We are living in a world of toxins embedded in our air, water, and food, not to mention those embedded in our own bad habits. Some months ago, my health began to suffer; I was feeling weak, and I was experiencing insomnia and occasional headaches. My laboratory results were fine, but my physician told me that the culprit was the increasing amount of toxins in my body. The doctor added that the toxic residues that accumulate in fat and tissue can result in numerous health complications over time.
I realized that although the body has its natural detoxification process it still needs help to detoxify. I decided to rejuvenate my body by clearing undesirable substances.
I followed two diets with a gap of four weeks in between.
Three-day fruit, flush diet
This diet was proposed by nutritionist Jay Robb. According to Robb, it works because the enzymes present in fruits help flush out most of the toxins in our bodies. There may be weight loss as well because the calorie intake during these three days is very low.
I religiously followed the diet, completely cutting out cooked vegetables, dried fruit, sugar, dairy, juice, all caffeine, alcohol, soda, starches, and most fats.
The first day, I had a total of five, six-ounce protein drinks made from powder, one drink every two hours, starting in the morning. The protein drinks substituted my breakfast and lunch. The powder should provide approximately 24 grams of protein per one-ounce serving. I used whey protein. Robb recommends that the powder not contain casein, fructose, aspartame, sucralose, sugar (sucrose), evaporated cane juice, or artificial flavors/colors. For the whole day supply of protein shake I mixed 1¼ cup of white, whey protein powder into one quart of water. My dinner the first day was a total of five cups of raw vegetables, flax seeds, and lean protein. (I used chicken for the protein—but turkey, fish, lean beef, beans, and/or lentils are also allowed.) The flax seeds can be substituted with olive oil or one-half of an avocado). I also drank plenty of water.
The following two days, the diet called for fresh fruit every two hours, taking roughly 100 calories per serving, instead of the protein shakes. Dinner was fresh, raw vegetables (I squeezed lemon juice onto the veggies) and five ounces of lean protein.
Caution
Always consult your physician before starting any cleanse. This diet is not recommended for people who have diabetes or any other glucose imbalances. Don’t exercise for these three days because the low calorie intake will make you feel tired and hungry. This program should be done only once in 12 weeks to flush out the toxins. It is not recommended for long-term because it is not a balanced diet.
At the end of the three days, I felt lighter, fresher, and had lost weight. This encouraged me to take up raw-food diet a month later. It was quite difficult for the first few days, but my cravings decreased gradually.
Raw food diet
This diet consists of eating 75 to 100 percent raw foods. The raw food provides precious minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and phytonutrients present in the food that are generally killed while cooking. Raw food includes fruits, vegetables, freshly prepared juices (not canned), raw nuts, grains, seeds, and organic unprocessed food items.
My diet included a breakfast of fruits and herbal tea, two servings of fruits as snacks, and dinners of fresh and raw vegetables with cooked chicken, turkey, or lentils, and cooked bean salad once in two days. Eighty percent of my food was uncooked. The program can be followed for up to two weeks-I stayed on it for 10 days. Since then, I have changed my regular diet to include at least 60 percent raw food.
In addition, I did self-massage with 100-150 ml of lukewarm organic sesame oil five to six times a week. The massage stimulates the circulation of lymph flow and promotes healthy lymphatic system. This in turn removes toxins from liver and kidney.
Since these cleanses, I find myself a healthier physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being. And now, my headaches have ceased and I sleep like a baby.
Savneet Singh is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes on health, environment, and spirituality.