Detox and Diet
 By Lynn Hardy, ND, CNC What to eat during a detoxification program As a Naturopath and a big advocate of detoxification, one of the most frequently asked questions I come across is, “What do I eat while detoxing”? While for some people the food they eat or don’t eat serves as the detox in itself, most people prefer the aid of a well-researched proven detox program to guide them through the detoxification process. Even though I have fasted many times in my life, for regular cleansing (every six months or so) I too prefer a specific program to follow so that I will not have to alter my life too drastically. A real professional, effective detoxification program will not ask you to make any dramatic lifestyle and dietary changes. It will work regardless. Healthier food and lifestyle choices are generally made on a subconscious level. Once the body begins to eliminate toxins, it will naturally start craving foods that will nourish it at an optimum level. That said, there are certainly many things you can do to maximize the benefits of the cleanse you’re on from day one, and certain foods will help maintain the benefits of the detox for much longer. Foods (and things) to avoid while cleansing First let’s discuss some of the foods and other factors that will contribute to a toxic body and may also hamper or slow down the detoxification process. If you are not able to completely eliminate these things from your life while cleansing, please try to limit them as much as possible. Tap Water More and more waterways in the US are reported to be unsuitable for fishing or swimming due to pollution. Most common contaminants are sewage, bacteria, fertilizer, oil and grease. Typical sources of pollution include runoff from farms, industrial waste, and city sewer discharge. You might think that city tap water is adequately filtered of these pollutants but sadly this isn’t the case. Additionally, tap water is always chlorinated and may contain lead that has leached in from the soldering on pipe joints. Fluoride, ostensibly added to our drinking water for strengthening our teeth, despite popular belief, is a deadly poison. It can be detrimental to our health and in high enough concentrations has even led to the death of young children. If the topic interests you, there is a lot of information available in books and also on the internet. The Fluoride Action Network is a good place to start your research: www.fluoridealert.org. Drinking tap water and bathing in unfiltered water on a regular basis will burden the body with unnecessary chemicals, leading to a toxic body and ultimately disease. Milk and Dairy Products The dairy food issue is a very controversial one, indeed. Many believe that dairy is not fit for human consumption and numerous research studies have documented its ill effects on our health. On the other side of the coin, dairy farming is a huge, multi-billion dollar government-subsidized industry whose tremendous advertising campaigns have us believing that we can’t live without milk and dairy products. Unfortunately, even if they were right to some degree, all commercially sold dairy products are highly processed and loaded with dangerous chemicals and antibiotics. Dairy products are also very high in saturated fats. Saturated fats slow down the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins from the body. Food Chemicals and Processed Foods Chemicals found in processed foods and commercially grown fruits, vegetables and meat can have a detrimental effect on our health. We cannot process chemical additives into nutrients that the body can utilize, so they aren’t able to simply pass through our system “as is.” Only water and cellulose can do that. Therefore, these chemicals get absorbed for an indefinite period of time, delaying digestion and adding extra toxins to our blood, tissues and organs, and extra pounds to our weight. No scientific study exists which has been able to determine the length of time it takes for the human body to eliminate the pounds of chemicals it is carrying around. It is interesting to note that preservatives such as sodium nitrate (found in hot dogs, bacon, ham, and other processed foods) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are stored in our fat cells. Sugar Sugar consumption has risen 1,500 percent in the last 200 years. Today, the average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar a year compared to the 12 pounds consumed in the early 1800s. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that is equal to 52 teaspoonfuls of added sugars per person per day. Can you imagine yourself sitting at the kitchen table gobbling down 52 teaspoons of white sugar – every single day? Well, that’s exactly what most people are doing without even realizing it! It takes approximately 400-500 generations for our bodies to physically adapt to such a drastic change in diet. For now, we are simply not built to handle it. Becoming obese is just one of the many side-effects of consuming too many carbohydrates in the form of sugar. Sugar hinders the body’s immune system and predisposes people to allergies and infections. The number, shape and activity of white blood cells are adversely affected by excessive sugar consumption. Here are just some of the health conditions associated with the over-consumption of sugar: allergies, obesity, eating disorders, eczema, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones and failure, learning disabilities, diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, candida, anxiety, hyperactivity in children, dental cavities, adult-onset diabetes, atherosclerosis, and countless others. White Flour Products Flour (especially white flour) is the main component in breads, cereals, baked goods, pastas and many other foods we eat each and every day. White flour is made by stripping the grain of virtually all its nutrients: fiber, vitamins, minerals, essential oils and even proteins, to some extent. Because white flour becomes a depleted, processed, “dead” food, most states require it to be enriched with thiamin, riboflavin and niacin, plus iron. Other nutrients, however, such as zinc, manganese, folic acid, Vitamin B6 and fiber are not replenished in any way. White flour and white flour products often contribute to constipation and other digestive troubles. Since they are stripped of all fiber (essential for proper elimination), they actually stick to the walls of the intestines, causing blockages, rather than helping things move through quickly and smoothly. A highly important first step in modifying one’s diet, regardless of health condition, is to eliminate or minimize white flour and white flour products from the diet. White rice goes through essentially the same process as white flour and should also be avoided. All the fiber and nutrients are stripped off each grain to give rice its pretty white color and reduced cooking time. Aspartame (and other artificial sweeteners) Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death as recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain. Soft Drinks The average American drinks an estimated 57 gallons (216 liters) of soft drinks each year. The fact that soft drinks are made with tap water is only the tip of the iceberg. Each can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colorings, additives, preservatives and sulphites. In addition, just about all diet soft drinks contain aspartame or other harmful artificial sweeteners. Regular consumption of soft drinks will lead to obesity, osteoporosis, tooth decay and heart disease.
