Why Detox? Part 2: Foods That Detoxify

The word "detoxification" conjures up all sorts of reactions these days.

It has been interpreted to mean different things to different people. Medically, detoxification is most often viewed as a withdrawal method for drug or alcohol dependency.

To others it might mean a spiritual ritual.

For most of us, however detoxification is a healing strategy-- particularly if we suffer with chronic pain, fatigue, allergies, immune disorders, musculoskeletal problems, depression, brain fog, digestive complaints, headaches, cancers, arthritis and many other ailments.

Did you know that your body goes through its own natural cycles of detoxification, mostly during the night?

While you are resting, the body's job is to repair, replenish, and replace parts so that you are ready to go in the morning.

So, if you are waking up stiff and sore, or are not feeling rested, alert and ready to go in the morning then your body has not been able to do its proper job during the night.

Your body, if given the correct raw materials and not over-burdened, is an amazingly efficient waste treatment plant. The problem is that in our modern world we are living, breathing and eating in a toxic soup. (refer to last week’s blog 1/25/2010)

The best way to detox the body is to provide quality raw materials it needs to clean out the elimination pathways and filter and convert the toxins to water soluble compounds that can be eliminated

There are certain foods that help the body's natural detoxification mechanisms.

They are, of course, naturally grown foods in the form of vegetables and fruits.

Here are just some of the more helpful foods:

Lemons, oranges, caraway and pumpkin seeds, beets, endive, and escarole, the cruiciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, watercress etc.), spinach, tomatoes, peas, yams, dandelion, kale, radish, garlic, cilantro, grapes, and berries.

Some of the more helpful herbs are: yarrow, chamomile, peppermint, milk thistle burdock, yucca root, siberian ginseng, chicory, and radicchio.

Isn't that great? Nature has provided us with all these plants and more so that we can live healthy, happy and long lives in spite of ourselves.

What is definitely NOT on this list?

Big Macs, corn dogs, pasteurized dairy products, diet sodas, bagels, pastas, breads and cereals, low fat and fat free snacks. "healthy heart" products, etc. You get the idea.

These processed products erroneously described by some as "foods" are made with human ingenuity which alas, cannot hope to meet the standards that nature has set for us.

Where ever did we get the notion of 'better living through chemistry?'

Next Week "Do's and Don'ts of an Effective Detox."