by Silvia Dekumbis

Created on: June 30, 2010   Last Updated: August 26, 2010

The term detox refers to a natural cleansing process in which the whole organism is freed and cleared of any pollutants and environmental toxins.  Above all, food containing an abundance of sugar or animal protein and lacking dietary fiber is considered the main cause of accumulated acid salts deposited between cells.  Furthermore, the body absorbs chemicals such as pesticides from food, air pollution, and lead from old water pipes on a daily basis.  All of these pollutants weaken it; the connective tissues become overloaded; the effectiveness of cell metabolism is decreased.

When is it time for a detox?

Excess acid in the body can be recognized with the onset of cellulitis, the appearance of slightly swollen facial features, increased skin blemishes, sallow complexion and dull-looking hair.  As the immune system is weakened, we feel exhausted and tired, possibly even displaying a bad temper or mood swings.

What happens during a detox treatment?

Until recently, there was one way to detoxify in particular, and that was by following a strict fasting diet.  According to studies done by American scientists, fasting will speed up cell metabolism significantly.  Furthermore, an additional five percent of accumulated damaged cells could be eliminated.  For those who prefer to be slowly accustomed to a fasting diet, gentle detoxification programs, which have proven to be effective in eliminating accumulated toxins, were designed by nutritional experts.  Those detox diets include a 7-10 day vitamin-rich, low-calorie diet, specifically avoiding food that will metabolize into acid ash.

What can I eat during a detox treatment?

The most important task during the purification process is the intake of water, which is absolutely necessary to flush out those toxins.  Fluid intake should consist of plenty of water per day, including unsweetened juices and unsweetened herbal teas.  To calculate your necessary fluid intake, take your body weight and convert it into kilograms, multiplying it by 0.035.  For every hour of sport or activity in the sun, you should drink an additional liter of water.  Adding licorice root to your drinks will intensify the detoxing effect.  Solid foods should consist of raw fruit and vegetables and naturally light vegetarian dishes.  Chemically-processed foods and dishes containing white flour and sugar should be completely avoided.  Meat should be replaced with small amounts

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