Detoxing & Cleansing
Posted on by Martin & Pleasance.
The silly season has been and gone and left a reasonable mark on most of our waistlines.
However there may be other areas of the body screaming out for attention and signaling the need to detox. Bad breath, a coated tongue, dark circles under the eyes, cravings for sugar, increased PMS symptoms, allergies, indigestion and constipation are just a few of the many symptoms associated with liver dysfunction. If you don’t feel hungry in the morning it can also be a sign your liver may need support, as it could be working overtime from the night before. There can be a lot of confusion around the idea of a ‘detox’. Think of it as giving your body a spring clean, ensuring that you body is working at an optimum level again. Detoxing can help reduce levels of excess waste and toxins that build up in the body during everyday living.
Don’t just think of detoxing as an intense program lasting 1-2 weeks, but more of a healthier approach to life and the ultimate lifestyle change.
All of the above symptoms are common signs of a dysfunctional liver, however these symptoms can also be due to many other causes. Consult you doctor if symptoms persist. It is not advisable to detox if you are suffering from any illness and anyone who is pregnant/breastfeeding and children should not detox.
Love your Liver!
There are many organs in the body that assist with detoxification, including the skin, the lungs, the kidneys and the colon, but by far the most important organ involved in detoxification is the liver. The liver is the largest organ in the body. Every drop of blood coming from the intestines, carrying all the nutrients and impurities we have ingested, passes through the liver for inspection. The liver is responsible for the manufacture and storage of nutrients, regulation of metabolism, processing of protein for new cells, hormones and enzymes, the conversion of fats into insulation and protective tissue, and the detoxification of poisons and disposal of wastes. Like any filter though, the liver can become overworked and blocked with impurities. Certain foods, beverages and lifestyle choices are likely to cause stress to the detoxification organs.
8 Tips to get you started:
If you have not followed a detoxification program before and you are considering detoxing for the first time, it may be a good idea to consult with a naturopath, nutritionist or healthcare professional in order to get the most out of a detox program. However, there are many simple tips and suggestions that you can incorporate into your everyday life to help you liver function at its best.
• Drink plenty of water. As a general guide at least 2 litres a day.
• Drink a glass of luke warm water with the juice of ½ lemon on waking first thing in the morning.
• Be organised – plan your meals and your shopping for healthier choices.
• Chew your food thoroughly. Digestion starts in the mouth so there more work you do there the less work the rest of your body has to do.
• Use plenty of fresh herbs and spices in your cooking.
• Increase greens vegetables and alkaline foods in your diet. Vital Greens is a great addition to any detox diet, and to incorporate into an everyday support supplement. It has an alkalinity of pH 7.5
• Minimise exposure to toxins such as hair dyes, cleaning products and pollution
• Massage can be a great way to increase circulation and removal of waste in the body. There are qualified massage therapists that specialise in lymphatic drainage and detoxifying treatments.
Adequate Protein?
Ensure you are getting enough protein whilst you are on a detox diet. Vital Protein is an ideal protein whilst you are detoxing as it is gluten free, wheat free, lactose free, contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives or flavours, yeast free, soy free and vegetarian friendly.
Available in Vanilla, Chocolate and Original, Vital Protein is a great companion to Vital Greens.
Detox Smoothie Breakfast Recipe
Gluten free, wheat free, lactose free, soy free, vegetarian friendly and a pH. Of 7.5!
2 heaped tablespoons of Vanilla Vital Protein
2 heaped teaspoons of Vital Greens
400ml of water
1 frozen banana
1 kiwifruit
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
1 teaspoon of honey or agave syrup (optional)
Slice of pineapple to garnish
Blend and enjoy!