Body Tune-Up: Detox, Colon Cleanse, Juice Fast, and Diet
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Body Tune-Up: Detox, Colon Cleanse, Juice Fast, and Diet Internal Detox This digestive system detox is suited for first-timers, as a pre-cleanse before a fast, for people with mild digestive symptoms, or as a general preventative measure. This duration of this detox is usually two to three weeks. Detox agents 1. Activated charcoal Activated charcoal binds intestinal toxins and unfriendly microbial growth and excretes them in the stools. 500-600 mg three times per day 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and medication 2. Bentonite clay If activated charcoal is unavailable, bentonite clay can be used. Bentonite is a type of edible clay that acts as a bulk laxative by absorbing water to form a gel. It binds toxins such as pesticides and helps to carry them out of the colon. Bentonite clay can be found at the health food store. Bentonite intake should be reduced and timed away from medication intake as it may interfere with absorption. 1 tablespoon liquid bentonite 2-3 times per day 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and medication 3. Psyllium Psyllium is a dietary fiber that supports normal bowel function. It cleanses the mucus lining of the intestines and increases the bulk of the stools. Psyllium absorbs water and expand in the colon, allowing toxins and mucus to be removed. Take with activated charcoal or if using bentonite, stir it into the psyllium water. 1 teaspoon psyllium powder three times per day. Stir psyllium into 8 oz water and drink immediately 4. Flax seeds Flax seeds also absorb water and expand in the colon, allowing toxins and mucus to be removed. In addition, flax seeds have been found to lower cholesterol levels. ● Take one tablespoon of liquid bentonite and one to two teaspoons of ground flaxseeds or psyllium in a glass of water first thing in the morning (wait at least 1/2 hour before eating) and before bed. Liquids ● Adequate fluids are essential when taking psyllium, activated charcoal, or bentonite clay. Drink 8-12 glasses per day. When calculating total fluid intake per day, be sure to include intake of herbal tea and alkaline broth. ● Squeeze a wedge or 1/4 lemon into warm water and drink immediately after rising in the morning, before having the bentonite clay and flaxseed drink. ● Vegetable broth contains minerals that are necessary for tissue cleansing. Drink 2 cups per day. Probiotics The digestive tract maintains a balance between healthy and potentially harmful micro-organisms. Probiotics, the supplement form of healthy micro-organisms, have been used for many years to increase the proportion of protective bacteria and for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions. The most common strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus acidophilus for the small intestine and Bifidobacterium bifidum for the large intestine. Look for a combination of the two strains. Each capsule or dose should contain more than 1 billion viable bacteria. The minimum therapeutic dose is suggested to be 108-109 cells per day. More bacteria per capsule or dose is preferable, since the bacteria must survive during shelf life and then after ingestion, during transit through the acidic conditions of the stomach and hydrolytic enzymes and bile salts in the small intestine. Probiotics should always be refrigerated before and after opening. Continue taking probiotics for several weeks after the cleansing period is over. 1 capsule three times per day Coffee Enemas Enemas are quick ways to remove toxins from the colon and body. A coffee enema is believed to detoxify the liver by rapidly emptying the colon, enhancing liver detoxification, and increasing the flow of bile and the elimination of toxins through bile. Some people claim that it provides immediate relief to toxicity symptoms, such as congestion, indigestion, pain and headaches. Coffee enemas should only be performed under supervision by a holistic medical doctor, naturopathic physician, or herbalist. Ingredients: • 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh ground organic coffee (light roast) • 4 cups distilled water • glass or enamel pot (do not use teflon, aluminum or iron) • fine sieve • enema bag with rubber or plastic tubing and a fountain syringe applicator • small amount of olive oil Instructions: 1. Using the amounts specified above in the pot, bring the coffee to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes then simmer for 15 minutes. Strain using a very fine sieve. Allow this liquid to cool to body temperature (98.6 F). It should feel comfortable to the touch. 2. Pour this liquid into the enema bag, clamping the tube as you pour. Lubricate the nozzle with the olive oil. 3. Hang the enema bag between 1 1/2 to 2 feet above the floor in the bathroom. The higher the bag, the faster the speed of intake into the colon. 