Showing posts with label antioxidants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antioxidants. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Truth About Colon Detox

Did you know that pollutants and contaminants can be found in the air we breathe, the water we drink. Preservatives, food additives and pesticides can be found in many places, even the foods we eat. Alcohol consumption and/or smoking may also increase the level of toxins in the body and could interfere with the body’s natural detox functions.

In addition to these external factors, there are internal factors that could add to the toxic buildup in the body. Bodily processes such as respiration, digestion produce byproducts. The natural detox processes of the body might find it hard to keep up with such an overwhelming overload.

Toxin Buildup and Detox Cleanse
Think you don’t need to detox? Not so fast. Does this sound like you? Poor dietary habits, a propensity to overeat, an addiction to fast foods and processed foods that contain chemicals, do not provide our bodies with the necessary nourishment required to counteract the levels of toxin buildup in the body. In time, the liver could become overwhelmed. This may lead to a poor disposition of overall health or to more serious health complications.

A balanced diet, antioxidant-rich foods and regular exercise may help support the body’s natural detox functions. Some people revert to fasting, one-food only diets, or liquid-only diets to detoxify the system. Such diet programs are unnecessary and the American Dietetic Association advises-“Your metabolism slows, the body shuts down [and] conserves, and any functions that are unnecessary, like 'cleansing,' are not going to occur.”

To help support your body’s natural detox function, natural detox cleanse is often the preferred choice. Such detox cleanses typically contain detoxifying herbs and dietary fiber in addition to colon cleanse ingredients and digestive herbs.

Fiber-based detox cleanses have an additional advantage. Fiber is known to bind toxins found in the digestive tract and expeditiously eliminates them from the system before they are absorbed by the body.

Detoxifying herbs help to stimulate other vital eliminatory organs of the body such as the liver and kidneys so that they are able to perform their tasks of eliminating toxins at optimum levels.

Regularity is vital to elimination of toxins and is related to good health. A good detox cleanse provides support for systemic detoxification. A poor or under-functioning colon may lead to bouts of constipation or inadequate bowel movements creating the perfect breeding ground for proliferation of parasites. The longer waste matter remains in the colon, the more toxic it becomes to the body. Detox cleanse ingredients contain herbal laxatives that stimulate peristaltic movements in order to cleanse the colon of accumulated waste and parasites.

Comprehensive Detox Cleanse
There are several detox cleanse options to choose from. A good choice would be a detox cleanse that has been formulated by a qualified doctor who has put together a detox cleanse that meets comprehensive and systemic requirements. A detox cleanse program like BeneCleanse does not require fasting or modifications in the diet. An herbal, fiber-based detox cleanse program gives you the proper intake of dietary fiber to bind toxins lodging in the digestive tract. It also provides probiotics, which when combined with fiber in the colon, produce nutrients that are necessary for vital liver functions.

After an initial and secondary detox cleanse, BeneCleanse provides a unique nutritional supplementation consisting of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, dietary fiber and digestive aids to support colonic, digestive health and strengthen the body’s ability for natural detox.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-truth-about-colon-detox-1497493.html


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Juice Cleansing

A juice fast is great way to nurture your body, rebuild your immune system and restore yourself to a healthy way of living.

Raw fruit and vegetable juice contains many cleansing elements such as minerals, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants to heal and detoxify the body safely.

Little energy is used by your digestive system during the cleanse, allowing the body to focus on rebuilding, renewing and healing. You might be surprised by how much energy you have after the first few days!

Is Juice Cleansing for Everyone?

Since juicing fulfills most of the body's nutrient requirements, your energy levels should remain high enough on this cleanse to continue working.

Ideally a juice fast should be done on a break in countryside or at the beach Getting in touch with nature while cleansing is the ultimate purifying and revitalizing experience. Its certainly possible to fit a juice cleanse around your everyday life too though.

If you can manage it, 3-10 days on this cleanse is enough to detox and heal the body. If you to plan to do longer, it is advisable to get professional supervision.

Juice Cleansing Instructions

You must only use freshly squeezed fruit, veggies and herbs. Try experimenting with combinations of beets, celery, carrots, apples, cucumber, garlic, ginger, cilantro, wheatgrass and cayenne pepper. All are excellent for cleansing.

It’s actually best to use a variety of different ingredients and vary your juices as much as possible - they all contain different important cleansing properties.

If you are juicing at home, you can add the also pulp from the juiced vegetable to make a broth. Just add water to a pot with the pulp and simmer for 15-20 minutes, then season the broth with cayenne pepper.

If you don’t have a juicer, you can buy the juice in your local health supermarket or juice bar.

