Detoxification, or detox for short is the removal of toxic substances. Today it has become the tag line for a whole range of products and programs that are meant to miraculously cure that which ails us, from over drinking and eating to the effects of our environment on our skin and lungs.
Many websites and magazines offer tips and advice on steps that we ‘should’ be taking to make us feel better and improve our health, but at the same time warn us that taking these steps for more than just a few days- to a week could be damaging to our health.
I say if it’s not healthy for you to undertake on a daily basis then don’t do it: there are plenty of smaller changes that you can make to your diet that will improve your health both in the short and long term. These will avoid such inconvenient side effects as liver and kidney damage that could be waiting for you on some of the more extreme approaches to dietary detox.
 Not being one to keep my opinions to myself, here are my ‘detox’ tips that you can use at anytime of the year:Vitamins and minerals: don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not saying go out and spend £20 on vitamin and mineral tablets. Natural vitamins and minerals are far better for you and are absorbed more readily by the body, but topping up with tablets from time to time can give your body the boost it needs to help you get over colds.
Antioxidants: again more fruit and vegetables. The more colours you put in yourself the better, as you will be giving your body a wider spectrum of antioxidants to help the immune system stave off illness and infection.
Less red more green: those of us that do eat meat are all guilty of over doing it. The body needs protein but you’d be surprised how much protein is in things you eat everyday, so when you’re loading your plate next, leave a bigger space for your veg and I’m sure you will feel the benefits.
More water: we all claim to know this one but so few actually heed the advice, see it through and keep it up.
Less booze!
Exercise: you don’t have to go gym mad, but some form of regular, controlled exercise will increase your health and make you feel better. If you’re not a fan of going to a gym then try swimming, cycling, anything that takes your fancy, but try and make it something you can measure and control and monitor your improvement. A weekly kick around with your mates is good but you have no way of determining exactly how much your doing or how much you are or aren’t improving.
Better choices: take a look at the back of the things you are eating for the nutritional information. As a general rule try and avoid foods high in fat as well as fried foods, so switch chips for boiled potatoes and take pastry out all together.
Don’t go crazy and become a vegan, not that there is anything wrong with vegans of course, and before you know it you should be well on the way to being a healthier, happier you.
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