoli heads
* 2 quarts distilled water
* 3 cups celery stalk
* 2 cups red-skinned organic potato peels, 1/2 inch thick
* 1 small zucchini

Instructions:

Chop all the vegetables into very fine pieces.Place them in the water and bring to a boil with the lid on.
Lower the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.Strain and drink the broth.This broth will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator. It may also be made in larger quantities and frozen.
The detox diet ......

Gazpacho Soup

2008-11-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

Gazpacho Soup...a great detox diet recipe to try ! Great for your health !

Ingredients

3 cups tomatoes, red ripe, seeded and diced
2 cups red bell pepper, diced medium
2 cups red onions, diced medium
1/2 cup celery, diced medium
2 cups cucumber, diced medium
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 cups organic vegetable juice
pinch cayenne
1 teaspoon cumin

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix diced tomato, peppers, red onions, celery and cucumber together in a medium bowl. Divide the mixture in half and separate in two bowls.

Add garlic to one of the bowls and empty into blender. Add vinegar to the blender and puree until smooth.Add the vegetable juice, cayenne and cumin to the blender. Blend.
Add the puree to the bowl of diced vegetables.Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with lemon and cilantro. The detox diet recipe is ready to serve....to you health !

morning-sunshine-smoothie.

Juice Fasting

2008-08-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

Juice Fasting

Part of detox diet, fasting with vegetable juices can be another excellent way to develop good health and cleanse the body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber), contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. When the pulp is not added, one is able to drink more juice than they are able to eat. For example, one can easily consume the juice of several heads of lettuce in one sitting, but may not be able to eat the lettuce whole. This allows the body to get an abundance of nutrients with minimal processing (digestion). Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body proper time to process these juices and helps to preserve our valuable digestive enzymes.

Juice fasting has helped many people over come serious diseases like cancer, because it gave them optimal nutrition and allowed the body to cleanse itself of toxins. [According to many nutritionists, cancer is merely a toxic condition.] With some juicers, the pulp is discarded, but it may be saved and added back for fiber (not too much). Juices contain good sources of antioxidants and enzymes, both of which are needed for cleansing and eliminating toxins. Juices are also easy to digest and help those with digestive problems....a recommended detox diet method.

list-of-allowed-foods-on-detox-diet.

Time for Rapid Detox ! Fasting

2008-08-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Spring Cleaning! Time for Rapid Detox!

by Beverly B. Ferguson

Fasting is a wondrous journey of discovery. To me, it feels like finding the hidden SECRET to health and healing. The best part is that fasting is always available to everyone, everywhere, and it is free!

I started learning about fasting back in the late 70's from books about fasting and juicing written by Walker, Bragg, Ehret, Christopher, Burroughs and many others*. The best way that I have found to begin fasting is Dr. Christopher's book the "Three Day Cleanse." It contains all the basic information as well as allowing you to eat each evening if you feel the need to do so. This is a good way to begin to actually fast. Nothing too drastic.

Even before this Three Day Cleanse, however, you may wish to start with skipping a meal, then two, then three, etc. Before any kind of fasting be sure to eat a meal or two of raw salad, vegetables or fruits -- no meat eggs or dairy products.

When you fast, you can use either juices, lemonade made with maple syrup, broths, or water. It is also possible to fast eating one kind of food exclusively for a period of time. For example, Macrobiotics often fast by eating just brown rice, others fast on bread and water.

Try to get organic produce and pure water for your fast. It will also be necessary to either use herbal laxatives, enemas, or salt water flushes when you fast for a longer period of time in order to remove toxins in the intestines and colon. A juicer is very helpful equipment for fasting but not absolutely necessary.

Once you do a few of the three-day cleanses over a period of several months, then you may wish to try a longer fast. If you have never fasted before I highly recommend that you stay connected to a friend who knows about fasting from experience or at the very least have several of the books mentioned above on hand*.

These days we all have many poisons in our bodies from our food, drugs, and environment and caution must be observed when these toxins are being released. This takes some experience, but it can be done gradually and safely. It is better to do many short fasts than to persevere in a long one if you are feeling too toxic.

Why fast?

To learn that it is okay and even BENEFICIAL to miss a meal or several meals. Nothing terrible happens if you don't eat when you are hungry. Quite the contrary, you discover, as I did, that you have found the most natural and easy way to heal and rejuvenate your body.

The body has a whole "mode of operation" we know very little about: fasting. Animals do it all the time, and children, if they don't feel well, also know enough not to eat. As adults we have been told so many times that we must eat that we have lost touch with this ancient technique of healing. Last night I was wondering if the recent epidemics of bulimia and anorexia are distortions of the natural instinct to fast -- gone awry.

