The bridge between ancient fasting and modern 'detox' cleansing began when the naturopathy movement became popular in the 19th century. It was based on vis medicatrix naturae - the body's inherent ability to heal itself. It was during this time that practices to flush toxins from the body took hold.
Most cleanses today are built around the concept that removing solid, hard-to-digest foods for a period of time, frees up energy that the body can redirect toward repair, immune function and cellular maintenance. In other words, nutrient-dense cleansing gives the body a break, allowing it to focus on repair and elimination rather than processing food, which is why so many people report feeling lighter, clearer and more energized during and after one.
The Health Benefits
- Strengthens immunity.
- Flushes water retention and reduces bloating.
- Stops cravings and resets poor eating habits.
- Hydrates and nourishes from within, giving skin a healthy glow.
- Increases micronutrient intake, that in turn boosts energy levels.
- Sharpens concentration, mental clarity, perception and cognitive focus.
- Reduces inflammation that can trigger disease and autoimmune flare-ups.
- Gives the digestive system an extended break which improves gut microbiome diversity.
- Gives the liver and kidneys extra vitamin, mineral and antioxidant support during the filtering process, making elimination of toxins, like pollutants, food additives and medications, more efficient.
- Triggers autophagy, a cellular cleanup and repair process that rids the body of damaged cells caused from stress or nutrient deprivation. This averts waste accumulation, provides energy, helps eliminate pathogens, supports immune function and plays a role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
- Initiates metabolic health by reducing inflammation and activating weight loss, while balancing blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels.
- The defined start and end point of a cleanse causes a mental reset by creating a sense of discipline, accomplishment and control.
- Cleansing is a habit disrupter that gives strength and structure to kickstart broader dietary changes.
Things To Remember When Doing A Cleanse
- Stay hydrated and be sure to add electrolytes. Adequate hydration keeps the digestive track moving, kidney's flowing and is what helps move waste from cells and out the body.
- Get quality sleep. The body flushes at its peak between 11pm-3am.
- Maintain light exercise like walking, yoga or bouncing on a rebounder. This keeps everything moving, elevates heart rate and increases sweating. Besides the release of toxins via the pores, exercise engages the lymphatic system to push blood through the liver and kidneys, so waste can be expelled.
- Whether targeting parasites, heavy metals, chemicals or other such impurities, binders are essential to attract and envelop them in the gut for easy elimination. Some common binders include charcoal, bentonite clay, chlorella and zeolite.
- Once the cleanse has ended, reintroduce solid foods gradually and in small portions. Soft fruits, yogurt, broths and light soups are often recommended. One cup several times a day for the first couple days makes a smooth transition.
Another great perk to detoxing our bodies is the time and money it saves - no grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking or pots and pans to wash! I can't even tally how many cleanses I have done over my lifetime, from herbal blends that focused on particular issues and goals, to juice and shake cleanses that give the digestive track a rest and recalibrates the entire system. All with phenomenal success. I usually do one every Spring and Fall for about 10 days or so. My longest stretch was a whopping 28 days and I felt absolutely FABULOUS afterwards! Here's my green shake recipe. I like alternating it with a fruit shake (banana/pineapple is my fav 😋) throughout the day.
🍋 Green Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 T lemon juice
- 1 handful kale
- 3 slices cucumber
- 1/2 a celery stalk
- 1 slice fresh raw ginger
- 1 frozen banana (or) 1/2 an apple
- 20-24oz water
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients till smooth, then drink up!
- Have as many per day as needed to keep hunger at bay.