If you are interested in natural health and detoxing you’ve probably already heard about the importance of maintaining the correct acid/alkaline balance, however people are only just starting to realise just how beneficial an alkaline diet can be in maintaining good overall health.

If you think back to your days of studying Physics at school, a PH of above 7 equals alkaline, anything below ph7 is acidic and 7 exactly is neutral. All of the foods and drinks we consume can either be classified as alkaline, acid or neutral. The human body is meant to be slightly alkaline (usually PH 7.3-7.4 although it can be slightly acidic first thing in the morning).

Our bodies natural PH balance can be affected by a number of things including:

• Diet
• Toxicity
• Medicines
• Stress

Because we are living modern, busy lifestyles and eating poor quality processed foods many of us have bodies that are overly acidic. Most natural health practitioners and many traditional medical Doctors now accept that many diseases start in an acidic body, and that maintaining an alkaline state can help maintain overall health

Symptoms of an acidic body

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but include feeling tired, stressed, frequent colds, poor digestion, weight problems, headaches, joint or muscular pain, anxiety and excessive mucous production.

The Alkaline Diet

An Alkaline diet attempts to return the body to a balanced alkaline state by increasing the amounts of alkaline foods we eat and reducing the number of acidic foods. During caveman times the traditional diet would have been mostly plants, nuts, seeds and berries with a small amount of pure animal proteins. Since modern agriculture and food processing techniques our diets have changed dramatically and we now consume a much higher quantity of acid rich foods like cheese, milk, meat, beer, biscuits, soda, black tea and white processed foods. At the same time we have decreased the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables from our diets.

When you undertake an Alkaline diet you simply reduce or avoid completely foods in the high or very high acid groups and consume higher quantities of foods in the high or very high alkaline groups – generally you should be aiming for 80% alkaline foods and only 20% acidic, for some people it could almost be the other way around currently.

It is important to consult a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, however for most people this is a very simple easy diet to follow that is gentle on the body.

To view a good list of acid/alkaline foods click here.

Beneficial Alkaline Foods

Some foods have an extremely alkalising effect on the body and are beneficial to consume during this diet. Foods like seaweed, barley grass, wheat grass, beetroots, spirulina and dark leafy vegetables are packed full of vitamins and minerals and are very alkaline.

Another foods which has a strong alkalising effect on the body is Lemon. Many people believe lemon is acidic due to its taste, but when it is processed by the body it has a strong alkalising effect. This is why it is used in so many different detox programs.

What are the benefits of this kind of cleanse?

By ensuring the majority of your diet consists of alkaline foods you will help to bring the body back in to its natural balance and provide the nutrients the body needs to cleanse itself of toxins and impurities. Many people find their energy levels increase, they lose weight and get improvements to their general health and vitality once they return their body to a alkaline state.

You should consider this is a diet or a detox, it is a change to your eating habits for the long-term, by maintaining an alkaline diet you ensure your body doesn’t become an acidic, toxic breding ground and you are able to maintain equilibrium in the body.

Points to note

If you significantly reduce or stop eating acidic foods your body may enter a temporary healing crisis and you can experience headaches and food cravings. This will usually pass within a few days – ensure you drink plenty of water and good daily exercise to help reduce symptoms. If you are a heavy coffee drinker or a have a poor diet for example it is always better to gradually make changes to your diet and lifestyle rather than going ‘cold turkey’ and doing it all at once

Incorporate relaxation and stress reductions techniques (like meditation and yoga), avoid exposure to environmental toxins as much as possible, drink plenty of water and get daily exercise to ensure your body remains in good shape.

Because this isn’t really a diet as such, but more a lifestyle change, some people may still need to do some kind of detox to speed up the rate at which toxins are removed from the body. Look for a product or cleansing program which have been tested to be alkaline or go for something like the lemonade diet which is based around the lemon, one of the most alkalising foods available.

