Detox - why?

Traditionally spring is the time to detox, naturopathically speaking. Now the weather has started to warm up the body doesn’t need to use so much energy to keep warm, and it can also do without the extra “coat” of insulation. What I like to call “My Winter Body”. In spring, the body can start to utilise the energy it was using to keep warm into cleaning up aka detoxing.

As the weather gets warmer different foods start to grow and come into season which allows spring nutrients to be more accessible in our foods. The fresh fruit and vegetables start to become more leafy greens and nutrient power houses of fruits rather than complex carbohydrates of root vegetables of winter. Don’t get me wrong winter foods are still nutritive and just what we need for winter, however spring foods are what is needed to clean up and start to shed the winter off ready for the warmer days of summer.

We’ve all heard: What you are is what you eat… As true as this is it doesn’t mean you have to stay in detox mode forever. Of course there are a few differentials for each case. That is, depending on what symptoms you’re experiencing, how long you’ve been experiencing them, what you’ve been eating, drinking and breathing in and mostly what your health goals are. How would you like to feel? Would you like to do any activities that you can’t now? And are you willing to do things differently to get to your health goals?

Benefits of detoxing

• loosing weight/coming back to your natural healthy weight.

• feeling better and pooping better.

• sleeping better.

• not as stressed and more emotionally resilient.

• clear thinking.

• more energy in general.

• excessive hair falling out.

• less inflammation around the body - therefore less pain or symptoms from any ongoing condition.

  • This includes supporting immunity.

• improves cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health positively.

• better hormone balance. Including female health & hormones.

• better digestion - did I mention pooping better? Pooping better for the win!

Inflammation is a big point

It includes inflammation driving or largely contributing to pain symptoms ie. if you’re experiencing injuries, chronic pains such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or even period pains every month for women. Inflammation also includes the silent inflammation around the body which interferes with so many processes contributing to just about everything!! This includes:

• auto-immune diseases such as: Hashimoto’s, Graves, Crohn’s, UC, RA.

• skin: eczema, adult acne, hives.

• immunity: inflammation is directly related to immunity. ie. frequent and ongoing colds, ear infections, UTI’s, ulcers, fungal or bacteria infections.

• mental health: anxiety & depression. Or if you feel the swing between the two.

• upper digestion: heartburn, excessive burping.

• lower digestion: slower, faster or painful bowel motions, gas wind & bloating, digestive gurgling, and a whole list of digestive complaints.

You get the picture.

Basically detoxing is giving your body (not just the liver) an opportunity to catch up with it’s daily-to-do lists and clean out the cells so everything can work more efficiently. It’s like streamlining everything. Thus creating the feeling of more energy and feeling good, every day. Isn’t that what we want?

Does this mean giving up yummy foods and drinking alcohol?

In short: It depends on you.

If you really want to feel happy and energised, yes it is better to select fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade foods, and eat and drink less or none of some items. Here’s a short list of foods to reduce/take out of your diet while in cleansing mode:

• no sugar. Fructose in fruits is ok. However in clinic I’m seeing more and more people benefitting from cutting out white foods such as: white rice & white potatoes.

• no or minimal dairy (Greek yoghurt and/or kefir is ok if you’re used to having them).

• no grains. Organic brown rice is ok for most people.

• no preservatives and additives - best to stay clear of all processed foods including deli meats.

• no trans fats (which are found in fast foods).

• no or reduced caffeine. Green Tea is a good substitute. If you’re reluctant to give up coffee and know you need to ask me about the 10 Day Green Tea Challenge.

• no alcohol.

The general rule is the the longer you’ve been experiencing symptoms/pain you’ll benefit from a more thorough detox ie. cut out all the nasties. By cutting them all out the detox will be over sooner and then you can continue with maintenance or work on retoxing!

On a brighter note here’s the Yes foods

• fresh fruit and vegetables. A squeeze of fresh lemon in water first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day.

• good protein sources in every meal - organic and/or grain free is best.

• Organic olive oil, coconut oil or other quality oil.

• clean water.

• green & herbals teas.

• if you’re a coffee fiend: black coffee or green tea.

• if you have an unavoidable event and still want to enjoy yourself with a drink: vodka, soda and fresh lime, but not daily. Basically looking at beverages with no to low sugar.

• home cooked meals & fresh salads daily.

• Fresh balanced smoothies, fresh fruit & veggie juices, almond meal cakes - see my breakfast cake recipes here 😋

Some points to note

Protein

Include a form of protein and good fibre in each meal. The liver needs amino acids (sourced from good protein) to be able to process toxins, hormones and other compounds we make in our bodies which don’t need circulating 24/7. So protein is very important, without enough protein the liver can’t keep up with what it’s daily to-do list which may cause headaches, feeling lethargic and agitation amongst other possible symptoms. Many people benefit from specific naturopathic protein formula’s that support the liver through detoxing - reach out to me if you have any questions on this.

Fibre

Good quality fibre, generally found in fresh fruit & vegetables. Fibre soaks up the unwanted toxins, when processed from the liver, and carries them out with the rubbish (Yes, poop!). Along the way fibre can help fuel the cells of the digestive tract to keep them happy and healthy. Therefore, pooping better which in turn creates a good and efficient system to remove waste products, rather than lingering in the large intestines for longer allowing the wastes to re-absorb again. Which will create more work for the liver as it has to process the toxins out all over again as they come full circle.

Caffeine

Reduce caffeine especially if you’re used to more than one cup of coffee or tea 45a day to wake up and get going. Caffeine up regulates the first phase of detoxing in the liver, which can be very useful. However if the second phase of detoxing can’t keep up, then it creates a lot more oxidative damage, inflammation and thus slowing down all other processes, generally causing symptoms such as: insomnia or disruptive sleep, anxiety/stress which may also have a depression swing to it, painful periods for women and disrupted hormonal cycles, generally not feeling great, and a whole heap of other symptoms depending on the person.

Water

Drinking good clean water and plenty of it is essential. We use a lot of water in our bodies, and therefore it stands to reason that we need a good amount when the body is going through a phase of extra cleaning.

How long should I detox for?

Naturopathically 6 weeks is a good amount of time. Give your body 3 weeks to catch up on it’s to-do-lists that has been building up and another 3 weeks to allow it to clean out the storage cupboards (fat cells). Of course this does depend on what your original symptoms are. Many people get to the end of the 6 weeks and feel so good they’re happy to continue, it’s really up to you how good you want to feel.

When do I book in to see a professional? aka: Georgia Naturopath

In one word: Now.

To do a good effective cleanse herbal and nutrient support will definitely help you and speed up the process. For example, if you’re craving your usual snack, coffee break or even drinks when out with friends. Good naturopathic supervision will give you tips to overcome those and recommend herbs and supplements which will help for cravings to reduce and the detox to be more effective faster.

A kinesiology detox balance every two weeks becomes instrumental for many aiding and allowing the whole process to be even more efficient so your body can get the most out of the nutritious food you’re now eating!

To book a consult time click here.

So there’s a few points to start your detox. Stay tuned for posts about my detox kinesiology balances coming soon.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me. Until then, be kind to your body,

Georgia the Naturopath.