Detoxification Guide

Are you trying to plan a detoxification and don't really know how to start? Here you will find some tips and my experiences.

What does detoxification mean for your body?

A healthy diet consisting of lots of fruit and vegetable juices, yoga, Pilates, exercises and baths should bind harmful substances and toxins in the body and eliminate them.

Fortunately, the human body has the ability to cleanse itself and eliminate toxins via the liver, kidneys, intestines and skin. Due to the increasing lifestyle that involves consuming more comfort foods, coughing and being exposed to environmental toxins, our body absorbs more toxins than it can excrete on its own. In particular, an unhealthy diet consisting of many unfavorable fats and industrial sugar as well as increased alcohol consumption and stress can have a negative impact. The deposits in the large intestine, more precisely on the intestinal walls, make it difficult or impossible for vital nutrients to be absorbed. If nutrients such as vitamins and minerals cannot be absorbed, important body processes are blocked and your body can no longer heal itself.

Regular detox treatments are intended to help your body remove toxins quickly and support the microbiome.

What do I have to pay attention to if I decide to detoxify?
Before you can start your detox treatment, it is advisable to empty your bowels. You can do this with laxatives, colonic irrigation, enemas and nutritional supplements. However, consider doing this on a day when you are at home. The emptying of the bowel occurs at different speeds depending on the method chosen.

2 methods
For the next few days, solid food will be completely avoided; instead, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, unsweetened teas and detox water will be drunk. The fiber and micronutrients it contains provide the necessary metabolism boost and boost digestion. Massages, baths, saunas, yoga and long walks in the fresh air are intended to enhance the detoxifying effect.

The following days are used to slowly reintroduce healthy foods and establish a balanced nutritional behavior. The best way to start is with a high-fiber diet that consists exclusively of fruits and vegetables or freshly squeezed juices. Solid foods are introduced slowly, as with therapeutic fasting.

Or you can opt for an alkaline detoxification. Here, acid-forming substances are completely avoided and you eat mainly alkaline-forming foods. Classic acid formers include animal foods, dairy products and comfort foods. If you would like to know what the alkaline diet is all about, then read my article - The basics of the alkaline diet.

In any case, there is no sugar in the form of comfort food and industrial sugar for the entire time.

The good news is that there are no fixed guidelines for the duration or frequency of detox treatments. The range extends from one regular detox day per week to one or two weeks annually. If you decide to fast, it is advisable to consult your doctor in advance to rule out that you already have nutritional deficiencies that could cause you problems during this time.

My detoxification
I divided my detoxification time into 2 phases, the first part of the week consisted of 4 fasting days and the second part of the week consisted of 3 alkaline days.

Classic fasting day
8 a.m. hot water with lemon

8.30 a.m. Yoga or meditation relaxation exercise to get the lymphatic activity and blood circulation started.

9:30 a.m. one to two cups of green tea, because it is rich in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. They destroy cells and weaken our microbiome.

Don't forget: constantly consume detox water 3-4 liters per day throughout the day, as it helps to eliminate water-soluble toxins.

12.00 p.m. homemade vegetable broth (please keep the salt content very low, as it binds the water and thus works against the excretion effect of the toxins). We want to get rid of as much water as possible to get rid of the toxins.

Try to relax as much as possible during the day and only drink fruit and vegetable juices as well as detox teas and detox water.

Since I'm not a big coffee drinker, I don't have any problems getting used to it. For coffee drinkers, green tea, in addition to the advantages described above, also has a strong invigorating effect, which is due to the caffeine content. The theanine it contains has a calming effect, unlike coffee, which means we don't get nervous or jittery. It is important to use high-quality tea when choosing. The antioxidant effect is neutralized by foods rich in iron (green vegetables, beetroot, legumes, meat). The effect is similar with iron deficiency, because green tea inhibits iron absorption.

Classic alkaline day
8 a.m. hot water with lemon

8.30 a.m. Yoga or meditation relaxation exercise to get the lymphatic activity and blood circulation started.

9.30 a.m. one or two cups of green tea and warm spelled semolina with Sea Moss Gel turmeric, berries and walnuts (inspirations on my Instagram account @magdasfoodprogramme Highlight: Detoxification)

12.00 noon: Quinoa coconut salad (cooked quinoa with fried onions, garlic, spinach, chickpeas, beans in coconut milk, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper, Berbere sauce) when making your selection, make sure that you only choose alkaline-forming foods

Don't forget: constantly consume detox water 3-4 liters per day throughout the day, as it helps to eliminate water-soluble toxins.

4.30 p.m. Dinner: stuffed sweet potato from the oven (inspiration on my Instagram account @magdasfoodprogramme in the Reels)

What happens next?
As already mentioned, you can then continue with an alkaline diet, as this has a particularly anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effect. It is particularly useful to carry out a detox treatment before changing your diet. On the one hand, it makes it easier to get started with new eating habits and, on the other hand, you activate the body's own defense programs again. A short detox period is particularly helpful for people who constantly crave comfort food.

I recommend that you do not consider detoxing as an option to lose a few pounds. It helps you program your body for a new beginning, means getting rid of bad eating patterns and understanding the importance of healthy eating. A subsequent change in diet can then help you lose excess pounds and maintain your figure sustainably. Write to me if you need support. Personally, I have been vegan for a long time. Because I felt so incredibly good during my detoxification period, I decided on a vegan alkaline diet.

A little tip from me:
I recommend that you help your skin (scalp and face) cleanse. This works particularly well with a face mask consisting of: Rassoul Clay and Sea Moss and for the hair you can use the same mixture and add a little apple cider vinegar. This method reduces blemishes, acne and pimples as it actively combats the inflammation that occurs. I recommend that you clean your tongue with a tongue brush morning and evening. Foot baths and yoga or meditation provide the necessary relaxation and at the same time activate your metabolism.

In the article Detoxification - Support the detoxification of your intestines, you will find out some more background information about the effect of detox on your body.