People detox for a variety of reasons, however one of the key benefits many people report is an increase in energy levels and general vitality. Most people find they start feeling better a few days after starting their detox or cleanse, this is due to the effect of toxins leaving your body and the body being able to function closer to its optimal level.

However as the body is working hard to process and remove toxins and impurities some people may experience mild side-effects such as a headache, cravings or tiredness. These symptons will usually pass within a few days and you’ll find you have more energy than before you started your cleansing diet.

Detoxing doesnt need to be difficult or complicated and during your diet you’ll usually simply reduce your consumption of acidic foods, increase your intake of alkaline foods and drink plenty of good quality filtered or spring water. A good cleansing plan should include a combination of herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

Eat a healthy diet with foods that are close to nature

You will probably be able to find all the foods necessary for detox diet right in your kitchen and there’s no need to go out and buy an expensive cleansing diet (although some of the quality cleansing programs can help speed up results).

There are some foods that should be avoided during a detox. Generally try to avoid red meat and stick to lean white proteins such as Chicken or Fish. Avoid any processed foods such as white bread, white pasta or white rice and choose whole grains like brown rice or wholewheat bread instead.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and all other stimulants for the duration of the cleanse.

Ensure you increase your fiber intake by eating plenty of leafy greens and fresh fruits and vegetables – some people also find it useful to take a fiber supplement containing Psyllium husks (a great source of both soluble and in-soluble fiber).

Water, Water and More Water

Water is the most important component of any detox plan. Your body releases most toxins either through the skin or urine and needs a good supply during your cleanse. To know if you’re drinking enough water check your urine, if your urine is not a clear color that indicates that you’re not drinking enough. Another way to know how much water you should be drinking is to drink half of your body weight in ounces daily. Make sure you only drink pure, spring or filtered water (and invest in a good quality water filter that removes heavy metals and other chemicals).

Getting rid of toxins

A detox is in an important component of any general health programme.  Our bodies accumulate toxins and impurities from the foods that we eat, our lifestyle, and the pollution in the environment. If we allow these toxins to remain in our body unchecked this could lead to serious health issues in the future and a toxic, acidic body has even been linked to more serious illnesses including cancer, heart disease, immune deficiency diseases and more.

If you feel like you lack energy, have problems losing weight or generally feel a bit tired and under the weather, a gentle whole body cleanse could help you bring your body back in to its natural balance and restore good health.

Companies who produce cleansing supplements and detox products would like you to believe that the only way to remove toxins and impurities and effectively re-balance the body is to use one of their (often expensive) products, however it is possible to avoid these completely and create your very own cleansing program. Below we’ll explain how to create a DIY detox program that won’t cost a fortune and will still enable you to remove toxins and improve overall health.

Please see the ‘Warnings’ section towards the end of this article before commencing any program.

What is a detox?

First its important to understand what a detox is and in-fact it can mean different things to different people. Essentially it is about assisting the body in removing toxins, impurities and impacted matter from the body, whilst providing the body with the nutrition it needs to restore optimum health.

People decide to do a detoxing program for a number of reasons. This could be to lose weight, improve energy levels, improve digestion, support optimum health or simply to ensure the body is clean and free from ‘nasties’.

How long should it be?

One of the problems with the supplement industry is that they are focused on ‘producing’ short-term results, however for long-term health it is important to create a lifestyle which is clean and healthy and will help support your body for the long-term. If you do a short cleansing program and then simply go back to your old habits, you’ll quickly lose any benefits you gained during your cleanse.

Our advice is to do some kind of initial ‘kick-start’ to get the body moving, provide the body with the nutrients it is lacking in and help it remove any backlog of toxins that exists and then move to an ongoing maintenance plan which involves simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Reduce your exposure to chemicals

Start by taking a look at your house, work place and the environment outside and try to reduce or remove as many chemicals as you can.

