SPRING DETOXIFICATION FOR YOUR BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
Dr Giselle Cooke, M.B.,B.S., D.B.M., Dip.Acup.

Spring is the time of growth, renewal and making a fresh start. Our gardens need tending and so do our systems. This is the ideal time to undertake a cleansing or “detoxification” program, with which we can assist you here at The Modern Apothecary.

As part of a health maintenance program for my patients I have realised the benefits of giving our body, mind and spirit a regular servicing - as we would give our cars a 100,000 kilometre service. I find this not only wards off illness, but also rejuvenates our organs and our tissues. To feel that spring in your step and to have that sparkle in your eye is what we can achieve with detoxification. This may conjure up images of coming off alcohol or coming clean from drugs, but in this context it refers to the traditional naturopathic concept of cleansing our bodies of waste and toxins (poisons and impurities) to improve systems function and energy production.


If you have a well-constructed “detox” program you will find it reasonably easy to undertake. It may be possible to socialise and entertain, to travel and to carry out your normal activities while cleansing, especially if you are reasonably fit. If you have recently been ill, take strong prescription medications or have recently had surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy you will need to have your condition stabilised with your health care practitioner first before attempting a detox program. You then must choose a doctor who practises nutritional medicine and is familiar with detoxification programs to assist you through this process. With close medical supervision it will be safe to cleanse after adequate initial preparation. However if you usually enjoy a degree of good health then a naturopath will be able to give you an effective program.
FIRST
Find a practitioner who regularly prescribes detoxification programs and who is skilled in dealing with the consequences. If carried out carelessly a detox can make you feel quite ill and may even induce a “healing crisis” - a week or so of acute illness, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, rashes or a ‘flu-like syndrome - due to the release of toxins into the circulation from silent storage in fat deposits. Although this experience can be quite distressing it is rarely dangerous and usually results in a good recovery, however there are more comfortable ways to cleanse!

You will probably need to take some herbal and nutritional supplements to detox efficiently and you practitioner will advise you in this regard. I am not very fond of fasting programs, certainly not for any length of time, since they lead to loss of essential tissues and organ bulk, such as muscle loss, which will leave you feeling weak and tired. A nutritionally assisted detox is a more sophisticated way to rid your body of waste whilst conserving essential tissues and idealising your body composition of fat and fluid versus muscle and organ. You will regain a metabolism that will be more efficient at generating energy and eliminating waste and this recovery will last you at least one year if you follow up with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

For a suitable practitioner try contacting:
The Australian Integrative Medicine Association
F.I.T. Sales Pty Ltd (distributors of detoxification and other nutritional products)
Free call: 1 300 650 455
The Complementary Health Care Council
Phone: (02)62 604 022
Email: chc@chc.org.au
The Australian Traditional Medicine Society
Phone: (02) 9809 6800
Email: enquiries@atms.com.au
The Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine
Phone: (03) 9589 6088
Email : acnem@mail.austasia.net

NOW PREPARE TO REJUVENATE!

DURING YOUR DETOX...

Drink plenty of purified or spring water throughout the day

Drink diluted fresh organic juices, ideally blending vegetables and fruits

Eat meals regularly in a relaxed way, chewing your food well

It is important not to go hungry and to eat as much as is satisfying, but not overindulging. Overeating leads to gut fermentation which adds to the body’s total toxin load, making us feel sluggish and unwell

Avoid glutens (wheat, rye, oats, barley), dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, refined/processed/high fat/ high sugar foods

Avoid eating foods which you know cause you any sort of reaction, either allergy, sensitivity or intolerance

Your meals should contain approximately 50% raw food, 50% cooked food. This balance is important for optimal nutrient and fibre supply. You can choose to eat entirely raw food in warmer weather, but during the cooler seasons some of the diet should be warm to help digestion (“digestive fire”, according to Ayurvedic medicine) and energy flow (“chi” in Chinese medicine) in the body

Keep food preparation simple - steaming, grilling and grilling are preferable to microwave and barbeque preparation (the latter can produce carcinogens - cancer causing compounds - in the food)

Choose at least one serving of dark green or orange vegetables and one raw vegetable each day. The brassica family of vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, mustard greens) support detoxification with their high sulphur content

Rotate your food choices daily - choose new fruit s and vegetables, a new grain and a new protein each day on roughly a four- day rotation basis

Eat foods in season and preferably organic, as much as possible. Wash fruit and vegetables well with a mild acid (vinegar) or soap to remove chemical residues if not organic.

Focus mostly on vegetarian protein choices over animal protein, since they are more digestible, although there are some people who do not digest beans and legumes very well. If eating animal products they would be best to be free range, organic or biodynamically produced.
Lamb and turkey are “cleaner” meats than beef and chicken. Low fat versions are best, except fish, which is better if it is oily and caught in cold waters. Shellfish are not recommended due to their allergy potential and being bottom scavengers (unclean)

Rest whenever tired or feeling toxic, sleep as much as necessary.

De-stress.

Exercise only lightly, if you are able, in the initial phase of the detox, increasing intensity according to your energy and stamina. If you have muscle pain and exhaustion lasting overnight after exercise reduce its intensity and rest well between exercise sessions.

Enjoy the benefits!

How To Maintain The Beneits Of Your Detox Throughout The Year
⎫ Eat wholefoods rich in fibreAvoid allergenic foods
⎫ Avoid food chemicals & additives
⎫ Eat antioxidant-rich foods, such as the brassica vegetables
⎫ Chew foods well, eat in a relaxed manner/environment
⎫ Take antioxidant supplements, including herbs (St Mary’s Thistle, Astragalus)
⎫ Avoid antacid drugs
⎫ Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary
⎫ Take multi-probiotic supplement, such as Lactobacilus acidophilus and bifidus (digestive organisms), if digestion poor or antibiotics taken within the previous year
⎫ Avoid/treat yeast overgrowth/infections
⎫ Treat parasite infestations
⎫ Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
⎫ Drink plenty of filtered/spring water daily, away from meals