Short Term Juice Cleanse for Detoxification and Better Health

The Need for Detoxification

Your body may be in need of detoxification and you may not be aware of the fact. Some pollutants enter through the lungs and others get into your system through the foods you eat. Every day your body’s organs are working hard to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. Most of us do not consider that the foods we eat can have an effect on how well this process of absorption and elimination works. Refined foods cannot be easily digested and tend to build up as metabolic waste inside the intestinal wall, making absorption of nutrients more difficult. If these toxins remain in your system you may notice symptoms of constipation, feeling sluggish, or weight gain. The cause of many chronic conditions can also be traced back to such toxins in the colon.

To maintain optimal health, a periodic detoxification is essential for a well functioning colon. The practice of healing through detoxification has been used and recommended by natural doctors and herbalists throughout much of history. A short term juice fast or juice cleanse can enhance the body’s elimination of toxins that have built up in the digestive system.

During a one to three day juice cleanse you will consume only fruits and vegetables that have been prepared in a juice machine, in addition to adequate amounts of water and fiber supplements if necessary. After three days of this all juice diet, you may notice a small weight loss, increased energy, and improved digestion.

Who Should Cleanse

For best results in cleansing your colon with juices, a strong immune system is necessary. A strong immune system will help prevent negative effects of toxins being eliminated from the body. Do not begin a juice cleanse while sick or fighting off infection. Consult with your physician first if you are diabetic, pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications. Juicing under such conditions is not recommended without the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Before Cleansing

Adequately planning and preparing for a juice cleanse is just as important as the cleanse itself. Spring is often considered the best time to cleanse because the warming weather is energizing to our bodies and minds, which have been hibernating all winter. Pick a time frame that will be the least stressful, perhaps the weekend.

Beginning a week before your cleanse, you will need to greatly reduce or eliminate processed foods, dairy, meat, alcohol, and caffeine. Also increase your consumption of steamed or raw vegetables at this time. Intake of adequate amounts of water is essential before, during, and after a juice cleanse.

Supplies

Here is a list of suggested supplies for your detoxifying juice cleanse:
• juice machine
• fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably organic)
• distilled or purified water
• fiber supplement (other than psyllium husk)

In addition to the above supplies you may opt to supplement with the following:
• flaxseed oil (assists with lubrication of the colon)
• green drink supplement (can be added to your juice once a day)
• herbal tea
• enzyme capsules

During the Cleanse

Consume juices and water at regular intervals throughout the day, about every hour to hour and a half. To prepare fruits and vegetables in the juice machine wash them and cut them to the size of allowance for your machine. Remove the skins if the fruits and vegetable are not organic. Freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices may be diluted with water. Extra juice may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator during the day, but not overnight. Fiber and green drink supplements may be added to your juice or water once a day. Enzyme capsules and flaxseed oil may be taken if desired. Herbal tea may be consumed as well.

After Cleansing

It is important to make a slow return to solid foods. On the day after the cleanse, eat only fruits and raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Begin the morning with fruit juice followed by a piece of fruit about fifteen minutes after that. Do the same at lunch with vegetable juice followed by vegetables after fifteen minutes. A light dinner of fresh vegetable soup can be followed with herbal tea. Remember to continue drinking water throughout the day and drink extra juice as desired. Fiber supplements, green drinks, flaxseed oil, and enzyme capsules may continue to be taken.

Juice Recipes

You can experiment with different juice recipes. Most fruits and vegetables can be juiced with the exception of bananas, mangoes, papayas, and avocados. Remove any hard seeds (as in apples) or pits (as in apricots and cherries) before juicing. Try to limit fruits as they contain more sugar than most vegetables.

Liver Tonic
1 beetroot
2 carrots
1/2 cucumber

Super 8
1/2 cucumber
1/2 tomato
1/2 red pepper
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 green onion
1 handful spinach
1/2 cup cabbage or 1 kale leaf

Sweet Drink
3 carrots
1 apple
1 pear
1/2 lemon (peeled)

This article is for educational purposes only. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, or cure any health conditions. Consult your physician before doing detoxifying program. If you experience any side effects while on juice cleanse or any other detoxifying program consult your physician right away.