Detoxification

[MrPlum]

Nobody needs "detoxification".
Stick to the Marie Lloyd principle "A little of what you fancy does you good"

Well, unfortunately, people don't do that, do they? It also depends what you mean by 'detoxification'. Chelation therapy in orthodox medicine accepts that toxic heavy metals (lead, arsenic and mercury) can accumulate in the body and so provides a method to remove them. Sounds very much like 'detoxing' to me.

[buksida]

I've read through bits of this thread and to be honest its a little more info than I need! The bod has been feeling a little cranky lately so I've decided to try out a partial detox for a couple of weeks to see if there is improvement. Basically I've stopped drinking as I believe that was the cause of most of the crankiness (both mentally and physically)!

Drinking patterns didn't help, I'd have nothing during the week then binge at the weekend and over load the system, which really pisses off your liver, kidneys and guts (not to mention the evil hangover that is now taking longer to shift with advancing age ...)

So I've started drinking this tea before bed ...

Nature's T Infusion

t.jpg (11.99 KiB) Viewed 924 times

It contains a ton of things usually found on the floor of a forest and claims to be good for flushing out the innards. It has already started to do things to my regular 'movement' pattern.

The questions for the experts now are:
During this 2-3 week period is there anything specifically I should avoid (in addition to alcohol)?
Are there any things I should make an extra effort to eat/drink?

I hadn't planned on altering my diet too much though aside from a bit more fruit - I eat a farang meal probably 2-3 times a week and Thai food the rest of the time, I do like my spices though!

[Spitfire]

More fiber should help you blow out your digestive system and get things moving. Fiber intake also helps protect and prevent some nasty things like colon cancer etc. If you only eat western food 2-3 times a week then make sure you get enough calcium as sometimes it can be lacking in general Thai food. Other than the obvious bone factor then calcium helps blood clotting, efficient muscle contraction and is useful for lower cholesterol, helps the heart, muscles and nerves work properly.

Keeping it simple, I suppose a bowl of 'All Bran' with milk and fruit most days would go a long way to sort it out. Other than the obvious dairy products angle, canned baked beans/spinach/trail mix/almonds/green and black peas are all good sources of calcium.

Sounds obvious but increase your water consumption as the liver likes that. I've heard that lime juice, mineral water and cranberry juice mixed together is good to sort out the liver.

I've also tried to find milk thistle here but appears to be a persisting challenge. Others may be able to locate it but that is also very good for the alcohol factor regarding the liver.

[MrPlum]

During this 2-3 week period is there anything specifically I should avoid (in addition to alcohol)?
Are there any things I should make an extra effort to eat/drink?

You make no mention of exercise. How about saunas or massage to encourage elimination? You need to SWEAT!

Keep everything raw, organic and light if you can. No animal protein (including dairy), no refined flours, salt or sugars. Vegan or vegetarian is good. No sugar drinks, fake or otherwise. Cut out the caffeine.

Spices are fine if you have a sluggish metabolism. Avoid iced foods and drinks. They put out your digestive 'fire'. Caffeine removes minerals from the body. Bitter herbs will suppress sugar cravings, assist the liver and cleanse the blood.

Reduce any stress. Stay away from message boards.

Keep it simple and don't fret if you struggle to find healthy foods.

Great suggestion about increasing water consumption. Fresh juices are fantastic but you still need clean water to be fully hydrated and help flush out the system.

Exercise and diet are always key.

[PET]

Good Luck Buksi - you asked for it and maybe have more to do than you anticipated - but I do believe you will feel better for it.

Keep us posted each week ?

[richard]

Do it Buksi

Big problems I had were maintaining focus through total isolation or minimal isolation and the other problem was readjusting back after 10 days.

In my case my brain was more alert but my body was weaker and I overdid it on the exercise front but you are still a youngster

My advice, although I'm sure you have already done it. is to talk to Mr Plum

Easy for me too as I'm retired and alone so no worries about work or a young vibrant family

Good luck and keep us all posted

Maybe at some stage we could get together and compare notes

Cheers

[richard]

To follow on from my last post I've just had my ears blasted on Skype from my daughters saying I'm not getting enough calcium blah, blah.blah

Trying to tell them that FRESH veg and fruit in Thailand way outshines supplements and crap bought in British supermarkets

Can lead a horse to.... but can't make it drink

[buksida]

No animal protein (including dairy), no refined flours, salt or sugars. Vegan or vegetarian is good. No sugar drinks, fake or otherwise. Cut out the caffeine.

