It seems like lately you can’t even scroll through your Facebook feed without seeing a post about detox. What is all the hype about detox? Is it just the latest fad? Is a detox something you could benefit from? What the heck is a detox? I will answer these questions and many more in today’s post.
- What The Heck Is A Detox? The term detox has taken on many meanings in recent years. By principle, a detox is when you eliminate a certain group of foods from your diet for a specified period of time, usually 1-3 weeks. Foods commonly eliminated include
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Processed Foods
I bet you are thinking “well that sounds like a tonne of fun!” (enter sarcasm).
- Does Detox Mean I Need To Do A Juice Cleanse? A detox and a juice cleanse are not the same thing. Juice cleansing is a more extreme form of fasting, and is not something that I recommend for most of my patients. Juice cleanses are not a good idea for anyone who suffers from any type of blood sugar instability like polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes or feeling shaky/dizzy when not eating for a long period of time. Think of a detox as a really clean way of eating, focusing on real food
- What Are Some Signs and Symptoms That I Would Benefit From A Detox?
Given the toxic load of the world we live in, most people can benefit from a detox. People who should not do a detox include: pregnant and breastfeeding moms, and people with serious medical conditions. You will see the greatest change from a detox if you have the following symptoms:
- Difficulty Losing Weight
- Acne
- Trouble Regulating Blood Sugar (see Question #2)
- Constipation
- Decreased Energy
- Painful and/or Irregular Periods
- Brain Fog
- Bloating/Gas/Heartburn
- Doesn’t My Liver Do All The Detoxifying I Need? The simple answer is YES! Your liver is essentially the filter for your body. It works to make the toxins in your body more water soluble so that they can be eliminated via your urine and stool. Your liver is VERY busy. In the past, before we were exposed to the 60,000 environmental toxins that have been introduced since World War II, our livers were able to keep up with the break down and elimination of toxins. Now our livers are having to work overtime. A detox can be beneficial as a way to greatly reduce toxin exposures for a period of time. During a detox it is important to give the liver the nutrients it needs to break down the toxins into the water soluble form so that they can be eliminated.
- How Will I Feel During A Detox? During any detox it is common to feel not so great in the first 1-2 days. Common symptoms include feeling tired and having a headache. By day 3 most people feel “the best they have ever felt”.
- Can I Do A Detox If I am Pregnant or Breastfeeding? No, absolutely not. You do not want to be liberating, or freeing, toxins while you are pregnant. You can get great benefit from doing a detox as part of pre-conception care 3 months before you wish to become pregnant. When it comes to breastfeeding, it is still a no. You do not want to liberate toxins into your breastmilk.
- Will It Be Too Hard To Do A Detox If I Have Small Children- No, detox does not have to be difficult. There are many small changes you can make that will make a big difference. Join me September 8th for my FREE webinar on How to Detox with Small Children.
- Do I Need To Take Vitamins and Herbal Supplements? You do not have to take any supplements if you wish to do a food only detox. Vitamins such as B vitamins and herbs like Dandelion can help increase the efficiency by which would liver is able to break down and excrete toxins.
- Will I Lose Weight? Most people experience a 3-10 lb weight loss during the detox.
- When Is The Best Time To Start A Detox? The most effective time to do a detox is during the change of seasons, especially spring and fall.
One of the most important aspects of a detox that often gets over looked is the need to reduce the toxins you are putting into your body on a daily basis. Here are the top 5 sources of toxin exposure in your home that you probably don’t know about.
I hope I have answered most of your burning questions about detox! If you have a question that hasn’t been answered, please leave it in the comments below.
Dr Alexis
Dr Alexis practices in Ottawa at Life Therapies and in Carleton Place at Healthy Impact Naturopathic.
To book your appointment visit either www.lifetherapies.ca or www.healthyimpact.ca
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