Detox for weight loss

Are you one of those people who have tried everything to lose weight but it just won’t budge?

Sometimes your body holds on to that fat for a reason – your organs may need some TLC before it is able to rid the body of excess fat.

The state of your digestive system may be preventing you from absorbing the required nutrients for optimal health and weight loss. For these reasons and many more, a thorough detoxification program is recommended for anyone who struggles to lose weight, even when they eat a balanced and wholesome diet.

The digestive tract

Our digestive tract is constantly exposed to an enormous amount of toxins and pathogens. The digestive tract is the first point of contact when we ingest something and acts as a barrier to undesirables – so a healthy gut is so important when it comes to detoxification. Our bodies produce enzymes that carry out their own detoxification routines in the digestive system. Through bad diet and lifestyle choices, the amount of these enzymes are decreased and the lining of our gut wall no longer serves as a strong barrier, leaving our liver and immune system to pick up the slack and, eventually, disease prevails.

Important: When we have an unhealthy digestive tract, we don’t absorb nutrients as well as we need to, which can lower our metabolism and will in turn cause weight gain.

The liver

When your liver isn’t functioning correctly, the elimination of fats, toxins and heavy metals is compromised.  

The liver requires many nutrients to carry out detoxification effectively. These nutrients include protein, B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and it is for this reason that a healthy, wholesome and clean diet is needed during a detox. Fasting for long periods of time is not advisable, as the body requires food for fuel as well as these vital nutrients in order to detoxify the body.

Important: If your liver cannot metabolize fats properly, weight gain will usually occur, especially around the abdominal region.

The kidneys

Support kidney health is a vital part of any detoxification program. The kidneys are key organs responsible for blood filtration and the elimination of drugs and their metabolites as well as maintaining healthy pH levels within the blood and urine.

A common diet today contains very acidic foods, as we are surrounded by sugary fast food, alcohol and bad lifestyle choices. When our pH is thrown out of balance, it can cause cellular dysfunction and impair our ability to detoxify.

As well as helping us maintain our pH levels, the kidneys are an elimination organ and help us excrete chemicals and other toxic substances through urination.

Drink plenty of water throughout your detox to aid the kidneys in doing their job effectively.

Important: If your kidneys are not functioning properly, a build-up of fluid can occur and prevent weight loss, and even cause weight gain.

Stress & fatigue

It is becoming more apparent to us that stress and fatigue can cause weight gain. When our bodies experience stress, it reacts by releasing hormones such as cortisol. This is called the ‘fight or flight’ response. It is our body’s way of preparing us for danger. Cave men didn’t have full-time jobs, meetings, deadlines or financial worries. Instead, they had predators who wanted to devour them. This rise in hormones allowed them to either fight off their predator or run for their lives. After the danger had been averted, hormone levels would normalize. 

Today, our stress is a different type of stress, but our hormonal reactions remain the same.

When this hormonal response is triggered, cortisol and other hormones break down fat into energy you need for a getaway or to fight off a predator. After the threat is dealt with, the fat is stored once more, usually in your abdominal region and appetite is increased to replace the energy lost during the stress.

Important: The appetite that follows usually comes in the form of cravings for sugary or fatty foods.

Which foods can help us to Detox our liver

Foods for your liver are essential to keeping your body's powerhouse—your liver—functioning optimally. A healthy liver plays a key role in relieving digestive issues, such as a sluggish metabolism, gas, bloating, and constipation. It regulates blood sugar levels, which—when out of balance—can cause sugar cravings, fatigue, and fuzzy thinking.

A toxic liver can lead to inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and autoimmune diseases. Without a healthy liver, you may suffer from hormonal imbalances that can cause headaches, mood swings, and depression. It's time to nurture this amazing organ!

Crucifer foods include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.

Dark Leafy Greens - Kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are powerful brassica vegetables.

Sprouted Seeds, Nuts, Beans, and Grains - The energy contained in a seed, grain, nut, or legume.

Sulfur-Rich Foods - Garlic—One of the oldest land-based medicinal foods on the planet, garlic contains an active sulfur-based compound called allicin, a critical supporter of liver detoxification. Onions, shallots, and leeks too.

Eggs.

Fruits - Berries—Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries are among nature's superfoods because they contain phytochemicals—antioxidant-rich plant. Apples.

Prebiotic-Rich Foods- Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that feed your beneficial gut flora, known as probiotics. Prebiotics are found in asparagus, leeks, cruciferous vegetables, and several root vegetables—burdock, chicory, dandelion, beets, and Jerusalem artichoke (pictured above).

Healthy Fats - seeds, avocado, coconut oil, cold-pressed olive oil.

Herbs – ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon.

Animal proteins - Meat—Eat only clean, grass-fed land animals

Fish

Vegetable proteins - beans, grains, nuts, and certain green vegetables, which have less cholesterol and fat than meat .

AND 

Water

After oxygen, your body needs water more than any other substance, including food, just to survive. Because water flushes toxins and waste products from your body, you feel more energized and alert when your body is fully hydrated (which most of us usually aren't!). Usually eight to 10 8-ounce glasses will do the trick. Just don't overdo it—too much water can be harmful, too.

One Day Detox

I recommend every week One Day Detox

How can you do a one day Detoxification?

You choose one day of the week, where you rely only on healthy and light food. It is actually sort of semi-fasting with juices. It does not mean you have to starve. The goal is, to satisfy and nourish your stomach with a healthy and fresh diet, giving it a rest from the not so healthy menu.

You then repeat the detox day every week over a few months. It does not really matter which day (working or not working), as long as you can stick to the detox diet.

I found this the most convenient day Monday. One reason for that is that the local food store stocks up always on Monday with fresh food. That means you get fresh vegetables. They do fill up some other days too, but that can vary.

Your one day detox diet should consist of only:

Fresh fruits and fruit juices.

Fresh raw vegetables and vegetable juices.

Herbal and fruit teas.

Low fat yogurt.

Water and Green Tea.

What kind of food do you have to avoid? No bread, no meat, no fat, no sweets, no coffee and no alcohol.

Cucumber, basil and lime juice - Serves one.

 

Ingredients:

1 handful of basil leaves;

1 cucumber, cut in half lengthwise;

½ lime, zest and pith removed;

1 apple, cut into wedges;

Method

Starting with the basil, juice everything into a glass. Alternatively, you can chop all the ingredients and pop them into a powerful blender with 120ml of water, then pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass. Give it a stir and drink immediately.

Good luck!