Alcohol Alcohol is very damaging to the liver and also depletes important nutrients from the body. In addition, alcoholic beverages contain chemical pesticides, as well as colorants and other harmful additives, putting further strain on the liver. Margarine You probably often hear the old debate of “Which is better for you, butter or margarine?” When you consider the fact that margarine is nothing more than “plastic butter,” the answer seems to be quite obvious. (There are still much better choices than butter but if you had to choose between margarine and butter — butter should definitely be your first choice!) The reason why we call margarine “plastic butter” is because a hydrogenated fat molecule from margarine inspected under a microscope looks the same as a plastic molecule. John Finnegan, the author of The Facts about Fats: A Consumer’s Guide to Good Oils states that margarine is “…lifeless, devitalized poison, packed with carcinogens [cancer-causing chemicals], fit only for lubricating the front wheel bearing of your car.” Just how deadly can margarine be? A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1967, compared two populations in India, where the only difference in the diet was the type of fat they consumed. The group that used margarine instead of butter had a 15 times greater heart disease rate than the group using butter. A follow-up study twenty years later found similar results.
Don’t let the labels on margarine containers fool you into believing that you’re getting something healthy. The increased consumption of margarine is a huge contributor to our poor health, as it escalates the overall level of toxins in the body. Microwave Ovens We never seem to hear of any ill effects in relation to regular use of microwave ovens. Just about every household has one and everybody uses it at one time or another. However, long-term safety has not been proven and some evidence has been slowly surfacing about potential health hazards caused by the radiation produced by microwaves. For this reason, it’s safe to advise that anybody, especially those with small children or serious health conditions avoid using microwaves as much as possible. During the detoxification program, it is also a good idea to give your microwave a break. It may seem inconvenient for the first few days but once you get used to it there’s no going back. I personally haven’t used a microwave for over 15 years and my family and I don’t miss it for a second. Foods to consume while cleansing Now let’s discuss which foods can enhance cleansing and accelerate the detoxification process. Organic Raw Fruit Fruit is rich in fiber and also has a very high water content, making it the ideal accompaniment to a detoxification program. The fiber absorbs toxins and the water helps to flush them out of the body. Fruit is also rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and fruit pectin, which has been shown to bind with heavy metals, such as lead, helping to eliminate them from the system.
Fruits to consume in abundance while cleansing: lemons, oranges, grapefruits, pears, apples, cherries, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, melons, tomatoes, and papayas. Try to buy fruit that is in season where you live, rather than imported fruit that has been traveling for weeks. All degenerative diseases are linked to two main causes: mineral deficiency and toxicity. Non-organically produced food is responsible for both problems.
Organic Vegetables Organic veggies should make up the bulk of a healthy diet, especially while detoxifying. While fruits are known to be very powerful detoxifiers, organic vegetables will help balance acid and alkaline levels and have a calming effect on the body. Vegetable to consume in abundance while cleansing: garlic, onions, carrots, beets, cabbage, watercress, celery, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, and lots of green leafy vegetables such as spinach. Try to buy veggies that are in season where you live, rather than imported fruit that has been traveling for weeks. Legumes Legumes, such as beans, lentils, and peas, chickpeas, etc., have all the nutrients now recognized as important in preventing heart disease, cancer and obesity. They are high in complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, fiber and they are extremely low in fat. Wholegrains Wholegrains are grains that are unprocessed, retaining most of their nutrients and providing a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Wholegrains are an integral part of a healthy, cleansing diet. They are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and low-fat source of protein. Grains to consume while detoxing: barley, millet, oats, brown rice, buckwheat, couscous, and quinoa. Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are excellent foods to consume while cleansing. They are good sources of vitamin E, protein, minerals, fiber and essential fatty acids. Nuts can be eaten as an alternative to meat and cheese. They are known to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer and improve hair, skin and nails. Seeds play an important role in supporting the immune system and protecting cells from oxidation. Nuts and seeds to consume while cleansing: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseed, sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, hazelnuts and cashews. Good Fats Certain fats, used in moderation, can have therapeutic effects while cleansing. Olive, walnut, hazelnut and sesame oils contain valuable essential fatty acids. Please keep in mind that nut and seed oils are best used in cold dishes as heat destroys their delicate flavor and nutritional value. Olive oil is very high in antioxidants, which neutralize cancer-causing free radicals. It is monounsaturated, and thereby lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol without reducing the HDL (good) cholesterol. This results in improved circulation, lowered blood pressure and a lower risk of heart disease. Recent research also indicates that olive oil may be especially effective in preventing both breast cancer and osteoporosis. It costs a little more but extra virgin olive oil is by far the best option. It is the oil that is made from the first pressing. It has less than one percent acidity, and has the highest nutritional value and the best taste.  02 References:
Global College of Natural Medicine, Nutritional Consultant Program;
The Detox Book by Nicola Graimes;
The Detox Diet by Elson M. Haas, M.D.;
7-Day Detox Miracle by Peter Bennett, N.D.
Internal Cleansing by Linda Berry;
International Olive Oil Council www.internationaloliveoil.org. 
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