Video: Detoxification Is About Food - Not Pills

No matter what your goals are for detoxing, it's a great way to make your body healthier. This short video gives you a brief overview of our favorite cleanse and detox program - The Total Wellness Cleanse. As he explains in the video, cleansing is about food - not pills! Or at least it should be....

In order to give your body the support it needs to detoxify itself naturally, you need to give it the correct nutrition. The Total Wellness Cleanse is a nutrition program that will teach you how to do just this. No crazy lemon juice diets, weeks where you can only eat soup, or anything like that. This is a program that teaches you how to eat real foods that feed and heal your body, and support all of its detoxification systems. With daily guidance, step-by-step instructions, and delicious recipes and daily menu ideas, this system is the complete package when it comes to natural and gentle detoxification.

Check out the video and you'll see why....



Click Here to Learn More About The Total Wellness Cleanse:

7 Dietary Ways to Remove Toxins for Healthy Skin

Have you applied all sorts of expensive creams or cleansers and wondered why your skin continued to look unhealthy?  That is because healthy skin comes from the inside out.  You might not often think of it this way, but remember, your skin is an organ, and like all organs, it benefits from a healthy, toxin-free diet.

Here are some dietary steps you can take to have healthy, beautiful skin:

1. Stay hydrated

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* You have probably heard about the importance of drinking water to stay healthy and cleanse the system, and that includes your skin.  Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, at least six 8oz. glasses a day.  In fact, all fluids you drink count towards your daily hydration needs, but limit caffeinated beverages as they have diuretic and dehydrating effects. 

* Add a squeeze of lemon juice to cleanse your liver.  In traditional Chinese medicine, poor skin indicates an unhealthy liver - which makes sense, as these are our two main organs of detoxification.

2. Bring on the fats

* For your skin to remain plump and supple, applying moisturizers can help, but taking healthy fats into your system will also have a deeper, healthier effect on your skin. 

* Flax, olive, and fish oils, as well as clean animal fats such as organic butter from grass-fed cows, and expeller-pressed organic coconut oil, should be incorporated into the diet. Eat fatty, cold-water fish such as salmon at least once a week, but make sure it is from a reputable source so that you are not adding to your body's toxic overload by eating fish that have lived in toxic waters. Only eat wild-caught fish - never farmed.

3. Fresh fruits and vegetables

* In addition to hydrating the body, fresh veggies and fruits provide vital skin-healthy nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E and toxin-absorbing fiber.  Lightly steamed or raw are the ideal ways to consume these foods, in order to preserve their vitamin and antioxidant powers. 

4. Nuts and seeds

* These little gems include important blood-building nutrients like iron, and healthy circulation and blood are key to good skin health.

* Nuts and seeds also contain healthy fats which, as noted above, keep the skin smooth and glowing.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Go organic

* If you have not already, switch to organic foods.  Your body needs to be as free from toxins as possible for your skin to be healthy, and organic food is not contaminated with synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers.

* These harmful substances can also cause hormonal imbalances, which are strongly implicated in acne and other skin problems.  This goes for produce, as well as meats and dairy products. Speaking of dairy products...  

6. Limit dairy products

* Except for plain yogurt, you should sharply limit your dairy intake if you want healthier skin.  Most modern dairy products are likely to contain hormones or antibiotics or other toxins. Only eat dairy from organically raised, grass-fed animals.

7. Limit junk and fast foods

These "foods" are full of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and unhealthy fats.  Cleanse your skin from the inside by eating whole, fresh natural foods instead. They taste better and are more satisfying too!

There you have it - 7 ways to get healthy, glowing skin - naturally!  And your whole body will be healthier as well.

How Can Foods Contribute to Cleansing & Detoxification?

Cleansing the body of toxins is a popular topic these days, and for good reason.  We do, in fact, live in an environment where our bodies are bombarded with toxic substances on a daily basis. 

Exercise, supplement programs, fasts, meditation, yoga, etc. are employed to varying degrees in order to bring cleansing to the body.  However, the important role that food plays in cleansing - simply what we eat - cannot be ignored. (For lots more articles on how important food is to your health, visit our main blog at www.newholisticliving.com/blog.html)

Americans have a tendency to want quick fixes to problems and symptoms.  We love our pills.  We can swallow a capsule or tablet and go on about our business with no lifestyle changes necessary.

