Did you stuff yourself with turkey on Thanksgiving? Munch on too many cookies in December? Drink too much champagne on New Year’s Eve? If so, it might be time to cleanse your body of the junk food from this holiday season.

According to Stephani Waldron-Trapp, doctor of naturopathic medicine at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Bloomington Natural Care Center, Bloomington, Minn., after the holiday season people need to detoxify their bodies of “artificial colorings, artificial flavorings, preservatives, high exposure to sugars, and house-cleaning chemicals.”  The detox, which should last three to four weeks, will provide your body with many benefits, such as getting rid of fatigue and headaches, and breaking your body’s craving for sugar.

Dr. Waldron-Trapp says that each naturopath will supply patients with their own unique detox programs. A standard program that she recommends involves four main steps to detoxify the body:

1. Exercise and breathe. Participate in light exercises daily, such as a brisk walk, light swimming, or yoga. Focus on your breathing during exercise. Avoid anything too strenuous because your body needs to focus on eliminating toxins;

2. Hydrotherapy. Waldron-Trapp recommends epsom salt baths and hot & cold contrast showers. Epsom salt baths should be taken before bed for about 15-25 minutes, in water that is between 100° and 105° F. This bath is good for relaxation because it contains magnesium for relaxation, and sulfur for detoxification. Rinse in cool water when done. Hot & cold contrast showers are a good way to enhance the immune system and increase body circulation. The shower should begin with a warm set, keeping the water as warm as you can tolerate it. After three minutes, switch to cold water, as cold as you can tolerate, for another three minutes. Repeat the sequence three times. Start with a warm cycle and end on cold;

3. Eat well. In the first week, take out animal products. Increase vegetable intake and avoid fried foods, dairy, and artificial flavorings, colorings, and sweeteners. Discontinue drinks with caffeine and replace with 60 ounces of water per day. During the second and third weeks increase: steamed vegetables, cooked whole grains, fresh water fish, herbs, nuts, seeds, soups, and beans. Eliminate: processed foods, caffeine, fried foods, cold water fish, tomato, meat, eggs, salt, pepper, milk, sugar, peanuts, grapefruit, corn, gluten, and artificial colorings, flavorings, and sweeteners; and

4. Eat Medical Foods. Medical food such as Ultra-Flora Plus, UltraClear, SLF-Forte, and Bentonite Clay come in capsule and powder forms. They should be taken between meals to help with liver support, protein consumption, toxin elimination, and gastrointestinal tract support. Contact a natural health care practitioner for guidance on how to take them.

Dr. Waldron-Trapp suggests doing a detox once or twice a year. “After the holiday season is a great time for the first one, then again at the mid-year point to maintain health.” Your body will thank you for it.

Source: Source:  Natural News Service, Northwestern Health Sciences University (December 2008)