How Should You Cleanse? DIY vs. Off-the-shelf

To cleanse is to clean, to purify. Therefore a cleansing detox is a process which neutralizes or eliminates toxins from the body, thus cleaning the body from the inside out.

And just so we’re clear, a toxin is anything that can potentially harm body tissue, including waste products from our normal cell activity, and man-made toxins. Our livers, intestines, kidneys, lungs, skin, blood and lymphatic systems work synergistically together to chemically transform toxins to less harmful substances and excrete them from the body.

Why Cleanse?

Toxins are everywhere.

Not just in our food. In the air, in the home, heck, even in the office!  If you’re a regular full-time office worker, statistics such as these are sobering. From your PC to the communal kitchen tap, it’s a breeding ground of toxins, germs and pesticides. It’s enough to make you go into early retirement. Ha, I wish. (One Powerball…and I’m outta here.)

The times I’ve found most beneficial for a cleanse are when I’ve been partaking in a little too much food. As you do when on holiday. During the first few days I landed back home, I was 100 percent raw vegan. Within five days, my skin regained its luminosity, suppleness and “bounce.” My energy levels were consistently high (even factoring in the depressing reality that I was no longer lazing around on a beach getting massages) and I was just generally more upbeat and balanced.

Types of Cleansing

Fruit

Only fruit is consumed on this cleanse. They can be mono fruit or not.  Mono fruit means you only eat one type of fruit. Most common is the mono fruit watermelon cleanse, as the 98 percent water content ensures you stay hydrated.

Juice

As its name suggests, you only consume juice on this cleanse. Usually a combination of freshly pressed fruit and veg juices are consumed anywhere from four to eight times a day.

Ready-Made Liquid Cleanses

Do the names Colon Cleanse, Isagenix or Rapid Detox jump out at you? There’s plenty to choose from, but they vary wildly in terms of cost, duration and nutritional content. They come in liquid and powder form.  Some liquid cleanse programs specialize in juices too, delivering them to your door in an insulated container.

Ready-Made Food Detox Cleanses

There are various cleanses that aim to detox the body using clean, organic, unprocessed food that is packed full of nutrition. Similar to the Weight Watchers weight-loss program, they prepare meals for you and then deliver it to your home.

Research is Divided

Cleanses are not made equal. They come in many forms: juices, shakes, smoothies, pills, powders or just whole food eating plans. They can last as little as 24 hours or as long as a month. The end goal is the same: eliminate toxins, jump-start weight-loss, maintain high energy and get glowing skin.

Be wary of cleanses that are too low-cal or lack sufficient vital nutrients, protein, healthy fat and good carbs. Find one that’s organic and vitamin-rich, and it may essentially act as a “reboot” button which will set you on the path of health and well-being.

Some proponents argue liquid cleanses and extremely low calorie detox diets are based on quack science, with the only weight loss occurring being water weight. There is the potential to do the body harm. Why? You go to the bathroom more than usual, thus the possibility of flushing out important electrolytes that help heart function and fluid balance. Cue weak muscles and a foggy brain. Fiber is what “scrubs” the colon. As juice cleanses have no fiber, it makes sense that they wouldn’t cleanse your colon anyway.

My Two Cents?

Find a cleanse that works for you. Be smart about it. Ensure it’s well-balanced and doesn’t skimp on nutrition. Be careful of “traps” such as rebound binge eating. Know the potential risks and develop mitigation strategies ahead of time.

Tips for the Newbie Cleanser

• Green smoothies are a must – one glass has all the nutrition you need to power through the morning
• Don’t pig out the night before
• Drink LOTS of water – add cucumber or lemon to keep it interesting
• If you’re on a liquid cleanse and have the urge to chew, nibble on celery or cucumber
• Freeze fruit – frozen grapes and blueberries are yum and will satisfy sweet cravings
• Don’t beat yourself up – a coffee or a glass of red wine isn’t going to derail your efforts
• Losing your motivation? Treat yourself to a massage or a pedicure a few days in
• Get a Support network – recruit partners, friends and family to keep you on track

Have you ever done a cleanse?  What’s been the most “extreme” cleanse you’ve embarked on?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Image Source: The dabblist/Flickr