Over the past few decades, physicians are reporting an increase in symptoms of toxicity in their patients from year to year. With symptoms raging from hormone imbalances and obesity to fatigue and memory loss, experts are beginning to look to the importance of detoxification for human health.
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics released a statement regarding the presence of environmental toxins in the body, and the ways in which they are interfering with our reproductive health. A 2015 article in the NY Times discussed in detail the major risks that we all face due to the way that every day products are contaminating our bodies.
Dr. Sara Gottfried released a list of signs that your body is in need of a detox. She suggests that you tally how many of these signs you have exhibited in the last 3 months:
- White or yellow-coated tongue and/or bad breath
- Fluid retention and/or congested sinuses
- Increased belly or visceral fat
- Cravings and/or blood sugar issues
- Gallbladder issues, or the need to have the gallbladder removed
- Abdominal bloating
- Overheating/excess sweating
- Weight loss resistance
- Acne, rosacea, itchy skin
- Fatigue unrelieved by more sleep, especially in the morning
- Moodiness
- Autoimmunity
- Chemical sensitivity (you’re a lightweight when you drink alcohol, or smelling fragrances makes you anxious)
- Insomnia, especially early morning awakenings such as 1-4AM
- Cravings
Dr. Gottfried states if you should 4 or more of these signs, you are in need of a detox!
There are many different detox plans out there. Some last a day or two, while others can last a week. Each carries its own benefits, and selecting one that you believe you can stick to will help you to be successful in your efforts!
We have included a weekend detox plan, designed to optimize the function of your kidneys, intestines, lymph, lungs and liver. It is recommending that you complete this detox at least twice a year. Between detoxing you can continue to promote your optimal health by being more active, and drinking plenty of water.
Detox plan
Immediately after you wake up, drink 250ml of warm water. This will create the necessary base of your detox regimen.
Day 1
Breakfast: 250ml warm water, 1 cup of oat flakes and a tablespoon of flax seeds, ½ cup fresh blueberries, 250ml Greek yoghurt or green tea, 200ml low-fat yogurt or almond milk
Lunch: 250ml water, 250 grilled hake, Swiss chard and extra virgin olive oil + 1 roasted potato, 2 cups of salad (tomato, green, arugula), 1 small banana and a slice of melon
Snack: 250ml water, 1 apple, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, 180ml yoghurt
Dinner: 2 cups of salad (dress with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil), ½ cup steam-cooked vegetables (spinach and broccoli are nice options), green smoothie (use spinach celery, banana and apple), 250ml water or anise tea
Day 2
Breakfast: 1 cup oat flakes, 200ml almond milk or low-fat yogurt, 1 tablespoon of flax seeds, 1 pear and green tea
Snack: grapefruit
Lunch: 250ml warm water, 200g grilled chicken, 150g pickles, vegetable soup (pepper, beans, potato, carrot, onion, celery)
Dinner: green smoothie (use almonds, banana, berries, spinach, kale, and cucumber) , beets, and carrots dressed with lemon juice, nettle tea.
Further to the diet plans laid out above, prepare the following juice, and drink it every day:
- 1 apple
- 1 carrot
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 lemon
- 200 ml water
Blend it all together and enjoy.