Detox protocols like colon cleanses, liver flushes and parasites cleanses had an incredibly powerful impact on transforming my health and easing chronic symptoms. However, to maximise the benefits and minimise any unwanted detox reactions it is vital to prepare the body properly before undertaking any form of cleanse or detoxification. In this post I will share the 8 areas I focussed on for the months beforehand to ensure cleanses were performed safely and effectively.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for informational purposes only. I’m not a qualified practitioner and I’m not encouraging anyone else to do them. Please consult a qualified practitioner before implementing these things or changing your current treatment plan. This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you I will earn commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclaimer here.
Benefit of detox protocols
Detox protocols such as colon cleanses, kidney cleanses, liver flushes and parasite cleanses have played a key role in me regaining my health after being diagnosed with POTS, dysautonomia and chronic fatigue. When done correctly, these protocols help remove accumulated toxins and allow our body to heal and function more efficiently.
Many people experience health benefits, including:-
- Increased energy and reduced fatigue
- Improved digestion and gut health
- Better sleep quality
- Less bloating, nausea and indigestion
- Improved mood and reduced anxiety and stress
However, detox protocols are not something to rush into. It is vital before starting any cleanse that I prepared my body properly beforehand and completed cleanses in the right order. Preparing correctly helps:-
- Improve detox results – ensures the body is strong enough to eliminate toxins effectively
- Reduce detox reactions and unwanted symptoms (headaches, fatigue, nausea)
- Prevents toxins being reabsorbed
Below are the 8 key foundations I focus on before starting any detox protocol.
Further reading: 10 healthy habits to improve your health for free
1). Anti inflammatory whole foods diet
The body cannot heal in an inflamed state, which processed foods, refined sugar and vegetable oils increase. So for at least 30 days before a cleanse, I prioritise an anti-inflammatory diet that removes…
- Refined sugar,
- Gluten,
- Dairy,
- Caffeine,
- Alcohol.
Instead, I utilise these healthy food and drink swaps and cook homemade meals, filling my plate with a variety of unprocessed whole foods to calm inflammation and balance blood sugar…
- Fruit and vegetables
- Grains
- Beans & legumes
- Nuts & seeds
- Fish, especially those rich in anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats (salmon, sardines, mackerel)
- Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi), like this fermented red cabbage sauerkraut recipe
Further reading: Eating 30 plants a week (8 tips & checklist)
2). Increase vitamin & mineral stores
Detoxification requires a lot of nutrients. Sufficient vitamin and mineral stores are key for the body being able to eliminate toxins effectively.
Therefore, before any cleanse I prioritise the following:-
- Bone broth – either drink on its own or use as stock in meals.
- Sprouts and microgreens – these contain 4-40 times more nutrients than regular vegetables.
- Sea moss gel – contains 92 of the 102 minerals our body needs.
- Organ meats (chicken liver, chicken hearts), which are a powerful source of B vitamins, iron, and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Sprouting beans, legumes and grains and activating nuts and seeds before eating them. This makes them easier to digest and maximises the nutrients.
- Drink a fresh green juice every morning like this fennel juice recipe, with cucumber and mint. Green juices provide a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals in liquid form, which are easy for our body to absorb. This is especially beneficial if digestion is compromised.
- Steam cook vegetables lightly to preserve the most nutrients.
- Utilise food pairings to maximise the nutrients, such as…
- Pairing turmeric with a pinch of black pepper to maximise the absorption of curcurmin by 2,000%, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties
- Adding lemon juice to vegetables to maximise vitamin C
Further reading: How to sprout chickpeas, How to sprout buckwheat
3). Hydration
Hydration is key for helping to remove toxins – it is typically recommended to drink around 2 litres per day. Molecular hydrogen water is best. Regular tap water contains heavy metals, chemicals and contaminants and the molecules cannot penetrate the gut membrane or blood brain barrier. Using a water ioniser removes heavy metals and contaminants from the water and infuses it with molecular hydrogen. Molecular hydrogen molecules are incredibly small and can cross the gut membrane and blood brain barrier, allowing the water to be taken into our cells and helping to flush out toxins from them more efficiently.
Hydration is so much more than just water – the foods you eat can contribute up to 25% of the water we consume, especially fruits and vegetables.
Further reading: Best electrolyte drink for POTS
4). Optimise Sleep
Sleep is when the body – and especially the brain – is most effective at removing toxins, healing and regenerating. If sleep is a struggle for you, my other post – nighttime routine to sleep better – has 5 tips that improve sleep quality. The most powerful habit you can adopt is being in bed by 10pm, allowing your body to take advantage of the window between 10pm and 2am when the deepest most restorative sleep occurs. Making this sleep tea recipe and drinking it a couple of hours before bed also helps me relax and sleep better.
Further reading: Rest well – 7 types of rest we need
5). Optimise Digestion
You can eat the most anti inflammatory nutrient dense foods but if your digestion is poor then your body won’t absorb the nutrients and receive the benefits of them. Optimising digestion before detoxing is crucial. Simple tips, such as drinking warm lemon water 30 minutes before meals, eating without distractions and chewing food thoroughly, can help as listed in my how to improve digestion – 10 tips post.
Further reading: Best teas for digestion and gut health
6). Open drainage pathways
Our body has six natural pathways which constantly work to eliminate toxins – colon, kidneys, liver, lymph, lungs and skin. These must be functioning well before deeper cleansing begins. If these drainage pathways aren’t open, then the body’s natural ability to remove toxins is reduced. Instead, toxins recirculate which can cause symptoms to flare and detox reactions during cleanses. Simple tools like fibre rich foods, dry brushing and buteyko breathing can open these pathways and optimise the effectiveness of future deeper detox protocols. My post how to open drainage pathways has a comprehensive list of how to support each of the 6 detox pathways.
Further reading: Breath retraining – 6 tips for optimal breathing
7). Regulate the Nervous System
The body cannot detox effectively if stuck in a fight or flight state, like is common with chronic illness. Calming our nervous system and switching to a parasympathetic state is optimal. It is in this state where our body can…
- Digest and absorb nutrients from our food,
- Detox and remove toxins,
- Sleep better,
- Recharge, heal and regenerate.
To regulate your nervous system you can implement these 10 nervous system reset tools or use these 14 tips listed in my how to activate the parasympathetic nervous system post. Activating these vagus nerve acupressure points is also effective.
Further reading: Somatic experiencing pendulation and titration
8). Reduce Daily Toxic Exposure
The benefit of detox protocols will be limited if you don’t reduce the amount of toxins your body is exposed to and taking in everyday. We’re exposed to over 700,000 chemicals everyday in our homes, workplaces and the air we breathe, which can have a negative affect on our health and contribute to fatigue, headaches, dizziness and digestive issues.
Reducing your toxic load, through cleaner food, water, personal care products and household items allows the benefits of detoxing to last longer and supports long term health improvements. My following posts have helpful tips to help you switch to a low toxin lifestyle…
Final Thoughts
Detox protocols and cleanses are a powerful tool to help transform your health. However, it is important to nourish your body, open drainage pathways, regulate your nervous system, reduce inflammation and your exposure to everyday toxins first. This makes detox protocols, such as colon cleanses, liver flushes and parasite cleanses become safer, more effective and more sustainable.
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