• Avoid all processed foods and anything with any added preservatives, additives or chemicals
• Eat free range meats (or meats with no hormones or additives) and ideally organic fruits and vegetables
• Avoid caffeine and other stimulants
• Drink only filtered water
• Go for natural, gentle shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste.
• Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean the house.
• Try to reduce exposure to chemicals at work

Foods to avoid / increase

This is not a starvation diet or a ‘colon cleanse’ it is a process that will support the body in returning to an alkaline state (rather than acid) and provide the body with the nutrients it needs to return to great health.

Foods to Avoid

• All simple sugars and simple processed carbs (no white bread, white pasta, white flour or white sugar)
• Processed meats (e.g. salami or sandwich ham) and all red meats
• All refined or processed products e.g. cakes
• All processed or packaged foods
• Fried or ‘fatty foods
• Caffeine
• Cigarettes
• Alcohol

Food to increase

Essentially you want your diet to consist of quality lean protein (e.g. chicken or fish), fruits/vegetables and nuts/feeds – anything close to nature that hasn’t been processed or refined in any way.

• Lean protein such as Free Range chicken or local Fish
• Fruits and vegetables – ideally organic or washed carefully if not
• Nuts and seeds
• Brown/wholegrains – e.g. brown rice, spelt, oats, quinoa
• Legumes and beans e.g. chickpeas, kidney beans

Foods to watch our for

These are foods you need to limit your intake of:

• Dairy
• Bread
• Starchy high GI veggies like potatoes

Top Tips for a Successful Detox Diet

• Start your day with a glass of warm water that contains a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Do some kind of exercise each day and aim to ‘get a sweat up’ to encourage the body to release toxins
• Drink plenty of filtered water each day (most of us don’t get enough) – its one of the best ways to remove toxins from the body
• Drink plenty of herbal teas – nettle tea is a great natural detoxifier
• Sit down when you eat and focus on your food – this will help digestion
• Do some kind of relaxation activity each day to reduce stress in the body

Side-effects

All you are putting in to your body is high quality nutrition and natural foods, however if your body is particularly toxic or acidic and is not used to having these great foods inside it you may experience some signs of detoxing, if you are also giving up caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes you might also experience these symptoms. Headaches are the most common side-effect. Most people find that by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas they are able to significantly reduce any side effects

Warning

Please do not make any changes to your diet and lifestyle without consulting your Doctor first – some people may be allergic to one of more of the foods or food groups above, obviously if you have any kind of allergy or intolerance you should completely avoid these foods. If you are on any medication or have a medical condition your Doctor will need to create a program specifically designed for your personal needs.

Overview

The Clean Detox Diet is a 21 day program that was developed by Dr Alejandro Junger, a respected medical doctor. Dr Junger designed the program to treat medical problems such as allergies, headaches, irritable bowel disorders, weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, and depression.

Dr Junger felt that these medical problems can often occur as a result of a build up of chemicals and toxins in the body. He believed that by performing the Clean Detox Diet program, dieters can improve their general health whilst removing impurities from the body.

Program

The Clean Detox Diet program helps people by improving and restoring the body’s natural detoxification processes. Essentially the Clean Detox Diet program acts to:

• Reduce the load of digestive system
• Protect from the circulatory toxins damage
• Deliver specific liver nutrients
• Promote gut repair

The 21 day program consists of a liquid meal for breakfast, solid foods for lunch, and another liquid meal in the evening. The liquid meal is a meal replacement shake which can either be purchased from a health food store or large grocery store.

During the program you can switch between lunch and dinner meals in order to consume a solid meal in the evening, if this fits in better with your current lifestyle (however this must only be done occasionally to maximize the detox effects). The dieter must also make sure that there is at least a 12 hour gap between the dinner and the morning meal the following day to give the body enough time to rest.

Foods that are recommended in the Clean Detox Diet include pineapple, mango, apples, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, pineapples, zucchini, leafy green vegetables, carrot, cucumber, broccoli, squash, rice milk, almond milk, asparagus, millet, quinoa, raw nuts, beans, brown rice, lentils, cold pressed oils, cold water fish, lean lamb, chicken, turkey, spices, herbs, agave nectar, and green tea.