Why isn't it okay to employ quick fixes?

The problem with this approach is that it completely eliminates the connection between food and health that is so vital!

Pills may mask symptoms, but the underlying problem of a poor diet will not be addressed.  In other words, toxins are still building while the symptoms are being alleviated. What does this mean? It means that your long-term health is still being compromised. You may not have immediate symptoms, but eventually this continual build-up of toxins can (and in many cases will) lead to serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers, and more.

Sometimes, we look at food as our enemy - we think the less we eat, the healthier and thinner we will be.  But what you do eat is very important.   

"Let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food," said Hippocrates (from whom doctors get the "Hippocratic Oath").  (This is pretty much my favorite quote ever!!!)

Let's look briefly at some of the constituents in whole foods and their various cleansing benefits.

* Fiber

This is a big one.  Fiber is one of the primary ways to eliminate waste from the colon.  Without it, bowel movements lack bulk, and toxins can build up in the colon.  Fiber absorbs poisons and waste matter as it moves along the intestinal tract, picking it up, and moving it out.

High-fiber diets are also associated with a decreased risk of colon and rectal cancer, as well as heart disease.

* Vitamins and Minerals

Healthy, whole foods contain these vital nutrients.  These substances have more roles in the body's health than can be discussed here, but some particular vitamins, such as C and E, have specific antioxidant effects.

Iron builds the blood; other vitamins and minerals build bone and tissue; still others play an active role in cell regeneration.  Without vitamins and minerals, the body cannot repair and rebuild itself from a cleanse.

Healthy Berries are Good Food for Health (Photo credit: epSos.de)

* Antioxidants

Many foods contain these bodily scavengers that fight free radical damage in the body.

Green tea, berries, tomatoes, and many other foods have antioxidant properties.

Cranberries, for example, promote bladder and kidney health, which are important organs involved in bodily cleansing.

* Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3's)

More and more, we are hearing about the importance of good fats in the diet.  It turns out that they are crucial, and, among other things, help support liver health.  The liver is a major cleansing organ. They also compose much of the matter that brain tissue is made of, so be sure to eat your healthy fats!

* Phytonutrients

These are simply the nutrients found in plant foods, and they tend to have anti-cancer and antioxidant benefits.

All in all, what you do choose to eat has a significant role in the cleansing of your body (as does what you avoid eating).  Refined sugar, white flour, and processed foods full of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors will have the effect of building toxic waste in your tissues, so be sure to choose foods wisely.


For a good, natural food-based cleansing & detoxification program, check out The Total Wellness Cleanse.

Detoxing to Heal Eczema

If you’re one of the three percent of adults that has to deal with eczema, you know what frustration feels like.  You’ve probably tried all kinds of pills, creams, and seemingly ridiculous regimens with very little luck.  Well, all these chemicals you’re adding may just be part of the cause of your problem.

A patch of eczema that has been scratched (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we go through our day, toxic chemicals are continually entering our body; they’re in the food we eat, the products we put on our skin, and even in the air we breathe.  While a little bit of these chemicals is fine for most people, after a few years, they build up in our bodies, slow us down and can even lead to negative health effects.  Eczema is one of the negative effects many people believe is caused by these chemicals. 

The good news?  This means that if you periodically flush these chemicals out of your body through detox, you may see your symptoms decrease almost immediately.  Plus, you’ll probably feel better and lose some weight, too.

So, you know why to detox - the next step is the how.  The truth is, there’s no one way that has been proven best for detoxing.  A juice fast is often recommended, but a cleanse that can work great for eczema is an apple diet.  Simply eat fresh, organic apples for several days.  Any variety works, in fact, you’ll probably prefer getting a few different kinds to liven it up a bit.  There are also various fruit and vegetable juice cleanses you can try.  Just remember to use freshly squeezed juice and not bottled to ensure you get all the vitamins and active enzymes.

You can also try a fresh foods cleanse diet, such as the Total Wellness Cleanse, which is very gentle on your body and very effective - but it may take several weeks.

There are many companies that will sell herbal complexes you can take to help cleanse your system.  While this is a great way to detox, always take great care when using these products.  You always want to research what products you try and consult an expert and a doctor before taking anything, as many herbs can have interactions and side effects.  Also, there is no regulating body like the FDA to regulate what goes into these products.

