Detox: What is a detox (toxin cleanse) diet?

Immune system
13 November 2023
גפן בן צור נטורופתית N.D
Bottom line, what’s most important for you to know?
  • “Cleanse diet” is a popular method in alternative medicine; its goal is to cleanse and detoxify the body, and is intended for limited periods of time.
  • There are various cleanse diets out there, and the common thread between them is the avoidance of processed foods, sugars, alcohol, and coffee.
  • According to naturopathic medicine, our health rests on three tenets: nutrition, movement, and elimination. In order to attain optimal health, we must take care of all three tenets.
דיטוקס

You’ve all heard about detox cleansing. Our modern lifestyle forces our body to handle a particularly large amount of toxins on a day-to-day basis; some toxins come from the outside environment, and others are secreted by the body. What’s a cleanse diet? What are the methods of cleansing and what is important to know before you start? Let’s begin with some background.

Where do the toxins come from?

A toxin is anything that harms or damages the human cells in the body. Anything can become a toxin when it’s present in a high enough quantity. However, we use the word “toxin” when we discuss substances that can harm our body even at small quantities. These toxins can enter our bodies from smoking, pollution, alcohol, medications, chemicals found in cosmetic products, and various ingredients that are added to processed foods.

There are toxins that form as a result of pathogens, and our immune system reacts in order to prevent their harmful effects on bodily tissues.

Furthermore, there are toxins that are secreted by our bodies – such as “metabolic waste”. These are the byproducts of natural metabolic processes within are bodies and they have to be eliminated from our bodies in order to not cause damage.

How does our body deal with toxins?

We’re all exposed to toxins and waste from different sources. Our bodies have several mechanisms for handling such toxins: our body can neutralize toxins and convert them into less harmful substances before excreting them, and in other instances, when the body can’t excrete them efficiently; it stores them in the adipose (fatty) tissues, where they’re insulated and can’t cause harm. Even during the breathing process, as we inhale air, the body uses the oxygen and emits carbon dioxide hen exhaling, using the vascular system as a conduit.

The elimination system:

Our body is an extraordinarily sophisticated system and is constantly handling various “risks”. either with the help of our immune system, or with the help of the elimination systems. The systems responsible for eliminating toxins from the body are the liver, kidneys, the urinary system, the lymphatic system and the pulmonary system. Every substance is treated according to its chemical composition.

A toxin overload in the body, is there such a thing?

According to naturopathic medicine, certain health conditions have to do with a toxin overload in the body. The combination of waste and toxins with the inability of the body to “keep up” with the elimination process is but one reason for “toxin overload”. Alternatively, there are situations in which certain excess can cause an overload on the system and make it difficult for the body to eliminate waste properly. For instance, fatty liver is a very common condition in the Western world that affects about 30% of the adult population. The modern lifestyle has adverse effects on fatty liver, and it leads to a condition in which the liver can’t keep up with the removal of toxins and waste from the body.

Do you remember that any substance in a high-enough quantity can be harmful?

When consumed in a high-enough quantity, even essential nutrients that are necessary for our survival can damage our health. This is true for everything: minerals, vitamins, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and even water. The gravity of the effect depends on the actual substance, on its solubility, on its metabolic waste, and of course, on quantity.

Let’s take protein excess for instance. Ammonium is a byproduct of the breakdown of protein, and since it’s a toxic substance, the liver works to convert it into a less-toxic substance – urea. Urea is water-soluble and therefore is excreted through the kidneys in our urine. In any case, this is metabolic waste that has to be eliminated from the body. If we increase the amount of protein we consume, it will cause an overload on the systems that work hard to eliminate its waste and byproducts.

Therefore, we can truly understand the saying “everything in moderation”. Our body knows how to handle the many substances that we are exposed to with the help of various biological and chemical mechanisms. In order for all these mechanisms to work in an efficient and healthy way, we need to treat our body with kindness and consideration. If we overload our bodies, even with “healthy” foods, it could have a negative effect on the proper functioning of the elimination system.

Nutrition, movement, elimination:

According to naturopathic medicine, our health rests on three fundamental tenets: nutrition, movement, and elimination. In order to reach optimal health, we must take care of all three of these aspects, since they are interconnected. The most important thing is to adopt a lifestyle that is considerate of the body: we need to provide the body with all of the nutritious ingredients needed for it to thrive, drink water, be moblie and encourage elimination. It’s equally as important to find time to rest and reduce stress.