Clean Detox Diet – Main pillars: The 3 R’s

These are the 3 key factors of the Clean Detox Diet program:

1)      Remove Toxins:

• Removing chemicals residue from fresh fruits and vegetables by washing them carefully and choosing organic alternatives where possible
• Avoiding processed foods and foods containing artificial chemicals or preservatives

2)      Restore what is lacking:

• Consume healthy and nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds
• Use quality health supplements to replenish depleted essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids
• Get at least 15 minutes of sunlight exposure everyday to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D

3)      Rejuvenate life:

• If possible, make time for detoxifying habits such as massage and saunas
• It is also recommended to meditate at least 5 minutes per day
• Dieters are also encouraged to have a regular bowel movement. If the dieter does not have a regular bowel movement, a gentle herbal laxative can be taken.
• A colon cleansing program may also be recommended.

Summary

The Clean Detox Diet by Dr Alejandro Junger is based on the principle of an alkaline cleansing diet that aims to remove toxins and impurities from the body. It is not complicated to follow and doesn’t require purchasing expensive supplements. It uses natural foods to help the body help cleanse itself and encourages people to make long-term changes to their diet and lifestyle.

Generally people don’t realize the importance of cleansing the body in order to support overall health. Many people choose to start a detox diet to assist with a particular health issue, the most popular being to lose weight, and people generally experience impressive results when they do this. However when the ‘problem’ is fixed they often go back to their old eating habits and lifestyle choices and over time the toxins build back-up and the same health issues return.

Cleansing should become a part of your daily lifestyle to ensure the body is always able to function at its optimal level rather than just eating healthy foods and removing toxins when there is a particular problem or need to do so. Doing this requires an important shift from treatment to prevention and a range of simple, but important changes to your daily lifestyle.

Our liver and other organs are continually working to detoxify the body, but if we subject it to more toxins that it can effectively process then they can back-up and become stagnant  – this is when energy levels start to drop and general vitality can be affected. By reducing our exposure to these toxins in the first place and introducing fewer impurities in the body we can make it easier for the liver to do its job effectively and help to support overall health.

Acid/Alkaline Balance

Our modern diet is very acidic and many studies are now starting to show that an acidic body is the starting point for many major diseases. These diseases tend to start slowly and can already well developed before we notice any diagnosable symptoms. Although there is no scientific evidence to show that cleansing can help prevent any disease, it is known that by cleansing the body you can help it return to a healthy acid/alkaline balance, which is a very important factor in maintaining long term health and wellness.

The Cleansing Process

The body is very clever and with a moderate level of toxins is able to cleanse itself with the need to do a detox or cleansing diet, however because we are exposed to so many toxins on a daily basis the body simply can’t keep up and needs us to help support it.

The first step is to reduce exposure to toxins by:

• Eating healthy foods that are close to nature
• Avoiding processed foods, additives and preservatives
• Drinking quality filtered water
• Avoiding pollution and other environmental toxins

The next step is to support the body by eating foods that are natural cleansers and which help create an alkaline environment:

• Eat plenty of dark leafy greens and other alkalising fresh fruits and vegetables
• Take a supplement to assist with the cleansing process that contains natural herbs and botanical like Aloe Vera, Peppermint and Pau D’arco.

The final step is to ensure we reduce stress in our lives by giving ourselves time to relax and dealing with issues that are affecting our lives.

By following these steps you will help reduce your exposure to toxins and enable the body to help bring itself back to its natural balance. Rather than thinking about doing a 9, 21 or 30 day cleansing diet, think about how you can make lasting changes to your normal lifestyle to improve overall health by remaining toxin free & naturally cleanse the body on a daily basis.

A high quality detox is a significant aspect of the holistic approach to good health for many people.  When you think about your health, you should consider your emotional, moral and physical well-being (traditional medicine however generally only focuses on physical well-being and the treatment of obvious symptoms). It is when all of these components are in congruence with each other that you are indeed, in good health.

