Spring Detox

Spring Detox

Spring is here which means its time to give your body and mind a fresh start with a detox or cleanse. Detoxing is just another word for cleansing. The aims of a detox program are to increase the efficiency of the digestive system and to stimulate the other parts of the body that are responsible for cleansing and elimination. Used sensibly and occasionally, detox regimes are invaluable in promoting and sustaining good health.

Some of the benefits of detoxing include:

Improved Appearance

Better Health

Restful Sleep

Improved Mood

Inner Harmony

Weight Loss

Here are my three top tips for detoxing:

-Drink lots of healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients.

-Eat foods high in fiber to keep your GI tract fit.

-Eat foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver. The liver is your body's built-in detox center.

Include the following detox foods in your daily food program:

The top 10:

1. Green leafy vegetables Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.
2. Lemons You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.
3. Watercress Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.
4. Garlic Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.
5. Green tea This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.
6. Broccoli sprouts Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.
7. Sesame seeds They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.
8. Cabbage There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Kale Coleslaw, anyone?
9. Psyllium A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon.
10. Fruits, fruits, fruits They're full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Call or email Bradley Wellness, LLC to learn more about customized detox programs. 202-320-5025, www.bradleywellness.com (our new website will launch in one-two weeks)

Be Well, Kelly