This morning, as I was watching the Today show, a segment came on about Detox Diets and whether they were good for you. The guest was Madelyn Fernstrom, the Today Show Diet and Nutrition Editor and frequent contributor to segments and iVillage content.
My first thought was “Oh no, they’re going to bash the concept of detox”. But I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, I felt the segment was very complementary and fair. Madelyn Fernstrom stated that a detox diet done right, such as getting away from processed foods, eating clean vegetables, drinking more water can be helpful support to your natural detoxification process. She also mentioned that on the other hand doing something to extreme, like not eating at all could be damaging to some people.
A question was posed by the host about juice fasting and Madelyn agreed, as I do as well, that doing a juice fast for 2 to 3 days, for a healthy person, should not be a problem and in fact could make them feel good. But again, to the extreme, and doing a fast when you are on medication, have major health issues or for long periods could be harmful.
The Master Cleanse, a 10 day fasting program of water, some lemon juice and maple syrup, was addressed. Again, I agree with Ms. Fernstrom on her comments that this type of fasting may give you some calories, but no nutrients. And to go without nutrients for 10 days could be harmful to many people. She also reminded us that most celebrities who tout these extreme cleanses are under the supervision of their physician when they do them.
In my book, The Detox Strategy, I explain about the different types of cleansing and detox programs available, when, why and how to do them correctly. The reason most people do a detox program is to help support the body’s organs that are responsible for this function. For example, the liver and the body’s largest detoxification organ, can become sluggish, which slows the body’s natural ability to detoxify. Herbs, like dandelion, artichoke and milk thistle can work to increase the bile flow from the liver, one of it’s means to rid the body of toxins. Herbs are important because they can help support all of the body’s 7 channels of elimination, including the lungs, kidneys, skin, lymph, blood, colon and liver. Fiber can also be an important part of a detoxification program, as it absorbs the toxins the body is trying to get rid of.
I also explain in my book that helping your body to detoxify is not only about diet, but about your daily environment, from your home to your office. I give suggestions about how to clean up your food, your water, your home, even the air you breathe. I explain how to nourish your body so that you support your body’s natural detoxification process, ongoing. In The Detox Strategy, I give you a full spectrum approach to cleansing and detoxifying your body.
Everyone deserves to feel as alive and energetic as possible, and The Detox Strategy can help you do just that.
The website http://www.detoxstrategy.com is a great resource.