(Photo credit: epSos.de)

Once you’ve detoxed your body and seen symptoms improve, don't stop there.  While periodically detoxifying your system will flush the chemicals out of your body, it’s best if they never get there in the first place.  Try eating less processed and more fresh organic food and using natural skin, hair, and other personal products.  Many people have benefited from increasing their fatty acid intake as well.  This will keep you looking and feeling better between cleanses.

If you try a detox and see results, but symptoms immediately return when you return to a normal diet, your symptoms may be from a food allergy.  Try recording what foods you eat, along with severity of symptoms.  Review your records every so often to see if a specific food is triggering your symptoms.  You may need to avoid certain types of food like dairy or gluten.

For many people, a detox diet alone is still not enough.  For full treatment, you will likely need to use the topical treatments provided to you by your doctor.  You should also let them know of any herbs or special diets you use in case it interacts with your other medication.

But for some, switching to a clean, healthy diet of fresh, whole, unprocessed foods may be all you need to relieve your eczema and return to full health.

Leaky Gut Syndrome Explained

This week we've got a guest article by one of our favorite health and fitness experts. Yuri is all about natural health, smart fitness, and reducing your toxic load via whole, natural foods that help your body heal and detox naturally. If you've never heard of leaky gut syndrome, or you don't know what it is, you should definitely read this article. This syndrome can promote allergies and food intolerances, increase toxic load, create inflammation within the body, and put a burden on all your bodily systems - leading to many different diseases and ill health consequences.

Read on to find out more about leaky gut syndrome, and how you can avoid this dangerous condition.

Leaky Gut Syndrome Explained

Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The gastrointestinal tract, also called the digestive tract, alimentary canal, or gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leaky gut syndrome is the technical name for increased intestinal permeability. As its name signifies, this condition is characterizes by a gut (intestinal tract) that allows far too many substances into the bloodstream.

Normally, the intestinal walls form a semi-permeable barrier, only allowing properly digesting nutrients into the bloodstream, while preventing the uptake of toxins and undigested food particles. Such nutrients are able to pass into the blood through pores located in the intestinal wall.

Under ideal circumstances, these pores are small enough to prevent undigested food particles and other large toxins from escaping the intestinal tract and causing damage in the bloodstream.

However, in the case of leaky gut syndrome, these pores widen, which allows anything and everything to pass through the (now very permeable) intestinal walls and into the blood.

This is a big problem and is one of the biggest factors behind food allergies and auto-immune diseases.

Why is Having a Leaky Gut Dangerous?

Our intestinal tract is obviously semi-permeable for a reason. If is meant to keep out certain substances then there's a reason for needing to do so.

One of the problems with leaky gut is that it allows undigested food particles into the blood. When this happens, the immune system builds up antibodies against the protein in that food and mounts a full-out immune response. The immune system is simply doing its job. If it identifies a "foreign" substance in the bloodstream, then it will take the necessary action to neutralize it.

Unfortunately, since the body has now developed an antibody army against this food, with time as you ingest this food your body will become "hypersensitive" to it. This is how food allergies develop. And the more this occurs with the foods you eat, the more hypersensitive your immune system becomes.

As a result, you become much more susceptible to environmental allergens since your body's immune system is now in overdrive and "paranoid" about everything little thing it is exposed to.

The time-course of an immune response begins with the initial pathogen encounter, and leads to the formation and maintenance of active immunological memory. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With time, a hypersensitive immune system can start reacting in a myriad of unpredictable ways. In many cases, it will actually begin to attack the body itself, creating an auto-immune disease such as alopecia, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, Graves' disease, endometriosis, and many more.

A substantial proportion of the population suffers from immune diseases, which are often chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening. There are more than eighty illnesses caused by autoimmunity and about 75 percent of those affected are women. It has been estimated that autoimmune diseases are among the ten leading causes of death among women in all age groups up to 65 years.

However, go to your doctor, allergist, or immunologist and they will NEVER even mention the possibility of leaky gut syndrome.

According to "brilliant experts" at USA Today...

"Scientists believe multiple factors such as environmental toxins, heredity, viruses, and certain drugs may play a role in causing an autoimmune disease. Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, abuse of alcohol and use of tobacco can also weaken the immune system and may play some role as well."

That's great thanks. And they can say that about pretty much every single disease as well. The fact remains that many of these "causes" are also at the root of leaky gut syndrome.

