I am a Certified Nutrition Therapist. My area of expertise is in helping people learn to maximize their genetic potential to live a long, vibrant life without disease.
www.longvibrantlife.com
Many people are thinking of starting a new diet or doing a cleanse to get off on the right foot in 2009. I wrote about weight loss in my December newsletter and will continue to post updates on my blog every week. Internal cleansing can be a great way to start off a weight loss program. However, everyone can benefit from a cleanse at least 2 times per year. Here are just a few of the symptoms that are commonly caused by a toxic load - insomnia, hot flashes, cellulite, headaches, joint pain & chronic fatigue. Check out this article for much more on this topic. If you suffer from any of these conditions, want to lose weight or just proactively improve your health, a cleanse is for you.
There are many types of cleansing programs out there, including juice fasts. I don't recommend juice fasts for more than a day or two because we need protein and other important nutrients to support the detoxification process. You can't detoxify your cells & organs in a day or two. So guess what? You get to eat!
My program is not just a liver cleanse. However, cleansing the liver is a big part of the picture. The liver breaks down everything that enters the body and is crucial to weight management, hormonal balance, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and more. I also focus on the colon and the entire body. When you are done, you will feel great!
Foods to Enjoy
Foods that support the liver includecabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, oranges, lemon, lime, garlic, onions, eggs, daikon radish, artichoke, asparagus, beets, celery.
Foods that support the colon includepowdered psyllium husks, ground flaxseeds, carrots, apples, pears, berries.
Protein is very important to the detoxification process. Eat at least 2 servings of lean beef, lamb, eggs, skinless chicken, turkey or fish each day. Protein allows you to break down toxins so they can be eliminated from the body. Without protein, all you are doing is re-circulating the toxins and making things worse.
Water - drink half of your body weight in ounces of pure water each day. If you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water.
Organic foods - try to eat organic whenever possible. You are trying to eliminate toxins, so why put more in?
Supplements to Support the Cleansing Process
Ultra Clear Medical Food and Ultra Clear Plus are meal replacement shakes that promote detoxification of the liver. Ultra Clear Plus pH provides this plus improved kidney detoxification by increasing the alkaline balance of the urine. These shakes provide all the nutrients needed, including that all important protein.
Adva Clear provides unique support for balanced detoxification. It promotes feelings of vitality, energy and well-being and protects against free radicals generated during Phase 1 detoxification.
Foods to Avoid
Trans fats (margarine, processed and fried foods)
Sugar
Aspartame, sucralose, splenda and other artificial sweeteners
Products made from white flour and white rice
Wheat, rye, barley, breads, pastas, bagels
Packaged cereals and crackers, tortillas, cookies, pancakes, waffles
Soy - it is found in many products, so always read labels
Alcohol, caffeine, sodas, chocolate
Overly ripe fruits (these often contain mold)
Don't be depressed after reading the foods to avoid part. You can add some of these things back into your diet gradually after the cleanse. The ones I would definitely avoid forever are artificial sweeteners & trans fats. The others may be enjoyed in moderation if they are very important to you.
The duration of the cleanse should be one week to four weeks. You can even cleanse longer if you choose. Listen to your body. You may have symptoms as a result of released toxins such as headaches, blemishes and fatigue. These symptoms should subside soon. If they are severe, slow down and eliminate the foods more gradually and ramp up on the supplements slowly. Avoid constipation at all costs. When this occurs, we absorb toxins from the colon back into the bloodstream. You may take fiber supplements to avoid constipation or increase fiber rich foods such as apples and pears. During or after the cleanse, I recommend adding probiotics. Probiotics will improve the balance of healthy bacteria. Here is an article about all the benefits of probiotics.
One great thing about doing this is you will most likely not crave some of the things you used to crave. Each time you do a cleanse, it will get easier!
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Ultra Clear, Ultra Clear Plus & Ultra Clear Plus pH- 10% off until February 28.
Adva Clear - 10% off until February 28
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Sources: Metagenics Nutraceuticals, Ann Louise Gittleman, Author of The Fat Flush Plan
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