Do you ever wonder why so many high-profile people are always ‘detoxing’? Or why there are so many ‘detox diets’, ‘reboots’ , ‘restarts’ and ‘cleanses’?
Me too. In fact, some of the most prominent special-diet experts in popular categories such as paleo / primal / raw / flexitarian / etc. seem to detox — or promote detox cleanses— a lot.
But why? Is all that detoxing really necessary? Are their any downsides to constant detox? Doesn’t a nice clean diet lead to natural detox anyway?
I’ve grappled with these questions myself, and am frequently asked about them as well. In this article, I’ll explore some of the common conceptions — and misconceptions — about detox cleanses, then offer some practical tips for maintaining a constant state of ‘healthy detox’ throughout your life.
For the purposes of this article, let’s say this:
A detox cleanse is an intensive, focused, time-limited, structured program designed to rid the body of toxins and waste.
Some detox programs may stop there; others may continue past the cleansing phase and help rebuild the body’s natural defense, transport, and healing mechanisms.
Detox cleanses are also known by various other terms such as ‘reboots’ and ‘resets’.
From a commercial perspective, there are a dizzying array of detox programs, reboots, and resets out there. Liver cleanses, skin flushes, bowel cleanses, disease/illness-specific cleanses, and others.
There are also different levels of cleanses: extreme, mild, medium; and different durations: 3-day, 7-day, 10-day, 21-day, 30-day, etc.
But before going on, I really need to emphasize that a ‘detox cleanse’ is a specifically focused program, with a set amount of time, and a set type of foods/beverages/supplements.
Various detox diets, cleanses, ‘resets’ and ‘reboots’ focus on different areas. Typical detox targets include:
Detox cleanses typically use one or more of the following approaches:
Some of the better programs — especially those at custom facilities, retreats, or clinics —include colonic or enema-style flushes to help the body excrete keep up purging of gunk. (More on this later.)
I’d really love to provide a blanket answer here, but the real answer is “it depends”.
Things affecting your detox experience will include:
A lot to consider, yes?
With all that said, here are some possible detox cleanse effects
And other light-to-moderate symptoms, depending on the person. I should emphasize that some people experience only a few symptoms, and some people don’t experience any. It really all depends. If you’re brand new to detox and coming from a standard diet (processed foods, restaurants, baked goods, etc.) then you are more likely to experience some of the symptoms above.
One thing to be aware of is the possibility of negative emotions or past experiences coming to the surface. This usually occurs in longer and more aggressive detox cleanses (over two weeks). Negative things in life can sometimes be tied to colon matter and blockages. It can be a bit uncomfortable while these things are going through the flush cycle. But when they’re out — it can be like the sky has lifted in your life!
Some might say the disadvantages are all listed in the previous section. But from my perspective, these symptoms are actually good and important. Detox symptoms are your body’s way of telling you there is a lot of stuff to take care of, and that the detox is doing its job.
In my experience, the real downsides are:
Ok, enough of the downsides. Let’s explore a few of the benefits and upsides:
Powerful incentives, yes? These reasons — and many others — are why so many people tout detox cleanse programs.
“Corbin, with all those powerful benefits, it sounds like detox cleansing is great! And I should detox cleanse even more to keep up all the amazing benefits. Right?”
My answer may surprise — even stun you..
But my answer is “no”….
A true detox cleanse or ‘reboot / reset’ is something I only recommend under the following conditions:
Ok, some explanation is probably in order. If you look at all the disadvantages section, there are a couple of really key points on that list. But for my money, the most important of them is the ‘free pass’ mindset. Detox cleanses can be so beneficial, so all-out powerful, that it becomes human nature to:
Which naturally leads to:
Look, I’m not picking on anyone who cleanses or ‘resets’ multiple times. I’ve ‘reset’ a couple of times myself.