What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Well, as was briefly mentioned above, the substances and choices that stress your body and digestive system will have a profound effect on the health of your colon and intestinal tract. Refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol, medications, and stress will negatively impact the colon.

All of these can worsen the balance between good and bad flora in your colon. If the bad are way out of control, then fungi, for instance, can latch onto the intestinal walls and create irritation, inflammation, and eventually widening of the pores.

If food sits in your colon for too long, it too will irritate the intestinal walls and predispose them to becoming more permeable. That is one of the reasons why passing regular bowel movements is so important.

Natural Leaky Gut Remedies

First, you need to cleanse your body of the foods and substances that irritate your digestive and intestinal tract. Second, you need to spend time healing your gut with nutrients such as L-glutamine, essential fatty acids, and vitamin C. Then you need to provide your intestinal tract with a balance of healthy bacteria through probiotics and enzymes, so that it can protect itself against future invaders and irritation.

So if you suffer from allergies, have an autoimmune disorder, have digestive difficulties, or want to improve your overall health then you need to take action immediately. The longer you wait, the worse your condition will get.

The first step is a full-scale natural cleanse which will reduce the toxins and inflammation in your digestive system. The Total Wellness Cleanse™ is a gentle and natural detoxification process that will help heal your gut and cleanse your body of its toxins. To learn more about how the Total Wellness Cleanse can help you just click the link below.

About the Author:
Yuri Elkaim is a renowned fitness, nutrition, and weight loss expert. He is a registered holistic nutritionist and the co-creator of the Total Wellness Cleanse - a 30-day food-based cleansing program that has helped thousands of people lose weight, cleanse their bodies of toxic overload, and restore incredible health. For information on the Total Wellness Cleanse visit www.TotalWellnessCleanse.com.

References:
Noel R. Rose and Ian R. MacKay, “The Autoimmune Diseases” fourth edition
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/487/main.html#CausesandRiskFactorsofAutoimmuneDiseasesandDisorders

Why Cleanse? Purpose & Benefits

Guest Article By: 
Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc.

We detoxify and cleanse for health, vitality, and rejuvenation. We cleanse our body to clear symptoms, treat disease, and prevent future problems. A cleansing program is an ideal way to help you re-evaluate your life, make changes, or clear abuses and addictions. Withdrawal happens fairly quickly, and as cravings are reduced you can begin a new life without old addictive habits or drugs.

Detoxification is also helpful for weight loss, although this is not the primary purpose. The body stores toxins in fat cells. When you cleanse your body these toxins are more easily released from their fat stores. Since you then become less toxic, your toxin stores (the fat) are not as necessary and, thus, your body can rid itself of excess, unnecessary fat.

Weight loss also occurs on a cleanse simply because there are fewer calories being consumed. Since weight loss boils down to creating a caloric deficit, eating less over time is a simple way of losing weight.

We also detoxify and cleanse to rest and heal our overloaded digestive organs. This is often an overlooked, yet very important, area considering optimal health truly begins with the health of our digestive system.

Aside from the internal health benefits, detoxification can also be a great catalyst for external change. For instance, it can provide a great opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate what’s most important to you. It can serve to help you cleanse your house, your work, your relationships. After a cleanse, you will even feel more organized, more creative, more motivated, more productive, more relaxed, and more mentally focused and clear.

So, if you want more energy, greater vitality, more youthful and radiant skin, and greater health for life, then cleansing should be a regular (annual or semi-annual) part of your life.

Yuri Elkaim is a renowned fitness, nutrition, and weight loss expert. He is a registered holistic nutritionist and the co-creator of the Total Wellness Cleanse - a 30-day food-based cleansing program that has helped thousands of people lose weight, cleanse their bodies of toxic overload, and restore incredible health. For information on the Total Wellness Cleanse visit www.TotalWellnessCleanse.com. 

5 Tips for Managing Detox Side Effects and Symptoms

There is no better time than summer to implement a detox diet. With all the delicious fresh fruits and veggies available, it's easy to find local and organically grown produce in abundance. Detox diets can be great for your health. You can lose weight on a detox diet. You can gain more energy and mental clarity. You can also reduce food sensitivities and allergy symptoms by eliminating foods that cause them. However, many detox programs also come with some challenging side effects, although their severity will depend on how toxic you are to start with.