Cleansing should be something you integrate in to your daily life and there are a range of foods which have been shown to have a natural cleansing effect on the body. These foods help support the liver and other organs in their natural detoxification processes.

Cleansing Foods

Watermelon

Watermelon helps the body to process chemicals such as triglycerides and cholesterol which are derived from cheese, milk, pork and chicken fats. Its also a natural digestive aid and blood tonic. Because a watermelon consists mostly of water its also a great way to increase fluid intake during the day. Its low in sugar and contains decent levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium. Watermelon is natural alkalising and some people even believe that you could do an entire cleanse simply eating watermelon!

Eggplant

This is a good source of potassium, Vitamin B, B6, folic acid, potassium and dietary fibers. It has also low caloric content which is good for people wanting to reduce weight. Some people assume cleansing foods won’t taste as good as foods eaten in a regular diet, but there are many delicious ways to cook Eggplant. Not only does it taste good and contain many valuable nutrients, when in season Eggplant is usually very cheap to buy.

Garlic

Garlic is a well known anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial food and is an essential food to include in any homemade detox diet. Garlic can also help to lower blood pressure and improve circulation of the blood. Choose garlic in the raw form only and add raw to salads or cook with stir-fry’s or pasta. If you are worried about the garlic ‘smell’, eat parsley (a fantastic alkaline food) which will remove any garlic taste or smell from the mouth.

Seaweed

You probably can’t buy seaweed from your local supermarket, but you can buy it in a dried form in Japanese or Asian supermarkets and its also contained in many supplements. Its highly alkaline and packed full of minerals and has been shown to be one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Add Seaweed to salads, pasta or take in a capsule as a supplement to maximise the benefits of this wonderful ‘superfood’

Flaxseeds and Flaxseed Oil.

Most people need to increase their intake of essential fatty acids and there has been alot of publicity about Salmon and other fish oils lately. However eating Flaxseeds (sprinkle them on your cereal for example) or taking flaxseed oil (as a dressing on your salad) can help you meet your daily requirements of Omega-3′s as well as providing your both with healthy fats and range of other nutrients.

Guava

High in Vitamin C, Guava is an underrated fruit which many people have never tried. It has also anti-toxin properties that can help detoxify the body of harmful substances. It is good for gastrointestinal problems, especially diarrhea and can also be used to heal wounds.

Beetroot

Beetroot is rich in folic acid, vitamin C, and potassium. It also contains reasonable quantities of Vitamin A, Iron and importantly magnesium (often lacking in our diets). Beetroot is a natural cleanser and can be added to juices or grated on salads when raw or boiled or baked and eaten as a vegetable when cooked.

Apple

The cliche “an apple a day keeps the doctors away” could actually be very true. Apples contain an array of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti-toxic properties. One of the key ingredients is ‘Pectin’. Pectin is a type of fiber that can help remove heavy metals and possibly even cholesterol from the body. Create a juice containing apples, carrots, ginger and beetroot as a refreshing, detox drink!

Tips for choosing cleansing foods

Make sure you only eat foods that are grown locally and in season. We’ve almost forgotten now which fruits and vegetables are able at different times of the year, but in order to keep our body in balance (and to support local growers) we need to eat fruits and vegetables that are naturally available at a particular time and avoid supermarkets which often import or keep produce in cold storage for up to 6 months before putting them out on the shelves.

Visit your local farmers markets and talk to the growers. Ask them how their fruits and vegetables are grown and what, if any, chemicals are used in the process. Where possible choose organic or spray free options.

A detox is important in maintaining good health. Without proper nutrition the body will not be able to function properly, however even with good nutrition if the body is flooded with toxins you may suffer from a lack of energy, weight issues or a number of other issues. A body cleanse diet can help restore natural balance and assist the body in removing toxins and impurities.

