Tips and tricks for you new year detox

“Detox” is a word which often comes with a lot of bad baggage. For too many people, the idea of a detox is tied with unhealthy lifestyle practices, like wheatgrass juice only diets, or cold-water enemas under the full moon.

The bottom line, however, is that most people who pursue a detox program are really looking to free themselves from unhealthy dependencies and adopt positive habits; which allow greater overall health going forward. Bearing that in mind, here are some real detox tips to help you get onto the straight and narrow in 2018.

1.Get Enough Phytonutrients

“Phytonutrients” or “phytochemicals” are substances found in different plants which help to protect those plants from germs, fungi, parasites and so on. While phytonutrients aren’t essential for humans in the same way as a proper range of vitamins and minerals are, they are believed to contribute massively to overall health in a wide array of ways; including boosting immune function and tackling cancer-causing free radicals.[1]

Phytonutrients are found in a wide range of edible plants, but are most commonly associated with rich, leafy greens. Make sure to get enough fruit and veg in your diet, as well as a good helping of kale and spinach wherever you can fit them in.

2.Avoid Processed Foods

Not only do processed foods tend to have a horrible effect on your blood sugar (causing insulin spikes which result in weight gain, energy crashes and depression), they’re also frequently deficient in many of the core nutrients you should be getting from your diet. Replacing all processed foods with whole foods is one of the best ways to improve your health overnight, and break your physical dependence on sugar, caffeine, and other substances you might want to cut back on.

3.Know Yourself, and Eat According to Your Needs

There is no perfect one-size-fits-all diet which is perfect for everyone; we are all different and we all digest various foodstuffs differently. It is vital that you get to know your body and avoid foods which you, personally, don’t digest well. If in doubt, get tested.

Of course, you should avoid anything you’re allergic to, but you should also cut out foods which you have a sensitivity towards. You might be gluten sensitive or lactose intolerant, in which case your health could benefit enormously from switching to gluten and lactose-free alternatives.

Together, with tailoring your diet to ensure optimum digestibility, consider using supplements which can aid your digestion. For example; glutamine and digestive enzymes.

Many people are shocked at just what a profound difference a healthy gut can make to their overall sense of health and wellbeing.

4.Take a Break from Caffeine and Alcohol, and Drop Sugar

Caffeine and alcohol are an essential feature of many people’s lives. You need that pot of coffee in the morning to give you the energy to make it through the day, and you need a few drinks after work to relax.

Caffeine and alcohol in moderation are not necessarily bad for you. The problem is, when taken in excess, these substances can cause serious damage, ranging from an increased likelihood of developing schizophrenia[2], to the many well-documented health issues associated with alcohol abuse, such as cirrhosis of the liver.

To ensure that you maintain a healthy relationship with these substances, try to break the cycle every so often, and go a month without either. This will help you adjust back to a more moderate and self-aware pattern of consumption.

As for sugar? The less of it, the better. Processed sugars are associated with a host of negative health effects, ranging from obesity to fluctuating moods, heart disease and energy crashes. [3]

So step away from the fads and give yourself a real detox this year, and see just how great you feel as the year progresses.