How to Do a Three Day Detoxifying Body Cleanse

Summer is just around the corner! It's time for spring cleaning - not only for your house, but also for your body. It's highly beneficial to cleanse at least twice per year, during the transition from spring to summer, and from fall to winter. It rids your body of toxins that gradually build up from the intake of fast foods, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, alcohol, and drug use (both prescription & non-prescription). Even those who think they are living a "clean" lifestyle are exposed to environmental toxins that accumulate from their surroundings & are simply unavoidable. Everybody can benefit from a semi-annual cleanse.

Why do I need a cleanse? Our cells hold on to a little part of everything they come into contact with - whether good or bad. Cleansing helps expel the bad, paving the way for cells to bond with the good. The dreaded fat cells also hoard toxins, making them more resistant to dissipating. If you're dieting & exercising, yet having a tough time losing weight, a cleanse may be the jump-start you need. People in serious need of a cleanse often feel tired, sluggish, nauseous, & bloated. They can also have frequent headaches, heart burn, memory problems, and a difficult time losing weight.

Which foods should I eat & which should I avoid? There are several ways to get the most from your 3-day cleanse. During the cleanse, you should predominately eat vegetables and fruits, take supplements and drink at least 12 cups of water daily. Try to do the cleanse on the days you won't be extremely active & won't need boundless energy. Also, it is more beneficial to do a cleanse when you are healthy. Trying to cleanse while suffering from a cold or flu can actually make for a longer recovery time. Cleansing dumps toxins into the system for elimination, so you want to make sure your immune system is functioning fairly well before undergoing a cleanse. It helps to take a short leisurely walk each day, as getting exercise increases oxygen flow to your blood stream, thereby assisting in the removal of toxins. Don't over-do exercise during this time, as it can be overly taxing to your body. A 20-30 minute walk daily should be plenty. Avoid red meat, dairy, alcohol, sugar, soy, and all processed foods during the cleanse. If you find yourself feeling weak and in need of protein, eat lean non-red meat - such as fish (tilapia is a good choice) or a skinless chicken breast. It's also good idea to take supplements daily, both during and after your cleanse. Doing so will help your organs function at peak levels.

Which herbal supplements can help me cleanse effectively? Your kidneys & liver are vital components in the cleansing process - when they're laden with toxins, they cannot function properly. Milk Thistle (cleanses the liver) and Dandelion (cleanses the kidneys) are beneficial herbal supplements that you should take during your cleanse, as well as a few times weekly to promote efficient toxin removal on a daily basis. Burdock Root is effective in removing a buildup of minerals and metals that can accumulate over time in the system & is also excellent for boosting the immune system. People who eat canned foods and drink soda or other beverages packaged in aluminum cans can suffer from heavy metal poisoning. This often causes confusion and memory loss - but caught early, can be lessened with the use of cleansing and herbal supplements, specifically Burdock Root.

How do fruits help me detoxify? Fruits are high in antioxidants, which negate the ill effects of toxins on your cells. It is important to eat fruit in between meals on each day of your cleanse, as fruit also assists in removal of toxins trapped in fat cells. Apples, oranges, papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, pomegranate & tomatoes are packed with digestive enzymes, which assist in breaking down fat cells to release the offending toxins. Detoxification is also enhanced by drinking lemon water. Squeeze the juice of 1 small lemon into a large glass of water & enjoy twice daily. Even if you consistently eat a diet high in fat and processed foods, consuming fruit in between meals will greatly lessen the body-wide inflammation caused by these foods, and will help prevent cell toxicity and decomposition.

What can vegetables to do help me cleanse effectively? It is beneficial to make a vegetable soup with a semi-clear broth to eat for lunch and dinner during your cleanse. In a large stock pot, bring 10 cups of water plus 4 cubes of vegetable bullion to a boil. Add 1 or 2 cups of each of these vegetables: Kale, Spinach, Arugula, Dandelion, Broccoli, Onion, Carrot, Asparagus, and Barley (barley will help you feel full). Next, add 4 sliced cloves of garlic, the juice of two large lemons, and 5 branches of tarragon. Boil the mixture for about 10 minutes. This soup mixture provides you with the nourishing benefits of chlorophyll which actively helps prevent carcinogens (cancer causing agents) from binding to your organs. Chlorophyll also allows red blood cells to multiply - thereby increasing the way your body can utilize oxygen, and improving your immune system.

It is also important to eat raw vegetables during the cleanse. When vegetables are cooked, some valuable enzymes are destroyed. Eating raw veggies in between your meals ensures that you benefit from the specific anti-toxin enzymes found only in raw vegetables. Raw vegetable intake will further increase the amount of toxins you expel from your system.

How should I expect to feel during the cleanse? First, expect to be making a few more trips to the bathroom than usual. Remember, this is the main way we eliminate waste from our bodies & is a natural part of the cleansing process. Second, expect to be slightly bloated, especially on the first and second days of the cleanse. The extra intake of water and greens can cause you to retain fluid until it is flushed away in the urine. It also helps your body expel excess salt, which will lead to bloating. Taking 2 Dandelion Capsules twice daily can alleviate some of this water retention. Third, expect to feel a bit more tired than usual. The dumping of toxins into the body temporarily slows you down until they are eliminated through waste. After the second day of the cleanse, you should have more energy, and even more so after the third day.

Expect for your body to be alkalized. This means your system will not be acidic, as it probably was before the cleanse. Illness clings to the acidic portions of the body, and actually feed off of them. When you alkalize your body, you are much less prone to illness, bacteria, & even cancer. You will now be more able to ward off illness than you were before your cleanse! Anybody who suffers from common colds and flu should go through a cleanse during a healthy phase. This prevents sickness from overtaking your body when viruses and bacteria flourish during certain times of the year. Foods that can assist in this process are watermelon, lemon water, watercress, and green vegetables. Avoid all sugars, simple carbohydrates, and soda - replacing them with fresh vegetables, along with plenty of lemon water and watermelon. While friends and family take weeks to recover from a flu bug, you will now notice that you recover after only a couple of days!

How does a cleanse assist in weight loss? It is always beneficial to do a cleanse before starting a diet, as you will lose weight more effectively when your cells and liver are clean.

Your liver is the main processor of fatty foods. When it is bogged down with toxins, it cannot effectively release bile to break down the fats and pass them through the intestines. With no way of breaking down fatty food, your body keeps storing fat - making you gain weight. Taking Milk Thistle Capsules during your cleanse (and a few times weekly thereafter) is highly recommended, as this herb strengthens and detoxifies the liver. Thyroid cells overloaded with toxins can reduce the number of hormones naturally released by the thyroid gland. A sluggish thyroid prevents you from metabolizing fat and carbohydrates - again, allowing your body to pack on the pounds.

You can expect to lose about 3-5 pounds by the time you're finished with the cleanse. Most of the weight loss will be due to the loss of water, salts, and toxins - and not actually be "fat" loss. Most likely, you will find that your clothing fits more comfortably after the cleanse! Remember to always do a 3 day cleanse before starting a new diet or exercise routine, because fat cells overloaded with toxins actually release the toxins when you start to lose weight. Doing a cleanse before losing weight will ensure that your body isn't overloaded with toxins once you actually begin to lose fat.

Whether or not you're looking to lose weight, undergoing a cleanse will provide you with health benefits that last for months. Purified cells, enhanced metabolism, and a bolstered immune system can help us all live long & prosper!