Part One:  Detoxification Diet

Modified fasting is a very effective way to assist in the detoxification process.  Resting the digestive system allows the body to constantly detoxify for the duration of the fast.  Because detoxification and immune function are most active during sleep, it is important to avoid eating your largest meal at the end of the day and to make sure to get enough rest.

Water and/or juice fasting is not recommended because they put your body into a starvation state where it loses muscle.  However, modified fasts using medical foods provide basic nutrition, easily digested protein, and are low in fat while providing specific nutrients to increase liver function; UltraClear® and MediClear are two examples of medical foods available from health care professionals.  Modified fasting should be done under the guidance of a health care professional for people with the following conditions:

• Terminal or malignant illness
• Genetic disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Mental illness
• Hyperthyroidism
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Low body weight
• Chronic constipation

It is recommended to follow a simple bulking diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and brown rice.  You can eat as much of these foods as you like, either cooked or uncooked.  In addition, adding a high protein shake 2-3 times each day with a small amount of fat is recommended to meet your daily energy requirements.

Protein Shake Ideas:

• 2 Tbsp powdered whey, rice or goat’s milk protein
• Organic apple, carrot, or beet juice to add sweetness
• 1-2 tsp. Flax oil, extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil
• Frozen organic fruit of your choice (bananas, blueberries, or raspberries work well)
• Add fresh ginger or cinnamon to taste (cinnamon helps lower blood sugar)
• Green powder (barley, wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella) if desired.
• Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Frozen fruit gives this a smoothie texture.

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Part Two:  Supplements

It is recommended to assist the diet plan with specific supplements to accompany the detoxification process.  Use a high-quality, broad-spectrum antioxidant formula along with an herbal liver supportive formula at every meal.  Also include a fiber supplement away from meals to assist with elimination.

• An herbal liver formula containing milk thistle, turmeric, and artichoke provides ultimate support of healthy liver function.  Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant that protects the liver; turmeric protects the liver, reduces inflammation, increases digestion, and improves the stress response; and artichoke reduces cholesterol production in the liver.
• A broad-spectrum antioxidant formula provides protection against the damaging effects of excessive free radical production.  It should combine the core vitamin antioxidants (A, C, E, B2, and B6) with the minerals (zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese) needed to assemble antioxidant enzymes in the body.  Finally, it should include the following powerful antioxidants:  alpha lipoic acid, quercetin, L-cysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine, and L-glutathione.
• A high-potency probiotic supplement provides a wide array of beneficial bacteria that help provide an excellent digestive environment within the small and large intestines, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and increase resistance to infection.

Other supplements can be used during a detoxification program based on your specific needs.  Here are some things to look for in a  detoxification product or formula:

• Fiber: oat bran fiber, pectin, psyllium husk, fennel seed, lemon peel, slippery elm, barley rice and guar gum.
• Organ Detoxification: artichoke, beet leaf, bupleurum root, celandine, chlorella, corn silk, dandelion, milk thistle, yellow dock, club moss, boldo root, yarrow, Echinacea, Hawthorne berry, mullein, lobelia, turmeric root, marshmallow, licorice, watercress, Turkish rhubarb, sheep sorrel, blessd thistle, plantain, CoQ10, quercetin, grape seed extract, cilantro, L-carnitine, and taurine.
• Heavy Metals: NAC, MSM, sodium alginate (in seaweed), alpha lipoic acid, garlic.

Foods to Eat When Detoxifying:

In general, when you are detoxifying, you want to eat foods with a high Glycemic Index; the point is to let your body rest for a few days.  Here are foods that are good to eat:

• Grains:  brown, basmati or wild rice; rice cakes or rice crackers
• Legumes: mung beans, bean thread noodles, miso
• Vegetables:
• Leafy green: lettuce (romaine, red, bib), spinach, kale, chard, bok choy, arugula
• Root:  beets, sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, radishes
• Cruciferous: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens
• Vine: cucumbers, zucchini, squash
• Onion: garlic, onions, leeks, shallots
• Others: asparagus, celery, okra, artichoke, eggplant, beans, peppers, kelp, raw sauerkraut
• Fruit: all fruits except grapefruit are allowed (grapefruit blocks liver function); avoid any fruits that bother you and are not easily digested
• Fats and oils: extra virgin olive oil, unheated flax oil, coconut oil (only 2 Tbsp daily)
• Beverages: herbal or green tea, clean water, lemon water, diluted fruit juice, vegetable juice
• Condiments: vegetable salt, sea salt, miso, spices

Foods to Avoid When Detoxifying:

• Meat, poultry, fish, eggs
• Dairy products
• Soy products (except miso)
• Fats and oils
• Chocolate
• Nuts
• Beans (other than those listed above)
• Grains (other than those listed above)
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Coffee and black tea

Sample Daily Menu:

• Upon Arising:  8 ounces of hot lemon water
• Breakfast:  Protein shake, fresh fruit, rice cakes, herbal tea
• Snack:  Fresh fruit, rice cakes
• Lunch:  Salad and vegetable soup, rice and steamed vegetables
• Snack:  Protein shake, fresh fruit, rice cakes
• Dinner: Rice and sautéed vegetables, vegetable soup and salad, baked sweet potato

Source: 10 Weeks to Wellness™, Paul Ratte, ND