There are SO many different types of cleanses out there that it sometimes blows my mind. I live in Los Angeles, the testing ground for strange and unusual health food trends, so I’ve seen it all. From grapefruit juice and olive oil to taco cleanses (LOL!), it’s truly amazing what people have come up with.
When I set out to develop my cleanse protocol, I wanted to set it apart from the rest in one specific way. I wanted to use my knowledge as a holistic nutritionist to help my clients understand how to support their entire system, not just flush it. This means not only detoxifying but also improving the body’s ability to detoxify on its own.
What’s the best way to do that you ask? Support digestion!! Seriously think about it. If you aren’t absorbing and eliminating properly, what’s the freaking point?? If you’re not absorbing, you could quite literally be flushing hundreds of dollars of nutrients down the toilet. If you detox without addressing proper elimination, you’re flooding your system with its toxic load and giving them no way out.
There really is no other way to truly cleanse without proper digestive support as your foundation. I want to share with you a few of my super secret weapons when it come to supporting detox through digestion. I think of them kind of like a little team of nutrient superheroes that hold me up as I battle all that is cleansing.
Probiotics/Fermented Foods
We’ve come to understand so much more of human health through exploring the gut micro biome. A proper gut bacteria balance is vital to proper digestion and also overall well being. Think of them as your detox foot soldiers. You want to make sure there’s a lot of them and that they’re the kind that fight for you, not against you. I suggest supplementing with probiotics, I prefer Mary Ruth’s Certified Organic Liquid Probiotic, Dr. Ohhira’s Professional Strength and VSL#3 (take your probiotic before bed). To get a whole food dose, incorporate fermented foods like coconut yogurt kefir, coconut kefir, kimchi, saurkraut and/or tempeh on a regular basis.
Celery Juice
Your stomach requires acid, called HCL (we have 7 different kinds of HCL), to breakdown its food and pass it on through the digestive system. So many of my clients are low in stomach acid and it reeks havoc on their system. When you don’t have enough HCL, you’re not breaking down and absorbing your food. If you’re someone like me who splurges on the highest quality nutrient dense foods, you’re wasting your money. In order to build HCL, you need an adequate supply of minerals salts. One of the best ways I’ve found to fix this issue is to juice fresh ORGANIC celery (can’t be cold pressed) and drink on an empty stomach. Start with 6-8 ozs. and build up to 12-16 ozs. I’ve seen amazing results for anyone with acid reflux and gerd.
Aloe Vera
Aloe has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine as a digestive herb. Added to a juice or smoothie, this gooey goodness helps toxins leave your system. It’s also incredibly soothing to the upper digestive system while also ensuring the lower digestive systems to keep things moving. My favorite brand is George’s Aloe Vera and all you need is 4 ozs. a day.
L-Glutamine
L-glutamine is my go to supplement for digestive support through the detox process. It helps to build intestinal cells, which aids the gut’s healing process. Our gut lining is the main defense mechanism of our digestive system. As we cleanse, we want to make sure we’re also strengthening our intestinal lining to prevent leaky gut. My favorite brand is Pure Encapsulations powder or capsules and usually people need a minimum of 3 grams per day.
Barley Juice Extract Powder
This is my double edged sword. It helps detoxify heavy metals while also supporting digestion. Full of both vitamins, such as B12, and minerals, like magnesium, barley juice is a star supplement when it comes to micronutrients for the gut. It also helps to nourish a healthy gut flora which reduces inflammation. My favorite brand is Vimergy and you use 2 tsps. per day in a smoothie, green juice or lemon water.
Cat’s Claw + Licorice Root + Lemon Balm
One thing that can make a detox extra tough is the die off symptoms that come from balancing the micro biome. As we replenish ourselves with the good bacteria, the bad guys give up a bit of a fight on their way out. A good way to boost your infantry is to arm them with medicinal herbs that help stave off bad bacteria and viruses:
Nature’s Answer Alcohol Free Cat’s Claw Liquid or Pure Mountain Botanicals Cat’s Claw Capsules
Nature’s Answer Alcohol Free Licorice Root (if you have high blood pressure, start really slow with this and slowly build or drink Traditional Medicinals Licorice Root Tea)
Herb Pharm Alcohol Free Lemon Balm or Traditional Medicinals Lemon Balm Tea
These are supplements and protocols that have worked for me. Keep in mind, everyone is unique and will respond differently. I am not a doctor, please consult your doctor or medical adviser before starting any new supplement or supplement protocol.