Here’s how to manage these side effects effectively.

#1. Be prepared.

The most important step to managing detox side effects is to be prepared for them. Know what to expect and then you can plan for it. For example, many detox programs cause:

* Headaches
* Insomnia
* Irritability and mood swings
* Digestion changed including diarrhea and gas
* Fatigue

#2. Plan to relax.

Detoxing during your normal and potentially stressful work week can be extra challenging. It’s better to detox during a time period when you can relax. You can sleep when you need to. You can walk, read and simply treat yourself well. Being able to set hectic life aside and relax while you detox will make managing the symptoms much easier.

#3. Drink plenty of water.

Water will help reduce the detox symptoms. Detoxing can cause you to become dehydrated. This will make the symptoms worse and can actually cause headaches and insomnia as the toxins stored in your tissues make their way into your blood stream. Plan to drink several glasses of water or herbal tea daily to avoid dehydration and its side effects. It’ll also help flush the toxins out of your body more quickly.

#4. Pamper yourself.

Take a detox bath or go to the spa. Pamper yourself with a sauna or a massage. Both actually help facilitate the detox process. They also help you relax and focus on feeling good. If going to the spa isn’t your cup of tea consider enjoying a movie marathon or an afternoon reading and getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Do whatever you enjoy doing so you can focus on feeling good, strong and healthy.

#5. Utilize vitamins and supplements.

Make sure you get plenty of nutrition during your detox process. Take a good quality multi-vitamin. Make sure you get enough vitamin D. Also consider taking calcium and an Omega 3 supplement. Many detox plans eliminate most common foods. Even if you’re consuming juice you’re missing out on many of the vitamins you’d otherwise ingest. Taking a supplement can help you feel better during detox and manage symptoms. Also consider taking a detoxification supplement such as milk thistle, which will help cleanse the liver and support organ functions throughout your detox.

Do not drink caffeine or take stimulants during a detox plan. They can significantly worsen your symptoms. If you’re struggling to manage side effects, consider modifying the detox. You can ease into it by slowly eliminating foods over a period of a few days.

Detoxing is challenging for the healthiest of people. Plan ahead, pamper yourself and consider easing into the diet. To your great health!

For a gentle detox diet that works with your body naturally (and really works), check out the resource below - my favorite detox method.... 

Video: Introduction To The Total Wellness Cleanse & Detox Program

This quick video gives you a good overview of the Total Wellness Cleanse - my favorite detox program. I like it because it's gentle and natural and supports your body in doing what it does naturally to regain and maintain optimal health. Unlike popping a bunch of weird pills, or going on some extreme diet of vinegar or lemon juice, which is very unnatural and stressful on the body, the Total Wellness Cleanse provides a program for eliminating sugar cravings, and feeding the body with whole, healthy, natural foods that give your immune system and detoxification organs a boost of healthful nutrients.

The video describes the parts of the process, and what the main goals are for the 30-day cleanse. Check it out, and if you are interested in learning more, click the link below the video for more info.

Happy and Healthy New Year to you!

Total Wellness Cleanse and Detox Program.mp4
Total Wellness Cleanse is a 30-day diet developed by a team of registered holistic nutritionists - Yuri Elkaim, Amy Coates, and Adam Elkaim. This is a time-proven detox and cleanse diet plan that will get rid of toxins and other wastes clogging your ...


Click Here for More Info on The Total Wellness Cleanse...

Video - Juicing Organic Vegetables for Detoxification

This short video demonstrates how easy it is to make a delicious and nutritious juice drink for detox purposes. She also explains why it's extremely important to use organic vegetables for your detox diet, and discusses how to choose fruits and vegetables (and other foods) that minimize acidity and increase your alkalinity to release more toxins and help you lose weight more effectively.

Detox Weight Loss Diet: Organic Juicing for Alkalinity
Juice a delicious alkalinizing beverage with Dashama.
 

Learn More About Alkalinity, Health & Weight Loss:
   

Does Detoxing Help You Lose Weight?

If you want to lose weight you might be considering a detox plan. Although usually the main goal of a cleansing/detoxing program is to remove toxins from the body and restore healthy function, in recent years, many celebrities have touted detox plans as a quick weight loss strategy, and many people have found great success detoxing for weight loss. However, there are some facts to consider before using a detox program to lose weight.

(Photo credit: fantasyhealthball)

How Does Detoxing Help you Lose Weight?

