If we do not actively support our health we are passively allowing its decline.
Articles about strengthening health naturally started coming to me in high school. Simple “healthy habits” that all focussed on digestive comfort. When the teacher made the above statement on the first day of Shiatsu school these tips came flooding back to mind. Eastern therapy models such as Shiatsu view digestive health as the key to overall life balance.
Food choices and eating habits are primary to daily beneficial habits. Another component of digestive and overall disease prevention is actively tending to the organs. Cleansing the organs is a seasonal routine in pre-Western health practices. The Spring Clean involves a liver refresh of some sort. This clears the bile ducts and blood vessels after the heavy Winter feasts in anticipation of Summer heat. The Fall Cleanse focuses on preparing the lower intestines for the dormant Winter months.
After a long, stressful life situation or a few seasons of unhealthy food choices simple protocols give the digestive system a reboot. Below is listed my study of cleanses and dietary rebalancing formats. Though incomplete in the scope of human health, it represents my and my clients direction of focus for enhancing quality of life.
At the end I’ve included a simple suggestion for incorporate moderation into the year. This is not intended as medical or dietary advice, rather a suggestion to move toward reducing unnecessarily taxing items from your routine.
Duration: 3 - 10 days.
Why do this: A simple digestive system reset. Helpful to detoxify and balance the body's natural constitution.
How does it look: Shifting all food intake to the simple ayurvedic meal, kitchari, commonly made with basmati rice and mung beans. A specific group of spices are added. Ghee (clarified butter) is part of the meal. A pre-cleanse preparation is advised as well as a post-cleanse food reintegration strategy.
Links: https://www.ayurvedhealing.com/kitchari-cleanse-5-day-reset-recipes/
https://svasthaayurveda.com/how-to-perform-a-kitchari-cleanse/
The Master Cleanse
Duration: 10 - 40 days.
Why do this: Those who enjoy a very light body might do this to enhance spiritual connection. Those who enjoy a fleshier vessel might do this occasionally to clear out build up. Useful for weight loss.
How does it look: Consuming only the specific drink containing fresh lemon or lime juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Herbal teas are good additions when needed. A salt water solution is drunk to maintain bowel functioning in the absence of solid food.
Link: https://themastercleanse.org/
Colon Cleanses with pre-made formulas
Duration: 5 days to multiple weeks.
Why do this: To remove residues from the gut lining.
How does it look: Drinking a specific herb or pre-made herbal formula. Herbs used have mucilaginous, toxin binding, anti fungal and anti bacterial qualities. Herbs to stimulate peristalsis may also be included. It is recommended to increase water consumption and decrease consumption of anything dehydrating. Increasing high-fiber vegetable intake will increase the effects.
Examples: There are several pre-made formulas available. Here is a Consumer Health Digest review for Perfect 7: https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/colon-cleanser-reviews/perfect-7-intestinal-cleanser.html
Blood Type Diet
Duration: This is a dietary overhaul. To determine its effectiveness it must be followed for a few months.
Why do this: If commonly used foods cause predictable discomfort, if the body is building up inflammation in the joints, gradually increasing fat and general congestion.
How does it look: Dr. Peter D’Adamo developed the research matching the 4 blood groups (A, B, AB & O) with foods that easily digest in its body system. Each blood type has a list of beneficial foods, neutral foods and foods to avoid. This system includes supplements and ways of formatting exercise throughout a week to enhance wellbeing. A cookbook is in print. Online resources are also available.
Link: https://dadamo.com/dadamo2024/
Elimination Cleanse
Duration: 2 to 8 weeks.
Why do this: If someone is unclear on which foods cause minor allergic responses or to reset the diet to a distinctly different program.
How does it look: Progressively removing specific foods until the diet is pared down to easily digested basic foods. After all allergens are removed, foods are reintroduced to allow a clear experience of which foods are not tolerated. Depending on the program specific herbal supplements may be used to clean and bolster the organs as food intake changes.
