If you have diabetes or a variety of other medical concerns, keeping an eye on those glucose increases is critical. If this is the case, your doctor or nutritionist will advise you on how to avoid glucose spikes by modifying your meals or food intake. It's possible that food ordering is included in that suggestion.
Don't tie yourself up in knots attempting to eat your dinner in a specific order if you're one of the rest of us. To slow stomach emptying and flatten glucose spikes, eliminate sugary beverages and replace them with fiber, proteins, or fats.
What is a detoxification cure?
A purification cure is intended to detoxify the body from the inside. Supporters of this natural healing method assume that the body can be freed from stored harmful substances during a detoxification cure by detoxifying the body through a targeted choice of food, consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables as well as alkaline foods and plenty of water. This change in diet is intended to support the body's natural detoxification processes and, above all, to cleanse the intestines.
Purification cure: Duration
There are different forms of purification cures, which can be carried out during different periods. As a rule, a purification cure is carried out in the period of one to four weeks to contribute to the regeneration of the organs. However, detoxification weekends can also be carried out to get started. A shorter duration can lead to quick recovery after stressful days or gluttony or help to lose weight quickly.
Note: Lose weight by purification cure? In general, it is not advisable to lose weight with the help of a purification cure. The danger of a yo-yo effect is great when fasting.
What are waste products?
In a purification cure, toxic metabolic products are called slags. These accumulate according to the assumption by unhealthy nutrition, environmental poisons, chemicals, medicines or by additives in our food in the body and load it. An unhealthy lifestyle, characterized by a lot of stress, fast food and little exercise is said to promote the storage of slag in the body and lead to many complaints.
In general, metabolic products that the body cannot utilize can be excreted by the body's own lymphatic system as well as through the kidneys, liver and intestines. During a purification cure, this elimination process should be stimulated and the organs thereby relieved.
Why should one do a purification cure?
There are several reasons for doing a purification cure. Among other things, some hope that detoxifying the body will alleviate chronic diseases such as neurodermatitis, gout or rheumatism.
But also the following physical complaints can be a reason for a purification cure:
- Headaches
- Chronic inflammations
- Tiredness
- Digestive problems
- Concentration problems
- Sleep disorders
- Weak immune system
In addition to physical ailments and illnesses, however, there are other reasons why some may want to detoxify their bodies.
The goals of a detoxification cure can be the following:
- Long-term change in diet
- Lose weight
- Rest for the body
- Fasting
- Regeneration of the body
- Relief of the organs, especially the kidneys, liver and intestines
- Higher efficiency
- General increase of well-being
- Good start into the new year
- New energy
The right time for a purification cure
When is the right time for a purification cure has to be decided individually. Some start right at the beginning of the year, others do it in the spring and still others in the middle or end of the year. There is no prescribed time period.
However, there are a few signs that one's body is overburdened by too much waste from the metabolism. According to these signs, you can choose the time for detoxification accordingly.
Signs of too much slag in your body:
- Your digestion is not working properly (irregular bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation).
- You suffer from frequent abdominal pain and bloating.
- You have recurring or constant headaches.
- You are often unfocused and tired.
- You wake up frequently at night, are stressed, and sleep poorly.
- You have a constant cold and pick up infections quickly.
Purification cure: how it works and what it brings
Detoxification cure is the generic term for different types of cures to detoxify and reset the body. Depending on which detox method you choose, you may have to give up one thing or another. Some cures are more strict, some do without solid food altogether, and still others include baths, certain medications, or other supplements in addition to diet and exercise.
These include the following types of detoxification cures:
- Fasting cures
- Intestinal cleansing cures
- Kneipp cures
- Juice cures
- Ayurvedic diet
- Acid-base fasting
All purification cures aim to rid the body of waste products and activate the metabolism by eliminating certain foods and selectively consuming "purging" and "cleansing" foods.
What can be eaten during a detox cure?
A detox cure should above all relieve the digestion. Therefore, only easily digestible foods are eaten during the detox cure and foods that are difficult to digest are avoided.
Recommended foods for a detox cure:
- Seasonal and regional fruits and vegetables (raw, steamed or as fresh juice).
- Whole grain products such as rice, pasta, bread or bulgur
- Still water and herbal teas
- Nuts
- Legumes
These stimulants and foods should be avoided:
- Meat and animal products in general (cheese, milk, eggs)
- Alcohol
- Coffee and black tea
- Bread, pasta and pastries made of white flour
- Sweets and soft drinks
- Fast food
- Saturated fats (chips, donuts, margarine)
- Ready meals
- Nicotine
Detoxification without starvation
During a purification cure, you should eat only plant-based foods that provide a lot of digestive fiber. Gently steam-cooked vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts are well suited. You can eat as much of these vegan and alkaline foods as you want until you are full. Starving is not the goal during a detox diet. You should just be careful not to eat beyond hunger, as the primary goal is to unburden your metabolism and digestion.
Especially towards the evening, you should better avoid raw fruits and vegetables, as they are difficult to digest and can cause flatulence. For dinner during a detox, vegetable soups or vegetables from the steamer with a portion of whole-grain pasta or brown rice are excellent.
Throughout the day, you can make salads from a variety of vegetables. Chicory, chard or spinach, for example, are good bases for salads because they provide bitter substances that help the liver to break down substances.
In addition, adequate hydration is essential when detoxifying. Two liters of unsweetened herbal teas or still water are best for this purpose. The fluid helps the kidneys to eliminate harmful substances from the body.
These herbal teas can support the kidneys and liver:
- Nettle tea
- Parsley tea
- Horsetail tea
- Dandelion tea
- Milk thistle tea
In addition to diet and hydration, exercise is also an important part of a detoxification regimen. Since our skin is the largest metabolic organ and we eliminate many waste products through it by sweating, 30 minutes of walking, jogging, swimming or yoga are recommended daily. Exercise should also stimulate the lymphatic system and digestion.
Does a purification cure make sense?
Opinions are divided on the question of whether a purification cure makes sense or not. On the one hand, there are many supporters of purging, on the other hand, there is no scientific evidence for the usefulness of such a cure. The German society for nutrition (DGE) writes to the topic Entschlackungskur the following: In a healthy human body there is no accumulation of slags and deposition of metabolic products. Substances that cannot be utilized are excreted through the intestines and kidneys". There is no evidence of the existence of slags, nor is there any evidence that acid-forming foods disturb the acid-base balance of a body.
Recent studies suggest that purification diets may not have a demonstrable effect on a person's health status. However, self-reported health characteristics related to cravings, energy levels and sleep quality showed significant improvements overall.
One thing is certain, the kidneys and liver are primarily responsible for detoxifying the body. When functioning intact, the organs of the human body are independently capable of transporting foreign substances and toxins out of the body. Accordingly, a self-initiated detoxification would not be necessary. Nevertheless, many people report positive effects on their well-being, general mood, digestion, sleep and immune system after a purification cure.
A healthy, fresh and varied diet, regular exercise and sufficient fluid intake definitely can't hurt and can lay the foundation for a lasting change in diet. For this reason, everyone should decide for themselves whether a purification cure makes sense for them or not.