Most detox diets require significant dietary restrictions. In fact, the Lemonade Diet or Master Cleanse diet limits you to drinking a lemon, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper concoction throughout the day. You don't eat anything. When you reduce your caloric intake like this your body begins to burn its fat stores. The result is that you lose a lot of weight quickly.

However, there are repercussions to this type of weight loss. You regain the weight as soon as you begin to eat normally again. Studies have also shown that dieting like this can slow down your metabolism.

There is good news, though. Not all detox plans have these same harsh side effects. Some detox diets and plans - such as the Total Wellness Cleanse - can help you lose weight naturally and gradually. Detoxing helps purge the toxins from your fat cells. This process can help you lose weight faster once you start a diet and exercise program. A detox diet doesn't have to mean starvation. And you can also detox (or enhance your detox diet efforts) with tea, massage, saunas and detox baths. Purging the toxins from your body can help you get a clean slate before you begin a diet and fitness program.

Additional Dieting and Detox Benefits

Detoxing can also help you lose weight in a number of other surprising ways. One important example is the renewed energy that you’ll likely have once you’ve completed your detox program. Most people who have detoxified state that they have more energy and more mental clarity when they finish. This energy will help you get and stay motivated to stick to your diet and exercise program.

You may also sleep better. Studies have shown that quality sleep helps boost weight loss. It also helps you keep the weight off once you’ve lost it. Finally, when you have completed a detox program you’re going to feel healthier. You will have eliminated sugary foods and processed foods from your diet. This process essentially reprograms your taste buds and your metabolism. You won’t have the same cravings or desire for junk food. This helps you stick to your diet program and lose weight.

When detoxing for weight loss keep your long term goals in mind. Starvation detox programs don’t always offer the best solution. However, there are quality detox plans and programs that help you get healthy and lose weight naturally. Find the plan that is right for you.

We do review various detoxification and cleansing programs here on this blog, but so far our favorite has been the Total Wellness Cleanse - a gentle method that has you eat lots of whole, fresh natural foods, to help support your body's own natural detoxification systems without starving you or subjecting you to all kinds of crazy supplements and pills that may actually be hard on the body.

Video - Introduction to the Total Wellness Cleanse

This quick video gives a 3-minute overview of what is, in my opinion, one of the best detox cleanse programs out there. It works with real, whole, natural foods to enhance and support your body's natural detoxification processes. This is more effective and puts a lot less stress on your bodily systems than a lot of the juice cleanse or supplement "detoxes" out there, and it's also easier to maintain and help eliminate cravings along the way.

Watch the short video below, and click the link below the video if you are interested in learning more.

Detox Diet: Total Wellness Cleanse
Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc. Cleansing your body does not require fancy pills or s...
 

Click Here to Learn More About The Total Wellness Cleanse...

 

How Eating Raw Triggers Detoxification

Cleaning is an every-day part of our lives. If we’re not cleaning the house, we’re doing laundry, cleaning the car, cleaning out the garage or attic, or clearing our desk of the never-ending piles of bills, junk mail, and coupons we accumulate. For the computer-savvy, cleaning is even an every day process in order to maintain an optimally-running, reliable and safe system. We even clean the outside of our bodies in some form or fashion on a daily basis, from showering to teeth brushing.

So, if cleaning is such a healthy part of our every day lives, logic would dictate we should do the same for the inside of our body as well, right??

Anterior view of the abdominal region. Skin is translucent in order to see the lymphatic system (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Detoxification and tissue cleansing is the process of purging environmental and chemical toxins from your body. Such toxins can disrupt every system in your body. If our body is polluted with such toxins, its own detoxification system – namely the liver, lungs, skin, kidneys and lymphatic system – cannot work properly, and these unruly poisons set up shop in every cell of our body, and soon begin to wreak havoc with our physical, mental and emotional well-being. (For more on toxic load and and how to minimize its impact on your health, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.)

These contaminants can create such problems as lethargy, foggy thinking, unhealthy skin, decreased vision, mood swings, and digestive disorders. However, by adopting a healthier and cleaner lifestyle, including eating healthy raw foods, our body can conduct its own ‘spring cleaning.’ And contrary to what most might think, raw foods are actually more easily digestible than cooked foods are.

