Articles
Detox Days
Internal Spring Cleaning
By Diane M. Marty
Originally published in Body Sense magazine, Spring/Summer 2004.
Copyright 2004. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Spring marks a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and restoration. Buds burst from the soil. Birds build nests. Children rediscover the outdoors. And adults celebrate the season by cleaning and uncluttering their surroundings.
This year, along with tidying the garage, attic, and basement, consider freshening your internal system with a detox diet.
While detox diets may seem to be the latest trend, these eating plans actually parallel the natural patterns of our ancestors. Traditionally, the end of long, cold winters meant diminishing food supplies, while the balmy weather brought the year's first, fresh produce.
"Spring represents the best time of year for cleansing the body for many reasons," says Brenna Hatami, a Denver naturopath and yoga instructor. Lighter foods become available, milder weather entices more people outdoors, and the liver is at its most regenerative. All these conditions contribute to supporting a major lifestyle renovation. That's why Hatami chooses spring for her annual group detoxification program.
Discussing Detox
Unlike many other eating plans, weight loss is not a primary function of detoxing, although these diets do usually result in streamlined profiles. Rather, detox diets focus on regaining or maintaining physical and mental well-being.
"There are certainly many good reasons in our surroundings and routines to do a detoxification diet," Hatami says. Additives and hormones in foods, toxins in our environment, and over-the-counter medications all stress our systems.
"When we're young, our bodies can keep up with many excesses," says Elson M. Haas, M.D. and author of The Detox Diet. "Health problems often take 10, 20, or 30 years to develop." So, the physical problems we begin to have in our 40s, 50s, and 60s are from habits we developed 20 or 30 years before. Most people eventually realize they can't consume unlimited amounts of a highly-refined diet and continue to remain untouched by some medical repercussions.
Advocates of detox diets point to the many conditions -- both minor and major -- cured or relieved by these plans. Conditions Haas treats successfully with detox regimens include allergies, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In addition, he says detox diets can strengthen fragile immune systems.
"People with headaches, premenstrual syndrome, low energy, sinus and nasal congestion, poor digestion, and bad breath often notice improvement with a detox diet," says Cathy Wong of the alternative medicine guide at the About.com website.
"Joint pain, constipation, and weak hair tend to clear up with detox menus," Hatami says. Irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux disease, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, are also relieved.
"People with chronic diseases -- for instance, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even Type 2 diabetes -- will find that a detox diet is the least invasive and the most inexpensive way to correct these maladies," says Stephen Harrod Buhner, master herbalist, psychotherapist, and author of The Fasting Path. And anyone who has been exposed to PCBs can process this toxin out of their systems with a detox plan.
Have you ever completed a detox diet? Share your experience!
I myself have never competed a detox diet but I am up for the challenge and will let you know which one I decide to do and how it all goes.
Detox Days
Internal Spring Cleaning
By Diane M. Marty
Originally published in Body Sense magazine, Spring/Summer 2004.
Copyright 2004. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Spring marks a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and restoration. Buds burst from the soil. Birds build nests. Children rediscover the outdoors. And adults celebrate the season by cleaning and uncluttering their surroundings.
This year, along with tidying the garage, attic, and basement, consider freshening your internal system with a detox diet.
While detox diets may seem to be the latest trend, these eating plans actually parallel the natural patterns of our ancestors. Traditionally, the end of long, cold winters meant diminishing food supplies, while the balmy weather brought the year's first, fresh produce.
"Spring represents the best time of year for cleansing the body for many reasons," says Brenna Hatami, a Denver naturopath and yoga instructor. Lighter foods become available, milder weather entices more people outdoors, and the liver is at its most regenerative. All these conditions contribute to supporting a major lifestyle renovation. That's why Hatami chooses spring for her annual group detoxification program.
Discussing Detox
Unlike many other eating plans, weight loss is not a primary function of detoxing, although these diets do usually result in streamlined profiles. Rather, detox diets focus on regaining or maintaining physical and mental well-being.
"There are certainly many good reasons in our surroundings and routines to do a detoxification diet," Hatami says. Additives and hormones in foods, toxins in our environment, and over-the-counter medications all stress our systems.
"When we're young, our bodies can keep up with many excesses," says Elson M. Haas, M.D. and author of The Detox Diet. "Health problems often take 10, 20, or 30 years to develop." So, the physical problems we begin to have in our 40s, 50s, and 60s are from habits we developed 20 or 30 years before. Most people eventually realize they can't consume unlimited amounts of a highly-refined diet and continue to remain untouched by some medical repercussions.
Advocates of detox diets point to the many conditions -- both minor and major -- cured or relieved by these plans. Conditions Haas treats successfully with detox regimens include allergies, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In addition, he says detox diets can strengthen fragile immune systems.
"People with headaches, premenstrual syndrome, low energy, sinus and nasal congestion, poor digestion, and bad breath often notice improvement with a detox diet," says Cathy Wong of the alternative medicine guide at the About.com website.
"Joint pain, constipation, and weak hair tend to clear up with detox menus," Hatami says. Irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux disease, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, are also relieved.
"People with chronic diseases -- for instance, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even Type 2 diabetes -- will find that a detox diet is the least invasive and the most inexpensive way to correct these maladies," says Stephen Harrod Buhner, master herbalist, psychotherapist, and author of The Fasting Path. And anyone who has been exposed to PCBs can process this toxin out of their systems with a detox plan.
Have you ever completed a detox diet? Share your experience!
I myself have never competed a detox diet but I am up for the challenge and will let you know which one I decide to do and how it all goes.
RSS Feed
