As winter turns to thoughts of spring, many people are getting ready to stop hibernating, start enjoying the oudoors and want to eat healthier to prepare for summer. Many of my patients have been searching the internet for information on cleanses and detoxes, only to be left with more questions than when they started. Although there are some general guidelines to follow, no specific cleanse is suitable for all people, and you are not getting the greatest bang for your buck from the boxed cleanses sold in health food stores.

When starting a detox, you must first consider your present state of health, vitality, and what you want to accomplish. Detoxes are prescribed for many reasons:

• to rid your liver of toxins from prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco and pesticides
• to re-establish the healthy flora in your gut and improve bowel function (improves digestion and immune function)
• to create a “clean slate” in order to address underlying disease
• to palliate symptoms while addressing chronic disease
• to determine food sensitivities/allergens
• to decrease symptoms of environmental allergies
• the list goes on and on…

If you visit a naturopathic doctor, he/she will tailor the detox to suit your needs. In general, detoxes include some variation of the following:

• food restrictions
• organic whole foods
• supplements (often herbal tinctures, herbal teas, and fibre)
• hydrotherapy (hot and cold water therapy)
• infrared saunas
• mild exercise
• mindfulness or breathing exercises
• juicing
• lymphatic drainage
• again, the list goes on and on…

A general, non-specific detox usually lasts 5-10 days. Some of this time may include fasting or juicing, depending on your activity level and lifestyle. It is unwise to end the cleanse if you are still experiencing detox symptoms (see below), since it is a sign that your body is processing and eliminating toxins.

A common question among my patients is what to expect during the detox. Again, this varies from person to person, and depends on the length of cleansing and what your presenting health complaint is. In general, here is a guideline:

In the beginning stages:

• less energy/mild fatigue
• skin rash
• flu-like symptoms (mild muscle aches, nausea, headache)
• exacerbation of symptoms

In the later stages:

• feeling “lighter” and “less weighted”
• diminishing of symptoms felt before the detox was started (will vary from person to person)
• bowel regularity/less bloating
• less sinus congestion/fewer headaches
• weight loss
• increased energy

Who should not do a detox?

• Children and seniors
• Women who are pregnant (the detox is recommended at least 6 months prior to conception)
• Those who are acutely ill

During the detox, you should never feel hungry or unsatisfied. Your restricted diet or juicing protocol should provide adequate calories and nutrients for your daily activities. It is important for you to have daily bowel movements to eliminate toxins, otherwise they are reabsorbed and you will end up feeling worse than when you started.

When ending your detox, it is important to gently and slowly reintroduce foods and not immediately return to bad nutritional and lifestyle habits…your body will be overwhelmed.

Finally, a detox helps to erase bad eating habits and teaches how to make healthy and balanced nutrition choices as you learn what foods are good for your system and what foods aggravate.

Happy cleansing!