To discover that we have all we need right within us to heal and renew ourselves on every level is a very freeing and welcome discovery. It frees us from what is often one of our greatest attachments: food. Fasting works on every level of our being: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. The first day or two can be rough and uncomfortable due to the intense detoxification that happens when many of the toxins in each cell and organ of our body are dumped into the bloodstream. After that, however, it is incredible the clarity, energy, and bliss one feels as the body continues to do what it is meant to do from time to time. One comes to understand why fasting has been a part of religious and spiritual practices world-wide for eons of time.

Herbal Cleanse

2008-08-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

Rising

Drink a glass of lemon water or drink a glass of water with added: one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses

Morning

Drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder (follow with another glass of water).
Meals

Take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes
Take liver herbs

In Between Meals

Drink herbals teas which support the liver, including Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel

Note: Following a good diet is mandatory for herbs to work optimally.

Herxheimer Reaction

2008-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.[v] When this occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise. Even though this is but a short period of the health program, it can be severe and deter one from reaching their intended goals. Also, the person may not know what they are experiencing and think that they are regressing.

* To minimize the Herxheimer Reaction:
* Drinks lots of pure water
* Get minimal exercise daily
* Lots of sunshine
* Take detoxification slowly... one step at a time
* Don't increase the dose of herbals
* Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys) open
* Take detox baths
* Use aromatherapy oils for aches -like peppermint, birch, and wintergreen
* Sweat by using exercise, saunas, baths, and herbs
* Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods

If the Herxheimer reaction occurs, cut back on your health detoxification program. Reduce the dose of herbs and follow the above outline to reduce the symptoms of toxin elimination. The more toxins there are to eliminate, the sicker one is when they come out. Generally, one will feel better when all is over and health is restored again. Just remember, don't give up.

Herbal Detoxification

2008-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Generic diets for detoxification are good, but may not stimulate the liver, lungs or the kidneys as much as one would like. Therefore, herbal cleanses are indicated when we want to hone our cleanse to a "sharp edge" and be organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too and provide one with vitamins, minerals and enzymes for excellent nutrition. Herbs are powerful, because they may be combined together to fortify those herbs that aid specific organs. For example, herbal combinations that aid the liver may be found in many organic food stores. The list below shows how herbal combinations help the various organs.

Herbal Combinations

Liver

LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley, horsetail, birch leaves, chamomile, blessed thistle, black cohosh, angelica, gentian, goldenrod

Kidneys

Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper berries JP-X Parsley, uva ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong quai, cedar berries

Lungs

LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, senega, Chinese ephedra

While herbs may be taken at any time, they are best for detoxification purposes when they are used with a good diet also. It does not make any sense to take herbs to cleanse the liver if the bowels are clogged with junk or refined foods, since the liver dumps its toxins into the bowels. And while detoxification diets are effective by themselves, they may be reinforced and speeded up with herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.

Herbs may be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders are usually encapsulated for easier swallowing, but are best when taken with meals and digestive enzymes. Extracts may be used when specific herbs are needed, but may be extracted with alcohol, which we need to avoid. Herbal teas are easily made and easily taken all throughout the day. They are mild and gentle and sometimes refreshing and sometimes bitter. Experimentation may be in order until one develops the right tea to drink. Herbal teas is a topic in itself, since there are so many and different ways to make them.

Expert Warns on Detox Diet

2008-08-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Popular detox diets promise to flush poisons from your body, purge pounds of excess fat, clear your complexion and bolster your immune system.

But experts say there's little evidence that extreme regimens such as the Master Cleanse or Fruit Flush do anything more than lead to unpleasant, unhealthy side effects.
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Still, these super-restrictive eating plans/detox diets are hotter than ever, thanks to being linked to lanky celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie. Beyonce Knowles attributed her 20-pound weight loss for the movie "Dreamgirls" to the Master Cleanse — a starvation diet whose adherents swallow nothing but a concoction of lemon juice mixed with maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper, as well as salt water and a laxative tea for 10 days.

The idea of detoxifying or purifying the body of harmful substances has been around for centuries and cycles back into popularity now and again. There are no hard numbers on how many people have tried the latest fashionable plans, much less stuck with them, but dozens of new do-it-yourself fasting books are glutting bookstore shelves.

That's what has nutrition experts sounding the alarm over possible risks from lengthy or repeated fasts. Vitamin deficiencies, muscle breakdown and blood-sugar problems — not to mention frequent liquid bowel movements — are some of the seriously unpleasant drawbacks to these plans, which are skimpy on solid foods and often call for laxatives.

“Long-term fasts lead to muscle breakdown and a shortage of many needed nutrients,” says Lona Sandon, a Dallas dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Depriving the body of the vitamins and minerals we get from food can "actually weaken the body’s ability to fight infections and inflammation,” she says.