Please note these are a small selection of the many different diets, supplements and programs available on the market. We are not recommending you to go out and purchase any of the ones featured below, however we have received positive feedback about all of these cleansing diets from our readers in the past. It is important to do your own research to find the program that meets your individual needs.

Fat Flush Diet

This diet consists of three phases – the restrictive, ongoing and maintenance phase. In the first phase, calorie intake is restricted to 1,100 to 1,200 calories daily. The second phase is a continuance of the first phase until you have achieved your ideal weight, while the third phase concerns the maintenance of your normal weight. Weigh loss is an indication that your detox is working effectively because bad fats are eliminated from the body.

Find out more here

Clean Detox Diet

This is a program developed by a medical Doctor named Dr Alejandro Junger and is based on respected and well established principles of cleansing. Rather than looking at a short-term fix, the Clean Detox Diet aims to provide a long-term solution to toxicity and return the body to an alkaline state. This diet involves increasing the intake of foods close to nature, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing intake of red meats, processed meals and other acidic foods.

Read our full review here

The Isagenix Cleanse

This is a popular cleansing diet developed by respected supplement formulator John Anderson. The Isagenix cleanse uses of principles of nutritional cleansing to both help the body to remove impurities, but also to re-balance the body by providing it with the correct balance of nutrients. The Isagenix Cleanse is available as a 9 or 30 day program and contains a range of supplements including a cleansing tonic and meal replacement shake.

Find out more at bodycleansediet.com

Master Cleanse Diet

The Master Cleanse diet is one of the most popular and well know cleansing diets out there. Its an intense program that involved drinking a homemade lemonade drink a few times a day, along with a laxative tea in both the evening and the morning. For the entire cleanse you eat no solid foods. Critics argue that this can put a stress on the body and any results are limited and short-term, however there are many supporters who do the master cleanse diet a few times a year to remove toxins and help manage their weight.

Visit the Master Cleanse Recipe website to find out more.

Quantum Eating Diet

This is similar to a typical liver detox, except that a 100% raw vegetable diet is eaten for two meals a day. A gap of six hours is required before going to sleep and the entire food intake for the day should be consumed within a span of 8 hours.

The Quantum Eating Diet is more than simply a detox cleanse, it proposes a number of significant changes to diet and lifestyle and particularly encourages people to adopt a raw food diet going forward.

There are many people who claim to have achieved impressive results on the diet both in terms of weight loss and general health, however critics would argue this is due to the reduction in calories rather than anything special relating to the program

Find out more here

Summary

This is just a small selection of the 100′s of different detox cleanse plans out there. We hope you’ve found this article useful, but please leave us a comment if you have any questions or would like to talk about your experiences with a particular cleansing program.

There are numerous diets out there that have been developed to help those who want to remove toxins, parasites and other impurities from the body. Although it is possible to create your own program using ingredients found in your local grocery store, many people experience better/faster results when following a specific program.  Its also been shown that when you invest financially in something you are more likely to succeed.

Some people are confused about exactly what a detox is – essentially its a way to help support the body in its natural processes of cleansing and detoxification using a range of natural ingredients that have been shown to have cleansing properties. Some detox programs focus only on removing impurities and some also provide the body with a range of nutrients that help it to restore natural balance.

Essentially there are three different types of detox:

• Colon cleanse
• Liver cleansing diet
• Nutritional cleansing

Colon Cleanse

A colon cleanse focuses specifically on the colon and aims to remove toxins, parasites and impacted matter that has built up inside the colon over time. These programs usually contain a laxative tea or duiertic to help the body release these ‘nasties’. The colon is a very important organ and many medical professionals believe that diseases can start in the colon, so it is important to keep it clean, however critics of colon cleansing would argue that products often contain harsh ingredients that can put a stress on the body. Colon cleansing also doesn’t deal with the underlying cause and the reasons for the toxins building up inside the colon in the first place.

If you decide to do a colon cleanse choose a product which contains only natural ingredients, no harsh laxatives and which provides a follow-up course of probiotics to replace bacteria lost during the cleansing period.

