Natural response: Detox

Response from Irene McCabe Naturopathic Nutritionist: It is without a doubt good to help the body as part of it’s natural process to stay clean and toxin free for vitality and an abundance of good health. However being a Naturopathic Nutritionist I believe we should eat in accordance with the seasons. Doing an extreme detox in January can actually be quite debilitating. Spring is by far the best time for a natural detox and if we eat what’s in season i.e. spring greens, cabbage, and seasonal fruits etc the body will naturally detox.

Winter is the time for hearty warming foods but after the festive overload it is very beneficial to gently bring the body back into balance. I am, along with others in my field, encouraging people to try to give up Wheat, Alcohol, and Sugar for 30 days from 02 January. Please see Irene McCabe Health & Wellness Facebook Page for details. This is a bit of fun and will let people eat heartily whilst naturally cleansing so in effect it’s a gentle detox without the pain. There are enormous amounts of different foods that can be eaten whilst missing out the above. Eating a variety of vegetables, fruit, protein, nuts, seeds, good grains such as quinoa and oatmeal and staying hydrated with plenty of water and herbal teas or adding lime and lemon to hot and cold drinks is a great way to cleanse naturally. If you undertake this type of healthy eating plan you really can kick start a New You in the New Year ! Response from Nikki Biddiss, Medical Herbalist: There are myths around detoxification which always rear their head at this time of year. The truth is we don’t need to engage in a specific detoxification regime as our bodies do this every minute of every day. Our lungs, kidneys, liver, bowel and skin all play their part in keeping our body oxygenated, and at a suitable pH level and temperature, and removing ‘waste products’.

If we feel we have over-indulged with rich fatty foods and alcohol then reducing our intake of them will have the biggest impact on our bodies. Eating a diet with lots of vegetables and fruit and drinking lots of fluids will help support our body’s natural detoxification functions. Increasing exercise will also help by stimulating circulation, and it is particularly useful to get outdoors in the fresh air.

If you want to support the body organs involved in detoxification then bitter tasting vegetables are a natural way to gently stimulate the liver. Chicory, artichoke, cress, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber are all bitter tasting and can be easily added into meals. Starting the day with a cup of hot water with lemon juice is also stimulating to the liver and the vitamin C content is an added bonus in the winter months. Herbal teas such as dandelion and milk thistle also support liver and kidney functions and I would recommend taking them as a tea rather than a supplement to get the effects of their slightly bitter taste.

Consult your health practitioner before following any advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have underlying health issues or are on any other medication.

Nikki Biddiss is a Medical Herbalist, Aromatherapy Massage Therapist and Stress and Wellbeing Coach. To book a consultation For Nikki call Napier’s, 61 Cresswell Street, Glasgow on 0141 339 5859.

Irene McCabe is a Naturopathic Nutritionist and has been an Independent Nutritional Researcher for over 30 years. Irene also practices Allergy and Intolerance Testing and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy and is the former owner of Napier’s in Glasgow’s West End. To book a consultation For Irene call The Harvest Clinic, 201 West George Street, Glasgow on 0141 333 0878 Email responsenatural@gmail.com