Tick-Tock… What is and Why Detox?

Are you ready to recharge, shed excess weight, boost your immune system and kick sugar cravings, food intolerances and fatigue to the curb? Don’t you want to ditch the diets, stop counting calories and reboot your metabolism? Tick-tock…maybe it’s time for a detox? What is a detox exactly and why do you need to do one? And why do I believe that fall offers the perfect time to do it? Let’s face it. Detoxing isn’t just a trendy topic. It’s become a watered down concept that can mean pretty much anything. It seems like nowadays detoxing is synonymous with the idea of doing anything that’s different diet-wise from what you do now. In fact, as it becomes more and more clear that “dieting” doesn’t lead to long-term weight loss, the word has become passé and “detoxing” has taken its place. The thing is detoxing has nothing to do with dieting! Detoxification means to change, to neutralize, or to clear toxins from the body, to clear and eliminate buildup in the body that impairs the function of all our body systems which include our heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, bowels and more.

Detoxing IS Confusing!

See, there really is no “dieting” involved. As the word “detoxing” gets thrown around more and more, countless “detox” and “cleanse” protocols and products have popped up…making the whole detox thing pretty darn confusing. There are all sorts of detoxes: 3 days, 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 21 days, 30 days. To be honest, some of them are pretty crazy in my opinion…

1. Drink a cup of olive oil and chase it with a can of Coke (OMG.. really?)

2. Eat only raw foods (not a bad idea IF you have previous detoxing experience)

3. Drink only smoothies or green drinks (see comment in #2(

4. Consume herbs and expensive supplements to “aid” the process” in order for the detox to really work (and yes, they do help, but why spend all that money if you are new to detoxes?)

5. Drink expensive, network-marketed, high-protein shakes and bars. I’m not bashing these programs but the worst part in this program and others like it I have seen are the whey or soy bars protein drinks and powders. (My concern with this is that these are highly refined, made from inexpensive, hormone-grown cow excretions (whey protein) or estrogenic refined soy products.)

6. Eat nothing but protein and some steamed vegetables. Sounds healthy right? It is! However, the only reason people achieve weight loss and may feel better temporarily on this program is the fact that they are not eating processed foods, however you just can’t stick to these foods alone. Your body needs more than these foods.

7. Drinking nothing but lemonade made from water, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Have you heard about this one? It’s a famous old program with the basis of it is to give the body a rest. That is a great idea. Besides the fact that lemon juice is only alkalizing (which is a very positive thing in a world with far too much acidity) and also a natural diuretic which helps the body to reduce inflammation and release fluids. My concern with this protocol is the massive amount of concentrated sweetener (in the form of maple syrup) keeps blood sugar high…or spiking and falling. Albeit a “natural sweetener”.. it’s still not healthy and doesn’t feed your body what it needs.

These are just a few of the many programs that range anywhere from scientifically dubious to seriously nutritionally grotesque. Actually I feel many of these are also dangerous and a bit unethical. You and your body deserve better.

Understanding WHY You Need to Detox

I absolutely believe that everyone eating any version of the Standard American Diet (SAD) needs to detoxify a few times a year. I personally do a detox at least 2 x a year, and I consider myself to eat a really clean diet. Let’s face it…we’ve all got a little room for improvement. And remember that I mentioned, a detox is more than just the food we eat. Imagine this: You’re throwing a big party, but you are trying to clean your house while the party is happening. It’d be really difficult to get it super clean while all the guests are in the way, spilling drinks, dropping crumbs everywhere, etc. Right? Well it’s the same for your body. We take in toxins constantly and don’t give our body the break it needs to have a thorough cleaning. This is WHY you need to detox! I hear this all the time, most people want for their detox program to help them lose weight. Sure, that is important, especially because 70% of our country is afflicted by obesity, it’s no wonder that’s a primary goal…and that others come secondary. Let me ask you this, however. Have been experiencing any the following symptoms?

• Headaches and Brain Fog
• Low Energy and Insomnia
• Indigestion and Constipation
• Skin Conditions such as Acne, Eczema
• Food Cravings and Excess Weight
• Low Libido

If you said yes maybe it’s time to detox your body to clear symptoms, treat disease, and prevent future problems These are all symptoms of way too much toxicity you the body. Your body is not able to function properly. With a detox program you can eliminate many of these symptoms. The bonus of the detox is makes for an ideal way to help you re-evaluate your life, make changes, or clear abuses and addictions. I can’t stress this enough…detoxification is helpful for weight loss, but it shouldn’t be the primary purpose. It’s so important to KNOW YOUR WHY. You should detox to be healthier, have more vitality, and to feel rejuvenated.