Because the crash diets can upset blood sugar, potassium and sodium levels in the body, people with diabetes, heart or kidney disease or women who are pregnant or nursing shouldn't try them, experts say. Children, teens, older adults or people with certain digestive conditions should also steer clear.

The scores of detox diet books and kits out there each have their own take on how to cleanse the body — one calls for spices and fruit juices, another for only vegetable purees — but most of them boil down to extremely low-calorie, primarily liquid diets.

The idea behind these plans, which can last anywhere from three days to about a month, is to rid the body of toxins absorbed from the environment and the less-than-healthy foods we eat. This cleansing is supposed to leave you feeling energized.

Some plans restrict all solid foods and instruct dieters to survive on only low-calorie beverages for days at a time. The Joshi holistic diet involves an elaborate list of so-called acid-forming foods to avoid for three weeks, including seemingly healthy veggies and grains.

“Your body does a perfectly good job of getting rid of toxins on its own,” says Dr. Nasir Moloo, a gastroenterologist with Capitol Gastroenterology Consultants Medical Group in Sacramento, Calif. “There’s no evidence that these types of diets are necessary or helpful.”

While there are medical conditions that interfere with organ function and prevent the body from clearing toxins, healthy people already have a built-in detoxification system — the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin, says Moloo.

And by attempting to flush out the “bad stuff” from our intestines, Sandon warns, you're also "flushing out the good bacteria that keep the intestines healthy.”

Lots of bathroom time
The side effects from prolonged, severe calorie restriction can include headache, fatigue, irritability, aches and pains. Because many rely on aggressive laxatives, these diets can also get pretty messy. Frequent bathroom visits can lead to irritation and breakdown of skin on your bottom, as well as dehydration.

While believers claim they feel lighter and more energetic, studies on starvation show the longer you fast, the more lethargic and less focused you become. Because most of these diets contain very little protein, it can be difficult for the body to rebuild lost muscle tissue.

Although people can quickly drop pounds on these diets, the majority of people regain all the weight they lose on any diet, especially the highly restrictive varieties, according to recent research published in American Psychologist, the journal of the American Psychological Association. While people can lose 5 to 10 percent of their weight in the first few months of a diet, up to two-thirds of people regain even more weight than they lost within four or five years, the researchers found.

Cutting back on high-fat foods, eating in moderation and consuming more vegetables and fruits may not seem as glamorous as starving yourself like a celebrity for days, but it's healthier for you in the long run and certainly sexier than rushing to the bathroom all day.
detox diets

Antioxidants

2008-08-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Antioxidants

The use of antioxidants, like vitamins A, E, and especially C, are very essential for detoxification since they are involved with the detoxification of toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells to neutralize free radicals that can cause mutations and cellular damage. As these free radicals are neutralized, the antioxidant vitamins will be used and exhibit low levels. Vitamin A and E are fat soluble and will be found in our fat tissues/stores, but vitamin C is water soluble and will be found mainly in our skin (between the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is also involved with many other important bodily functions, like collagen formation, wound healing, energy production and fighting off colds (viruses).

The function of antioxidants is so important that any deficiency of them will be seen as catastrophic to one's health. When our antioxidants are low, energy is not available and detoxification cannot take place in a normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are stored until they can be processed. The liver and many other organs are compromised in their functions when antioxidants are low. Just the lack of energy is enough to cause the body to have compromised or poor health, because it is energy that is required for the removal of toxins and wastes.

Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavinoids to ensure that all the components of the vitamin C complex are taken together, since they work together. Pure ascorbic acid is called vitamin C, but does little by itself. We tend to think that ascorbic acid as vitamin C, but it is only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C is very essential to any detoxification program, because that is what the body uses for energy to process and eliminate these toxic wast Vitamin C can be taken in very high doses until the bowel tolerance level [BTL] is achieved. This BTL is different for different people. Some persons reach tolerance at 4-5 grams (4,000-5,000 mg), while others may not reach tolerance until 10-15 grams (10,000-15,000 mg). Cancer patients notorously can take 20-30 grams (20,000-30,000 mg) of vitamin C before tolerance is reached ... meaning that they needed more vitamin C than most people.

By taking vitamin C to its tolerance level we find out 1) what our BTL is and 2) how saturated our body is with Vitamin C. Vitamin C was found by Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron to be very effective in helping many patients to over come that killer disease, called cancer. Perhaps, this was because vitamin C was needed for detoxification of toxins, which "caused" the cancer in the first place. Although Pauling and Cameron were greatly criticized for their work with vitamin C, they were able to help many people overcome cancer and without compromising their health.