There are four organs within our bodies that are specifically designed to take what we put into them (lungs, kidneys, liver and skin), filter is and get rid of the waste. That waste is often full of 'toxins'; substances that are particularly bad for us and getting rid of them via detox makes us look and feel great. This is why many people choose to detox in the week before a special occasion so they're looking their best and feeling even better.

For a one-day 'emergency' detox that you can do yourself, start off by waking and having a mug of hot water with lemon. Hot water moves through your digestive system faster and easier than cold, and lemon juice cuts through fats and lipids that stay in your system after having eaten something fatty. This is the preliminary 'flush' that your system needs to begin getting rid of the more stubborn toxins stuck to the stomach and gut walls. You'll be starving within about an hour, so eat one or two pieces of fruit (citrus if you can manage it), or make yourself a thick smoothie made of only fruit, vegetables and water. At lunchtime have a salad followed by again, fruit. Try having leafy greens and root vegetables such as carrots, but preferably not potatoes. Drink water or herbal tea throughout the day. Dandelion, nettle and peppermint teas are all good for helping detoxification of the digestive system. At dinner time you may well be starving again, but stick to either having salads and lots of fruit or very thick smoothies. A bowl of plain probiotic yogurt with bananas and apples for pudding will help you sleep. This one day detox won't make you lose weight but it will give your skin, hair and eyes the kind of glow that makes people comment on how healthy you look on the big night. Try to do it on a day that you know you don't have any plans for as you may well feel very tired after lunch and too hungry to do anything energetic.

If you're interested in improving your body's function both during and after your detox then it might be a good idea to invest in some supplements. Milk thistle serves to protect the liver from toxins and is especially effective when you've had alcohol. It's advisable to take milk thistle tablets before and after having fatty, fried foods or alcohol so that the toxins can be gotten rid of properly. To really change your lifestyle take out all drinks apart from water and herbal teas, substitute one meal a day, twice a week for a simple salad or smoothies and fruit only and take the supplements every day. This is perhaps a much more painless way to get glowing.

Detoxes are in no way bad for you as long as you don't overdo them. Following the one day detox outlined above every day for a week is certainly not recommended as you will soon burn out. Remember not to detox at all if you have diabetes, you are on medication, you have any kind of anemia, kidney or liver condition or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Stan Tian

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