Our expert is a nutritionist, candidate of medical sciences, senior researcher at the Clinic of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Federal Research Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology” Yulia Chekhonina .
A healthy body is a self-cleaning system; there are simply no toxins in it. But in order for all processes to go as expected, it is necessary to create favorable conditions. One of them is proper nutrition, which should meet the daily needs for all necessary substances - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and biologically active elements.
Article on the topic Detox in 5 minutes. Tasty and quick recipes for cleansing the body However, this seemingly simple condition is not always possible. But you can find many ways that promise a miraculous cleansing of the body from toxins and waste. Some of them are simply useless, while some can be harmful to health. Let's look at the most popular cleaning methods.
Salty water
Drinking in large quantities, it supposedly helps cleanse the intestines. Particularly zealous fans of cleansing suggest drinking 7-8 glasses of salted water per day.
Expected effect . Reducing weight and waist size, getting rid of constipation.
What will actually happen ? At best, edema, at worst, hypertensive crisis. Salt makes it difficult to remove water from the body, the volume of circulating fluid increases, which means blood pressure rises and creates extra stress on the heart.
For smooth functioning of the intestines, you need fiber (found in vegetables, fruits, berries and whole grain products) and regular drinking water without salt. When combined with water, dietary fiber increases in volume and thereby stimulates bowel movements.
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Enema
It is also sometimes perceived as a good way to cleanse the intestines.
Expected effect . Same as salt water.
What will actually happen ?
Alternating diarrhea and constipation. Passion for enemas negatively affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, the peristaltic movements of the intestine go from top to bottom, but an enema moves the fluid in the opposite direction, disrupting the natural process. In addition, the enema washes away the beneficial intestinal microflora, which leads to the development of dysbiosis and decreased immunity. But restoring the flora will not be easy.
When should you cleanse your body?
Rashes on the face and body, acne and pimples, deterioration of hair and nails are often signs of the accumulation of toxins in the body. There is an impact on the mental state - concentration decreases, thought processes and memory suffer, and the number of stressful situations increases. The presence of parasites is manifested by skin imperfections, flatulence, bloating, stool disorders, allergies, nervousness and irritability, and high fatigue. Women experience bladder disease, kidney disease, inflamed ovaries, and menstruation is accompanied by severe pain. In men, the presence of parasites is manifested by cystitis, prostatitis, and impotence.
Olive oil
Drinking a glass of oil and placing a heating pad on your right side is supposed to help cleanse the liver.
Expected effect . Getting rid of toxins that have entered the body from the outside, which means improving complexion and overall well-being.
What will actually happen ? There are several options - and all of them are not very good. The worst outcome is possible in the presence of gallstones. In this case, under the influence of oil and heat, the gallbladder will begin to contract, the stone will move and block the bile duct. And this means severe pain, a hospital bed and, ultimately, surgery.
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Dangerous concern. Why you shouldn’t try to “clean” the liver on your own If there are no stones, everything is not so scary. However, a glass of vegetable oil is a serious burden on the pancreas and liver, which you were planning to cleanse. After all, excess fat is deposited in this organ as well. And if so, if you get carried away with this method of detoxification, in the long term you will get problems with the liver and pancreas, and in the short term – diarrhea. After all, the digestive system simply does not have enough necessary enzymes to process large amounts of vegetable oil.
It is also worth remembering that 100 ml of vegetable oil contains 900 kcal. So you definitely won’t be able to lose weight this way.
Cleansing the body of toxins - which methods are preferable?
There are many ways to cleanse the body of toxins. The so-called instrumental method that people have used from time immemorial is the enema. However, not everyone is inspired by such radical measures, and carrying out the procedure too often can harm the intestines. Colon hydrotherapy is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor, since in the absence of constipation this method is not necessary. There are also very serious medical procedures, for example, plasmapheresis, in which the patient’s blood is cleaned and returned. It is clear that compelling reasons are needed to carry out these procedures. They are done already in the presence of serious illnesses.
If the goal is to cleanse the body of toxins at home, then you can do it in gentle ways. The first thing that comes to mind for people who want to “clean up” is a laxative. This pharmacological method is quite simple, but it has side effects.
That is why, when resorting to laxatives, it is better to choose those that are based on natural ingredients and medicinal herbs. Elecampane and dandelion root work well as a detox. One of the options that is suitable as a mild cleanser, will improve the functioning of the intestines and will not cause harm is the drug Senna
D. The healing properties of senna have long been known to folk healers, because its leaves have the ability to gently cleanse the intestines. And since the preparation also contains elecampane rhizomes, which contain inulin and helenin - compounds that naturally normalize the intestinal microflora, the effect of Senna-D on the body will be gentle. Cleansing will avoid the undesirable consequences of dehydration and general weakness, which are often caused by aggressive laxatives.
Heated mineral water
It also supposedly helps cleanse the liver.
Expected effect . Several glasses of warm “Essentuki” or “Narzan”, from which gas is released, are supposedly able to rid liver cells of accumulated harmful substances and thereby improve well-being.
What will actually happen ? If you resort to the procedure only occasionally, nothing will happen. Warm mineral water will not cause much harm to your health, although it will not cleanse your liver. After all, this organ, although it is a kind of filter for the entire body, does not accumulate any toxins.
