Natural body cleansing

DETOXIFYING supplements are a dime a dozen on the market, and with more people eager to ditch their unhealthy eating habits, cleanse essential organs such as the liver, and give their sluggish digestive system a nudge, more people are exploring these pharmaceutical options.But nutritionist and dietitian Jenelle Solomon argues that ridding the body of harmful chemicals and averting future toxic build-up does not require all these artificial agents. In fact, as the most effective detoxifying agents, she prescribes fasting — an elimination of solid foods from the diet — or a list of certain familiar foods.“One of the primary ways to cleanse is to abstain from foods and sometimes juices. During fasting there is an increase in the amount of energy available for the elimination process due to an absence of large amounts of food requiring digestion and assimilation, both of which require energy,” Solomon shared.She explained that during fasting the body is able to redirect this energy towards the elimination of the obstruction to the vital force in the form of toxic waste. The type of fast performed determines to a large extent the rate of elimination achieved.“With fasting, you are allowed to control the elimination process required, so with the guidance of a nutritionist one can know the dynamics of the body, what they need to achieve, the type of fast which the body can accommodate, or how one can interchange between a fast and a diet rich in foods that will not only detoxify the body but will also continue to supply it with adequate nutrients,” Solomon stressed.Below is the order of fasts in terms of elimination power:1. Water fasts — this is the strictest type of fast, where water is had when desired.2. Citrus juice fasts3. Sub-acid fruit juice fast4. Vegetable juice fast. In terms of specific foods that you may want to include in your dietary cleanse, Solomon listed: 1. GarlicOne of the most popular antioxidants, garlic is known for its efforts in ridding the body of harmful bacteria, intestinal parasites and viruses from the body, specifically the blood and intestines. Its antioxidant properties are also very effective in balancing the toxic build-up in the bloodstream brought on by acidic foods. Additionally, garlic can contribute to cleansing the entire respiratory tract. 2. Green leafy vegetablesGreen leafy vegetables such as celery, callaloo, kale and cabbage can all contribute to the detoxifying efforts. Whether you choose to have a natural pressed juice or have them as a meal (preferably raw) or with minimal heat, these foods generally contain many anti-acid and anti-cancer compounds. These foods actually help to eliminate cancer-forming elements from the bloodstream and body.Cabbage, kale and celery also help the body to fight the ravages of one lifestyle practice — smoking. They have been found to detoxify the body of many substances found in cigarettes. While all green leafy vegetables also contribute to balancing and neutralising harmful agents throughout the body and particularly in the digestive tract, cabbage has an additional super benefit: It contributes to the breakdown of excess hormones in the liver while increasing and strengthening the ability of the liver to detoxify the body. 3. Citrus: Grapefruit, lime and orangesWhether you are going to use citrus as part of a fast or add it to your cleansing diet, there are a number of benefits for the body. Citric acids are most popularly known in the cleansing process for the ability to flush the body of toxic chemicals while waking up the digestive tract by stimulating the enzymatic process. We are often encouraged to have a glass of lemon water, preferably in the mornings, to help with flushing waste and controlling organs such as the liver and kidneys.4. AvocadosThe avocado is a super food although it is perhaps one of the least recognised cleansing foods. Not only does it lower cholesterol levels, but it also distends blood vessels while blocking toxins which contribute to the destruction of the arteries. Avocados also contain high levels of glutathione, an antioxidant which wards off more than two dozen carcinogens, and which has also been known to detoxify artificial chemicals that build up in the liver.