Reviewed by Kimberly Cabe, FNP-BC of Forum Health Clarkston
The decision to detox is a great way for your body to naturally rid itself of toxins and free radicals that accumulate over time.
Exposure to elements in your environment, cleaning products, allergens in the air, and what you consume through diet all contribute to toxin buildup.
However, speculation surrounding detoxing has surfaced as many question its effectiveness and safety. Its reputation suffers further with every detox fad that fills health stores with various teas, shakes and pills – leaving one frustrated, fatigued and hungry!
When approached correctly and giving your body time to adjust, detoxing is a great first step to feel renewed and revitalized. Gifting yourself with a longer and healthier life.
The purpose of detoxing
The purpose of a detox is NOT to drastically lose weight, though that may be a side effect. The goal of a detox is to remove toxin build up from the body, beginning with the colon.
This is necessary as it is extremely difficult to achieve a diet comprised of 100 percent natural ingredients. Common ingredients that go unrecognized by the body and create build up in the colon include:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Artificial Dyes
- Hydrogenated Oils
- Large Doses of Salt and Sugar
The build-up of toxins in the colon can cause serious health issues over time including:
- Chronic Fatigue
- Constipation
- Gas
- Abdominal Pain
- General Aches and Pains
- Stubborn Belly Fat
- Inflammatory Diseases
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Cancer
In addition to buildup in the colon, other signs of toxin buildup in the body include skin conditions, fatigue, irregular bowel movements, headaches, food sensitivities and the inability to lose weight.
To effectively remove toxins and reset your system, a detox that focuses on the whole body is essential.
There are three key elements we think are critical to an effective detox:
- Remove Toxins – this include environmental toxins including mold exposure, allergens, chemicals, as well as diet-related buildup. Getting all of the toxins out of your body is the first step to reset your health.
- Repair the Gut – gut health is at the foundation of whole-body health. Focusing on reducing inflammation and repairing the gut is a key part of an effective detox.
- Figure out any Food Intolerances or Allergies – an elimination diet during a detox helps identify the food sensitivities or allergies you may be experiencing that cause unwanted symptoms.
If you’ve never done a detox before, a detox lasting a duration of 10 days is a good place to start. This allows your body time to adjust to the detox. As you become used to the detox and start craving the health benefits, it can be stretched out for as long as 5 weeks.
The Forum Health Medical Weight Loss Detox Solution
The Forum Health GDRx Detox was designed by doctors and is led by health coaches to reset your health. The 10-day and 5-week programs combine powerful detox supplements, nutrient-dense shakes and a nutrition plan designed to remove toxin build up from your gut and help your body heal.
The GDRX Gut Detox Program can be completed in 10 days, perfect if it’s your first time detoxing, or be extended into the 5-week program.
Some foods you can expect to avoid during your GDRx Detox include dairy, meats, processed foods, and excess sugar and salt. You’ll focus on eating whole foods, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and staying hydrated throughout your detox.
The result of healthy detoxing
Detoxing overtime creates a ripple effect as other organs, such as the liver, gall bladder and kidneys begin to feel the benefits and become more proficient at fighting diseases.
After about a month, you will notice vibrant skin as blemishes begin to fade, lessened pain in your joints, better sleep and mental clarity just to name a few.
As you continue to incorporate detoxing as a healthy habit, the body will continue to rebuild and repair, increasing vitality each time.
How often should you detox?
Listening to your body is one of the best ways to gauge when you may be due for a detox, however every 6 months is safe for most people. Stay in tune for signs such as, disrupted sleep, achy muscles, indigestion, bloating, fatigue or mental fog. These are commons signs that it’s time to re-calibrate.
Doing a detox should be under the care of a professional! Our proprietary GDRx Gut Detox Program is guided by coaches and designed by doctors. Whether you’re trying it out for the first time or needing a reset, we’re sure you’ll feel the benefits of this powerful detox.
References
Axe, Josh (2010, December 27). The Best Way to Detox. Retrieved from: https://draxe.com/the-best-way- to-detox/
Detox and Body Cleanse.(no date found). Benefits of Detox. Retrieved from: http://www.detoxandbodycleanse.com/detox-essentials/benefits-of-detox/
Detox and Body Cleanse (2012, December). Introduction to Detoxification. Retrieved from: http://www.detoxandbodycleanse.com/detox-essentials/introduction-to-detoxification/