It's another matter if you drink mineral water every day and a lot. The salts contained in mineral water can be deposited in various organs. And these are kidney stones, joint problems and deposits on the walls of blood vessels. It is no coincidence that you should drink mineral water in courses, no more than 2-3 weeks, 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
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Causes and consequences of body pollution
To understand how the body is cleansed , it is necessary, first of all, to understand why our body is polluted. The main reasons include:
• excess body weight; • consumption of large amounts of fatty foods and confectionery products; • insufficient quality of chewing food; • disturbance of water balance (as a result of illness or due to minimal water consumption); • unfavorable environmental conditions; • chronic infectious diseases and inflammations; • constant stay in a state of stress.
Due to contamination of the body, a person begins to develop various health problems: • digestive disorders; • attacks of bad mood; • plaque inside the oral cavity; • deterioration of the skin condition; • hair loss and brittle nails; • increased and unreasonable fatigue; • insomnia and nightmares; • nervous breakdowns; • headaches and dizziness, etc.
Garlic
Many believe that this vegetable dissolves cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. It is estimated that about 4 heads of garlic are needed for this purpose. Sometimes it is recommended to mix crushed garlic with lemon juice.
Expected effect . Reducing blood pressure, improving heart function.
What will actually happen ? Exacerbation of gastritis, pancreatitis or peptic ulcer. Garlic contains essential oils, which in large quantities can have an aggressive effect on the gastric mucosa. Therefore, despite all the usefulness of this vegetable, you need to eat it little by little. As for cholesterol plaques, garlic is unable to dissolve them. If you have atherosclerosis, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment and prevent the development of cardiovascular disasters.
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Diuretic teas
Some people use them to cleanse the kidneys of possible stones.
Expected effect . Relieving swelling and getting rid of diseases of the urinary system.
What will actually happen ? Diuretic teas create excess stress on the kidneys, so existing problems with this organ will only get worse. In addition, too intense fluid excretion leads to loss of blood electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium), which can lead to muscle cramps and heart rhythm disturbances.
How to cleanse the body - first aid
Poor environment, poor diet, smoking and alcohol - we pollute ourselves from the inside. Although we have a built-in self-cleaning system inside us, it may not cope with excessive loads. The intestines, kidneys, liver and skin are responsible for self-cleansing.
The first thing you need to do is go on a cleansing diet. Review your diet and eliminate sugar, fatty foods, dairy, fermented milk, meat, chocolate, bread, and alcohol. It is enough to stay on a clean diet for a couple of weeks and you will immediately feel the difference.
If you have chronic diseases, consult your doctor before going on a diet. For example, if you have low hemoglobin, you cannot give up meat.
Vegetable juices
If you drink only vegetable juices for several days in a row, according to fans of alternative medicine, this will lead to ridding the body of accumulated toxins.
Expected effect . Improved metabolism, weight loss.
What will actually happen ? You will gain a few extra pounds. Fasting days on juices are essentially fasting. If the body does not receive the substances it needs, such as protein, for a day or more, it extracts them from its own reserves, primarily from the muscles. After two or three days of fasting on juices, muscle mass decreases, metabolic processes slow down, which means energy consumption decreases. When you return to your previous diet, excess calories will be actively stored as fat.
Basic Rules
To better prepare the body for cleansing, it is recommended to include as many fruits and vegetables in your diet a few days before it.
To restore and normalize the functioning of internal systems and organs, you should not only cleanse the body; folk remedies, despite their effectiveness, will not help get rid of toxins unless certain rules are followed. The best effect can only be achieved by correcting the diet and general daily routine.
The main aspects should be:
| Dietary recommendations | Correction of the general daily routine | Proper preparation of the body |
| A few days before the start of cleansing, you should stop eating heavy and fatty foods, strong drinks, alcohol, and sugar. | It is recommended to get up and go to bed at the same time, this measure will help improve your general condition. | Three days before the start of the cleanse, you should completely switch to a vegetarian diet. |
| You should include more fermented milk products in your diet. Consume whole milk in limited quantities. | It is advisable to regularly visit the steam room or sauna; hot and humid steam helps remove toxins through the skin. | During the cleansing process, you should eat only light and nutritious foods, and also adhere to a fractional diet. |
| It is necessary to eat as many vegetables and fruits rich in fiber as possible; this will help partially cleanse the intestines. | Moderate physical activity, such as walking, will help improve tone and strengthen the immune system. | Three days before the start of cleansing, it is also recommended to do cleansing enemas. Procedures should be carried out in the morning. |
| You can consume freshly squeezed juices from vegetables and fruits, previously diluted with purified water. | To increase the overall tone of the body, it is advisable to take a contrast shower daily. | To better remove toxins and waste, you should drink more liquid, for example, water, dried fruit compotes, fruit drinks, herbal teas and decoctions. |
Delicious source of vitamins
Depending on the procedures chosen, the total duration of a comprehensive cleansing of the body can be several weeks or even months. If you follow the correct diet during this period, you can not only cleanse the body, but also get rid of excess body weight.