Our body is a complete, complex and sophisticated system. It knows how to handle waste and toxins and it does so on a regular basis. Remember, it’s all a matter of quantity and measure. You don’t need to have “perfect” nutrition, but find the balance that will become a lifestyle.

Symptoms of toxin overload, according to naturopathy:

The symptoms that are associated with toxin overload, according to naturopathy are: chronic fatigue, headaches, fowl body odor, constipation, ‘foggy’ brain, difficulty concentrating, difficulty losing weight, sleep issues, skin issues, and more. These symptoms are non-specific and can also indicate other ailments and conditions. In any case, we recommend consulting a doctor.

What is a detox/cleanse diet?

Both naturopathy and Chinese medicine incorporate cleanses into their practices. There are various methods; all of them have the reduction of external toxins in common, mainly through nutritional changes, avoidance of highly processed cosmetics, and encouragement of waste elimination. The usage of traditional herbs to increase waste elimination is common in many different cultures.

It’s not for everybody

Some of the cleansing methods offer slow and gradual processes that combine “cleansing elements” and include relatively minor changes in one’s nutrition. Other methods can be more intensive. Either way, the process is meant for limited periods of time. Cleansing diets are not for everybody, and one should approach them with caution and responsibility and with professional guidance. Knowing the correct combination of herbs requires knowledge and understanding of how the human body works. The cleansing process can have side effects and it is therefore important to have the support of a licensed therapist in the field.


Related Articles

Reinforcing the Body for Winter: Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc
Immune system
11 May 2023

Reinforcing the Body for Winter: Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc

Winter is coming and with it is that pestering cold, runny nose and troublesome cough. This is the time to reinforce your body, before that...
Read more
5 Things You Have to Check Before Choosing a Turmeric Supplement!
Immune system
13 November 2023

5 Things You Have to Check Before Choosing a Turmeric Supplement!

Curcumin – it seems to be everywhere lately, everyone’s talking about it and its health benefits. But how would you know which turmeric supplement is...
Read more
Natural Solutions for Strengthening the Natural Defense of Your Little ones
Immune system
13 November 2023

Natural Solutions for Strengthening the Natural Defense of Your Little ones

Parents, with our kids’ health being our top priority, we’ll do anything to keep them and reinforce them. Here are a few tips that will...
Read more
Vitamin C – Why is It So Important?
Immune system
13 November 2023

Vitamin C – Why is It So Important?

A lot’s been said about the familiar and beloved vitamin C, but there’s still a lot to say about its important role in keeping the...
Read more
Are the Kids Sick Again? Here Are a Few Way to Help You Get Through the Winter.
Immune system
13 November 2023

Are the Kids Sick Again? Here Are a Few Way to Help You Get Through the Winter.

Winter, whether you love it or just waiting for it to be over, you’ve probably found yourselves fearing it, mostly when it comes to your...
Read more
The Importance of Vitamin D in the Golden Years
Immune system
13 November 2023

The Importance of Vitamin D in the Golden Years

Vitamin D is considered one of the most vital components for bone integrity and has a 70% chance of a deficiency. read more about vitamin...
Read more
A Boost of Immunity: The Natural Ways That Will Help You Maintain Your Health and Body
Immune system
13 November 2023

A Boost of Immunity: The Natural Ways That Will Help You Maintain Your Health and Body

Immunity is back on the table! Good health can’t be separated from a strong immunity system. We’ve gathered all the natural ways that will help...
Read more
Oregano Oil – Nature’s Antibiotics
Immune system
13 November 2023

Oregano Oil – Nature’s Antibiotics

Among the dozens of clinically tested medicinal herb, the most famous herb that has antibiotic-like properties is the wild oregano. Research slowly but surely proves...
Read more

Related Products

Blue Green Algae

Blue Green Algae

Blue Green algae complex, with spirulina and chlorella
$174.50
Add to Wishlist
Learn More
De -Toxan

De -Toxan

Herbs, vitamins and amino acids formula.
$211.10
Add to Wishlist
Learn More
NAC N-acetyl L-cysteine

NAC N-acetyl L-cysteine

400mg N-acetyl L-cysteine (N.A.C.)
$161.00
Add to Wishlist
Learn More

Join Our Newsletter
Sign up now for the Supherb Newsletter and get healthy lifestyle updates!