title pic Master Cleanse or Starvation Diet?

Posted by Norma Richardson on September 7, 2011

 

Master Cleanse
Master Cleanse

You may have heard something about the master cleanse, or  as it is often referred to, the lemonade diet. And if you have not heard anything about it, when you start asking, you will hear many different opinions. Well, if nine out of ten people don’t last a full day on this program, there has to be good reasons. So what is it all about?

Your body and mind are bombarded daily by toxins in your environment as well as in your food. The body does a fairly good job of eliminating and detoxifying when we supply it with the right kinds of foods to support the liver, kidneys, gall bladder, lungs, and skin. But if you do not eat healthy meals or you are under a lot of stress and chaos, the body needs extra support.

Some turn to what may appear to be a quick fix and attempt to fast for 10 days on nothing more than a laxative. The master cleanse allows you to drink nothing but water, maple syrup, lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Does anyone really want to starve themselves to be healthy? Doesn’t make sense to me!

Water is essential for life, but it has no nutritional value. The maple syrup is the sole source of calories from sugar and just prevents you from starving at a faster rate. Lemon juice is a weak acid and cayenne pepper irritates the lining of your digestive system and may potentially cause diarrhea.

Some feel fine during this diet, but it is likely you will vomit or feel pain in various parts of your body. You may even become so weak that you are not able to get out of bed. It is best to stop any type of exercise or physical training and to stay away from any strenuous activities. Your stomach may hurt and even though it may only last for a while, the pain may be intolerable. If you can’t stand the pain, you can choose to take a laxative tea instead.

You cannot eat any food at all during the 10 days because it will wipe out the any benefits of this diet. And even though you may be advised that the master cleanse should not be used to lose weight, many are encouraged to do the lemonade diet to lose weight. Confusing, but they are one in the same. My question is, who wouldn’t lose weight when you are not eating and you are drinking a strong laxative? It may clean out your system, but is it good for your body? Can you now see why so many don’t even last a day?

I am totally against anything that is harsh or depriving to the body. A more natural approach to detoxing and losing weight will be sustainable and the effects last longer. So if you are interested in eliminating the toxins from your body or you want to lose weight, be sure to choose a healthy approach, one that is based on nourishing your body, not depriving.

title pic The Process to Purify Your Life, Mind, and Soul

Posted by Amy on August 19, 2011

The human body needs to detox because today’s environment, as well as highly processed foods, contain toxins which are destructive to the immune system. These toxins are any substances which create harmful and irritating effects to the human body. It can undermine the health and create stress on our organs and biochemical functions.

Toxins can be by-products or side effects from a wide variety of risks, from taking any form of pharmaceutical or recreational drugs to changes in our physiological patterns that become impaired from normal function. Free radicals that are created irritate, inflame, age, and degenerate body tissues.  Toxins can also be created from negative thoughts, stress, negative emotions and thought patterns. Thus, they stress the body, causing changes in normal physiology that produces specific symptoms.

Keep in mind that the body needs to function in balance. However, it can be disturbed when the body takes in more than it can process, eliminate, or utilize. Toxicity then occurs.

The imbalances which are caused by toxins can be stressful to your body and emotions, which affects the mental state and clarity. Detoxifying is beneficial both physically as well as mentally.

Detox occurs on various levels. Physically, it is a process that helps in clearing illnesses, congestions, and potential diseases, and improves energy.  Successful detoxification programs are helpful in rejuvenating the body and preventing degeneration.

Detoxification of the mind is important element of a holistic cleanse process. Cleansing the mind from negative patterns can improve your physical health, which physical detoxification can also alleviate mental stress. It can help uncover or release emotional aspects of a person, and free them to express or uncover repressed feelings such as anger, frustration, fear, or resentments, and replace those feelings with love, forgiveness, hope, and joy.

A complete cleansing processes can also enhance or reveal your life’s purpose, such as how you view life on a more spiritual level.

The body detoxification process is an element of alternative medicine, as well as transformational medicine, and can instill change on various levels. An open heart and mind are the keys to healing.  A complete and holistic detoxification program can eliminate toxins, make a person feel lighter and experience a new mindset and outlook on life.

title pic Important Reasons for Detoxification

Posted by Amy on August 12, 2011

Thousands of individuals all over the world routinely perform body detoxification programs in one form or another. A detoxification plan will restore not only your immune system, but will rejuvenate your body’s organs and health as well. Here are just a few reasons why one should think about a detox program:

#1: Substance that are Inhaled or Ingested

There are literally millions of foreign substances that you may inhale each week because of exposures you cannot control. For example, you have no control over what comes through your car air vents while driving, such as the fumes from a truck.  You can’t control the second-hand smoke in a restaurant or bar. These are just some of the things that you may inhale on a regular basis. You may not think about what You come in contact with every day, but your body stores these toxins internally and usually there are symptoms that let you know a detoxification is in order.

#2: Stress on the Body

Another reason why detoxification is essential is due to the stress factor. Certainly chronic stress is a major problem, but everyday stresses that we experience can take a toll on the body in the form illnesses. Everyone’s immune system becomes weakened occasionally, but stress can make weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses or disease.

Be sure to evaluate your stress management plan during the course of your cleanse program.  Try to avoid stress, and build in stress relieving activities as much as possible.  Schedule as much down time as possible, and incorporate as much relaxation as you can.

Massage, hot baths, meditation, deep breathing, yoga or sessions in a sauna will facilitate the detoxification as well as contribute to your mental detoxification.  Schedule some of these activities into your planner, and keep your appointments!