12 Ways to Prepare For a Detox Cleanse

By Dr. David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS

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A sad fact in today’s modern culture is that everyone’s body is toxic.
More than 80,000 hazardous chemicals pollute the air we breathe,
water we drink, food we eat, skin care we use, and household
cleaning products we disinfect with. We are flooded with these
contaminants and our bodies struggle to flush out the toxins.
Maximizing health in the 21st century requires periodic cleansing
cycles to help clear these toxins from our systems.

Researchers propose that the average person carries more than 700
known toxins in their body within all organ systems including blood,
skin, brain tissue, liver, fat tissue and digestive tract. Any one of
these toxins may increase the risk of developing chronic illness
and cancer.
12 Strategies to Get the Best Detox Cleanse Possible
Before you begin any cleansing fast or body detox to eliminate the
contaminants you’re carrying, here are 12 ways you can prepare to
get the most benefit from your cleansing strategy.

1. Get Your Mind Right:

Preparing your mind is the first and one of the best things you can do
before beginning a cleansing fast or detox. Cleanses can be difficult
as they generate both mental and emotional triggers which can be
challenging. Create a supportive environment by sharing your
intentions with family and friends and approach the fast with peace of
mind.
2. Eat Healthy Protein and Fats:
Eating a balanced diet loaded with healthy protein and fats is a great
way to regulate blood sugar levels and avoid a spike in stress
hormones during a detox. Prepare your body before a detox cleanse
by eating such foods as grass-fed beef and butter, organic poultry and
eggs, as well as olives and olive oil. Combining these fats and
proteins with a variety of vegetables and herbs will set you up for a
much more tolerable cleansing period.

3. Limit your Carbohydrate Intake:

Stabilizing your blood sugar during a detox cleanse is the best way to
avoid mood swings, cravings and stress and also to suppress your
appetite. Both simple and complex carbohydrates stimulate the
release of stress hormones and should be avoided. In order to
achieve a healthy and successful cleansing fast, prepare your body
by eating a low-carb diet for no less than 3 days before you begin your
detoxification regime.

4. Drink Fermented Beverages:

Fermented beverages are an awesome way to supplement a
cleansing fast with tools your body needs for detoxification. For
example, coconut water kefir is loaded with potassium, enzymes,
probiotics, and organic acids which stimulate immunity and assist the
body in flushing out toxins and waste and healing the gut walls with a
healthy balance of intestinal microflora.

5. Allow Additional Time to Sleep:

A successful detox cleanse will leave you feeling fatigued and
probably a little bit more moody as your body is focusing on cleansing
and healing. Through a cleanse, individuals can begin to feel
energized from the fast and may only be able to sleep up to 6 hours at
one time. Be sure to take a nap during the day if your schedule allows
or leave extra time in your night for receiving sufficient rest.
6. Hydrate with Plenty of Water:
Proper hydration is essential for a healthy cleanse. Drink at least half
your body weight of water in ounces throughout a detox. During the
summer months especially, drink a minimum of a gallon of purified
water. Drink only purified water such as water from a reverse osmosis
system. Add back in pink salt for added nutrients in the ratio of
approximately ¼ tsp per gallon.

7. Practice Dry Brushing Before You Shower:

Dry brushing is a strategy which stimulates the movement of lymphatic
fluid below your skin’s surface. Before you get into the shower, use a
light bristle brush and in a circular motion, brush your skin starting with
your toes and moving upwards towards your heart.

Then, start from the neck and brush down towards the heart making
sure to get all extremities. This gentle detox practice will remove dead
skin cells and help open up pores before your shower.

8. Stock Up on Organic Herbal Teas:

Real herbal teas are powerful superfoods containing phytonutrients
and antioxidants which promote a healthy cleansing fast. Herbal teas
utilize natural immune boosting ingredients such as peppermint,
dandelion, and licorice root which enhance the detoxification of the
body. Traditional Medicinals makes a variety of herbal teas. One
specific tea called “Smooth Move” acts as a laxative to clean the
bowels.

9. Avoid High Intensity Exercise:

High intensity exercise such high cardio training or heavy weight lifting
causes the body to produce stress hormones which a detox program
cannot manage. Instead, it is recommended to engage in low intensity
exercise throughout the cleansing fast. Look to participate in 30
minutes of yoga or walk around your neighborhood throughout your
detox cleanse.

10. Relax in the Sauna or Natural Sunlight:

Allowing your body to sweat during a cleanse enables your body to
detoxify from the inside out through opening up pores. Saunas allow
heat to penetrate deep into the skin’s layers and pull toxins to the
skin’s surface. If the sun is shining bright and the weather is nice,
sitting outside in the sun will not only allow your body to naturally soak
in natural vitamin D, but can help relax your mind, boost immunity, and
deep clean the toxins from your skin.

11. Invest in a Shower Filter:

You might assume that after you shower you are the cleanest that you
can be. However, tap water is contaminated with chlorine and other
environmental pollutants of which some are purposely added to our
public water supply. Investing in a shower filter is a strategic purchase
you can make to avoid unnecessarily contaminating your hair and skin
daily.

12. Get Rid of Waste Using Enemas:

Enemas are highly effective strategies are removing waste matter as
well as toxins from the colon. Flushing out the toxins in your colon
creates an environment for beneficial bacteria to flourish and stimulate
the health of your whole body. Try a wheatgrass juice enema, organic
coffee enema, or stick with a simple water enema to flush waste for
your colon.
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