Different ways to detoxify the body

By Caroline J. Howard, ANC

Posted at 12/21/2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Toxins build-up in the body, whether from the stress of the day-to-day routines, the holiday food binge or the pressures of last-minute shopping.

So before the body's defense goes haywire due to the negative effects of accumulated toxins, one should make it a point to detoxify or remove waste products from the blood in the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and other organs.

Dr. Mary Jane Valdecañas, a weight management specialist at the Zen Institute, said detoxification refuels the body with healthy nutrients, stimulates the liver to drive toxins away from the body, improves blood circulation and boosts one's metabolism.

There are varied kinds of detox programs depending on a person's lifestyle, she said. Vegetable eaters who have regular bowel movements, for one, require less detox compared to meat eaters.

A familiar way to detoxify the body is through a colonic, which involves pumping water into the rectum. This may cost as low as P250 for home procedures, or as high as P10,000 if combined with machine ultrasound cavitation, which removes water retained in the body.

The oral version, on the other hand, requires one to drink powdered vegetables mixed with warm water before going to sleep and 8 hours before a bathroom visit. Valdecañas said this procedure is only advised for adults of good health from 21 to 75 years of age.

There may be different kinds, but as a general rule, detox begins with healthy eating habits -- from high-fiber foods such as brown rice to green tea, herbs and fruits rich in Vitamin C.

Drinking lots of water is crucial, too, as well as breathing deeply to allow more oxygen to circulate in the body.

Other low-cost ways to detoxify include transforming stress by emphasizing positive emotions, taking a very hot shower for 5 minutes followed by a 30-second cold shower, going to the sauna, and exercising.

So before and after stuffing one's self with all the fatty food this Christmas, make it a point to detoxify for a healthier and longer life.