HOW TO DO A BODY CLEANSE OR FAST

by All Diets Review Staff

A total body cleanse serves many health purposes including weight loss, detox, colon cleansing and disease improvement. There are several types of cleanses. Each type will produce a different result. Always discuss doing a body cleanse first with your doctor.

Here are the 3 most popular body detox cleanses:

FRUIT & VEGETABLES

A 7 day fresh fruit and vegetable cleanse is typically associated with a vegan lifestyle, but it is very useful to everyone. If you are looking for a healthy body cleanse this is a good choice.

To do the cleanse you should purchase fresh (organic if possible) fruit and high nutrient vegetables. The best vegetables for the cleanse are bulky, high fiber and in the cruciferous or allium family. These include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, scallions and garlic.

Have plenty of non-starchy raw vegetables on hand including carrots, celery, mushrooms, snow peas, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and leafy greens. Keep plenty of room temperature or slightly chilled purified or mineral water on hand for sipping.

HOW TO: The typical fruit and vegetable detox protocol is to eat 1-2 cups of raw or lightly steamed vegetables plus 1 serving of fruit every 2 waking hours. Shower 2-3 times per day to wash toxins from the skin. Your bath or shower water should be as very warm to encourage increased perspiration and shed toxins.

JUICE FASTS

When people think of fasts they most often think of juicing and juice fasts. For best results buy a high grade juicer plus organic fresh vegetables and fruits and make the juices yourself. You’ll get the most detox flush benefit with juices that are vegetable based. Add small amounts of fruit for taste and sweetness. Use spices liberally particularly hot peppers like cayenne.

To prepare for a 3 day juice fast make or buy 6 quarts of detoxification vegetable juice. V-8 type juices are mostly tomatoes and you won’t reap the detox fasting benefits.

If you do not have a juicer you can make detox vegetable broth yourself. Chop a variety of non-starchy vegetables including leafy greens, onions and garlic until you have 8 cups. Cook in a stockpot with 12 cups (36 oz) of vegetable broth from the grocery store. Cook until the vegetables are barely tender then add 1 bag of raw spinach or shredded cabbage slaw and cook 5 additional minutes. Add spices as desired. Cool to lukewarm then mix in a blender on HIGH until very smooth and has a vegetable juice consistency. Cool completely and refrigerate.

HOW TO: Sip an 8-12 oz glass of vegetable juice every 2 waking hours. Sip water or herbal tea between glasses if desired to quell hunger. Rest or take naps often over the 3 day period.

WATER FASTS

Therapeutic water fasting produces the strongest detoxification of all body cleanses. When you give your body a break from the digestive process it will focus its energy on tissue repair and detoxification. Water fasts are very strenuous on the body as toxins are purged. Plan a quiet weekend and allow for plenty of rest. The more you rest or nap the better the overall result. Sleep is when our bodies restore themselves and much rest is needed during water fasting.

HOW TO: Sip an 8 oz glass of water every waking hour. You will be hungry the first day but hunger usually lessens on the second and third day. As part of the detox process you may experience headaches, skin acne and fatigue. Sleep often or do a quiet activity like reading, needlework, jigsaw puzzles or watch a favorite TV program. 48 hour water fasts are popular but many people extend their fast to 3 days and up to 10 days.

FINAL NOTES

Do not do any fast if you are diabetic or have kidney or liver disease. Do not eat fats, starch or protein during a body detox cleanse. You may use herbs and spices if desired. Sip herbal detox teas like Smooth Move for constipation and to aid bowel function.

Shower often when doing any type of dietary fast. Your body is ridding toxins through skin pores and they should be washed away. Use minimal body lotion and antiperspirants. Be sure to nap or rest often and don't plan any activities for the weekend of your fast.

To properly end a fast you will want to gradually add small portions of vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Later add small portions of low fat dairy. Use healthy fats like olive oil and avocado oil with small amounts of protein.