Detoxification

How To Detox – Controlled Fasting The most commonly recommended method in Naturopathy is Controlled Fasting. In this program, a person is restricted from eating and drinking (except for pure water) for a specific period of time. Before this fast is undertaken, a thorough medical examination is needed to ensure that the person is fit enough for the process. The benefits of fasting are that it enables the body to rest from its usual metabolic activities and to eliminate stored toxic substances. Fat reserves are used to supply energy needs during the process. Fasting is certainly a very ancient remedy, known to have been used by many different people throughout the world. Plenty of rest is essential during a fast so that the body is not unduly stressed. If some chemical poisons, such as the pesticide DDT, commonly found in our food, get stored in the body fat, fasting may cause the blood level to rise to a degree that is harmful to the nervous system. Hence a fast must always be undertaken carefully in the case of known poisons. It is, of course, well known that going without food for a period of 24 hours is helpful in getting over a bout of diarrhoea and vomiting, by enabling the digestive system to rest and eliminate the causative bacteria. A short fast usually lasts for 3-5 days. It can be started after an initial medical check-up. During this period, you should avoid strenuous excercise. Bathe or shower in lukewarm water and take plenty of rest. Keep yourself warm with extra clothing and warm surroundings because during the fast, the body temperature drops and the metabolic rate too slows down. Longer periods of fasting are usually undertaken at a health clinic or a sanatorium so that the condition of the person can be closely monitored.

Take care while breaking a fast. It is important to make sure that small quantities of food are consumed in the beginning. Reintroduce the whole foods that you normally eat, gradually. A healthy whole food diet promotes continual natural detoxification. Naturopaths observe that detoxification improves all mental powers including memory and attention span, heightens the senses and infuses intellectual and emotional qualities with new vigour and meaning. On a purely practical level, detoxification takes the strain off our physical bodies, helping slowly to reduce the overload. A short detoxification process generally requires a minimum of 3 days. As the main purpose is to get rid of toxins from our body, we should eat organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. At home, one should not go for a complete fast but should include fruits and vegetables. Do it on a weekend where maximum rest can be acquired. Avoid sugar, refined flour and salt, smoking, alcohol and aerated drinks completely, as they are toxic to the body, robbing it of essential minerals and nutrients. It slows down the metabolic process, stops digestion and reduces the mental thinking capacity too.