Body Cleansing Diet to Update Your Health

While a fad to some, a body cleansing diet is an old standard, healthy way of eating. Today, many of us need this type of program to reset digestion, aid in weight loss or to help the natural process of body detoxification. Some call it a “cleanse” while others call it a detox diet or simply dieting. No matter what the label, some very back-to-basic guidelines are shared among these types of diets.

body cleansing diet

Due to the industrialization of our food, consuming highly processed foods, pre-made foods and even junk food has become the standard for many. We are a busy culture, therefore rely on meals that do not require very much effort. But when we don't pay attention, our diets may get more than we bargained for.

As we are exposed to numerous toxins through our environment, water, food supply and pharmaceuticals, our body's become overwhelmed. (2) are stored in the fatty tissues throughout the body, which may be areas surrounding the brain and heart. According to many health professionals, including medical doctors, chemical and heavy metal toxins can accumulate around the brain, in fatty tissues and in the skeleton. (See complete scientific and medical references here) This, in turn, can affect your physical health as well as your mental health.

A body cleansing diet is used by many health advocates to assist the body in the elimination of accumulated toxins including chemicals pesticides along with other waste. When left unchecked, these toxins are known to lead to health issues including premature aging and, according to the National Center for Biotechnology, degenerative disease including cardiovascular diseases and even cancers. (1)

While the scientific and medical community claim that either a) our bodies eliminate waste on its own or b) diet can do nothing to eliminate this toxic load, studies show differently. (3) Either way – we can choose to wait and see if this information is true or not, or we can be proactive and try a healthy body cleansing diet ourselves.

Body Cleansing Diet Guidelines

  • Remove junk and processed foods from your diet, at least for now
  • Include mainly organic produce
  • Consume raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains as much as possible
  • Limit animal proteins, white flour products, sugary products, deli meats, and milk products
  • Drink water, herbal teas and even fermented drinks to aid digestion

Eat According to Your Natural Digestive Rhythm

Eating according to your natural cycle of digestion can greatly help your body naturally cleanse and detoxify. Here's an example;

  • Breakfast – Fruits, almond milk, raw granola
  • Snacks – Nuts, seeds, almond milk, protein smoothies made with organic fruits and vegetables
  • Lunch – Raw, green salad with vegetarian protein
  • Dinner – Steamed vegetables with Bragg's Amino Acids for flavoring, 1 serving of protein, and, for some, an organic, whole starch or grain (raw if possible) such as buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa or millet

Supplements for a Body Cleansing Diet

  • Fiber – Fiber supplements such as psyllium or apple pectin support the body's ability to eliminate built up waste
  • Greens – Green superfoods such as chlorella or spirulina help the body detox by attracting some environmental toxins to help your body more easily remove them
  • Juice – Many people enjoy fresh made, organic vegetable juice to help feel strong during any body cleanse or detox.

A body cleansing diet is intended to support your body's natural systems of cleansing and detoxification.  These systems take time to work, just as weight loss or any other health building program.  So remember all things in moderation, be kind to yourself and maintain balance in body, mind and spirit.

RESOURCES

  1. O'Toole, T. E., and D. J. Conklin. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 July 2008. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
  2. Duruibe, J. O. "Heavy Metal Pollution and Human Biotoxic Effects."International Journal of Physical Sciences 2.5 (2007): 112-18. Academic Journals. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 20 Apr. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
  3. J Chevrier, É Dewailly1, P Ayotte, P Mauriège1,2, J-P Després and A Tremblay, “Body weight loss increases plasma and adipose tissue concentrations of potentially toxic pollutants in obese individuals” International Journal of Obesity (2000) 24, 1272-1278