Ask A Nutritionist! (Nov / Dec 2008) – Whole foods for Energy
December 14, 2008Ask A Nutritionist! – Eating for the Evening Run
April 1, 2009“There is a lot of misinformation regarding body cleansing or detoxification in alternative medicine; is there any value in these types of medicinal practices?”
What is Detoxification?
Cleansing and detoxification is definitely a hot topic today and very timely for the New Year. Detoxification means the removal of toxins from the body and this is something that the body does, or should do, naturally on its own. Our bodies are designed to process toxins though its normal everyday functions by neutralizing, storing or eliminating them. Yet in today’s environment, the body can easily become overloaded from Diet (sugar, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, pharmaceuticals, food additives colourings, preservatives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, flavourings), Environment (pollutants and chemical products), Physical exercise and Emotional stress, to such a degree that it becomes unable to process these toxins. This results in toxicity, which may lead to dis-ease in the body including a weakened immune system, inflammation, fatigue, allergies and gastrointestinal problems. Engaging in regular detoxification protocols or cleanses can help ease the strain on our bodies.
What does Cleansing involve?
Cleansing involves making certain dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce the total exposure to toxins and improve efficiency of the eliminations systems including the organs gastrointestinal tract, mainly the liver and kidneys. For some simply avoiding coffee, alcohol, refined sugar as well as packaged and processed foods for a 2-3 week period can be a great start. For others, various nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals and enzymes) and homeopathic remedies can be used in conjunction with the above dietary avoidances to produce a deeper cleanse.
When to cleanse?
Athletes can often benefit from a cleanse during the off-season to help address the increased physical, dietary and mental stresses placed on the body during the race season. Additionally, almost everyone can benefit from some level of cleanse at the change of the seasons, specifically late spring and early fall to lessen the stress on the digestive system, increasing elimination of toxins and thereby improving health and vitality.
There are many types of cleansing and detoxification programs out there and it’s important to seek guidance from a qualified and educated practitioner to ensure the right type of cleanse is chosen for your needs.
