If you followed our gut cleanse last month, you may have already noticed some benefits such as enhanced concentration and increased energy after eating.
When entering the detoxification stage of this protocol, it is essential to ensure your diet is clean by removing any foods that fuel inflammation, make digestion difficult or create toxins. Carbohydrates, especially when refined (white), readily turn into sugars in the body which are inflammatory and can play havoc with blood sugar levels. Wheat, dairy and alcohol can also cause digestive issues and bowel sluggishness.
Most people think of detoxing as fasting; however, you can detox by flooding the body with organic plant-based nutrition, in the form of juices and smoothies, soups, steamed veg and nuts and seeds. Using plant-based foods full of chlorophyll, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals will provide nutrients and therefore energy to the cells in your body so they are more able to throw out the toxins while at the same time replenishing themselves.
Vitamins and minerals that support with energy production in the cells include:
Magnesium Greens, nuts, seeds, dry beans, avocado, 100% dark chocolate no sugar, bananas.
Other beneficial fruit and vegetables include:
Dried fruit and figs to gently cleanse the colon; apples for their antioxidant effect and energy production (Malic acid); asparagus for its glutathione content (master antioxidant in the body); carrots are also high in antioxidants and can support elimination from lungs, colon, kidneys, liver, bladder and skin; ginger is another antioxidant that fights free radical damage in the body but also has antiviral, bacterial and parasitic properties; warm water with lemon can help to flush toxins out.
As well as flooding your body with nutrients from plants, it is also important to encourage elimination so that any toxins flushed out of the cells are removed from the body. Gently promoting a sweat through going to a sauna for example is a great way to do this.
Chlorella, cilantro and barley grass juice are all helpful in binding to toxins to remove them from the body.
Maitake Mushrooms have also been shown to be especially beneficial at ridding the body of mercury toxicity, supporting liver health and they contain antioxidants.
Bentonite and Zeolite clay are known as highly purifying mineral clays. Bentonite can be used in the bath or in foot baths to remove heavy metals from the skin and can also be taken internally to absorb toxins in the body and help cleanse the digestive tract.
Zeolite can be taken internally to bind to and help remove heavy metals from the body.
As well as eating well and supporting your body with clean nutrient dense foods, it’s also important to rest and engage in activities that promote relaxation such as: mindfulness, gentle exercise, yoga, Qigong and breathing exercises. Dry skin brushing is also useful for removing toxins.
Supplements to support the process
Milk Thistle, Cysteine, Dandelion and Artichoke can all support the liver, the main organ of detoxification in the body, which will be working overtime while your body reduces its toxic load.
Alpha-lipoic acid is an integral part of any detoxification process, an antioxidant with proven ability to support the liver and help the body reduce toxicity.
Maitake Mushrooms for binding to heavy metals and for their antioxidant activity.
Shilajit contains many essential minerals, iron and amino acids, Humic and Fulvic acid which helps it to penetrate deeply into body tissues and aid in metal detoxification.
Glutathione known as the master antioxidant in the body. Supplementation is best in a liposomal form (nano-sized bubbles that mimic the body’s own cell membranes) as absorption is difficult. Alternatively supplement with N-acteyl cysteine which is one of the amino acids that make up glutathione.
Chorella can support with heavy metal detox and gut motility, it is also a rich source of nutrients.
CoQ10 is an antioxidant that supports with energy production in the mitochondria.
Vitamin B12 has been shown to support with energy production.
Magnesium has been shown to support many critical detox enzymes in the liver and is involved in energy production.
Folate is involved in energy production and liver detoxification.
B vitamins especially riboflavin (B2) and Niacin (B3) support the liver and phase 1 liver detoxification. B2 is involved in the production of glutathione and all B vitamins are involved in energy production.
Epsom salt baths have been shown to have a similar effect to supplemental magnesium (see above), but Epsom Salts also contain Sulphur which supports liver detoxification as well. So, it’s good to have lots of Epsom salt baths whilst detoxing.
Important: if you have a health condition or are taking medication it’s important to consult with your GP before embarking on a cleanse or detox.
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