To Cleanse, or Not To Lemonade Cleanse: A Very Serious Question
Just about all homeopathic and naturopathic therapies, even those
considered most controversial, meet the basic Hippocratic requirement:
"Do no harm." And, as strictly controlled and well-documented research
catches up with common practice, most all-natural cleanses and therapies
turn-out to have solid bases in bio-chemistry. Of course, debate rages
between traditional and alternative practitioners, but a little
historical reflection strongly suggests the two factions slowly but
surely are converging. Especially in cancer therapy, traditional
treatments and naturopathy seem to complement one another and produce
greater rates of remission and cure.
natural colon cleanse
Consequently, as you consider the risks and rewards of traditional
"lemonade" cleansing or any of its common variants, you need not worry
about your safety. Some conditions, however, militate against or
strictly prohibit any kind of detoxification diet; some require you
carefully calculate the pros and cons before you commit to a detox
program; and some health conditions dictate a good old-fashioned
lemonade cleansing will provide just what the doctor ordered.
Do Not Even Think About It If...
o You are pregnant or breastfeeding: You and your baby need all the
nutrients you can take in. Although you definitely should increase your
consumption of fruits, vegetables, fiber, and non-fat dairy products,
you absolutely should not begin any kind of detox regimen. You do not
want to deprive your system or the baby's of any vital nutrients, and
you do not want to stress your organs and systems, because pregnancy and
post-partum recovery already stress them almost to their limits.
Definitely take pre-natal vitamin supplements and follow a reasonable
program of daily exercise. If you already run, swim, walk, dance, or do
strength training, neither pregnancy nor breastfeeding gives you any
good reason to stop, but you may want to moderate your program as get
closer to your delivery date.
o You have diabetes, advanced HIV, or post-menopausal osteoporosis:
These conditions require substantial modification of your diet, so that
you strengthen your immune system as you reduce simple sugars and
increase vital minerals. But no cleansing diet will provide essential
vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and nutrients you need. Some herbal
teas will help cleanse your system without any negative side effects,
but consult with your primary care physician before you start drinking
too much green tea. Many of the elements in a detox diet help you gain
strength-culture-rich yogurts, heavy concentrations of fruits and
vegetables, and radical reduction of fatty, chemically-enhanced meats
help you maintain healthy weight without compromising or stressing your
system. Under no circumstances, however, should you attempt a more
extreme cleansing.
Seriously Consider It If...
o You are quitting smoking and alcohol: Experts claim withdrawal from
nicotine and alcohol number among the most difficult challenges a human
being can face; recovering addicts claim kicking heroin and meth seems
easy by comparison with giving-up smoking and drinking. They all agree
the first seventy-two hours make or break your withdrawal, because all
of your drug-addicted synapses will scream out for chemicals on which
they depend. A well-managed detox diet will accelerate your body's
natural process of purging nicotine and alcohol, restoring dead and
compromised cells with brand new, healthy cells that do not depend on
addictive chemicals.
o You are between twenty and fifty pounds over your ideal weight: If you
teeter at about twenty pounds above your ideal weight, a low-fat,
low-sugar, high antioxidant diet in concert with hydration and exercise
will facilitate steady weight-loss without physical or psychological
stress and side-effects. In fact, following a fundamentally naturopathic
regime-lots of fruits and vegetables, no meats or processed foods-will
contribute to significant weight-loss even without exercise. Exercise,
however, remains key to optimal health; and a proper combination of
cardio-vascular exercise and strength training will help burn excess
calories and build muscles, so that you look and feel better almost
immediately.
Just Do It
o You are starting training for an athletic event: As you progress in
your training for any athletic event, you ought to work with a
nutritionist, making sure you get all the proteins and minerals hard
training depletes; you especially must monitor your electrolyte balance,
making sure you remain not only properly hydrated but also chemically
balanced. Sodium and phosphorus can ravage your body if you do not
properly hydrate; but popular electrolyte replacement beverages and
"enriched" waters often contain excess sugars and empty calories,
subverting your progress. You may decide to supplement a healthy diet
with regular doses of the lemonade cleanse to maintain your equilibrium
and keep your workouts on-pace.
Lemon Cleanse