Detox

Have you ever thought about detox? You probably think you don’t need it.

“I don’t put toxins in my body”, is what you most likely are saying. Let’s find out.

Do you eat sugar? How about chocolate? Do you drink alcohol? What about coffee? They are all toxins (yes, even decaf coffee).

If you want effective detox, all you have to do is take a magic pill. You can get these pills from several different places, including Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and honest politicians.

If you can’t find any of those, then you’ll have to go a different route.
Here is that route.

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Nutrients and Support for Detox
The liver requires certain nutrients for detox. In addition, increasing the flow of bile is an important part of detox because bile carries stored fat-soluble toxins away from the liver to be excreted in the stools.
Signs of poor bile flow include constipation aggravated by fiber supplements, flatulence, dry skin and hair, indigestion 1-2 hours after eating, indigestion after fatty foods and small, hard stools.

Multivitamin
Choose a high-potency multivitamin with selenium, molybdenum, and zinc.
Choline and Methionine
Known as lipotropic factors, the supplements choline and methionine help to regulate fat metabolism and increase bile flow.
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports detox.
Milk Thistle
This herb has many positive effects on the liver. It is an antioxidant, assists in liver cell regeneration, and is used after exposure to chemical and industrial pollutants or adverse effects from excess alcohol or fat
consumption.
Artichokes
Contains plant compounds known as caffeoylquinic acids, which increase the flow of bile and help to digest fats.
Beets
Beets contain betaine, which promotes the regeneration of liver cells and the flow of bile. It also has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism.
Broccoli
Broccoli and other members of the brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kholrabi) support the liver's detoxification enzymes.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Food sources of vitamin C and glutathione, which are essential for detox.
Protein
Protein is required by the liver for detox. Beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, protein powder. Some people may choose to eat fish in moderation.
Onions and Garlic
Rich in sulfur-containing compounds. Involved in sulfation, the main detox pathway for environmental chemicals and certain drugs and food additives. Helps with the elimination of harmful heavy metals from the body.
Dandelion Root
Increases the flow of bile. Can be taken as a tea.

List of Foods to Avoid
1) Sugar
Refined sugar and mixtures containing refined sugar, including sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, turbinado. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
2) Dairy Products
Milk, butter and other dairy products.
3) Wheat
Wheat and products containing wheat.
4) Gluten
All gluten-containing grains, including barley, rye, spelt and kamut. Some people are sensitive to gluten, a protein fragment in these grains.
5) Caffeine
Coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, black tea, and other drinks containing caffeine should be reduced. Green tea is a great substitute to regular coffee.
6) Other Foods to Avoid
Yeast
Alcohol
Food additives and preservatives
Chocolate
High-Fat Foods

List of Allowed Foods
1) Fresh Fruit
All fresh fruit.
2) Fresh Vegetables
All fresh vegetables. Great detox foods include broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables.
3) Rice
Brown or basmati rice, rice cakes, rice crackers and rice pasta.
4) Other Grains
Quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat can be used instead of rice. They can be purchased at a health food store.
5) Beans
Split yellow and green peas and lentils are easiest to digest and require the least soaking time. Other acceptable legumes include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans.
6) Nuts and Seeds
Unsalted nuts, seeds and nut butters can be sprinkled over any meal. Includes flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Avoid peanuts.
7) Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil
8) Condiments
Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, naturally fermented soy sauce or tamari, any culinary herbs or spices, limited amounts of honey.
9) Herbal Tea
Herbal non-caffeinated teas, green tea.
10) Other Beverages
Water, lemon water, 100% natural fruit and vegetable juices, rice milk
11) Daily Detox Must Do's
Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, warm or room temperature. Water is essential to clear waste from the blood. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.
Do not drink liquids around mealtime.
Dilute fruit juice with 50% water.
Take the time to chew food well, especially grains.

Which Colon Cleanse Products Actually Work?
In order to answer that question we conducted a multi-stage research study designed to discover which colon cleanse products give people the best chance to eliminate toxins, cleanse their vital organs, and lose weight. Now, based on this research we found that there is no one product that works 100% of the time in every single person. With that said, we also found that certain colon cleanse products tend to work better and more often than others.
Those are the colon cleanse products we've listed here. What follows is a comprehensive list of what we think are 3 of the best herbal colon cleanse treatments currently available. These are the products that have consistently produced positive results over time.
Top 3 Colon Cleanse Products
1
Bowtrol
2
Enuvia
3
Dual Action Cleanse

We ranked these colon cleanse products based on a number of criteria developed throughout the study. More emphasis was given to things like effectiveness, how long the results lasted, how quickly results were seen, safety, and customer satisfaction. In addition, many people indicated that the quality and reliability of the company offering the colon cleanse product was important. So, we also figured into the rankings factors such as company history and reputation, shipping costs, customer service, and guarantee.
Also, it's important to remember a couple of things, regardless of which colon cleanse product you choose. First be sure to follow the directions included with the package as far as how and when to take the product. Second, be certain to use the product for at least 6 months. Despite what others may say, there is no "quick fix" for toxin elimination and weight loss. Although we all want to transform our bodies instantly, we know that lasting change takes time. Colon Cleanse products are no different.

SOURCE: Cathy Wong, ND, CNS, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and certified nutrition specialist with the American College of Nutrition. And like all of my writers, a babe!