Damn, its hard enough staying off the drink, if I can't have a cup of tea or coffee either I'll go spare! Seriously though I'll try and supplement them with fruit juice, I guess I currently drink 2-3 cups of tea/coffee per day so it shouldn't be too difficult. So meat is off the menu also then? Fish ok?

Edit: bread ok? pasta? don't think I can survive a week on leaves and twigs alone.

Exercise wise I think I'm ok, I train at the Palapon Camp couple of times a week. Got up this morning without a hangover (which is a novelty for a weekend) so did a 5k run then 20k cycle which felt pretty good. Its game over with golf as it causes me that stress you mentioned so will hit some tennis balls instead.

The infusion tea seems to be working, woke up the other night feeling like Sigourney Weaver with that alien trying to bust our of her stomach! It must be clearing a lot out!

[MrPlum]

Damn, its hard enough staying off the drink, if I can't have a cup of tea or coffee either I'll go spare! Seriously though I'll try and supplement them with fruit juice, I guess I currently drink 2-3 cups of tea/coffee per day so it shouldn't be too difficult. So meat is off the menu also then? Fish ok?

Edit: bread ok? pasta? don't think I can survive a week on leaves and twigs alone.

You will survive just fine. These thoughts are normal. People think they can't go 3 hours without eating something. Talk to them after a week's detox and they will all tell you how shocked they were at just how easy it was. Just take it a day at a time.

Your degree of motivation will determine what you are prepared to cut out and add in. The more you put into it, the quicker you will realize benefits. What you do is really up to you. Dedicated centers and spas make it easy since you are away from your usual temptations and they provide drinks, nutrients and supplements, along with yoga, breathing exercises etc... etc... They all tend to offer similar packages for different budgets. Doing it at home is more difficult the first time but gets easier each time. If you are juice fasting then do a week. If on a vegan diet do 2 weeks. If on a veggie diet, do a month. If you are just cutting out meat, do 3 months. And so on. The less you cut out the longer it takes to see any benefits. Or try a 3 day juice fast and see how you feel.

As you start to experience an improvement, you will be all the more motivated to continue.

The general idea is to give the body every chance to clean house. If you eat meat, fish or hard to digest foods, then your vital energy is taken up with digestion instead of cleansing and healing. The more work you give your digestion to do, the less energy is available for other tasks.

Coffee can encourage a bowel movement and is used by some centers for detoxing the liver. However, if your aim is relaxation, coffee is the last thing you want.

Breads, biscuits and flour products are constipating and acid-forming. Your tea may counter that somewhat but any bleached refined products lack any kind of nutrients. You could seek out wholegrain breads.

[buksida]

I don't think this will work - just been round the shops to look for something to eat that isn't meat, fish, dairy, bread, or contains salt and sugar. I bought washing powder and am hungry.

Initially all I wanted to do was quit the drink for a month, I feel better for that already (and its only been a week) - the 20k bicycle ride didn't kill me! The nature tea bags was the next logical option as I often have gut problems, so they seem to be working. I can probably cut out meat and caffeine for a week but it will be very tough doing the rest of it.

I'm not a big bloke ... but I like my food!

[Bamboo Grove]

I used to do the cabbage soup diet when I had my month on the wagon in Hua Hin. You might remember the time when we did the dragon boat thing and Barry laid down all those nice dishes and beer and I couldn't have a bite. Add some herbs and spices to give it some flavour.

http://www.cabbage-soup-diet.com/

[migrant]

I bought washing powder and am hungry.

That's because washing powder has no fiber!!

When I "cleanse" I stick with fruits and vegies, juice and some solid form.

I drink juice throughout the day, but if I get hunger cravings (and I am a big guy) then some carrots, or fruit help.

After a couple days I'm OK and into the groove!

Keep it going!!

[Khundon1975]

Good Luck Buksi - you asked for it and maybe have more to do than you anticipated - but I do believe you will feel better for it.

Keep us posted each week ?

That's if he lives a week.

Good luck Buksi.



Oops, sorry, your not allowed any of that are you.

[splitlid]

I bought washing powder and am hungry.

i'd be foaming at the mouth if someone fed me washing powder.

[buksida]

I used to do the cabbage soup diet when I had my month on the wagon in Hua Hin. You might remember the time when we did the dragon boat thing and Barry laid down all those nice dishes and beer and I couldn't have a bite. Add some herbs and spices to give it some flavour.

http://www.cabbage-soup-diet.com/

Yeah, I do remember that, have concocted something similar with carrots, onions, coriander, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and white radish in a big cauldron - a dash of Maggi and it is almost palatable. Will try and live on that, fruit, a little dried cereal and a bit of wholemeal bread for a week.