Stages in a Juice Cleanse

A few days before the cleanse, try to change your diet to as many raw vegetables and fruits as possible. When you restrict your diet to juice only, it will be less of an adjustment.
When you are on the cleanse, drink 32-64 ounces of fresh squeezed juice per day plus 8 glasses of water to flush out toxins from your body. If you feel you need more juice that is ok. If you would like less, you can dilute the juice with water. A few things you must avoid - all other beverages (e.g. sodas, coffee or tea) and obviously no solid foods whatsoever!

Since you won't be consuming any fiber during your juice cleanse, it is important to take something that will stimulate your colon and prevent the toxins from being reabsorbed back into the body. A night time laxative tea is effective to get things moving. Psyllium husk and Bentonite clay are also excellent for drawing out toxins from the body.

Easing off a juice flush is important. It is best to start with raw salads and fruit for a few days, plus maybe some lightly steamed vegetables with brown rice. Don't go straight back on to the junk food!

Recipes

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started. See more on our juice recipe ideas page.
Kidney cleanser

Ingredients:
3 celery stalks
2 tomatoes
1 lemon, peeled
2 carrots
Water
Skin Cleanse

Ingredients:
1 Cucumber with skin
1/2 bunch Fresh Parsley
1 4-oz. tub Alfalfa Sprouts
4 Sprigs Fresh Mint
Water
Blood Builder (Iron-enriched)

Ingredients:
2 bunches Grapes
6 Oranges
8 Lemons peeled
1/4 cup Honey
Water

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox

Apple Cider Vinegar is a naturally detoxifying product that gently removes toxins from the body, purifies your blood and builds your immune system. From being almost unknown a few years ago, it has gained in popularity to the point that it now forms the basis of many diets and detox plans.

ACV is great for your health - it has antibacterial properties to fight germs, and also balances vitamin deficiencies caused by poor nutrition - but it has wonderful cleansing properties too.

Apple Cider Vinegar is full of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and help slow down the aging process. It is also great for breaking down mucus in the body and encouraging the lymphatic system to eliminate wastes.

Other Benefits

Here are a few of the other benefits you can expect from Apple Cider Vinegar. Scroll down the page for more details on how to take it.
  • Increase your energy levels
Apple Cider Vinegar is also excellent to give you a little pep for your exercise regime. Many find increased energy levels and better stamina in the gym.. which means burning more calories of course.
  • Increase your metabolism
Apple Cider Vinegar also has been shown to increase your metabolism. It is thought that this is something to do with its potent combination of vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Apple Cider Vinegar is especially high in potassium.
  • Suppress your appetite
Apple Cider Vinegar is a great fat reducing tool. It can be helpful in getting rid of those last few stubborn pounds that a healthy diet and adequate exercise program can’t seem to shift. It suppresses your appetite if you get hungry between meals, and discourages you from attacking that second helping.
  • Reduce bloating
ACV is a powerful diuretic, so it will also ensure you aren’t carrying around any unnecessary water weight. Megan Fox spoke recently about her ACV cleanse, "It's just water and raw apple cider vinegar, and it just cleans out your system entirely. It will get rid of, for women who retain water weight, from your menstrual cycle and all that, it gets rid of it really fast."
  • Stabilize your sugar levels
Apple Cider Vinegar has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin spikes after eating. These insulin spikes signal the body to store fat, so you're much better off without them! This is one reason why Apple Cider Vinegar has been touted as a natural supplement for Diabetes sufferers.

How do you take Apple Cider Vinegar?

You have three options for taking ACV as part of your detox. Take it before you eat in water or a fruit juice, add it to your meal as a dressing, or take a bath in it!

Before your meal

Try adding 2-3 teaspoons of ACV in a large glass of water or your favorite juice. It works well with tomato juice.

Be sure to dilute Apple Cider Vinegar as it is highly acidic. Don’t drink it straight or you could damage your tooth enamel. Ideally, drink the diluted ACV with a straw to protect your teeth.

If you can’t bear the taste or if it feels uncomfortable to drink alternately you can buy capsules from your local health food store.

During your meal


Apple Cider Vinegar can also be used to dress a whole array of foods. Here are a couple of really easy recipes for dressings.

ACV & Olive Oil Dressing
3 Tbsp ACV
3 Tbsp olive oil
salt, pepper to taste

ACV, Garlic & Canola Oil Dressing
3 Tbsp ACV
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
Salt, pepper to taste

ACV, Honey & Yogurt Dressing
3 Tbsp. ACV
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 Tbsp. organic yogurt
1/4 Tsp. honey
Salt, pepper to taste

Mix ingredients well, ideally in something you can really shake up. Add to salads, grilled veggies, fish and chicken, then enjoy!

In your bath

A hot baths with ACV is also a great detoxification method. It is great for flushing out toxins through your skin, and any excess uric acid from the body. Just add 2-4 cups of ACV to a hot bath, lie back and soak for 20 minutes!