Detox – what you need to know before having a go

Going on a detox is all the rage at the moment and with so many pill, potions and programs available it can be hard to tell the good from the bad. There is juice fasting, vegetable broth detox’s, gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free and wholefood based plans. There are now even various detoxification companies who will deliver your meals for your detox program (and some are pretty good!). You can buy detox kits and as always there are literally thousands of detox supplements available.  So how do you find the right solution for you? The truth is that everybody’s health is in a different state and therefore there is not one detox approach that suits all. A detoxification program should be individually tailored to meet your own health goals and needs. However there are some common factors that should be a part of all detoxification programs: 1- Whole food eating- Clear out the junk and stick to real, organic wholefoods to give your body a break from the multitude of processed foods that is available to us. 2- Avoidance of all food products that ‘stress’ the body. This can include acidic foods, inflammatory foods or foods that are notoriously difficult to digest. The aim is to take the strain off our digestive system and immune system, allowing our liver and kidneys to recover from the stress of modern lifestyle. 3- Supporting our detoxification organs- skin, liver, kidneys, digestive system- through supplementation and superfoods. Because let’s face it- no one can eat 100% strictly 100% of the time. We are surrounded by temptation and convenience foods that will sometimes sneak their way in, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. A detox is a fantastic way to give your body a break and get back to basics.  It cleans out your body and your cupboards for a fresh start. It forces you to re-evaluate your diet and gives you great ideas for healthy eating habits. Most importantly, you feel great!

 What is detoxification and why detox?

Detoxification is the body’s natural process of neutralizing and eliminating toxins from the body. During this process toxins are biochemically transformed into less harmful compounds and excreted. This elimination occurs via the kidneys, liver, digestive system and skin. Toxins may be produced internally (these are called endotoxins) as byproducts of our normal bodily processes, such as hormones. Most toxins come from outside of our body and include things such as chemicals, medications, food additives, heavy metals, pollution, chlorine from drinking water, chemicals from beauty product, alcohol, cigarette smoke etc. While the human body hasn’t changed for over 10,000 years, the environment we live in has drastically.  We use synthetic material to build our shelters and furnishings, solvents to clean with and put chemicals on our skin. There are huge amounts of chemicals that sneak into our food supply. There does not appear to be a part of our lives that have been left untouched.  A detoxification protocol stimulates and supports the clearance of these harmful waste products out of the body and improve the bodies ability to process these elements long after the detox program is finished. Signs and symptom of toxicity include:

• Headaches
• Low energy levels
• Loss of appetite
• Skin breakouts
• Feeling sluggish
• Digestive symptoms- bloating, pains, cramping, gas, wind, indigestion, constipation
• Depression or mood changes
• PMS and other hormonal imbalances
• Skin rashes
• Hayfever or allergies
• Bad breathe
• Joint pains
• White coated tongue
• Difficulty losing weight
• Brain fog, poor concentration, poor cognition
• Food intolerances

At Better Health we have a range of detoxification programs available. From a 5 day express program to an advanced 6 week protocol, each program is tailored to meet your lifestyle and health goals. Email hayley@betterhealthpractice.com.au if you would like more information or to book yourself in for a detoxification program.