Spring Clean Your Heath
You have probably heard about how detox can reduce the toxic load from your body and optimise the performance of your body’s own detox organs – in short, keeping you healthy. Some people follow a particular diet, fasting, taking supplements, or using a sauna. Regardless of which method you choose, follow these tips for a smoother detox and post-detox.
Detox Tips
Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods
Consume whole and fibre-rich foods such as fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, lean protein and probiotics to aid your gut and liver function, so your waste gets out of your system as soon as possible.
Limit Sugar and Processed Foods
Processed food contain more sugar and preservatives, take extra effort for your body to break down. On the other hand, excess sugar messes with your glycemic control which makes it more difficult for your body to stabilise your blood sugar. As a result, it makes it hard for your body to metabolise food and detoxify.
Purify Your Body with Water
It is important to keep yourself hydrated at all times during a detox process. Your body needs water to remove waste through sweating, urination and bowel movements.
Post-Detox Tips
Transition to Healthy Diet
Maintain your fruits and vegetables intake from your detox diet and slowly reintroduce 1 to 1½ servings of carbohydrates to your daily diet. Resist binging on sugary, sweet and processed foods.
Nourish, Nourish, Nourish!
Your body works at its best when it gets all the essential nutrients it needs.
- Protein, for optimum cell health.1
- Vitamins & Minerals, for a proper bodily function.2
- Vitamin C, for a strong immune system.3
- B vitamins, for sustainable energy production.4
- Polyphenols, for natural antioxidant protection.5
- Omega-3, to support healthy brain, heart and eye function.6
Get Moving!
To continuously support your body detoxification process, moving your body regularly or exercising, helps. As you perspire, toxins are removed from your body. Start a gentle exercise such as yoga, walking or stretching. Remember to eat enough food and calories before and after a workout session.
REFERENCES:
1. Lonnie M, Hooker E, Brunstrom JM, Corfe BM, Green MA, Watson AW, Williams EA, Stevenson EJ, Penson S, Johnstone AM. Protein for Life: Review of Optimal Protein Intake,Sustainable Dietary Sources and the Effect on Appetite in Ageing Adults. Nutrients. 2018 Mar 16;10(3):360. doi: 10.3390/nu10030360. PMID: 29547523; PMCID: PMC5872778.
2. Vitamins and Minerals. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/vitamins
3. Ströhle A1, Hahn A. Vitamin C and immune function. Med Monatsschr Pharm. 2009. Feb;32(2):49-54; quiz 55-6.
4. E huskisson, s maggini and m ruf. (2007). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Energy Metabolism and Well-Being. The Journal of International Medical Research. 35: 277 – 289
5. Augustin Scalbert, Ian T Johnson, Mike Saltmarsh, Polyphenols: antioxidants and beyond, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 81, Issue 1, January 2005, Pages 215S–217S, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/81.1.215S
6. Danielle Swanson, Robert Block, Shaker A. Mousa, Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA: Health Benefits Throughout Life, Advances in Nutrition, Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 1–7, https://doi.org/10.3945/an.111.000893
