Post-Christmas Detox
Added 08.01.2010
Why it's a good idea to detox after Christmas
Overindulging in food and alcohol places a lot of stress on your digestive system and liver. But did you know that repetitive overindulgence can make you age prematurely and weaken your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to disease? Eating healthy helps our body deal with and eliminate toxic substances from our body. After holidays like Christmas when we tend to eat very rich and heavy foods, our body needs a detox more than ever.The most common immediate symptom of toxicity is lethargy and fatigue, something we all know too well after heavy meals. If we allow our body to continue accumulating toxins it can lead to allergies, bloating, arthritis, acid reflux disease, bad breath and body odour, eczema, excess weight, infertility, respiratory problems and the list goes on and on!
How to detox effectively
Our body comes with its own detox system, but it often needs help from us. Here are a few tips to help you detox effectively and become healthier and more energetic:- Completely cut out sugar, wheat, gluten, dairy and fried foods from your diet for a week. In the long-run, reduce your intake of these foods.
- Increase your intake of fibre and whole foods.
- Increase your intake of antioxidant-rich organic fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce or eliminate processed foods and trans fats from your diet.
- Cut out alcohol entirely for a week and then limit your consumption. Red wine is rich in antioxidants and is therefore the "better" choice when it comes to alcohol.
- Drink more water. Eight to 10 glasses of filtered water is recommended.
- Engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
- Get plenty of sleep. This varies from person to person, but about seven to eight hours a day is considered ideal.
- Try to reduce your exposure to toxins whenever possible: if you smoke, stop smoking; replace household toxic chemicals with safer, organic alternatives etc.
Detox supplements
Specific nutrients are an essential part of the detox process, but unfortunately due to our agriculture and manufacturing processes, they are not readily available from food alone. That is where dietary supplements come in. Chlorella, a microscopic algae supefood, is well established as an effective and safe detoxing agent. Read more about chlorella here. Anti-aging nutrients N-acetyl cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid are also effective antioxidants which help the liver detoxify. Additionally, sulphoraphanes, such as broccoli extract and flavonoids, such as quercetin will help your body recover. Many people take these nutrients long-term for overall well-being, better digestion and increased energy.Don't detox without consulting a qualified health care provider if:
- You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- You are recovering from an illness or surgery.
- You are a child or teenager.
- You are underweight.
- You are anaemic.
- You are addicted to drugs or alcohol or have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, heavy metals or radioactive material.
- You have diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, or other chronic health problems.
