Diet And Detox
Today we live at a pace that would have seemed unbelievable and
indeed impossible to our grandparents.
With the increasing demand of jobs, long travel, odd working
hours, bringing up children and hectic social lives. We tend to
become tired and rundown.
Besides our bodies are under constant assault from pollutions,
stress, bad posture, sedentary jobs and own bad eating habits.
Over a period of time, these effects build up and emerge in many
different forms-everything from passing infections, skin
eruptions, headaches & digestive problems to serious conditions,
such as ulcers, cancers and heart disease.
The more we overload over body, the more it sinks under the
strain. When we begin, detoxification-we give our bodies the
chance to repair and cleanse and restore a more balance state to
the entire system.
Detoxification shows up in number of ways. Besides achieving a
healthy weight, you can expect to have a clearer skin, healthy
looking hair, strong nails and more energy. Detox also has a
very calming effect on the mind, particularly if it is combined
with meditation. Above all this, it puts you on the right course
of long term health.
HOW IT WORKS?
Our bodies are completely complex organisms in a state of
constant growth and renewal on cellular level. When we pour
toxins into our bodies, it treats these as a matter of urgency
and works on processing them to render them harmless. This
leaves the body with less energy for everyday processes of
cleaning, healing and renewal. With increasing demands over a
period of time, the body is unable to keep up the pace and the
strain begins to show on the overworked liver and kidneys,
leading to slowing down of body's performance.
When we detox, two thing happen. First, we stop overloading the
body with harmful substances and secondly, we give it plenty of
the right nutrients to actually speed up the elimination of old
toxins and promote cell renewal.
As you rejuvenate the cells, become healthier and you look and
feel younger!
SUPER SCAVENGERS
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had clearly stated that
Vitamin A, C & E are vital for health. These vitamins, together
with mineral selenium are known as antioxidants.
They can protect us not only against minor infections but also
serious degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart diseases,
as well as conditions that come with premature ageing. They work
by acting as scavengers for free radicals.
We clearly need as many anti-oxidants as we can get! One of the
best place to find them is in fresh fruit and vegetables and
that is why these foods are vital for detoxification. Many
nutrients are destroyed by cooking and that is why raw food is
much more effective as a source of health and forms the core of
a healthy diet plan.
Raw food and fresh juices have remarkable cleansing and
regenerating effect on the entire system, as they retain all
their nutrients, which might get destroyed while processing and
cooking.
Juices, both fruit and vegetable are essential part of the whole
process. Besides they are easily assimilated by the body and
contain all the nutrients present in raw fruits and vegetables.
You can also choose from a wide range of delicious soups and
salads. Try to incorporate these eating habits into your daily
diet. You can eat as much as you want of the salad and soup
meals. Remember to snack on as much fruit as you want during the
day, as well as having at least two fresh juices daily, herb
teas and of course, lots of water.
The detox diet helps to cleanse your system! The plan begins
with a juice fast, which eliminates toxins at a very low level,
and then continues with a highly nutritious food that promotes
cellular renewal.
The diet might last for 2-4 weeks. By the fourth week you will
be on your way to establish a healthy diet for future. Below is
an example of what a detox diet, might look like to begin with:-
The first two days:-
Breakfast: Natural yogurt with seeds. Apple and carrot juice.
Mid Morning: Apple
Lunch: As much salad as you like made from any of the following
raw ingredients-cucumber, peppers, radishes, sprung onion, any
kind of salad leaves.
Mid afternoon: Apple
Supper: As much as fruit salad you like made from fresh fruits
with orange or apple juice as sweetener.
You might drink plenty of water and herb tea throughout the day.
NOTE: Do not begin on a detox diet without the prior permission
of your doctors if you are suffering from any health symptoms or
condition.
Article by Dr. U. Mahlothra (Nutritionist) and updated on 20th
December, 2001