Detoxification

Chandi Schwab
A Detox Diet (also called a cleansing diet) will remove toxins and poisons from your body.Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for general health. The idea of a good detox diet is to eat pure and natural foods that will aid the function of the lymph, kidneys, and liver. All foods that hinder the regime will be avoided. If you feel that you are in need of a cleansing diet here are a few to choose from.It is true that most of these diets have quite severe restrictions, and should be embarked upon with great care.
The Clean Plan:A 21-day detox diet that was designed by Dr.Alejandro Junger, a New York City cardiologist, and leader in the field of integrative medicine.

Junger developed his program to treat chronic symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, headaches, depression, fatigue, weight gain, and insomnia. He says these problems are due to a build up of toxins and that his plan addresses this factor so as to restore the optimal functioning of the body.

Clean Diet Basics
The Clean Program helps to restore the ability of the body to heal itself by several methods.

A) Reducing the load on the digestive system.
B) Protecting you from the damage of circulating toxins.
C) Delivering specific liver detox nutrients.
D) Promoting gut repair.
For each day of the 21-day program you will have a liquid meal for breakfast, a solid meal for lunch and a liquid meal for dinner. A special meal replacement shake is recommended for the liquid meals, however, it is possible to substitute this with fresh juices and blended smoothies or soups if desired.

Junger states that there is an option to switch lunch and dinner so that you have a solid meal in the evening, however, this will result in less efficient detoxification so should preferably only be done occasionally.

Dieters are also advised to make sure there is a twelve-hour window between the last meal of one day and breakfast the following day because this gives the digestive system a rest and enhances the detox process.

There are three central pillars of the Clean program:

1) REMOVE toxins:

Avoid processed food.
Buy organic when possible.
Remove bad bacteria in your digestive system.
2) RESTORE what is lacking:

Consume nutrient-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes).
Use supplements to boost availability of depleted nutrients.
Get 15 minutes of sunlight exposure each day to ensure better levels of vitamin D for bone strength and protection from cancer and depression.
3) REJUVENATE your life:

Make time for “detox-enhancing” habits such as saunas, massage, and skin brushing.
Meditate, even if for only five minutes a day.
Dieters are told that they should have a bowel movement every day and if this does not occur spontaneously then they should take a laxative. Colon Cleanses are also encouraged and can be undertaken on a daily basis if desired.
Recommended Foods
Mango, pineapple, raspberries, blueberries, apples, watermelon, leafy green vegetables, zucchini, cucumber, carrot, butternut squash, broccoli, asparagus, rice milk, almond milk, brown rice, millet, quinoa, lentils, beans, raw nuts, cold pressed oils, agave nectar, cold water fish, wild game, lean lamb, duck, chicken, turkey, herbs and spices, green tea.

The Fast Track Diet:This diet can boost metabolism, get rid of fattening toxins and safely lose up to 8 pounds overnight.

As dieters lose weight toxins are released from fatty tissues and this increase of toxins in the bloodstream is known to be a major cause of mood swings when dieting as well as contributing to the slowing of weight loss. Gittleman attempts to address these issues so as to allow dieters to break through weight loss plateaus and achieve permanent weight loss.

The Fast Track Detox Diet Basics
Gittleman asserts that in order to fast correctly it is necessary to prepare the body otherwise the fast may overload the detox pathways of the body. This could result in uncomfortable symptoms and may actually cause more damage to the metabolism.

For this reason the plan involves seven days of preparation that is centered on organic foods selected specifically due to their ability to enhance the function of the organs of detoxification; the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract.

This is followed by one day of fasting on Gittleman’s ‘miracle juice’ which is combination of cranberry juice, fresh orange and lemon juices, ginger, nutmeg, and stevia. This mixture is designed so as to reduce hunger, balance blood sugar, boost metabolism and nutrition. Dieters consume one cup of this liquid every hour as well as an extra cup of water every other hour.

In addition dieters must take a serving of a ‘colon-loving’ supplement such as psyllium husk or ground flaxseeds both at the beginning and end of the day.

After the fast there are then three more days where dieters adhere to the plan of the initial seven days. Dieters are also instructed to add specific immune boosting foods into the diet such as raw organic sauerkraut or low fat yogurt with live cultures.

Many foods are restricted for the entire duration of the program including most fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, gluten containing grains (wheat, rye, barley), soy protein isolates, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and caffeine.