Liver Cleansing Diet

A liver cleansing diet aims to support the liver in its natural cleansing processes, rather than using laxatives or diuretics a liver cleansing diet will contain a range of herbs and botanicals with proven cleansing properties. These ingredients will help the body to deal with the backlog of toxins and impurities and remove them from the body quickly and effectively. The liver is the organ responsible for cleansing the blood and if your liver isn’t functioning at 100% as a result of toxins or impurities it can’t process, it can affect general health. Poor energy levels, weight management issues, frequent colds are common symptoms which may show the need to cleanse the liver.

Nutritional Cleansing Diet

A nutritional cleansing diet is similar to a liver cleansing diet in that it provides support for the liver and helps it to deal with toxins, but it does more than this. It provides the whole body with the nutrition it needs to restore natural balance. By ‘feeding’ the body at a cellular level the body is able to restore optimum health naturally over a period of time without the need for harsh laxatives or diuretics.

Nutritional cleansing diets are only just starting to appear on the market, but have been shown to be a gentle, effective way of cleansing the entire body.

Examples of detox cleansing programs

Below are just some of the detox programs you can choose from, there are literally hundreds more. Think of a fresh fruit or vegetable or a combination of days and the chances are it will be the name of a diet (think lemonade diet, 3 day diet, 21 day diet, watermelon detox, grapefruit diet….)

• 24-hour Cleanse. A popular diet with few side effects as well. Most 24-hour diets consist of eating only whole, unprocessed, raw fruits and vegetables, slow-cooked brown rice, a protein and fat source like tofu or almonds, and a lot of water. Critics would argue 24 hours is not enough time to cleanse the entire body.
• 3-day Cleanse. This is also very popular and consists of similar foods used in a 24-hour cleanse. With a 3 day cleanse your body gets a rest and the opportunity to restore natural balance more than it can do on a short 24 hour cleanse
• Grapefruit Diet. Grapefruit, like most citrus fruits, has a detoxifying benefit. However, this diet is not a grapefruit only diet. You only add it to the beginning of each meal and you may eat it as much as you like during your cleanse

When a detox is done properly and using an effective, proven program any side effects you experience should be light and pass very quickly. In-fact many people will experience no side effects at all.

If you are taking a product or following an unnecessarily aggressive program you may experience more side effects than if you decide to make small changes to your diet and lifestyle in order to achieve your health goals.

If you are concerned at any point you should stop and consult your Doctor for advice.

Why do I get side effects?

Some of the side effects of a detox are caused as toxins in the body are stirred up and removed. These toxins let off gases which can cause some of the side effects mentioned below. You are also asking the body to work hard to remove these impurities, which may mean the body has to divert its attention from other processes in order to effectively rid the body of all toxins leading to reduced energy levels or other side effects.

If you are giving up caffeine or other stimulants as part of your cleansing diet you may get withdrawal symptoms from this as well.

If you are concerned about experiencing side effects and you think you may have a lot of toxins to release consider doing a pre-cleanse to start the process before starting a full cleansing diet. This maybe as simple as reducing caffeine intake, increase water intake, reducing the amount of acidic foods you eat and increasing the amount of alkaline rich fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. When you start your cleansing program your body will be ready and you won’t experience the symptoms below.

Side effect 1: Feeling Tired or Flat

Many people report feeling a bit tired or even down during their first few days, but this should pass quite quickly. If you had a really poor diet or were very toxic before starting your cleanse you may experience more tiredness than others. Once this period has finished you should come out of it feeling more energised than when you started the cleanse. Try to take time to relax and allow the body to recharge during your cleanse if possible and don’t try to rush your results.

Side Effect 2: Detox Headaches

This is probably the most commonly reported problem and often isn’t anything to do with the detox itself. If you have given or up significantly reduced your intake of alcohol, caffeine or other stimulants you may experience a headache. Caffeine is a drug and your body is addicted to it, until you break this addiction (usually only a couple of days) you may experience a dull headache.