Where Do Toxins Come From?

Now think about this…we live, eat and breathe in toxicity every day. Look around your home and think of the paint on the walls, the carpet, laundry and cleaning products you use, the pesticides sprayed on your green grass or products used by the exterminator to get rid of bugs, the preservatives and chemicals in your foods, the “stuff” that goes in and out of your car, even the shampoo, lotions and cosmetics you use all over your body…. Even if you attempt to live chemical-free in your home…contact with chemicals and toxicity really is inevitable. We’re all still exposed to some degree just merely by eating, breathing, living, and sleeping. Good grief, that sounds kinda scary right? While it may not be entirely possible to totally eliminate our entire toxic load, it is important to work on reducing it. Think of it as “dumping the junk out of the trunk”. The best part is, it’s not so hard (or scary) to do.

Let’s Talk About Getting That “Junk Out of the Trunk”…

You regularly empty the garbage cans in your home…right? Here’s the thing. I think that emptying our body’s “trash” is often one of the most neglected and least understood “chores” of self-care. Would you now agree? When overwhelmed by toxins, our body can’t properly perform its many functions. We then end up getting all sort of symptoms of “dysfunction” that I mentioned earlier. Our metabolism, immune system digestion, elimination of waste, absorption of nutrients, production of important brain chemicals, reproduction, circulation, respiration… all our body systems… are all affected. We lose proper function…and we create dis-ease. It’s really that black and white! This is why the natural processes of detoxifying are necessary to be healthy, happy and free from disease. After all, it’s the body’s job to make it happen, all day, every day. We just get in the way of that. From my personal experience, I’m a firm believer that a healthy and strong “gut” is key to good health. Our digestive systems can become weakened from the foods we eat, substances consumed, and the environment we live in. By choosing to eliminate toxins through dietary changes and other cleansing methods, we actively participate in these processes on a conscious level and support optimal health of our amazing body. Trust me, I know from firsthand experience.

Detoxes Offer Benefits Beyond Weight Loss!

So what are our options? Unless we are ready to live in a bubble or a hyperbaric chamber…detoxing isn’t an option. It’s a necessity. Detoxing of the gut will improve digestion. Then, with proper digestion we optimize and absorb all those nutrients we take in. With better nutrient absorption comes healthy function of the body’s processes. With better body functions, the more efficiently and easily we eliminate waste and toxins. I hear all the time from my clients after a detox how alive, nourished, clean and clear they feel. The best way to detoxify (at least from a nutritional approach) is to give the body food that is easy types of fuel to digest. It should be simple to make with minimum of ingredients and natural sugars. Find a program that gives you the weight loss you’re looking for, but also improved energy, better digestion, and complete elimination of toxic build-up in the organs. You seriously need to forget about gagging down glassfuls of oil followed by soda, eating processed protein bars and powders supplements, starving yourself except to drink lemonade, and so many of the other ploys that truly are not health-restorative plans. Aside from the internal health benefits, detoxification can also be a great catalyst for external change. It’s a great opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate what’s most important to you. A detox can serve to help you cleanse your house, your work, and your relationships. You may even feel more organized, creative, motivated, productive, relaxed, and mentally focused and clear. So, if you want more energy, greater vitality, more youthful and radiant skin, and greater health for life…then cleansing should be a regular (annual or semi-annual) part of your life.

Why is it Essential to Detox in the Fall?

Our bodies go through shifts during every season. It’s important to detox so your body cleans out the old that may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts or suppressing your immune system. Seasonal detoxes allow the body to shift gradually into healthy eating foods and recreating healthy patters. This means fewer colds, less inflammation, and more consistent elimination for proper detoxification. A safe and effective detox should support your body naturally to reboot, recharge and unclog your organs.

My 5 Tips on How to Do a Daily Detox

Detoxing daily really not complicated. Make it part of your lifestyle. Start with 1 tip and add on from there. Check out my Facebook LIVESTREAM to help you with the first tip! 

1. Drink ½ your weight in water (and add essential oils too) 2. Eat real food, plant based along with organic, grass-fed protein 3. Drink a morning elixir and at least 1-quart low sugar green smoothie 4. Move 30 minutes a day 5. Decompress with yoga or meditation and then rest (get 7-9 hours of sleep)

This year, consider a Fall Detox program an opportunity to clean out your system. Click here for my personal detox program. It’s a simple and delicious 10-day program that I truly believe will revolutionize the way you think about detoxing. And if you have any questions about detoxing, please email me at roseann@roseannzaft.com. I’m more than happy to help in any way I can!]]>