One theory is that the body puts on extra fat to trap and ‘neutralize’ the toxins that enter into our bodies every day. In other words the body finds it difficult to deal with all the pesticides, hormones, smog and other pollutants that enter our system so it traps and stores the toxic materials in our fat cells until it can properly get rid of it. Some believe that the constant exposure to toxins that need to be neutralized by the fat cells can make it very difficult to lose fat when dieting. After all, in this scenario the fat is needed to trap the toxins and keep them from disrupting the healthy functioning of our bodies.
This is why we so often hear the terms ‘diet’ and ‘detox’ used together nowadays. The idea that there can be no true diet without detox is not a new idea. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed in the idea of ‘autointoxication’. This is the idea that if toxins were not routinely cleansed from the body, they stayed in the body where they could interfere with the healthy metabolism and functioning of the body.
Today autointoxication is thought by many to be at the root of a host of serious health problems including cancer, heart disease, immune diseases and neurological disorders. As the prevalence of many of these disorders continue to rise as the amount of pollution, insecticides and other chemicals in our environment increases, one can’t help but draw the conclusion that there may be a link.
How Does One Detox?
According to experts there may be more than one way to detox depending on your lifestyle and health needs. Some chose juice fasting as a way to periodically rid their bodies of accumulated toxins and perhaps jump start their weight loss efforts. The idea is that giving your body a break from digesting solid food allows the body to divert the energy that would be used for digestion to clearing toxins from the organs.
There are a variety of resources available on juice fasting but be careful. Fasting should be done properly. Failing to break a fast correctly can cause one to become very ill. One book that I’ve found very helpful is Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days, Second Edition
by Peter Glickman. It was inspired by the Master Cleanse fast created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941. Burroughs lived into his late eighty’s when the average male life expectancy was 65. This plan uses a combination of juice fasting, salt water concoctions and herbal teas to cleanse the system.
For those looking for a less intense way to detox, there are many natural teas and supplements available that can be used to help the rid the body of toxins. For example, teas containing senna, a natural laxative, are often used short term to help rid the colon of excess fecal matter. Others opt for a cleansing system which includes cleansing supplements in combination of gentle, cleansing foods. pHion has a colon health cleansing system called pHion Cleanse and Body Detoxification Solution Contains Everything You Need to Purge Those Nasty Toxins From Your Body!
that provides this combination and even includes a special toxin-free water bottle to help ensure one keeps hydrated. Staying hydrated is key during the detoxifying process because water is needed to flush waste out of the body during the detox process.
Finally, others prefer a slow, prolonged detox by modifying their lifestyles and eating an organic, raw food diet. This may be extreme for most people but the idea is that by avoiding the preservatives, hormones and pesticides that are found in so many of our processed foods, one can keep off excess pounds and maintain optimal health. Victoria Boutenko’s book 12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food
is an exceptional book. It provides a easy to follow, step by step plan for those wishing to ‘go raw’. It also does a great job of explaining the reasons why a raw food diet is so healthy.
If you chose to detox, there are many options available. Before starting any detox program it is advisable to consult with your health care provider first to make sure it won’t aggravate any health conditions you may have. This is especially important if you take insulin or medication for diabetes. Also, make sure to do your homework before starting any detox or weight loss program. Make sure you know what to expect during the program and make sure you understand how to do the program properly. Certain detox programs (such as juicing) cannot be done indefinitely because it lacks certain nutrients necessary for long term health. Therefore, it is useful periodically for short term cleansing but should not be used for prolonged periods of time. If you chose to start a raw food diet, make sure you understand which foods you will need to include in your diet to make sure you will get the protein, vitamins and nutrients your body needs long term. When done properly, a detox program can be a excellent tool to help rid the body of toxins and jump start a weight loss program.
