Why detox?
Every day we are exposed to polluted air, a stressful lifestyle, chemical additives in our food and a whole manner of beauty products, which, when combined can be a serious burden on our bodies. Holistic experts believe that these toxins are stored in our body resulting in lethargy, stomach problems, headaches and allergies, hormone imbalance, depression, dull skin and a lot more.
What is a detox routine?
Put simply, a detox routine is an all-natural method of giving your body the time and conditions it can use to rebuild and heal itself. There are many different detox options available including water fasting, juice fasting, minimal eating, herbal detox, detox baths, colon cleansing and lots more. A regular detox can give the body a well deserved break and can be the single most helpful thing you can do to improve your health, promote weight loss, aid digestion and improve overall radiance. Follow our suggestions, treatments and diet guide and you will be well on your way to feeling toxin-free.
NUTRITION
Eliminate bad foods and increase good foods
Diet plays a vital role in any detox programme. The aim of a detox is to give the digestive system some rest and to stimulate the internal organs. Start by limiting your intake of coffee, sugar, carbonated drinks, refined and processed foods, red meat, saturated fats, breads and pasta. Holistic therapist Bharti Vyas advises: ‘In ayurveda, it is thought that our bodies are not built to eat meat, this is because we have longer guts. Often, meat takes longer to digest and can sit in the gut releasing toxins for days if not weeks.’
The above foods clog up the system and make you feel sluggish. If you’re cutting down on these liver-stressing foods you will need to add some good detoxifying foods into your diet. These include the usual green vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, celery and brussel sprouts and protein rich foods such as eggs and fish, which help the liver to break down stress hormones and pollutants.
Oats and pulses are great as they have a low GI (glycaemic index). This means they don’t cause a rapid rise in your blood sugar levels, which in turn keep levels of fat-forming insulin low. According to nutritional researchers, women on the same calorie intake lose more weight if they eat lower GI carbohydrates like porridge and baked beans, than they do if they eat higher GI carbohydrates such as corn flakes and white bread.
Get moving
Exercise benefits every part of the body – the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, muscles, bones and joints – and helps fight off many diseases. You don’t have to run a mile a day to see results, even just a small amount of exercise can make a significant difference to your overall health and wellbeing. The key is to build your fitness slowly and maintain it and if you’re already into exercise keep it up on a regular basis.
Healthy drinks
Starting the day with a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon can really help as the lemon has cleansing properties. Alternatively, try drinking a ginger tonic on an empty stomach every morning. Ginger has warming properties and will ‘heat’ up your system and stimulate circulation. Peel and slice a small ginger root and add it to a pint of water with a teaspoon of honey mixed in. Boil the water in a pan until half its consistency remains and drink. Turmeric is also an excellent antioxidant and has a wonderfully purifying effect.
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. You’ve probably read this a million times, but it’s true – make sure you have at least 6-8 cups or glasses of water (or diluted juices) to aid the elimination of toxic waste products. Even minor dehydration can make you feel tired.
Declutter and emotional cleansing
For the detox to work on all aspects of your life you need to do more than cleanse the body.You also need to declutter your mind and your home. Give your home a detox by giving it a spring clean and get rid of any clutter. According to ancient Chinese wisdom, clutter represents energy that is stuck and makes you feel tired. Clear your mind by identifying and listing any toxic emotions that have accumulated in your life, which may be depleting your energy. Holding onto old resentments or grudges can also burden your body in an extremely negative way.
Brush it away with body brushing
Body brushing is one of the easiest and simplest ways to stimulate blood circulation which helps our lymphatic drainage system to remove toxins from the body. Because the skin is the largest organ of elimination in the body, many toxins can be eliminated if you stimulate its circulation. Body brushing helps to reduce cellulite in our thighs and butt, where fats and waste products tend to build up. Use a natural bristle brush such as Crabtree & Evelyn body brush, £8.95 and take long, firm strokes. Start at your feet, brushing up towards the legs and thighs towards the heart. Work in circular movements over the stomach, then hands, arms, back and across the shoulders. Do it before or after a shower and be careful if you have problematic skin conditions or healing wounds.
TREATMENTS TO TRY
Detoxification programmes
Many people simply accept feelings of tiredness, headaches, indigestion problems, feeling worn out and bad skin as part of living in today’s environment.  You don’t have to be one of them, book yourself in for a detoxification programme. Most programmes are individually tailored after computerised assessments identify areas in need of replenishment. You will be advised about nutritious simple cleansing diets, relaxation techniques and lymphatic drainage/colonic hydrotherapy, where necessary. Visit Balance, 250 Kings Road, Chelsea 020 7563 0333.
The Detox treatment at the Apotheke’s Jurlique Day Spa package lasts four hours – for those wishing to address their problems in greater depth. Comprising of a detailed personal dietary advice session from a professional naturopath, a detoxifying and revitalising body contouring treatment to help tone muscles, speed up circulation and assist elimination of toxic wastes plus a special reflexology treatment to help rebalance the whole body. Call 020 8 995 2293  or visit www.apotheke20-20.co.uk
Colonic irrigation
A "Colonic" (Colon Hydrotherapy) is a warm internal bath which cleanses the colon of accumulated toxic waste matter. It is the ultimate Detox. The treatment works by gently rinsing out the colon with warm purified water, a colonic removes impacted waste, gas and mucus. It also aids in re-toning and re-shaping the colon which in turn strengthens the bowels and relieves sluggishness. As well as generally having a greater sense of cleanliness, most people feel energised, lighter, thinner and amazingly relaxed and there is no problem with returning to work immediately after treatment. Most treatments take around an hour and involve warm, pure water flowing into your bottom through one transparent tube while an evacuation tube (which is also transparent so the therapist can see what is coming out) lets the waste and debris straight down the drain. Book a colonic at the Freed Clinic, 020 8665 5042 or for a colonic irrigation practioner near you, visit www.colonic-association.com
Manual lymphatic drainage massage
The Lymphatic system is responsible for helping the body to filter out its toxins and waste. When circulation is sluggish, toxins get trapped in cells, tissues and organs. As our body strives to deal with the extra pressure it is being put under, our immune systems, energy levels and skin are all affected. This is where the skin probably suffers most in the form of spots, dull skin, increased sensitivity, allergies, dryness, oiliness, acne, cellulite and water retention (this can be seen by puffiness around the eyes, cheeks and chin). Bharti uses the ancient oriental acupressure technique in her massage in which pressure is applied to specific points of the body. It works on the principle that if the body’s energy lines (Meridians) are blocked, imbalances can occur which may manifest as pain, discomfort, fatigue, depression and lead to disease and illness. When the correct pressure points are stimulated, the body’s energy flow increases, imbalances are corrected and the body’s natural harmony is restored. A Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage will help kick start the lymphatic system and give the skin a healthy, vital glow that emanates from within as  well as boosting your energy levels and immune system. Bharti Vyas Holistic Therapy Centre, 24 Chiltern St, London W1U Tel: 020 7935 5312
Physiotherm infrared sauna
Scientific studies show that a thirty minute session in an infrared sauna can assist in the loss of toxins and stored fats by up to six times the level a traditional sauna or exercise alone can achieve. This is because infrared light penetrates deeply into the tissue (in other words it warms the body directly rather than heating the air like conventional saunas). The unique light wavelength acts to break down toxins cellulite and fats. Because you can sweat up to three times more than you do in a traditional sauna, these fragmented impurities are then flushed to the surface where you can simply wash them away. In a comfortable thirty minute Physiotherm session you can lose up to 800 calories. Book a £35 session at the Joshi Clinic, London W1, 020 7487 5456.