Eating raw foods also enables the digestive system to ‘clean house’ and begin the process of purging the dangerous environmental and chemical toxins from the cells of the body, thereby restoring the systems to their optimal states. In addition, since raw foods are so nutrient-dense, they also simultaneously provide the body with much-needed and missed nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs in order to continually perform optimally on an ongoing basis.

Whether you choose to continue on a raw food diet long-term is up to you, but it's great for cleansing and purging toxins from your body on a short term basis as well.

Superfoods for Relief from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The main indications of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are overall general physical and mental weariness. There are many different causes of tiredness. Just because you’re frequently tired doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got CFS. The condition must persist for more than six consecutive months and include other symptoms such as memory loss, sore throat, headaches and muscle/joint pain without swelling or redness.

Though there are several potential causes for CFS, the main reason for all fatigue is most likely to be poor nutrition. Other causes could be faulty digestion, food allergies, obesity, sleep problems, tension or depression. Smoking, alcohol and drugs are also contributing factors.

English: Green, yellow and red bell peppers from the capsicum annuum plant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The main symptoms of CFS are physical and mental fatigue. It can be so severe that people are unable to participate fully in normal, everyday activities. Even getting plenty of rest doesn’t seem to make any difference for most sufferers. While some drugs are now available for this condition, most have harmful side effects, and are simply not a viable option for long-term use - at least if you want a long and healthy life. But, with basic lifestyle changes and a diet rich in whole food nutrients, almost anyone can help prevent or even reverse these symptoms.

The first step would be to switch to a more wholesome diet that consists mainly of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are all full of vitamin C, which helps promote a healthy immune system. Zinc does the same. Red meat, fortified whole grain cereals, peanuts and whole-milk dairy products are all good food sources of zinc.

Brussels Sprouts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And, for protein, focus on fish high in omega-3 oils and lean poultry, since they are loaded with essential fatty acids (EFAs) which help improve circulation and oxygen uptake with proper red blood cell flexibility and function. It’s imperative to get EFAs from your dietary choices, as the body cannot manufacture them. EFA deficiencies are linked to diminished mental capacities and immune function.

Other things that will help include decreasing stress and getting plenty of good quality rest and regular moderate exercise. Drink lots of pure, clean water, and avoid sweets, caffeine, sodas, processed and salty foods. Set obtainable goals and think positively. 

Hopefully with these tips, you'll soon see an improvement in symptoms. But hang in there - it could take several  months for these lifestyle changes to take effect. Remember if you've been feeding your body junk and processed foods for years, it's going to take some time to get back to a healthy norm. (A gentle detox diet, like the Total Wellness Cleanse, can be a great place to start, and get you back on track to health.)

Why Detox? What Are The Benefits?

Considering detoxing? If you want to improve your health, it may be a great place to start. But before you choose a detox plan, make sure you understand the risks and benefits of detoxing. Have a goal for your plan and choose your detox program accordingly.

Top Three Detox Benefits

There are many benefits from detoxing. It doesn’t matter what type of plan you use, the benefits are all basically the same. They’re consistent and powerful. When you detox you will likely:

weight loss tracker week 2 (Photo credit: The Shed1)1. Lose Weight

One of the primary reasons many people detox is to lose weight. Detox diets are often very restrictive and weight loss is a natural result. For example, the Master Cleanse diet that many celebrities rave about is extremely limiting. You’re essentially drinking water, lemon and some spices for several days. Of course you’re going to lose weight. You’re consuming very few calories (and this process is fairly hard on your body).

However, once you stop detoxing, you’ll gain the weight back. That being said, many chemicals and toxins are stored in your fat cells. When you cleanse and detox, your fat cells are better able to metabolize. You will likely find it easier to burn fat and lose weight - even on a more normal diet - once you’ve detoxified your body.

2. Have More Energy

Most people who go on a detox diet or program find that they have much more energy both during and after the detox. Chemicals and toxins stored in your body affect your energy levels. They slow down your metabolism. They can interfere with sleep. Toxins can also stress your immune system making it work extra hard to fight germs and infections. Detoxing removes these chemicals from your body. Thus your body is better able to function. You’ll feel more energetic, sleep better and even have more mental clarity - see next benefit.

3. Experience Mental Clarity

Many toxins create a foggy mind. Artificial sweeteners and sugar both tend to affect your thinking processes. When you detox, you cut sugar and artificial sweeteners from your diet. You’ll feel as if a fog has lifted. Or as one woman said when talking about her own detox plan, “It was like someone put glasses on me and suddenly I could see everything clearly.”

