Does the word DETOX conjure up images of coffee enemas, deprivation and starvation? It kinda does for me too!
Fear not! Detoxing does not have to be a dirty word. It can, in fact, be quite simple and is generally always beneficial when done in the right environment (and head-space).
Personally, I don’t much like the word because the reality is, our bodies are detoxing all the time. I much prefer to think of it as a break for my body – time to focus on eating well and getting plenty of rest – a ‘Reset’ if you will – the word I shall use forthwith…
A reset can in fact be as basic as cutting out a few things to give your body a bit of a break so it can get on with the job of repair and renew.
This may include:
- Sugar
- Alcohol (I’m doing ‘almost’ dry July…)
- Caffeine (mostly to avoid milk)
- Processed foods (including white bread – which I hope you don’t eat anyway – and pasta)
- Dairy (plain yoghurt is OK).
Why reset.
It can be one of the best ways to rapidly improve the state of your health, especially if you are showing signs of:
- Fatigue
- Poor skin
- Unhealthy bowel habits
- Susceptibility to infection
- Allergies
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- PMS
- Weight gain
Did you know? Research shows we now have 500 new chemicals in our bodies that our grandparents didn’t!
The nitty gritty.
How long for?
I generally recommend two weeks minimum. I currently run a two week express programme that includes supporting supplementation. Of course, the longer the better. In saying that, I will quite often do a mini-reset over the course of a weekend. I do this when I am craving salty or sweet things, just to re-jig my taste buds.
The reset programmes that I offer in the clinic are tailor made to suit your needs. If you have never tried this before, then we can start gently. Although… as many of you know, I often push you off the deep-end into a 6 week programme. It’s pretty straight forward and very gentle. I supply you with recipes, eating plans and targeted nutrients (with lots of support and encouragement thrown in).
So what happens in a reset?
The process involves supporting the digestion, liver and organs of elimination. During the six week protocol we:
- Remove – waste from the digestion
- Renew – digestive health
- Release – toxins from the liver
What to expect.
During the first few days you may encounter a headache, lethargy, low mood and/or a general feeling of ‘damn you Marnie Downer!‘ This is generally due to withdrawal from stimulants such as sugar and caffeine or can be the result of the release of toxins from fat cells before they are eliminated from the body. Usually these symptoms are short lived and most people notice a significant improvement in their energy levels and mood by around day 5 (can be longer or shorter). ‘Thank you Marnie Downer‘. You’re welcome!
For optimal results, try your best not to cheat.
To really help your body along and to get rid of toxins, drinking plenty of water (at least two litres per day) is essential. Your body will love you for it and if that is not incentive enough, being well hydrated will make your skin look younger and fresher. If you have trouble drinking water, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice to it.
If you would like to know more about optimising your health and getting the most out of every day, please don’t hesitate to get in touch OR come to our in-clinic event on the Tuesday 8th of August.
Yours in good health,
Marnie