There has long been a belief that to detox naturally means to allow our bodies to detox as a matter of course. In an ideal world where we are eating a healthy diet and leading a healthy lifestyle as our ancestors did then that might be a true statement. Our bodies do indeed have their own detox mechanisms. The gut is designed to prevent bacteria and many toxins from entering the body. When harmful chemicals do enter the body the liver acts as an extraordinary chemical factory to make a water soluble compound that can be excreted by the kidneys. This the body detoxes naturally. The body should be able to be re-hydrated with ordinary tap water and be refreshed with a good nights sleep.

Unfortunately in our present day and age the health of the gut cannot be taken for granted as a protector. More and more we are seeing health problems caused by increased permeability of the gut wall, which means it is not as capable of preventing toxins from entering the body. It is also unlikely that our liver is working at 100% efficiency as the excesses of our current lifestyles put an increasing burden upon it.

Understanding Fasting as a Method of Allowing the Body to Detox Naturally

Some people are of the opinion that to detox naturally requires a period of fasting and abstinence. Fasting for a short period of time on a regular basis has been a way of allowing the body to recover and replenish for many years, especially where this has been part of a religious practice. However for somebody who leads quite an unhealthy life, who wants to embark on a once or twice a year detox, this would not be the most advisable detox for them.

The body enters into a state of fasting approximately 8 hours after the last meal. During a fast, the body glucose that is stored in the liver and the muscles is used up first to provide energy. The body will then use up fat stores as its source of energy and during that phase, toxins that are stored in the body fat will be removed from the body. Thus allowing the body to detox naturally during the fast

However the problems arise when the period of fasting continues and the body is then required to breakdown muscle as protein as a source of energy. It is therefore probably wise to ensure that you not only concentrate on the foods you won’t be eating during your detox period, but that you also give some serious consideration to foods that you do need to eat.

It is vital, when aiming to detox naturally, to ensure that you drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of filtered water per day, to enable the body to keep the electrolyte balance relatively constant. It is also important to include some gentle exercise to keep the lymph moving during your detox regime and aim for at least 7-8 hours sleep a night.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

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