Do you want to cleanse or detoxify your body? If you are one of the many Americans who have heard that you may be carrying up to 20 pounds of accumulated waste and toxins in your body, you may be ready to take action. Before you start with a body detox program, it is important to find out if you are the right candidate.
Factors that can help you determine if you are ready for a body detox or cleanse include:
Your health. Are you healthy? Do you suffer from any medical conditions, such as thyroid condition or diabetes? If so, you should not start a body cleanse or detox without first consulting your doctor. There are many body detox programs available, including colon cleansing, liver flush, juice fasting, the Master Cleanse, detox diet and etc. and making the switch to all-natural, organic foods. After evaluating your health condition, there should be at least one detox approach that is right for you.
If you are female, it is important to make sure you are not pregnant. When water fasting, your body will be robbed of essential nutrients that are not only important for your body, but they are vital to unborn babies. Women who are pregnant or even breastfeeding should never try a water fast. Juice fasting and the Master Cleanse do provide you with some nutrients, but not enough. Speak to a healthcare professional. There are other body detox approach that you can take for example herbal colon cleansing, detox juice, detox diet consists of only organic food, and etc.
Your daily and weekly routine. If you opt for the Master Cleanse, you will see that 10-day is the recommended length of detoxification. Throughout those 10-days, you will experience a number of side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Although many are able to continue to work or go about their daily routine on the Master Cleanse, others find it difficult to do so. You may have to slightly modify your schedule or take a leave for it. Otherwise, opt for other body detox methods that are less radical such as herbal colon cleansing, coffee enema for liver detox, body wrap, foot pad etc.
Your weight. If you are overweight, a detox is recommended. As stated earlier, our bodies can store up to 20 pounds of toxins and waste! Those who are at normal weight would have some buildup, but it is significantly less. If you have tried different exercise plans, as well as healthy eating and still failed, it may be time for a body detox. Although a detox is not recommended simply just for weight loss, the end results can improve your health in the long run.
Your ability to stay focused and on task. If you opt for waster fasting, juice fasting, or the Master Cleanse, solid foods will be eliminated from your diet. Whether you cleanse for 3 days or for 13, you will experience severe hunger pains. These pains will be accompanied with discomfort, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Right away, you may wish to give-up. That is okay, but your ability to stay focused, on task, and avoid solid foods will result in success. If you do not believe you can go without food for 5 to 10 days, examine other options of detoxifying your body. Simple steps such as increasing water consumption, fiber intake, and exercising can improve your health too.
In conclusion, unless you have health complications, no harm can come from at least trying a body detox or cleanse. With that said, always listen to your body. Any pain and discomfort you experience should pass within one to two days. If not, stop your detox program immediately and seek medical attention.