Cleansing & Detoxing With the pH Miracle Diet

One of the most important principles in the pH miracle diet is the concept of cleansing your body of the acidic materials that are built up within. The ph miracle diet basically is a cleansing diet. It performs a cleansing of the body and its tissues and organs. This cleansing is almost like setting the “restart” button on your body. Any conditions you have developed from improper diet and lifestyle will start to dissipate. Many claim that cleansing diets like the pH miracle diet will help give your body the nutritional support it needs to function at an optimum level.*

The liver: the body's main detoxifying organ. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To understand what a cleansing diet is you need to understand how the body cleanses itself. The body rids itself of harmful elements through the colon, skin, lungs and bladder. The liver, kidneys and lymphatic system all assist with this cleansing. The liver is the organ in the body that is primarily responsible for body detoxification. When the liver is not functioning properly it cannot change toxins like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, pesticides, drugs, antibiotics and additives into waste matter. If your liver doesn’t work, you are poisoning yourself. The liver can become stressed through improper digestion (eating processed foods), yeast overgrowth, parasites, dehydration and inadequate water intake.

Cleansing your liver is the best thing you can do for your health and for the restoration of proper pH to your body. When you undergo a program, like the pH miracle diet that cleanses the liver it normally requires the liver to work harder than it has before. You must add live enzymes to the diet rather than drawing them from the liver. The live enzymes will alkalize the body and restore your proper pH. You can accomplish this by incorporating organic vegetables into your diet. The proper alkalizing vegetables in the pH miracle diet will support the liver and help restore it to its natural functioning.

If the liver is helped by a cleansing diet, then the whole body will be helped. Once the liver is functioning at proper performance it can begin to do its job of eliminating waste. It will support the other detoxifying organs and perform more effectively in doing its own job.

The pH miracle diet qualifies as a cleansing diet because it performs a cleansing function of the liver and the rest of your body. The diet is made of mostly raw foods, simple proteins (beans and legumes), alternative whole grains and plenty of fresh and pure water. Cleansing diets include, at minimum, five servings of vegetables per day. In most cases, people eat twice that when they are on the pH miracle diet. This is often accomplished with the use of fresh vegetable juices. There are four to five servings of vegetables in just two cups of juiced vegetables.

Fresh herbs, vegetables & spices. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Eating small and frequent meals is also an important part of the cleansing function of the pH miracle diet. The small meals will keep calorie intake up and give you the opportunity to add more vegetables to your day. Although raw vegetables should be favored, lightly steamed veggies are also beneficial. Plant based proteins like beans and nuts should also be included at each small meal for energy and balance.

The effects of the pH miracle cleansing diet depend entirely on your previous level of health. If you’ve had a diet that consisted of sugars, meats, processed foods and other acid forming choices then the cleansing effects may be very difficult at first. Your body will have to adjust to living off of natural elements instead of chemical ones. However your efforts are well worth it. You will be learning the most natural way to eat and teaching your body to live to eat instead of eat to live. Remember that learning to eat in this manner and adopting a cleansing diet will be a process of healing, and not an overnight occurrence. As you take on aspects of the pH miracle diet, you will begin to change your health for the better.

* Note: All information on this blog is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice or treatment. You should consult your doctor before beginning any new diet plan or cleanse.

Try These Tips & Superfoods During Your Detox

Today we're talking about a topic that may be uncomfortable for some - literally! But this time of year, after lots of heavy and rich foods, some of us may suffer from this common problem - and it's worse for your health than you might think. When things get backed up, so to speak, your body is not able to eliminate toxins and other waste, and they can actually get absorbed back into your bloodstream - yuck! No one wants that....

Brussels Sprouts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But it's no wonder so many Americans suffer with constipation (4 million of us, to be exact). Our diet of meat and processed food contains little fiber. Most of us are lucky if we’re getting in half of the 30 grams of fiber that we should each day. Without that bulk in our diet, it can make bowel movements practically immovable. Here are some tips for "cleaning the pipes," without which, any other detoxification efforts will be in vain.

1. Eat plenty of fiber - namely, vegetables. The human digestive tract was designed for mostly consuming unprocessed plant foods that are loaded with dietary fiber, such as beans, leafy greens, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and whole grains. High levels of dietary fiber increase both the frequency and quantity of bowel movements, decreasing the transit time of stools, as well as the absorption of toxins from the stool.

2. Drink at least eight to twelve 8-oz. glasses of clean water per day. Hard, dry stools are a classic sign of dehydration. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water when you wake up and then every hour after that.

3. Try adding some wheat or barley grass to your daily routine. Mix two to three teaspoons of a nutrient-rich blend of dehydrated wheat and/or barley grass in water, and have another serving later in the day. These drinks have a restorative action on the intestinal tract and are especially good for constipation, and they also contain many phytonutrients and antioxidants which will support your system during your detox.

Prune plums on the tree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Add prunes. As a supplement to a healthy, high-fiber diet, bran and prunes are particularly effective in relieving constipation. Whole prunes and prune juice possess good laxative effects - and most people find them quite tasty! Eight ounces is usually an effective dose. A similar amount of aloe vera juice is also helpful. Or eat 6-10 dried prunes.

5. Consume superfoods containing vitamin C. Vitamin C rich foods can help with your detox as well, as they help with food and nutrient absorption. Try parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts, as they’re all great sources of vitamin C.

Following these tips will help get things moving smoothly, so that your body can eliminate the toxins that are released during your detox and cleanse diet, and restore optimal health.

