In the last several posts, we have discussed:

I have even given you several recipes to get your body ready for a detox:

Fourth Kind of Detox – Food Restriction

Our final category of Detox and Cleanses is Food Restriction.  Two types of food restrictions fall into this fourth category, fasting and food elimination. Again, the purpose, is not to expound in detail about each type, but to give you an overview so you have a better understanding of what is involved.

Fasting

Reasons for fasting are numerous, but when most people fast, they abstain from food and drink for a certain period of time (hours, days, weeks) for health reasons, or spiritual reasons.  There are many different types of fasting, some of which involve water fasting, liquid or juice fasting, intermittent fasting, alternate day fasting, or 5:2 day fasting (5 days on, 2 days off). Some people argue that if one eats only between 12 and 5 pm, or abstains from solid food, but drinks only juice, then it is not really fasting at all, because one is still partaking of nutrients.

But no matter what, a universal definition that most agree upon, is that fasting is going without food or nutrients for a period of time as part of a health regimen to detox, clear digestion, and lose weight, or for spiritual reasons, which involve prayer and strengthening one’s relationship to God or nature.

There are definitely some positive benefits to fasting.

Fasting Benefits

weight loss – Many studies support fasting as an excellent tool for losing weight. Even just fasting (water, juice, shakes, etc.) just one day a week, has shown powerful benefits to help people slim down

Improves digestion – Fasting is a great way to give the body a break from eating, and therefore digesting of food. Having a rest from digesting and metabolizing food allows the body a chance to work on healing, cleansing the body of toxins, and overcoming disease.

Reduces insulin sensitivity – When we eat too many carbs, sugar, and processed food, over time we become sensitive to sugar, or insulin resistant, which eventually can turn into diabetes or other chronic related diseases.

Normalize ghrelin levels – Ghrelin is called the hunger hormone, because it tells the body when we are hungry. The more we eat, the more imbalanced our ghrelin levels become making it harder and harder to know when we are really hungry. Fasting helps the body become more adept and knowing when it needs food.

 

Food Elimination

The second type of food restriction is food elimination.  Food restriction is restricting certain foods that cause inflammation and toxic build-up from the diet.  It also includes anti-inflammatory foods, herbs, and sometimes supplements to encourage the elimination of toxins.

There are many types of food elimination diets.  Most people embark on an elimination for health reasons.  Some want to lose weight, reduce toxins, sleep better, etc.  Some people are diagnosed or suspect they have a disease or health concern, and follow a specific diet elimination to improve symptoms

Just a few examples of food elimination diets are listed below.  There are many more.

  • anti-inflammatory diet
  • gluten intolerance
  • ulcer and gastritis
  • AIP diet
  • SIBO diet
  • Candida diet
  • Food sensitivity diet
  • Night shades
  • Lactose intolerance

Fasting and food elimination diets both have their benefits and purpose.  Choosing which one to follow depends upon your needs, and ultimate outcome.  I have used both fasting and food elimination with myself and clients successfully.  However, food restriction, and all detox plans should be researched carefully to make sure of safety, and they should be followed correctly.  And if you have a serious illness or health concern, I recommend checking with your doctor first.

 

Concerned you may be toxic?  Do you need a detox?   Go here to take the Are You Toxic?  Quiz

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