These days internal cleansing is a popular method for improving health, being a great way to “tune up” and clear the body of toxins. Toxins are harmful substances that irritate the body’s organs and tissues, producing illness and disease, and interfering with normal body function. Toxins can come from stress, chemicals in your environment, chemicals in the water, smog, pesticides, overuse of caffeine and alcohol, and even stress.
Most cultures use some form of cleansing to renew not just the body but also the mind and spirit. People usually do cleansing programs at the change of seasons, when the body needs to readjust anyway to new patterns of light, sleep, weather and activity.
One of the most important ways to detoxify the body is to improve the functioning of the digestive system, focusing especially on getting rid of accumulated waste in the colon. One of the best ways to do this is to observe a modified diet (discussed below), take probiotics such as acidophilus and bifidus to restore the intestinal flora.
Some modified diets include:
- A basic diet with reduced meat, dairy products, sugar, fat, caffeine and alcohol
- A meatless diet of cooked or raw fruits, vegetables and grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes
- A diet of fruits and vegetables only
- Fruit and vegetable juices only
Before you select a cleansing program for yourself, take into account your general health, any medical conditions, your lifestyle, present diet, and health goals. Because every individual is different, it is important to consult a health care practitioner before beginning any new diet program. Good luck!
