Successful nutritional programs include two fundamental aspects: (1) Detoxifying; and (2) Rebuilding. Today we are going to talk about detoxification (internal cleansing).
Cells take in nutrients and discard wastes. If wastes are not eliminated, they accumulate and prevent cells from receiving proper nourishment. The best diet/supplements in the world cannot help cells that are strangling in their own waste.
WAYS TO DETOXIFY
Reduce Internal Pollution: The first step to cleansing the body is to stop ingesting so many toxins. We typically overload our bodies by ingesting substances that were never meant to be consumed, e.g., refined sugars, refined flour, tobacco smoke, soft drinks, drugs, alcohol, artificial colorings, preservatives, artificial flavorings, airborne pollutants, etc. These things create an overload of toxins for the body to eliminate. Even healthy food can create a toxic overload if we eat too much of it.
Exercise: Lymph vessels are the "sewage highways" of the body. Lymph fluid is the intermediary between the blood and cells, in which nutrients are exchanged and wastes carried off. The body has more lymph than blood, which must circulate without the benefit of a heart or pump. Exercise gives the lymphatic system the "massage" it needs to keep working efficiently.
Water: Water provides the medium in which all biochemical reactions take place. It is needed to eliminate wastes through the kidneys and colon, yet most of us do not drink enough. It is a good habit to consume half your weight in ounces of purified water daily.
Healthy Colon: The human colon is convoluted in shape and works best when it is full of fibre. Fibre is the indigestible outer covering of plant cells that acts like a "broom" to clean out the intestines, e.g., psyllium. It is best to consume at least 60% of food from plant sources. Animal products do not provide any fibre at all.
Mini-Fasting: Insulin-dependent diabetics should NOT fast. It could cause blood sugar levels to drop too quickly. Just about everyone else can fast safely for short periods, including most hypoglycemics. Fasting means not eating for brief periods so the body can do its "housecleaning". Fasting eases the load on the digestive organs which enables the liver to catch up on its blood-cleansing functions.
A complete rest from food can be done on a weekly or monthly basis. Ideally, it is best to choose a 24-hour period where very little activity is required. During this time, drink a minimum of 2 liters of purified water. If you feel tired, rest. If you feel sleepy, sleep. If you feel lightheaded, weak or hungry, drink more water. If at any time, you wish to end the fast, then do so. The first meal after the fast should consist of fresh, raw vegetables or fruit. Then, about two or three hours after this mini-meal, other kinds of foods can be re-introduced.
Stay tuned for next month’s issue to learn about the “Cleansing Fast” and the “Gall Bladder Flush”.