Start The New Year With A Clean Body & Mind - Safe Detox Tips

I don't know about you, but after this holiday season, I'm in serious need of a detox! All that rich food, sugary treats and desserts, way too many snacks, a few too many holiday martinis.... It's all catching up to me. I've been feeling overly stuffed and sluggish for a couple of weeks now, so I decided before the holidays that once January hit I would do a good cleanse and get my body back in tip-top shape for the rest of the winter. I tend to stay away from the weird extreme cleanses that are really hard on your body, and opt for the more natural and gentle detox diets which eliminate sugars and other junk completely for a period of time. I find these safer and more natural, as they help the body support what it does naturally, without causing it too much stress. (Click here for more info on my favorite detox diet - the Total Wellness Cleanse.)

Detoxing is a wonderful way to get healthy and accomplish some of your New Year's goals. It can help you lose weight. It can give you back your energy. And it can help you improve your brain function. However, detoxing also comes with risks if not done properly. Here are 5 tips for detoxing safely.

#1 Get doctor approval. If you have an existing health condition make sure you get permission from your doctor. Diabetes, pregnancy, kidney disease and anemia or low blood pressure may be reasons to avoid detoxing.

#2 Start slow. Detox too quickly and you can experience serious side effects. They include dizziness, headaches and stomach upset. Diarrhea isn’t uncommon. If you experience an onslaught of symptoms consider stepping back your detox plan. Symptoms are the result of too many toxins being released into your system at once. They can also be a result of withdrawal from processed foods or chemicals. If you normally drink a lot of caffeine or diet sodas you may experience withdrawal as your body adjusts.

There are two approaches to detoxing. You can ease into it. For example, you might drink one juice meal and eat two solid meals the first day. Juice for two meals the second and third day with one solid meal. And then juice for the next two or three days to complete your detox. You might also ease back into eating solid foods by reversing the process.

The other approach is to be aware of your body’s reaction and make adjustments as you go. For example, if you’re juicing and have a detox reaction you might eat one solid meal during the day.

#3 Keep a journal. Journal your symptoms and side effects. Also journal what you ate/drank before you experienced the symptoms. That way you can recognize patterns in what you’re eating or your symptoms.

#4 Detox when you don’t have to be “on.” Detox when you can rest and relax. The weekend or an extended weekend is a great time. You can take it easy on your body and mind while you’re detoxing. If you have to go to work or tend to family while you’re detoxing it can be extra stressful. Get plenty of rest and treat your body well.

#5 Drink water! Water helps flush the toxins out of your body more quickly. The faster they’re out of you, the faster you’ll feel better. The faster you’ll have renewed energy, focus and mental clarity.

Finally, make sure to follow a trusted detox plan. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, contact your physician or nutritionist. Don’t detox without a solid, safe and proven plan. To your great health in the year ahead!

The Benefits of A Natural Cleansing Diet

As you know, we focus here on the natural side of reducing your toxic load - removing toxins from your home and your body, and minimizing the toxins you inflict upon the larger environment around you. One of the best ways to remove toxins from your body is to put good, clean foods into it, and allow your body to complete its own natural detoxification process. Your body has its own built-in system for removing toxins, but the system can often become overwhelmed due to the sheer amounts of chemicals you are exposed to on a daily basis. Giving it a good, clean diet is the best way to let your body cleanse and repair itself naturally, and regain its true healthy state.

Image via WikipediaThe first step in starting a natural cleansing diet is to eliminate bad foods from your diet. This includes alcohol and caffeine. The reason why we feel so bloated and groggy after a night with alcohol is because our bodies are not designed to digest the large amounts of sugars and processed ingredients that are in alcohol. Caffeine may keep us awake, but it also wreaks havoc on our digestive tract and increases bowel movements unnecessarily. Some healthy alternatives to coffee and soda are herbal teas and green juices.

These holistic options help our bodies return to a natural state of energy. After two weeks of drinking herbal teas and juices in place of your prior caffeinated fixes you will discover you have substantially more energy to get you through the day. Water is also a vital part of any natural cleansing diet. Water is needed to flush the waste out of the cells and tissues. A person should drink at least half their body weight in ounces each day in water. This means that if you weigh 200 pounds then you should drink at least 100 ounces of water. As part of this diet you should eat only fruit before noon each day. Fruits are loaded with natural sugars and fiber to help curb sweet and hunger cravings.

Image by kahala via FlickrWhen an afternoon snack attack hits reach for unsalted walnuts or almonds. Both are an excellent energy source and are helpful in detoxing your body. Other healthy snack options include unsalted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. For lunch and dinner replace your carbohydrate side with a vegetable. Broccoli, onions and artichokes are all beneficial in a colon cleansing diet. Dark, leafy greens will offer your body additional nutrients it needs. Garlic is a wonder food that when minced offers powerful nutrients to heal and restore your body. Safe alternatives to wheat products include quinoa, brown rice or buckwheat. Eating meals at the same time every day will allow you to improver your body's ability to digest foods. The better digestion you have, the easier it will be for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs.

At the end of the 30 days you will feel rejuvenated and full of energy. Fatigue, irritability and poor skin complexion will be things of the past.


Article contributed by: Yuri Elkaim, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and co-creator of the cleansing program called the Total Wellness Cleanse. Visit http://www.totalwellnesscleanse.com to get started with his FREE "Toxic Side of Food" e-course and discover how to cleanse your body today!