Did you know some detox programs can be downright dangerous? Whether it’s a juice fast, a “spring detox,” or the latest fad cleanse, many cause more problems than they solve.
Why? Because they take toxins out of your tissues, but don’t take them out of your body.
So the toxins move back into your bloodstream where they can make you sick and wreak havoc on your organs.
Toxins are basically foreign invaders. They do nothing but vandalize your tissues and cause damage to your organs. So the liver rounds them up, puts them in handcuffs, and deports them through the bowels.
Your liver handcuffs toxins with a nutrient called glucuronic acid. Glucuronic acid binds to toxins and keeps them from roaming free in the body. Once bound, the toxins move into the intestines where your body can get rid of them.
But There’s a Problem
There’s a nasty enzyme in your intestines that sets toxins free from the glucuronic acid. This enzyme is called beta-glucuronidase.
Once this enzyme frees the toxins, your body reabsorbs them. And, from there, they’re free to attack your organs. They injure your heart. They affect your brain. And they damage your skin. But that’s not all.
One study in 2017 found that people who use many of the fad juicing and “detox” diets gain weight. This is actually very common. The reason? The reabsorbed toxins take a toll on your metabolism, slowing it down.
Why Detox Programs Fail
The reason most detox programs fail is because they only release toxins from your tissues. They don’t remove the toxins from your body.
So a complete detox program needs to do three things. It needs to:
• Remove toxins from your tissues
• Prepare your liver to bind the toxins
• Keep the toxins bound so they can be completely removed
If your detox program doesn’t do all three, you’re wasting your time, money, and energy. You may even be harming yourself.
Fortunately, there’s a simple detox program that does all of this. And the only thing you need to buy is good healthy food.
Here’s What to Do
Start by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, refined carbs (like sugar and white flour), trans fats, and any artificial foods for one week. These bring additional toxins into your body. And it doesn’t make sense to add toxins when you’re trying to get rid of them.
During that week, you’re also going to add 2 cups of the following detoxification foods to each meal (feel free to mix and match):
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.). These contain a lot of glucuronic acid and help reduce levels of beta-glucoronidase.
• Kale, chard, and beet greens. These are blood purifiers.
• Onions and daikon radish (found in many Asian and other markets). These strengthen your liver and kidneys.
In addition, add garlic and psyllium or ground flaxseed to your foods. Garlic contains a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins. And the seeds provide fiber to cleanse the digestive tract.
If you get hungry, you can eat an apple or an orange (they contain a lot of glucuronic acid and fiber). And you can eat some grass-fed beef, venison, wild-caught fish, eggs, or free-range poultry. The goal isn’t to starve yourself, it’s to add lots of healthy detoxifying foods.
After you’ve eaten like this for seven days, on the eighth day, do a one-day fast where you don’t eat anything!
Instead, drink purified water and unsweetened cranberry, beet, or pomegranate juice. You can also drink detoxifying teas (available in most health food stores and online).
After the one-day fast, make sure you eat a lot of the same detoxifying foods for the next 3 days. They don’t have to make up your entire diet. Just eat as many of them as you can.
I also recommend doubling your dose of probiotics for the next 3 days to flood your system with good bacteria.
That’s all there is to it. This is an easy detox program. It’s easy on your body. It’s inexpensive. And it will make sure your body removes those toxins that are causing illness.