The Full Body Cleanse: What You Need to Know

Healthy living is currently one of the hottest topics around the world as the media has done an excellent job providing the public with valuable information surrounding health problems such as cancer, diabetes, allergies, headaches, insomnia, obesity, etc. People everywhere are starting to see a connection between the foods they eat, their environments and their current health, causing them to make a conscious effort to make healthier lifestyle choices.

This recent health craze has led many to the topic of the full body cleanse. While it is important to go through a full body cleanse from time to time, before one can fully grasp the cleansing process and all of its benefits, one must first have a basic understanding of how the human body works and the types of toxins that it is exposed to on a daily basis.

Think of the human body like a car engine. We all know the importance of keeping the engine and all of its parts clean. If we don’t change the oil, air filter, transmission fluid and other important parts regularly, then the vehicle will begin to accumulate a lot of extra “junk” which will eventually lead to car problems.

This is exactly how the human body works. Over time it accumulates toxins from foods and the environment which bogs it down and leads to health problems. There are two main categories of toxins that affect the body on a daily basis.

Exogenous Toxins

These are the types of toxins that are found in the environment and brought into the body through food, air and water. Examples of these toxins can be found in and include medications, herbicides, pesticides, antibacterial agents, cosmetics, personal care products, artificial sweeteners, carbon monoxide, etc. The majority of these toxins can be controlled if people will educate themselves and limit their use and consumption of the products toxins are found in.

Metabolic Toxins

Metabolic, or endogenous, toxins are the toxins found within the body, that the body makes itself. The majority of these toxins are produced by the body as a result of the metabolic process. However, some metabolic toxins are caused by microorganisms found in the digestive tract.

Toxin Storage

The good news is that the body is designed to take care of both exogenous and endogenous toxins on its own. This is why the human body expels unnecessary waste several times a day. It also explains the skin rashes, runny/stuffy noses, diarrhea, ear infections, cough, ear wax production, the common cold and a host of other bodily functions. Each of these “symptoms” is a method used by the body to expel harmful toxins from it.

The problem is that sometimes the body receives toxins much quicker than it has time to expel them. This is when the body begins to get clogged (remember the car engine scenario) and is forced to store the extra toxins. In order to save the vital organs that we need for survival, the body will begin storing the extra toxins in the body’s fat tissue first.

Benign tumors, cysts, lipomas and other medical conditions that are seemingly harmless and don’t appear to have a reason for existing are usually caused by the toxins stored in the fat tissue. However, there is only so much fat tissue per body and if the body is continually being “fed” toxins on a rapid basis then it is left with no choice but to begin storing them in other areas. If required, the body will store toxins in connective tissue, nerve tissue, muscle tissue and finally, the cells surrounding vital organs.

Obviously, when harmful toxins are stored, health problems can arise in the areas where the toxins are. Some of the health problems caused by toxins stored within the body include: weight gain, headaches, dizziness, bone and joint pain, vision impairment, depression, liver degeneration, heart failure,fatigue, anxiety, thyroid disease, cancer and a host of other health issues.

This is why full body cleanses are recommended. By limiting the foods we eat, liquids we drink and even some of the products we use for a period of time, we are allowing the body the time it needs to rid itself of the toxins that have built up inside of it. In other words, we’re cleaning the engine.

There are a number of benefits associated with full body cleansing in addition to the obvious internal benefits. Those who have conducted full body cleanses have reported getting better sleep at night, improved skin clarity and even weight loss. This is one of the reasons why many doctors and nutritionists recommend patients start with a full body cleanse before they start a new diet. Even a lot of brides-to-be commit to a full body cleanse in order to help them lose weight for the wedding. In addition to the benefits listed above, the immune system and energy levels are also boosted after a full body cleanse.

There are a lot of resources out there promoting full body cleansing products, but one of the best ways to cleanse the body is to do it the old-fashioned way. In other words, there is no need to go out and spend money in order to cleanse the body. All that one needs to be done for a full body cleanse is to limit the toxins the body is subjected to over a delegated period of time.

There is no required period of time for a full body cleanse. Some people choose to commit to a short weekend cleanse while others prefer a 7-day cleanse and some even cleanse for a month or more. While the minimum amount of time for a full body cleanse shouldn’t be shorter than a weekend, the maximum amount of time is really up to the individual.

Before a full body cleanse can be started, it’s important to be prepared. Go through the kitchen and remove all of the food and drinks that contain unnatural ingredients. There’s no need to throw them out unless they are refrigerated and/or will expire before the body cleanse is completed. The point is to remove the temptation by getting those foods and drinks out of sight.

The kitchen should be stocked with a large assortment of fruits and vegetables. Only buy enough fruits and vegetables to last a few days to ensure money isn’t wasted as the food goes bad. Make sure there are plenty of leafy greens in the house in addition to the fruits and veggies. Brown rice is also a food that should be on hand as a bowl of brown rice loaded with veggies makes an excellent dinner choice.

While it is okay to drink natural fruit juices, water should also be frequently consumed to help the body flush out the toxins. Many people choose to drink smoothies for their meals and this is okay too. However, it is best to stick to the “green” smoothies as there are a lot of nutrients packed into the leafy greens and green veggies.

During the body cleanse, eat only fruit, veggies and brown rice. Drink either water or natural fruit juices. Once the full body cleanse is completed, begin to introduce other foods back gradually as it is important not to overwhelm the body.

Full body cleanses are excellent for helping the body get rid of harmful toxins that can ultimately lead to undesirable health problems. They should be done periodically to help improve the functionality of the body as well as the longevity of life. While the majority of people will benefit from a full body cleanse, it is important to speak with a doctor before committing to a full body cleanse, for any amount of time.