Let’s start off with what a Detox looks like. There’s a lot of misconceptions (or generalizations) out there—when most people hear the word “detox” they think of something extreme like being on the toilet for a day or two after taking pills/powders, or something like the master cleanse where you’re forced to solely survive on maple syrup, lemon and cayenne pepper for a couple days. It may offer some relief for you to hear that not all detoxes are like this!
Even with that in mind, some of you may be asking why detox at all? Isn’t our body already detoxing all the time?
That’s a good question. Our body is always working. Sweating, for example, is a process that is happening all the time and does help to cleanse the body. But it is important to take into consideration that, in today’s day and age, we have a higher exposure to toxins like:
- Plastics and heavy metals affecting our endocrine system
- Pesticides affecting our gut
- Stress pulling us away from our rest and digest phase (parasympathetic nervous system)
- Carcinogenic materials
- Perhaps (at this time of year) overindulgence from the holidays.
All these factors affect how our hormones work, how we deal with stress and potentially our body’s susceptibility to develop diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart issues or metabolic syndromes down the road. So, if you have the ability to help your body work a little better, it can be an immense help!
Some intense cleanses can really help kick start a body into gear, but there are also others that put too pressure much on the body and can cause harm. So, it is really important to be mindful of how the dietary changes you are implementing can affect your overall health and your day to day life in general.
I recommend that, before you start a detox, you ask yourself the following questions:
- What type of prep should I be doing before or after a detox?
- What about work, sleep, exercise, foods, fluids?
- What is the current state of my liver and kidneys? Are they strong enough to do a detox?
- Do the medications or supplements I am taking affect the detox I am doing?
- What is my blood pressure and will it be affected by this?
- Do I have any conditions that may affect my ability to detox?
- Is this the right time to do a cleanse?
- Am I listening to what my body needs?
How do you start the process?
Detox kits are a bit like a marathon. Would you sign up for a marathon without training? Probably not. Most of us need to help prepare our bodies for big physical changes, a detox is no different. The marathon concept is also applicable in a weather sense: when should you go for a race? In the winter? Heck no! It’s dangerous. This idea is very similar with using detoxing kits with our body. During the colder months a Detox can make the body work extra hard, and can cause more stress. Why is this? Let’s look to Chinese Medicine for the answer!
Winter is COLD! TCM takes this into account. From a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) perspective, this chilly season is not the time for salads and raw foods, as raw foods tend to need more energy to break down and our body must warm up the foods first before it can digest them well. As a result, when we eat raw foods in the colder months, our body is forced to expend more energy that could otherwise be used to warm up. With the lack of sun, shorter days, and colder temperatures this is a season for conserving energy, not expending it. As a result, doing a harsh “detox” this time of year increases the risks of adverse symptoms associated with detoxing including: headaches, nausea, more harsh bowel movements, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, weakness, etc.
But Spring, in TCM, is time where the liver and gallbladder are at the optimal time for a detox; these organs are the main detoxing organs and the warm weather makes for a better environment for some changes. We tend to want more movement of in ligaments/muscles and to expend energy when the sun starts coming out more often. We have more strength with the warmer weather, and we have more vision forward. This time period (around May for Canadians) is the recommended season for a detox.
Does All this Mean I Can’t Detox Now?
I’m not saying “don’t detox right now!” There are a lot of factors to take into consideration before your start and that. During winter the best step might be to start a gradual process towards a ‘spring cleaning!’ Following the holidays, lots of us have had more stress than normal: too much alcohol, a little too many inflammatory foods, too many indulgences or family gatherings, many of us are rundown. I tend to see more patients with neck/shoulder pains and headaches this time of year. For those of you who are looking to offer your body some relief, and who want to get everything on the right track, I recommend the following:
- Keep the kits and harsher detox’s for the spring time. Start small by reducing the load you put on your body. Decreasing the amount of alcohol you consume, cutting back on the rich and overindulgent foods, drinking enough fluids (remineralized water is the best) in the day and getting at least 8 hours of sleep can do wonders. Let’s prep the body for spring!
- Dry Brushing can also be a good tool to use. It helps your skin and improves the way you eliminate/detox through it.
- Try to use natural skin and hair care products (or reduce the amount) to allow your skin to breathe.
- Though the heat may feel nice this time of year, saunas can really push the organs into overdrive and force them to detox when they aren’t ready. You may want to only stay ½ the time you normally would, or avoid that extra heat all together.
- We also tend to over exercise this time of year. Most gym’s have crazy spikes in attendance only for a couple months. Remember that if you integrate physical activity into your life correctly and if you keep in mind that this is a time of conserving energy, you will be less likely to hurt yourself and get discouraged. I tend to suggest doing a yin or restorative type yoga at this time. It’s warming, slow and you can learn to listen to your body’s needs a little more. It’s a great space to have quiet time, destress, untangle your mind and connect to yourself (mentally and physically). It also helps you to get those eight hours of needed rest at night.
- Eating warming foods is important. More porridges vs. cold cereals. Less packaged foods and more cooked meals. Have more stir fries, steamed, broiled, roasted, poached foods. Veggies like pumpkin, squashes, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, dates, coconut, taro, almonds, lentils tend to be supportive at this time. Avoiding salty foods, pork and dairy helps the body out. Cutting refined sugars or fake sugars (ie. Adding it to coffee or tea. Less baking, crackers, chips, bagels, bread, etc.)
- Everyone seems to see shakes and salad’s as a fresh and a “healthy” thing. But I’ve had to switch many of my patients off them. They are just too cold for the body. You can tell this if you are noticing more loose bowels and more inconsistent bowels. Avoid your food sensitivities. They make your body work much more.
- Look at the latest dirty dozen from the environmental working group, these are the top 12 foods that are the highest in pesticides and affect us the most. Please buy these ones organic! They also have the clean fifteen. These foods do not need to be bought organic.
- Consider doing a social media, phone or screen time detox so that you can get more in touch with yourself and what you need. You can help your circadian rhythm reset by avoiding that blue light before bed to help you sleep.
During this mid-winter season, I encourage you to take the gradual steps needed to prepare your body for Spring. For a customized approach to helping your body on track, please book an appointment with me, or come in to discuss your concerns during a free meet and greet! You can call 403-452-0029 during our business hours to book one of those.