Ensure you drink plenty of water and if you are a heavy coffee drinker consider gradually reducing rather than giving up in one go.

Side Effect: 3 – Increased Urination

Because many people drink more water or consume fruits or juices during their detox they can experience increased urination. This is not a problem and it is healthy to drink plenty of good quality water during the day.

Side Effect: 4 – Loose Bowels

Some of the herbs used in cleansing products can cause diarrhea or constipation, some of them deliberately give you loose bowels to help you remove toxins. However if you are concerned at any point talk to your Doctor.

Side Effect: 5 – Nausea

Nausea is another common side effect of a body detox or cleanse. You may experience this side effective for a number of reasons, it could be a result of toxins being stirred up inside your body or withdrawal symptoms from caffeine, cigarettes or alcohol.

Remember Everyone is different

The above mentioned side effects are just a few of the many you may experience while on a detox, but everyone is different. Some people experience no side effects at all during their cleansing program while other people have a harder time.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to find a program that is natural, safe, effective, scientifically tested and gentle. Only take a cleansing product if you are 100% sure it is safe and will help you. Some of the products out there are not.

Many people report feeling they just feel a bit unhealthy, tired,  sluggish or off-color. If you can relate to these feelings or have a sense you might have an overload of toxins in your body it might be time you did a detox cleanse.

During a detox, you expel any impurities and harmful toxins that have built in inside your body throughout the years. If you choose an effective program you should see improvements to your health and ability to manage weight, as well as increased energy levels. Results vary from person-to-person and you should consult a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Whilst there are many different cleansing products available on the market, there are a range of simple changes you can make to your daily lifestyle that can help you cleanse the body without needing to spend money on expensive supplements – some of these are described below:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Everyone knows its important to drink plenty of water, but most of us still don’t. We wait until we feel thirsty, but by this time we are already dehydrated. Its important to drink plenty of water each day, plain spring or filtered water is best and herbal teas also count towards your daily intake. Caffeinated and sugary drinks are usually diuretics and actually dehydrate you further and so don’t count towards your water in take for the day.

The body removes most of its toxins through urine and sweat, if you are well hyrated you’ll be able to release these toxins quickly.

2. Exercising

Often exercise is overlooked,but it is one of the key ways that the body can use to remove impurities and toxins from the body. Exercise, as long as you are healthy and it has been approved by your Doctor, should be part of every one’s cleansing routine. You don’t need to do anything overly vigorous and even physical activity or a brisk walk can help. Ideally you want to start sweating so the body can ‘throw out’ toxins through your sweat.

If you are doing a juice or water fast exercise may not be recommended.

3. Eating Unprocessed and Organic Foods

Toxins accumulate in our bodies for various reasons, but one of main causes is eating processed or poor quality foods. Additives and preservatives are added to many of the foods we eat and many of the grains we consume have been refined and processed removing the goodness from them. Try to choose the whole grain alternatives like brown rice and quinoa. A cleanse will help remove any toxins that have been building up and restore your nutritional balance.

Try to eat a natural, raw diet that contains only organic and high quality natural food and consume foods that are as close to nature as possible. If you can’t afford to go completely organic ensure you wash fresh fruits and vegetables carefully to remove any chemical residue.

With all natural ingredients, you are taking a break from the chemical and additive ridden foods currently on the market today.

4.Water Fasting

Done well a water fast can be a good way to detox your body, although many people find it too extreme to continue for long periods of time. On average, a fast can last three to five days.  Any longer should be under the guide of a trained medical professional, as you it could put your health at risk.

5. Relaxation Techniques

We are more stressed and live busier lives than ever before, this stress impacts the body and can affect health. Take time to relax the body and reduce stress levels. Even something simple like a warm bath or reading a book for 20 minutes can help. If possible go to a Yoga class or start meditating and ensure you get fresh air each and every day.