In the previous article, we looked at the potential benefits of following a detox strategy.
In this article, we will look at the strategy you will need to adopt when you decide on a detox program.
Let’s rephrase that.
In this article, we will look at a basic strategy you could adopt once you have decided on a detox program.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this series is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, neither is it to be construed as such. It does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment where required. Consult a doctor for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Bear in mind, too, that any products recommended throughout this site have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. You must, therefore, take responsibility by doing your own research and discussing things with your healthcare provider.
If you ever intend to do detoxification, do discuss and clear it with your healthcare provider.
An overview of strategy
The typical approach to strategy involves seeking answers to three basic questions:
- where am I now?
- where do I want to go?
- how will I get there?
If you are a student of business, you have may have come across this approach to a topic such as strategic management.
Let’s look at how you might apply this basic structure to your program.
The First Step: Preparation
There are other questions that you might wish to explore around these basic questions, such as
- what is my current physical and/or medical condition?
- what type of detox do I want to do (full body, partial, electronic)?
- do I have the time?
- if I don’t have the time, can I make it?
- with whom do I need to share my plan (apart from my healthcare provider, such as family members or other support networks)?
- how much will this cost (if you intend to spend money)?
- what benefits will I gain?
- what is the price I will pay for not doing it?
If you are following a nutrition coaching program and this is not explicitly included, you may wish to discuss your plans with your coach, along with your healthcare provider.
A good nutrition program will have this aspect embedded within it, although it may not be referred to as “detoxification”.
While it pays to be meticulous in your planning, over-analyzing might not be helpful. You will never get the program off the ground.
Mental preparation
Some people prepare themselves for this process by performing yoga exercises several days before beginning it. For such people, this process not only helps clear the mind, it benefits the body as well.
Yoga may not be your thing. However, there is one process you may find beneficial. It is referred to as Sitting Still Doing Nothing (SSDN).
This can be done in the typical lotus position, or sitting on a chair.
It is not as easy as it sounds, though.
Bear in mind, that as an individual, it is best to have a preparation process that you are comfortable with.
The Second Step: Detoxification
Doing a partial detox
Let’s start with doing a partial detox. Suppose you are addicted to sugar. You have come across articles on the Web or read books, for example, that encourage you to throw it all out.
However, you might not be ready to go cold turkey or deal with possible sugar-withdrawal symptoms.
Why not try going without it for 12 hours? That way, you build your confidence, and you can then extend it to
24 hours…
a couple of days…
…then three days, then…
a week…
…two weeks..?
This is one great way to build your willpower. Start small.
Once you have built up that willpower, it will not become a hurdle when you decide you want to treat yourself.
A partial detox strategy might be eliminating a food you like but are having some difficulties with, such as a food allergy or intolerance.
Doing a full body detox
Going through this step will require a good deal of preparation, particularly if you are combining approaches such as fasting and, say, colonic irrigation.
Even if you are not going through with colonic irrigation, if you do intend to go through with a full body detox, you will need to consider a holistic approach.
This approach would target the skin, lungs, kidneys and bladder, liver, and the colon.
If you are on a limited income like many of us, you may wish to put enough money aside for specific foods, dietary supplements and/or equipment and accessories.
Depending on your level of determination, this may take some time, so plan for it.
By the way, what are your thoughts when you look at some of these foods and dietary supplements?
Some of them have rather exotic names you may never have heard of?
Especially if you are on a limited income and you want to do more than just fasting?
It is important, therefore, to do sufficient research so that you are getting value for money.
While this does require you to be sensible, on the one hand, it does not necessarily give you permission to be a cheapskate, however.
Balance…it’s all about finding balance.
Let’s have a look at some of these foods and supplements.
Foods to consider including
- cold-pressed healthy fats: flax seed, olive oil, coconut oil
- vegetables: raw, cooked, blended/pureed, soups. Examples are celery, cucumbers, kale, parsley, wheat grass, barley, spinach, garlic, carrots, other green vegetables
- organic fruit: apples, pears, watermelon, black grapes
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Seek out foods that will (eventually) work for you and that you can afford.
As for supplementation:
Personal note: these are the ones I use.
- intestinal tract: Organic India natural/organic psyllium capsules: preferred to powder as it comes measured
- liver: milk thistle (NOW [no soy] or Puritans Pride [has soy lecithin])
- other supplements: a good multivitamin (Solgar VM2000)
If I do too much psyllium powder (from a very popular brand as seen on TV) and don’t drink enough water, my throat goes into spasms within an hour or so.
Therefore, while I prefer capsules, if I am out of them, and I have to do psyllium powder, no more than once a week. I focus then on eating more fruit and vegetables.
Important note: timing is everything when taking dietary supplements during a detox protocol. Speak with your healthcare provider, nutritionist, and/or nutrition coach, about how you would make this personal to you.
Especially if you are on medications.
For herbal teas, I do
- peppermint, sometimes combined with green tea, or ginger root
- ginger with tumeric
- plain black tea with half-a-lemon
To help with digestion, I sometimes use sodium bicarbonate as is or mixed in a glass of water. Or an apple that has been pre-soaked in sodium bicarbonate for at least 15 minutes.
Note: do not attempt if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition which requires you to monitor your sodium intake. You may consider having an apple instead. As always, talk with your doctor.
The Third Step: Finishing Up
Some people refer to this step as the “exit” stage. Daniel Reid (2006) calls it the “retox” stage”. As with the beginning part of the strategy, you must plan for this as well.
As with the detox stage, timing is everything if you are taking dietary supplements during the exit/retox stage.
It is important that you do not rush this stage, unless it is a matter of life and death (in which case, stop and call 9-1-1). If you have planned for three days, do not stop at two. Or if you have planned for 24 hours, do not stop at 12.
If you stop short of completing the process, you WILL feel guilty at short-changing yourself and robbing yourself of that sense of achievement.
Most likely, too, you will reinforce your beliefs about not having any willpower.
Conclusion
Personal note: much of what I am sharing in this series is based on research and practical application as a Qigong practitioner. Besides this, I am an ISSA-qualified Master Trainer, as well as a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach.
You are, therefore, not obliged to accept anything shared here as they are my opinions (pronoun “we” aside).
I am documenting my own process, so I will return to updating this article at some point.
That said, by the late Dr. Fred Hatfield’s Law of Individual Differences, what works for me may not work for you. It is important, therefore, that you:
- work with a professional to find a system that works for you
- start small
- keep the benefits in mind
- relax and enjoy the process.
Well, that last one might need explaining.
Relaxation usually includes light exercise and meditation. You also need to ensure that you are not going to be disturbed, even if it is for 24 hours.
Much of what you learn about your body will come through trial and error. Do not beat yourself up if you make a mistake. Learn from it.
To a better, wiser, stronger – YOU!
PS: One additional benefit that we forgot to mention in the previous article. If you can persist with a health promotion strategy, in the long term, you will become the expert on your own body.
You can then view your healthcare provider, not so much as the ultimate source of authority, but more of a willing partner who wants to see you well.
This may very well be the answer to the question: is there such a thing as the perfect detox strategy?
In the next article, we will look at what to expect when doing a detox, particularly if you are doing this for the first time.
Sources:
Reid, Daniel (2006). The Tao of Detox: The Secrets of Yang-Sheng Dao. A Practical Guide to Preventing and Treating the Toxic Assault on Our Bodies. US: Healing Arts Press (Inner Traditions International).