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Detox

NUTRITIONISTS may say that there is no medical need to de-tox your body but anyone who has knows the benefits of a purifying purge.

The idea is simply to eat 'clean food' and in so doing, clean your body. It means no processed foods, no alcohol, tea, coffee or fizzy drinks and no sweet or refined foods like biscuits, white bread and ready meals.

Instead you feed your body with brown rice and pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables and non-wheat products and drink water or herbal and fruit teas. The theory is that eating foods close to their natural state helps the body's own de-toxifying organs, such as the liver and kidneys be more efficient.

Most de-tox regimes last around three days but TV queen Carol Vorderman does a 28 day de-tox every six months and credits the regime for her new streamlined look. Without the incentive of a £2m TV contract you may need some help to stick to the strict re-think of your diet. Diane Cooke tried out some High Street products aimed to help.

I was very impressed by the Bio-Light 3-day Detox. I chose a Saturday, Sunday and Monday for the three day trial on the basis that if I felt awful on the first two days I could at least go and lie down.

The concentrated blend of 22 organically grown plants and herbs is added to 1.5 litres of still mineral water each day. This is sipped regularly throughout the three days, and is combined with a low-fat high fibre diet which prohibits caffeine, alcohol, sugar and fats.

On the first day, I had a banging headache and a craving for a cup of coffee, but by day two and three I was feeling positively elated, full of the joys of spring. It's sad but true, I was actually enjoying the deprivation.

By day three, my stomach was flatter, I was a kilo (2.2lbs) lighter, but, more importantly, I felt brilliant - more positive than I had felt for a long time.

It costs £12. 99 from Boots, Tesco, Holland and Barrett, Superdrug and health food stores.

The Ephytem 10-day Organic De-Tox works in a similar way. The mixture comes in a box of 10 phials and contains organic liquid extracts of dandelion and the herb fucus to break down fat deposits, artichoke to stimulate the liver, essential oil of lemon and burdock to cleanse the skin, and prune juice to stimulate digestion and help cleanse the intestines. Again the mixture is added to natural mineral water and sipped over 10 days.

The only difference with this de-tox is you don't have to follow a special diet. But for maximum benefit the manufacturers recommend you increase your fruit and vegetable intake, cut down on tea and coffee, and take plenty of fresh air and exercise.

At £6 99, it's cheaper than Bio-Light and is available from independent health food stores including GNC, Arndale Centre and On The Eighth Day, Oxford Road. Call 01932 334501 for stockists.

Pathways to detox

Blood and lymph
These are responsible for picking up toxins from the body's tissues and taking them to the liver. Tension, lack of exercise and poor circulation can result in wastes collecting in certain areas of the body.

To purify:Take regular exercise, practise body brushing (brushing in long strokes upwards in the direction of the heart with a natural bristle brush), eat plenty of cabbage, garlic, onions, beetroot, blackberries and blueberries. Wheatgrass juice is a supreme cleanser.

The liver
This is the body's major cleansing organ. It neutralises poisons and wastes, as well as building essential molecules. Eating lots of fatty and processed foods and drinking too much alcohol can put it under pressure. Waves of nausea, early morning tiredness and lack of appetite are tell-tale signs of an over-burdened liver. Pent-up emotions also interfere with its work.

To purify: Eat lots of bitter foods such as grapefruit, lemon, endive and dandelion leaves. Extra virgin olive oil, garlic, ginger, cabbage, artichokes and milk thistle herb are especially good.

The kidneys
These are the filtering systems where wastes are removed from the blood, diluted with water and flushed away. Coffee, alcohol and diuretics can cause mild dehydration while too much salt can lead to water retention and puffy looking skin. Dark circles and bags under the eyes are signs of poorly functioning kidneys.

To purify: Drink plenty of spring water and cut back on salty foods. Eat artichoke, celery and asparagus and sip infusions of goldenrod, fennel and uva ursi. Add parsley to salads and cooked dishes.

The large intestine
This clears digested food remains from the body. Stress and tension can upset the natural flow of wastes resulting in both diarrhoea and constipation. Over time sticky remains of refined foods such as white bread and pasta may cling to the intestinal walls and clog up the system.

To purify: The natural roughage in wholegrain foods, fresh vegetables and fruits acts as an intestinal broom and ensures the swift passage of wastes through the colon. Soluble fibres like pectin (in apple skins) and alginin (in seaweed) mop up toxic substances and ensure they get removed from the body rather than reabsorbed. Psyllium husks work in the same way, so try adding a teaspoon to your morning cereal.

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