cleanse

The Dos and Don’ts of Cleansing

In recent years, the terms “cleansing” and “detox” have gone from fad craze status to increasingly more mainstream. More and more people are experiencing the positive effects of cleansing their bodies from harmful environmental toxins, whether they have chronic long-term illnesses, or are just looking for a way to feel healthier. In fact, all it takes is a quick keystroke or two on a Google search to find a long list of types of cleanses including: juice cleanses, colon cleanses, fruit detox, and sugar detox, to name a few. Unfortunately, all cleanses are not created equal, and there are caveats that we would like to stress when it comes to completing a cleanse. Here are a few “Dos and Don’ts” when it comes to choosing and carrying out a cleanse.

Why Cleanse?

Let’s start with a question that is often asked: What is the purpose of a cleanse? In our recent blog The Body Naturally Detoxifies, but Still Needs Help, we discussed how our organs, including our kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin, naturally work to detoxify our bodies of the toxins that surround us. We also discussed that our bodies still need help with this process due to our highly processed diets and over-saturation of environmental toxins. For example, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, they found some pretty shocking results. On average, the CDC’s report found 212 chemicals in people’s blood or urine, 75 of which had never before been measured in the U.S. population. More recent studies on health and longevity show that fasting and detoxing can activate the SIRT1 gene. This gene can then turn off the diabetes and cancer gene. (Source: Oral Investigations July 20, 2018, Nutrition Feb. 3, 2018, Food Chemical Toxicology, July 4, 2009.)

Toxins in our food, water, and environment need to be cleared of our bodies in ways that are safe, effective, and gentle. The cleanses we endorse at Water’s Edge Wellness are just that. Our cleanses include:

  • Seasonal Guided Cleanse
  • IonCleanse Footbath
  • Basic Cleansing Diet

Dos and Don’t of Cleansing

When searching for a cleanse that is right for you, there are some things to keep in mind.

DO

  • Choose a detox that is right for you. Talk to Nancy about what method is right for your unique situation. Always discuss your medical history with a practitioner before you begin any cleanse so as not to cause more harm than good.
  • Listen to your body during a cleanse. When a cleanse is done right, you should feel invigorated, not weak, dizzy, or excessively tired. A cleanse, no matter the type, should be safe, gentle, and effective.
  • Have a purpose. Go into a cleanse with the idea that it is a regular part of your healthy lifestyle, and NOT a quick fix.
  • Continue to hydrate and feed your body. Many cleansing programs have limited nutrition that can leave your body dehydrated and lacking the right nutrients and minerals to remain healthy.
  • Be mindful during a cleanse. Fasting, cleansing, or detox should always be done while in a restful state of mind. Try not to overexert yourself or take on stressful activities.

Do NOT

  • Follow a restrictive detox or cleanse for an extended period of time. Depriving your body of needed vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your body and health.
  • Cut calories too far. Your body will feel weak and go into conservation mode which can cause your systems to consume your body’s tissues.
  • Take laxatives, stimulants, and diuretics. These can be risky, unsafe, and cause an electrolyte unbalance.
  • Buy into trendy detox products that are not based on research or medical studies.
 

It’s important to note that most folks look to detoxification practices because they aren’t sick medically, they just don’t feel great. If you want to see if you would truly benefit from a cleanse, download this FREE questionnaire and see what your toxicity score really is!

Toxicity Questionnaire Opt-In
Name
Name

 

Would you like to begin a seasonal cleansing program to help your organ systems keep up with toxins all around us? 

Learn More about the upcoming Guided Spring Cleanse Here >>

 

Resources:

Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals | The IonCleanse by AMD Foot bath Detox and Glyphosate Excretion | Glyphosate Found in 85% of Tested GMO Cotton Personal Hygiene Products | SIRT1 Activating compounds reduce oxidative stress-mediated neuronal loss in viral induced CNS demyelinating disease | Epigenetic-based combinatorial resveratrol and pterostilbene alters DNA damage response by affecting SIRT1 and DNMT enzyme expression, including SIRT1-dependent γ-H2AX and telomerase regulation in triple-negative breast cancer | The Protective Role of Sirt1 in Vascular Tissue: its Relationship to Vascular Aging and Atherosclerosis | SirT1 Brings Stemness Closer to Cancer and Aging