Everyday, plenty of toxins and unnecessary substances enters into our body particularly through the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is composed of the mouth, teeth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine.
Digestive organs like the salivary glands, pancreas, gall bladder, mucous glands, and liver are also part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the book, “The New Detox Diet,” Elson M. Haas and Daniella Chace it was mentioned that the absorption of most nutrients happens in the small intestine. The colon assimilates water while the bile salts.
Minor disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract may cause abnormal absorption of nutrients and increased barrier permeability. One of the best ways to get rid of toxins and unnecessary substances in the body is through detox diet.
But what are these toxins and unnecessary substances that are harmful to your gastrointestinal tract?
The GI tract are adversely affected by refined foods and sugar; excess fatty and rich foods; overeating and failing to chew more than once or twice per mouthful of food; drinking too much; food chemicals, pesticides, and environmental toxins; persistent use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine; use of prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs; lack of fiber and whole foods, specifically lacking fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in the diet.
Detox diet aids in healing ulcerations and other tissue problems in your body. It also helps in maintaining the tone and shape of your small and large intestines. Detox diet maintains the PH balance and eliminates bad bacteria like candida and harmful yeasts. What many people don’t know is that even minor metabolism disruption like constipation if unguarded can lead to a big threat in your health. Constipation also causes stress and discomfort and limited physical activity. This is why regular elimination is very crucial to overall health and maintaining the level of toxins in the body.
One way of detoxification is eating fiber rich foods and increasing water intakes. A special type of herb called dandelion root is one of the popular medicinal plants that aids detoxification. It is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by propping up the excretion of salts and water from the kidney.
The Chinese uses this herb in treating digestive disorders and appendicitis. Dandelion now already comes in the form of teas. However, extra precaution must be taken in taking this herb as it may increase stomach acid and heartburn. Patients with gallbladder and gallstones are also prohibited to take this herb.
Aside from drinking teas and water, you may also try drinking fresh fruit juices to detoxify. But taking this detox diet is more effective if you would also cut down intakes of meat and fatty foods and other foods and chemicals that adversely affects the function of your gastrointestinal tract. It is very important to plan your meal when in a detox diet. It can be a little tricky particularly because being in this diet makes you feel hungry and overdoing can cause you hyperacidity.
Another important factor to consider in undergoing a detox diet is your present weight and PH balance. It is best to consult an expert before taking a detox diet.
