Cleansing for people of all ages and demographics has become extremely widespread within the last few years.
Let’s take a look and compare three of the most popular cleansing techniques.
1- Intermittent fasting Intermittent fasting is not a diet, but a pattern, and it’s literally abiding by its title – eating during a specific window of the day and fasting (abstaining from food) for the rest. Many people find it easier to fast in the morning (skipping breakfast) and eating regularly from noon to dinner time. Others may skip more than just breakfast and have a smaller “eating window”, later in the day.
Does it work? Remember that the timing of meals can greatly influence how your body functions – and you should study your body a bit before diving into any extreme-like food intake or caloric deficit methods.
After eating, your body spends a few hours processing that food and burning what it can.
Therefore, experts find this type of fasting to have numerous health benefits, as it gives the body the time it needs to process the ingested food. Eating too frequently may cause your body to “forget” how to naturally “repair and rejuvenate” its program.
Take note that aside from this health benefit, this strategy does not appeal to the majority of the population as trying to replicate any eating habits of our ancestors at this point in time is not practical for most.
If you’re hypoglycemic or diabetic, be extra cautious. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should avoid fasting altogether.
2- Raw Food Cleanse This cleanse is a very popular option for those that want to shock their bodies into developing healthier eating habits particularly after having a phase of “bad” eating. Many alternative medicine believers stress the idea that the healthiest food is food that is uncooked. This includes raw food and food heated below 104-118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Advocates of this cleanse believe enzymes are the life force of food and are what help people digest food and absorb nutrients. Cooking food naturally minimizes the enzymes, and a lack of enzymes has shown to promote digestive problems, aging, weight gain, and overall nutrient deficiency.
Does it work? It is true that cooking food diminishes its nutritional value (many cancer-fighting components or certain vitamins can be destroyed in certain foods by heat). Other foods, however, become healthier after cooking (ie: tomatoes).
Please note that with any detox, you’re likely to experience harsher cravings, lack of energy, headaches, and changes in your sleep pattern at first. This is called withdrawal and a natural occurrence due to an increase in raw food and a decrease of processed sugar, starch, and/or meat and dairy.
3- Juice cleanses Juice cleansing is the act of purifying your body for a period of time (a fasting period) by drinking only freshly pressed juices (pressed yourself or purchased from an all-natural juice bar). This cleanse provides a lower caloric intake, typically providing between 1000-1200 calories daily, and therefore not recommended for those that partake in daily (even if light) physical activities.
Most people partake in this type of juice fast to cleanse toxins from the body and usually partake in this type of cleanse between 3 and 60 days.
Does it work? According to motivenutrition.com, there no need for us to cleanse our bodies “The problem with buzzwords like detox and cleanse, is that they create confusion about basic principles of human physiology. Our body is well equipped; our skin, our GI tract loaded with healthy bacteria, our lungs, lymphatic system, liver, and kidneys already make for a well-oiled, cleansing machine.” (Motivenutrition.com).
Therefore, there are conflicting reports as to whether or not juice cleanses actually provide any benefit in ridding toxins from the body but In conclusion, any diet/cleanse where you cut processed foods and sugar from your diet and increase natural fruits and vegetables, WILL make you feel great! Your body does need a minimal amount of processed food and a lot of water.
ACTION STEP: Happy Cleansing!
Happy cleansing!
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DISCLAIMER:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Kryshonda Torres is not a physician and the relationship between Kryshonda and her clients is not of a prescriber and patient, but as Health Coach and client.
It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Kryshonda presents.
OT&E Inc. and Kryshonda Torres cannot guarantee any specific outcome and your individual results may vary.
Before beginning or adding any named cleanse or supplement you read mentioned here to your to your health routine or regime, please consult with your Naturopathic or Functional Medicine Doctor.