In our minds, “detox” is one way to lose weight. Although in fact there is no such direct connection between cleansing the body of toxins and getting rid of extra pounds.
Today, this buzzword is increasingly heard in all kinds of media as a promise … of a slender figure. Although the really good deed of cleansing our body of toxins has nothing to do with the numerous recipes for “how to lose weight.”
If you type the word “detox” into Google, it will immediately answer: “detox diet”. This will be followed by: “a 4-week program that solves the female problem of extra centimeters and skin problems”, promises through a special diet “to rid the body of poisons, swelling and excess weight”, “get back in shape after the holidays”, and many other tempting – dietary suggestions. Popular brochures and women’s magazines regularly tell us about some new detox system developed by a famous nutritionist or celebrity favorite, adding to the story addresses where the trendy system will be helped to implement. “Only in Moscow they offer about 700 such programs,” says psychotherapist Viktor Makarov, scientific director of the Rehab Family clinic. But detox and diet are far from synonymous: “By ridding our body of toxins, detox can then lead to weight loss,” the expert argues. – This effect explains the confusion that exists around the two concepts. But trendy diets, on the contrary, are harmful to our health, because they are accompanied by intoxication.” And this is not the only difference.
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special mood
All experts agree that the goal of detox is to cleanse the body, not to lose weight. “Detox satisfies our need to pay more attention to ourselves, restore health and vitality,” says Viktor Makarov. Detox centers, or centers for endoecological rehabilitation of the body, in our country and abroad, mainly accept residents of large cities, who are rather tired of constant stress, and do not dream of losing weight. Indigestion, recurring illnesses, headaches, irritability, persistent fatigue, lifeless complexion, dull hair are some of the main signs that our cells are “clogged” that make us seek help.
“Our body has a self-regulatory mechanism, with the help of which it gets rid of everything unnecessary and corrects damage,” says endocrinologist Olga Yatsishina, a specialist at the European Medical Center. “However, in recent years, it has been increasingly confronted with toxic substances for which it is not genetically prepared: before, many of them simply did not exist. For example, these are pesticides, heavy metals, preservatives and dyes that enter the body with sweet carbonated drinks, fast food, sausages, and industrial baked goods.” To all this, numerous stresses, a sedentary lifestyle, and an unbalanced diet are added, which do not allow the body to fight against aging and disease on its own. Our excretory system simply cannot cope with such a flow of harmful substances.
The idea behind detox is to help your body get rid of impurities and restore its ability to heal itself. A feeling of lightness, fullness of energy, radiant skin, great well-being are the results of a good detox.
About it
Detox by Henri Chenault (Sperling & Kupfer, 2011).
Live clean
The state of constant stress contributes to the “clogging” of the body, recalls Viktor Makarov, and therefore its cleansing is not limited to changing eating habits. “It is important for us to learn how to relieve stress and take at least some time to take care of ourselves every day,” the therapist insists. “For example, even a five-minute meditation can clear our mind, help us return to ourselves and maintain a good mood.” “The practice of yoga will also help to strengthen the nervous system, normalize metabolic processes and, in general, improve the body,” adds Olga Yatsishina.
Experts emphasize an important point: a real detox differs from diets in that it pays special attention to the work of all the excretory systems of our body – the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin – the organs responsible for its natural cleansing. For example, lymphatic drainage massage, scrubs, infrared sauna will be good for removing toxins through the skin. In the name of detox, we will also be advised to limit exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, spend less time in front of the TV and computer …
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Another difference: if weight loss diets are specific rules of eating that must be followed for a certain time, then cleansing the body involves a profound change in our habits. “This is not a temporary measure, but rather a way of life,” emphasizes Olga Yatsishina. “Otherwise, the so-called detox can give only a small and fleeting effect.” That is why the endocrinologist advises not to rely on a buzzword, but to take more care of a balanced diet, rely on physical activity and meditative techniques that help you stay in touch with yourself.
Based on common sense
Don’t you feel courage enough to eat vegetable broth or just clean water? Well, it is not necessary! Contrary to popular belief, a true detox does not necessarily mean fasting. Moreover, in the conditions of modern life, drinking one water for several days is not suitable for everyone. The fact is that during water starvation, a large amount of toxins are excreted into the circulatory and lymphatic systems in a short time, with which the body, left without the support of nutrients, is often unable to cope*. It is possible to decide on this kind of experiment only under the guidance of an experienced professional. And if we don’t go to extremes and just make systematic choices in favor of healthier foods, then the process of getting rid of toxins can be very gentle and give us pleasure.
In general, the principles of detoxification are quite easy to apply in our daily life, Viktor Makarov believes: “For example, an early dinner and a late breakfast, between which at least 12 hours pass, will already allow our body to get rid of many unnecessary substances.” Pure non-carbonated water throughout the day; an apple before meals; freshly squeezed vegetable juice on weekend mornings; a bowl of brown rice or a green salad for dinner – in a relaxed atmosphere, without a TV or tablet … Such simple things for our body will undoubtedly be more useful than sudden changes in diet, which will not be followed by changes in lifestyle. “For those who seek to cleanse their body, it is not strict rules that are more important, but the general principle of moderation and common sense,” Olga Yatsishina concludes. – Methods of cleansing should take into account not only our character, but also the physical, emotional state and lifestyle. The main thing is the needs of our body, which we need to learn to hear. In other words, unlike diets, a real detox is, first of all, an invitation to listen to yourself and get to know yourself better … Detox as a special philosophy of life? Maybe. And certainly not as a reason to diet.
* A. Junger “Clean. Revolutionary rejuvenation diet” (Eksmo, 2012).
Is this a detox?
- Yes: a combination of foods that enhances the absorption of the nutrients in each. For example: eating fruit between main meals; the sequence of dishes in which cooked foods follow raw ones; a combination of legumes and starchy vegetables (beans, chickpeas or lentils with beets, Jerusalem artichoke, potatoes) …
- No: separate meals. Reducing the diet to one type of food leads to the fact that the body loses its ability to adapt and ceases to absorb nutrients.
- Yes: green tea; natural herbal infusions (lime blossom, burdock root, rosemary…); vegetable broths with the addition of fennel or black radish; cleansing spices (such as turmeric).
- No: patches, electric foot baths and other devices supposedly stimulating the elimination of toxins; drinks based on herbs, but with the addition of dyes, sugar or other sweeteners.