4. Place a large towel on the floor. Lie on your right side, with your legs curled into your abdomen. An alternate position is lying on your back with a pillow under your buttocks. 5. Take deep breaths and slowly insert the nozzle several inches into the rectum. If it is inserted too quickly it may bend or become kinked inside the colon. A gentle rotating motion can be used to insert. Move the enema bag higher or lower to adjust the flow of the solution into the colon. 6. Retain the solution for about 10 to 12 minutes. To encourage the solution to reach all parts of the colon, you can lie on your left side for 3 minutes, your back for 3 minutes and your right side for 3 minutes. You may hear or feel a squirting of fluid below your right rib cage. Many people believe that this is sensation is due to the release of toxin-laden bile. 7. Empty the bowel carefully. The enema syringe should be sterilized after each use. It can be boiled or washed thoroughly with soap and water, then soaked in a solution of 4 drops grapefruit seed extract and 2 cups water. Troubleshooting ● You may not be able to hold all the fluid in with one enema. In this case, the procedure can be repeated two or more times in sequence, making sure to empty the bowel in between. ● If you have cramping, the solution is flowing too quickly. Pinch the enema tube to stop the flow and lower the bag. Do not continue until the cramps have subsided. ● If the solution is flowing evenly, the enema tube may be bent or kinked. Slowly and gently pull it partly out and then insert it again several inches. Side Effects and Adverse Reactions If you start to feel sick during the enema, or become dizzy, nauseous or faint, stop the enema. People with gallstones should not try a coffee enema. External Detox Contrast shower The contrast between hot and cold water increases circulation, promotes detoxification and strengthens the immune system. This helps bring nutrients, oxygen and immune cells to damaged and stressed tissues and carries away metabolic waste, inflammatory by-products and other toxic substances. Instructions: 1. Start with three minutes of hot water followed by less than one minute of cold water. 2. Repeat this pattern at least once, always finishing with cold (e.g. 3 minutes hot - 1 minute cold - 3 minutes hot - 1 minute cold). Sauna Many cultures use sauna cleansing as a regular part of detoxification and cleansing. It is a powerful method of eliminating environmental chemicals that are stored in fat cells. Instructions: 1. Find a dry heat sauna that has not been treated with toxic chemicals. 2. You should not be hungry, have just eaten, or feel weak. 3. Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes. Cardiovascular exercise, such as running or using a treadmill or exercise bicycle, is necessary to stimulate the circulation of blood and lymph to the deep tissues. 4. The recommended length of time in the sauna varies according to the condition. Sittings of about 15 minutes at a time are recommended in a low temperature sauna. In advanced sauna cleanses, up to 45 minutes at a time are recommended, but it is essential that the sauna be low temperature and the person stays hydrated with water and minerals. Heavy sweating after 10 to 15 minutes is a sign that the sauna is too warm. 5. In order to increase circulation and mobilize chemicals from fat tissue, niacin supplements are sometimes recommended for 2 to 3 weeks with daily sauna therapy. A health care practitioner should be consulted to ensure the safety and efficacy of the detox. Skin brushing Skin brushing facilitates skin cleansing by stimulating the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins through the skin. Approximately 10% of body elimination occurs through the skin, working in conjuction with other organs of elimination such as the colon, kidneys, and lungs. If one of these organs is stressed and not eliminating waste products efficiently, a greater burden may be placed on the remaining organs. This is why people with chronic constipation often have skin conditions such as acne. Skin cleansing is essential for eliminating pesticides and other drugs and environmental chemicals. It also improves blood circulation throughout the body and removes dead skin cells and debris that clog pores Instructions: 1. Buy a natural, not synthetic, bristle brush, since it does not scratch the surface of the skin. 2. Buy a brush with a long handle, so that you're able to get to the areas of your body, that are not easy to reach, when doing your own skin brushing. 3. Skin brush, before showering or bathing, at least once per day, and twice, if possible. 4. Do not wet skin, since it will not have the same effect, because this stretches the skin.