The first step in correcting your pH (acid-alkaline) imbalance is to eliminate waste that has accumulated in the body over the years from dietary and environmental toxins, such as refined foods, processed foods, produce household chemicals and pollution. The acid that is generated from these toxins damages the body, causing low energy, pain, and other health problems. By detoxifying and cleansing your body, you allow it to heal naturally.
Many people’s diets consist of acid-forming foods such as sugar, dairy products, white flour, artificial sweeteners, coffee, sodas, and alcoholic beverages. When the body is too acidic, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. This disrupts cell activity. In the long term, excess acidity leads to thinner bones and lower muscle mass. These problems are exacerbated by normal aging, which increases bone loss and muscle deterioration. A detox or cleanse can help slow this deterioration process and can increase vitality.
The most beneficial cleanses are those that remove acidic waste through the seven channels of detoxification and elimination: the colon, blood, skin, kidneys, lymphatic system, lungs, and liver.
The best cleanse to start with is the colon cleanse. Without a clean colon, your body cannot remove toxins from your tissues and organs. The colon is the body’s first defense against toxic substances. When it’s toxic, the rest of your body suffers.
A detox may include a special diet, vitamins, hydrotherapy, exercise, breathing techniques, or a sauna. Although more controversial, some cleanses include colon hydrotherapy or fasting.
Who needs to detox?
The perfect candidates for a detox include those who experience:
- weight problems
- Tired
- Headaches
- Frequent colds and flu
- allergies and asthma
- high blood pressure
- Constipation or digestive problems
- menstrual problems
- pains and loaves
Are there any special considerations when doing a detox?
It is very important to take care of your body during a cleanse:
- get enough rest
- Drink 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight
- Stay away from citric acid (except lemons and limes), mushrooms, yeast, vinegar, peanut products, and corn products.
- Dry brush your skin (always brushing towards the heart)
- Neti with sea salt (neti bowls are sold in pharmacies and health food stores)
- When showering, run hot water for 30 seconds and then cold water for 30 seconds. repeat 7 times
- Eliminate greasy foods, sugar and saturated fats from your diet
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, over-the-counter medicines, cigarettes.
- Minimize the use of chemical-based household products
- Choose all natural personal health care products
- Eat plenty of fiber, including fresh vegetables and fruits, brown rice, beets, radishes, artichokes, seaweed
- Take a deep breath to circulate the oxygen.
- sweat to remove waste
- Stay away from stressful situations.
- Exercise, practice yoga, meditate
Unremoved acidic wastes are reabsorbed through the colon to the liver and back into the general circulation, where they are deposited in the tissues. Therefore, it is important to eat healthy foods and do cleanses to keep your body’s pH level balanced.