A good, healthy detox program.

Other common benefits include:
* Improved complexion
* Better breath
* Improved digestion and regularity
* Stronger immune system – fewer colds and illnesses
* Improved sense of well-being
* Better sleep
* Better stress management

Now it’s important to note that while there are many powerful benefits, you may also experience some less pleasant effects during the process. There are many side effects that you’ll likely experience in the first few days. Most are mild, and include headaches, stomach aches, mood swings and irritability and insomnia. Plan your detox during a time when these side effects won’t have a significant impact.

For example, you might start a detox plan on a Thursday. The withdrawal symptoms and detox side effects will occur over the weekend. By Monday you’ll likely be feeling much better and more energetic.

Consult with your alternative healthcare provider to see if detoxing is right for you. If you’re pregnant or struggling with an existing health condition detoxing isn’t a good idea. However, if you’re relatively healthy and your doctor gives the go ahead, detoxing can lead you to improved health.

Exploring Common Detox Methods

When it comes to detoxing there are as many ways to detox as there are reasons to. It can be confusing trying to figure out which one is right for you. Before you make a decision, decide what you want to accomplish with a detox plan. Also consider your lifestyle and how you might fit a detox program into your life for a few days. Finally, make sure the program is safe and reputable.

Once you know what you’re looking for then you can begin comparing methods. The following are the most common detox methods.

Image via Wikipedia#1 Juicing

A juice detox plan generally requires you to drink juice and only juice for several days to a week. Some juicing detox plans actually let you gradually ease into the plan and ease your way out. Juicing is a fairly easy way to detox. You are able to consume calories which is better than a starvation detox diet. And all of those organic vegetables and fruits are great for your body. You’ll be consuming a vast amount of fiber and nutrients.

#2 Tea

There are several tea type cleanses or detox diets. They essentially require you to drink an herbal or laxative tea for several days. The challenge to this diet is the fact that you don’t get to eat anything. You just drink a lot of tea. People tend to lose weight on a diet like this. However, they also tend to gain it back once they quit the diet. They do, however, often work to flush out your kidneys, liver, colon and cleansing organs.

#3 Elimination diets

Elimination diets like a Candida diet, a gluten free diet or a sugar free diet are all great for helping you regain your health. They tend to last a few weeks to several months. This means you need to be committed to the diet. However, once you cleanse your system of the offending food(s) you will be much healthier. These types of deist are best for those who are struggling with poor dietary habits. Or if you suspect you have a food sensitivity or allergy.

#4 Traditional methods

Image via WikipediaTraditionally people detoxed by sweating. Saunas are a wonderful way to detox. You can enjoy a traditional steam sauna. You might also take a look at infrared saunas. Massage helps move the toxins from the muscles too.

Another traditional method to detox is to take a salt bath. Epsom salts cost just a few dollars at your supermarket. You can find them in the first aid section. Pour a cup, or two, of Epsom salts into a hot bath. Add essential oils to the bath to add an aroma therapy element to the bath. Bathe for thirty to sixty minutes. While bathing use a loofa or scrub to brush dead skin cells and toxins from your skin. Rinse off.

There are many detox methods to consider. Some are easy, like taking a sauna. Others are a bit more challenging. You might consider combing some methods to receive maximum benefit. Always take care to detox slowly and to make sure you’re healthy enough for a detox plan.

Video - What to Expect During a Cleanse

Here is a video that will give you some ideas of some of the side effects you may experience while on a cleanse diet. Keep in mind that these may vary depending on your health and how toxic your body is before starting the cleanse. A cleanse diet is usually one of the more gentle ways to detox your body, as it is allowing the body to cleanse itself naturally without forcing anything. That said, if you are used to eating lots of sugar, white flour, and caffeine every day, your body may take longer to adjust to a healthy diet, and you may experience more side effects than someone who eats fairly clean already.

Check this out, and for some more info visit the link below.

Body Cleanse - What to Expect on a Cleanse
www.totalwellnesscleanse.com Get your FREE report today - "The Toxic Side of Food" and learn how to cleanse properly and safely. Go to: www.totalwellnesscleanse.com


For more information on the Total Wellness Cleanse click here.

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!