Kristen Cook
Cleanse and detoxify the body from the inside – that is the goal of the detoxification cure. But how does the fasting concept work and how effective is it?
The so-called “detoxing”, the English term for the purification cure, has been in vogue for years. Special powders and teas are advertised with the promise to rid the body of harmful substances within a few days – to detoxify it. But no special products are necessary for a detox cure. Instead, the diet is changed in such a way that the metabolic processes in the body are to be regulated.
What is a detox cure?
The detox cure is a medical concept based on the idea that an unhealthy diet and lifestyle causes metabolic processes to become unbalanced. As a result, the so-called “slags” – waste products of the metabolism – would no longer be properly broken down and accumulate in the tissue.
A change in diet should support the body’s natural detoxification processes and thus flush metabolic waste products out of the body. During the detoxification cure, the intestines in particular should be cleaned.
In this way, nutrition-related complaints are to be alleviated, such as:
- digestive problems
- headache
- fatigue
- concentration problems
- sleep disorders
- susceptibility to infection
Purify body and intestines – how exactly does the cure work?
There are different types of detoxification cures: Fasting cures, Kneipp cures, and especially intestinal cures as part of intestinal cleansing all aim to cleanse the body and activate the metabolism. This is to be achieved by avoiding certain foods that promote waste.
During the cure, you eat plant-based foods that provide a lot of fiber that promotes digestion. These include gently cooked vegetables and fruit, whole grain products, nuts, and legumes. Green vegetables in particular should be on the menu because they contain bitter substances that support the liver’s detoxification process. On the other hand, processed foods, sweets, animal protein, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and white flour products are on the red list. In addition, you should drink at least two liters of liquid every day.
In addition to diet, regular exercise is an integral part of the detoxification cure, since metabolic waste products should also be excreted through the skin. Going for brisk walks, jogging, swimming, or yoga should support the lymphatic system and stimulate digestion.
What effect should a detox cure have on the body?
Detoxing the body should not only have an effect against comparatively harmless complaints but also chronic diseases. Neurodermatitis, rheumatism, and gout are said to be associated with metabolic products. This seems obvious, especially in the case of gout, because the inflammation in the joints is caused by an excess of uric acid – a breakdown product of purines.
In addition, the following positive effects on health are attributed to the detoxification cure:
- regeneration of the body
- Relief of the organs, especially the kidneys, liver, and intestines
- Higher performance
- Better sleep quality
- weight loss
- increase in well-being
Detox cure – Duration: 7 days or 28 days
The duration of a detox cure is variable and depends on the goal you are pursuing. If you want to give your intestines some rest after high-calorie days, you can take a multi-day or one-week cure. Even those who want to lose a few pounds quickly can opt for a shorter duration. A four-week detox cure, on the other hand, is intended to help regenerate the organs.
In the first days of the cure, you should only consume liquid food in the form of broth, smoothies, and teas. Then you switch to a plant-based diet.
During a detox, the meal plan could look like this:
- Breakfast: Smoothie made from fresh fruit and vegetables, e.g. a green smoothie with spinach, avocado, banana, and mango
- Lunch: Salad with nuts and apples, steamed vegetables with wild rice, or whole wheat pasta with homemade basil pesto.
- Dinner: Vegetable soup with a slice of toasted spelled bread
There should be at least four hours between meals to relieve the bowels. You should therefore avoid snacking.
