Spring is the time of year for renewal and rebirth. It is also the time when our bodies naturally like to have a spring clean! Here’s how to help it along…safely!

When I work with people, we first identify the main organ systems to support or stimulate during their “Detox”. Some people first need to build and strengthen the gut before they are ready to encourage more cleansing in their bodies. For others we need to be really aware of heavy metals that will be freed up into the system when they start their cleanse and make sure there are enough elements in place to bind and clear these safely from the body.

The first rule is simple…drink plenty of fresh filtered water daily to hydrate and help flush your system. Most people already know the things to avoid during a cleanse…but to be specific…stay away from processed foods, refined sugar, alcohol, coffee and other stimulants. Do some light exercise like walking or yoga but be gentle, your body is working harder than usual.

Many people on a detox make the mistake of cutting out all protein, which is an important component in supporting liver detox. If you are going to encourage your body to up the anti, you need to provide all the ingredients for that process to work as smoothly and easily as possible. Include fish, eggs and a good quality protein powder that suits your individual needs.

Fibre is important too, so really bump up your vegetable intake. Organic or spray free if you can get it, is always best, particularly during detox when we are deliberately lightening the chemical load and optimising nutrient levels.

There are many gimmicky products on the market that promote a quick detox for a week or two and usually promise rapid weight loss as well. Sounds too good to be true? Most likely it is…

These products are often not balanced properly to support the body through all phases of detoxification and can sometimes do more harm than good. Generally anything that claims to be a quick fix often is just that. You may lose some weight (often fluid) but most times if not supported properly, the body will rebound and regain all the weight you have lost and more within a short space of time!

Our bodies are naturally housekeeping and taking out the rubbish all the time via our liver, kidneys, bowel, lymphatics and skin. We are designed to be very efficient at recycling and reusing what we need and protecting us from toxins that could harm us if they stay circulating in our systems. One way our body keeps us safe is to store toxins in our fat tissue. Are you starting to see how rapid weight loss without the right support may be dangerous or at the least a very unpleasant experience?! You guessed it…we dump all that toxic load back into the blood stream and wonder why we feel so terrible.

For the right advice in tailoring a detox to your individual body it is always best to seek guidance from someone that really understands how to give the right support at the right time and in the right amount for YOU! Having that supervision, know-how and encouragement makes all the difference in optimising your detox and helping you feel amazing!