Example: https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/how-to-do-an-elimination-diet-a-complete-guide
https://www.fodmapgutdiet.com/guides/fodmap-elimination-phase
Dr. Hulda Clark’s Liver Flush protocol
Duration: The original model is a 2 day flush after several weeks of targeted cleansing and nourishing the intestines and kidney. A several different supplement products are advised. More recent versions have it pared down to 5 days leading up to the flush and increased supplementation to follow.
Why do this: Someone who has myriad digestive and physical concerns that have been unresolved with standard remedies.
How does it look: The Liver Flush itself begins on a predetermined date (because the flusher will not want to leave home for most of Day 2). This procedure includes a 20 hour fast, drinking an Epsom salt solution in small doses from late afternoon to evening, drinking a mixture of olive oil & grapefruit juice, a phase of potential discomfort as the liver and gall bladder squeeze out all their bile during the night, follow-up with drinking more epsom salt doses in the morning, the elimination of bile & stones, and then rehydration. For someone with deep liver congestion it is recommended to repeat this process up to 5 times with 5 days between flushes.
Links: https://drhuldaclark.org/liver-cleanse/
Candida Cleanse
Duration: From 6 weeks to 3 or more months.
Why do it: Chronic digestive concerns that have resisted all other treatments. Advocates of this program list multiple symptoms and pathologies that indicate Candida overgrowth.
How does it look: Using the idea that an overgrowth of Candida albicans generates multiple by-product related health issues, this protocol includes a food list that is free of items that feed the yeast. Eliminated foods include sugars, highly-starchy vegetables & grains, gluten and dairy. It is advised to remove foods considered inflammatory (beans, corn, highly processed and preserved foods), fermented foods and fungi. There are likely to be a few specific foods recommended to enhance organ function during the detoxification and bacterial die-off stage. Probiotic and anti fungal foods are emphasized to create an environment for the intestinal lining to self-repair. Once the body stabilizes with a reduced microbiome overgrowth, bacteria known to be productive for digestive health are added along with anti fungal supplements to remove remaining food for candida. This process repopulates and establishes the vitalizing bacteria. The final stage of this treatment includes adding digestive enzyme supplements and gradually reintroducing foods that have been eliminated.
Links: https://www.ultimatecandidadiet.com
https://globalhealing.com/blogs/education/ultimate-candida-diet-program
https://drruscio.com/candida-cleanse/
Moderate Added Sugar 3-month program
Duration: 7 - 10 days, three consecutive months.
Why do it: Sugar added to food has long been considered non-essential for humans. Regular consumption of foods high in added sugar has been known to disrupt the digestive system. Symptoms include gassiness, bloating, indigestion, constipation and weight gain.
How does it look: During the period of restricting sugar, do not add sugar to food or beverages. Don’t drink alcohol, soft drinks or drinks flavored with syrups. Skip dessert or substitute fresh fruit. Choose buttered toast or biscuits rather than a pastry or donuts. If this is too hard, choose one regularly consumed food or drink to substitute with a non-sugary option per day.
Natural sweeteners (xylitol, monk fruit, stevia & erythritol) may be used for the beginning few days, but try to let go of any added sweetness by the middle day.
Once you’ve completed your 7 - 10 days, slowly reintroduce previously consumed items as desired. Try to add only one per day for the first few days.
If you are able to quit all the food & drink items with added sugars the first time you try this, be prepared for your body to withdraw from the change in sugar consumption. This might produce headaches and cravings. Increase your water intake during this time. You might benefit from drinking warm water with a lemon slice, or herbal teas to reduce tension.
Easy enough. But when in the month?
For women, try the week before the menstrual cycle starts.
For men and women in menopause, tune into the days before and just after the New Moon.
If you want to try this simple and free moderation exercise for three consecutive months, consider planning it for August through October. Enjoy your Halloween candy in mid-November if needed. Notice how digestively prepared you feel for holiday season after completing your third month.
No comments:
Post a Comment