My point is that heavy detox cleanses can be stressful to the body, just like poor eating/drinking/drugging can be stressful to the body. Like anything in life, it’s a balancing act. At this point, I offer a new question for consideration:
Why not just strive to stay on a nutritional path which brings detox cleanse benefits all the time, but without the bodily stress?
To put a finer point on the answer, my recommendation is no more than one full detox cleanse every 2 – 3 years. Maximum.
What to do instead of constant detox cleansing? Let’s explore…
Overall, most body types prefer consistency. Consistent eating, drinking, nutrients, enzymes, anti-oxidants, fiber levels, vitamins, minerals, and all the rest. Heavy bad eating/drinking AND constant detox are opposite sides of the coin — BOTH add stress to the body.
All the elation and ‘youthening’ benefits of detox cleanses are great! Absolutely.
BUT, the amazing post-cleanse benefits must become a routine part of life. Consider this: do you really want to just feel like superman/woman for a while, only to be start sliding the other side of the slope? I know I don’t (and have in the past), and bet you don’t either.
So here is what I recommend for most people:
Doing those few things can achieve great things in your life. Just be patient and consistent.
Yes, an annual quick detox cleanse each after a party-filled holiday season can get you those fast, short-term results. But they’ll stress your body and won’t last.
In my experience, the consistent approach always wins the day.
Ok, you’re read this far and have decided you still want to start an intensive detox cleans. But which one?
I’m often asked which program I recommend. Though I don’t recommend any one specific detox cleanse or paid product. Everyone is different, and requires a program tailored specifically to them. That said, here are some things to look for or consider (a detox cleanse “buyer’s guide” if you will…) —
Guess what happens when years and years of toxins are suddenly stirred up in the body? Yep — they need somewhere to go. Where do they go? Well, some will naturally go out in bowel movements. And, some will go out through the skin. Will everything exit cleanly at the same rate that the detox is giving them to you? NO. A good detox cleanse program that is really doing its job, will work hard and vigorously to push the sludge/gunk/toxins out of your body.
Trouble is, the flush rate and volume is typically much greater than the excretion/removal rate. That’s where excess fat, cellulite, bowel blockages and other things come from. See, even if you’re the most ‘regular’ person in the world, and having 2 – 3 bowel movements per day (great job if you are!), you will never flush everything on your own. Especially, when your body goes into warp overdrive on an intensive detox cleanse. If you go back to the section on downsides, most — if not all — of those symptoms can be reduced or removed just by over-hydrating, and adding in colonics or enemas (at least one per day during detox cleanses.)
For further illustration, consider a home remodel. Ever done one, or seen one remodeled on one of those shows? What happens? Tearing down part (or all) of the house, or moving pieces of old houses around stirs things up. Dust, dirt, insects — or worse… all start to move and scurry. Same with the detox cleanse, which is part of a “body remodel”, if you will. Give those scurrying toxins somewhere to go other than your skin. Make sure they have a very clear “exit sign” in your body…
Also consider adding some sauna time to your detox cleanse. In-home infrared saunas are popular now, but any regular sauna will do. Since the skin is your body’s largest eliminative organ, why not help it along? Detoxing through skin, bowels, and urine, coupled with massive hydration, can make the detox experience much easier.
This article just scratches the surface of the ongoing detox debate. My goal with this article is to give you a few things to consider, and points for further research.
Proceed at your own pace, and please don’t be in any major rush to jump into a detox cleanse. The only exception may be if you have a serious and immediate health/medical/disease condition. If so, consult your medical practitioner, and always keep in mind that it’s your body, and you DO have a choice as to how it will be cared for, and WHO will care for it.
Also, keep in mind that many non-hospital/non-clinical treatments involve detox cleanses of some type. Sometimes a focused, and intensive cleanse can rid the body of all kinds of things…
I’ll also cover the topic in greater depth in my upcoming book and future articles.
For more information on healthy, high-performance habits and tools, please visit: https://corbinlinks.com/7keys.
Here’s to your health, life, business, and productivity!
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