Recommended Foods
For the first seven days and the last three days of the plan dieters should consume:

At least one to three ‘liver-loving’ foods or supplements which include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, oranges, lemons, limes, garlic, onions, eggs, artichoke, asparagus, beets, celery, and whey protein.
At least one ‘colon-loving’ food or supplement which include psyllium husks, ground flaxseed, carrots, apple, pear or berries.
Two servings of lean protein such as chicken breast.
One to two tablespoons of flaxseed or olive oil.
Look for other healthy meal ideas here.

Exercise Recommendations
Dieters are instructed to only engage in very gentle exercise for no more than 30 minutes on the fasting day. Exercise on the other days is fine in accordance with the dieter’s current state of health and fitness.
Pros
May be beneficial to jump-start a long-term weight loss program or to prepare for a special event.
Rapid initial weight loss can increase motivation.
Can help to reset appetite and taste preferences towards healthier foods in appropriate amounts.
Offers a less strict version for those who feel unable to undertake the full program.
Explains the scientific rationale behind the diet and the specific foods involved.
Speaks to those who have tried standard weight loss diets without experiencing results.
May help dieters to break through a weight loss plateau.
Includes a detailed plan with recipes and a shopping list.
Provides tools to deal with psychological factors related to dieting and weight management.
Cons
Very restrictive and difficult to eat out.
Requires preparation in order to obtain all the recommended items.
Dieters may experience caffeine and sugar withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
Some foods may be expensive or difficult to obtain.
Program involves the use of certain supplements, which may be expensive.
Conclusions
This program is likely to appeal to dieters who have tried other programs without results as well as those who are experiencing a weight loss plateau. It may also be of benefit for those who are experiencing a range of non-specific health problems such as digestive disorders, immune dysfunction.



The Fat Flush Plan:is both a detox diet and a weight loss diet. The idea is to provide all the necessary ingredients to boost metabolism, reduce water retention, and promote fat loss.

The program has 3 phases:

Phase 1 – 2 weeks
This is a restrictive phase of between 1100-1200 calories per day. The intention here is to “lose bloat” – which refers to reducing water retention as well as some fat loss. In this phase you are not allowed to eat; margarine, alcohol, sugar, oils or fats (except flaxseed oil), grains, bread, cereal, starchy vegetables, dairy products. Even the herbs and spices are restricted to a small list.

Phase 2 – Ongoing
Here the calorie allowance is lifted – to 1200-1500 calories. The idea is to continue on with the program until the desired weight loss is achieved.

Phase 3 – The maintenance phase
Essentially a weight maintenance phase, with a caloric intake of 1500 calories or over. Some starchy carbs are gradually re-introduced, along with @gluten-free grains@, and some dairy.

Exercise
The program contains a significant exercise component. This can be anything from 20 to 40 minutes of exercise per day, depending on the phase. This is typically low-impact (walking). Strength training (lifting weights) is also on the list (twice a week). A sleep prescription of exactly 8 hours per night is also required.

Sample Meal Plan – Fat Flush Phase 1
Upon Waking
“Long Life” cocktail [psyllium husks in cran-water - see below]

Before Breakfast
8 oz hot water with lemon juice

Breakfast
Vegetable scramble – 2 scrambled eggs, with spinach, green peppers, scallions, and parsley.
8 oz glass of cran-water [diluted unsweetened cranberry juice]

Snack
1/2 Large grapefruit

20 minutes before lunch
8 oz glass of cran water

Lunch
4 ounces of salmon with lemon and garlic, warm asparagus, mixed-green salad with broccoli florets and cucumber, 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil, and one 8 oz glass of cran-water

Mid afternoon snack
2 8 oz glass cran-water

4pm Snack
1 apple

20 minutes before dinner
8 oz glass of cran water

Dinner
4 ounces of grilled lamb chop with pinch of cinnamon and dried mustard, sautéed kale in broth, baked summer squash with a touch of cloves, and 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil

Mid evening
“Long life” cocktail

Look for other recipes that could be used with the Fat Flush Diet here.

Fat Flush Pros and Cons
The Up side
The Fat Flush program has all the elements of a good and healthy weight loss program. It isn’t hard to find success stories regarding this program (however the true test is always the test of time – is the fat loss sustained or temporary?).

Remember this diet is a detox or cleansing diet, thus the very restrictive phase one. Unless healthy eating patterns are applied to your lifestyle, any benefits gained will soon be lost.