What is a detox programme and do I need it to cleanse my body?

Yvonne ZuurbierOrthomolecular Therapist15 april 20243 min. reading time

While some people enjoy an annual detox juice programme, others are convinced that so-called detoxing is not scientifically proven. Despite this, many people report feeling more energetic, slimmer, and happier after a detox or fasting period. How is this possible? Is it a placebo effect where your brain immediately responds as soon as you actively focus on your health? Or is it perhaps scientifically challenging to prove that a detox can be a pleasant, healthy support for some? Let's find out.

Your body naturally detoxifies

Let's start with the good news: Our body is well-equipped to eliminate harmful substances. Thanks to our clever metabolism, we excrete toxins and waste products daily through the kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, and our skin, although most of the work is done by our intestines and (especially) the liver. The detoxification of our body is a process that consists of two phases:

Phase 1: This can be seen as the activation phase, where special enzymes in our body convert toxins to prepare them for phase 2. They are transformed into free radicals and other substances that must be quickly eliminated. When these substances linger too long in phase 1, they can become even more harmful.

Phase 2: During this phase, the body neutralises the harmful substances from phase 1 and removes them from our body. Neutralising the toxins in this phase requires specific nutrients, including amino acids (proteins). All neutralised substances are eventually flushed out of our body through urine, bile, or sweat.

There is a careful balance between Phase 1 and Phase 2. For instance, if Phase 1 works well and Phase 2 does not, our body has an overload of toxins that linger too long in phase 1. To learn more about how detoxification works, read our other blog: Clean start: how to detoxify your body

Is detoxing necessary?

Although our body is indeed capable of keeping itself clean from harmful substances, today it is under more pressure due to a polluted environment (contaminated drinking water, chemicals in personal care products, pesticides, etc.), unhealthy diets, and stress. Combined, this can cause our detoxification system to become overloaded and function less effectively.

A detox programme can serve as a 'reset', where you step out of your regular eating and daily routine and take a closer look at your diet and self-care.

When is detoxing a go or no go?

What do we mean by a safe way of detoxifying?
It mainly involves avoiding toxins as much as possible by eating healthy, wholesome, and varied foods, drinking pure water, and ensuring you get enough sleep. Daily exercise is also very important, especially for your lymphatic system, as it has no pump to keep things moving. Daily exercise that also raises your heart rate ensures that your lymphatic system is properly activated. By stimulating your body with dry brushing in the morning and then alternating between warm and cold showers, you can give yourself a great start to the day. What are you waiting for?

Fasting

Fasting is another way to support your body in detoxing. Fasting means not eating for a certain period (for example, 24 or 48 hours). This gives your body and digestion a rest, contributing to the natural detoxification process. Our distant ancestors already practised fasting, and it has been experiencing a revival in recent years due to the health benefits it can offer.

Intermittent fasting

You can also make fasting a temporary daily part of your routine by not eating for a certain period of the day, better known as intermittent fasting. For example, you can follow the 16:8 protocol, where you don't eat for 16 hours and consume your usual meals in the remaining 8 hours.

Good to know

Whichever form of detoxing or fasting appeals to you, it's important to know that for both; there is no one size fits all. For instance, advice often differs for women compared to men due to the monthly cycle and hormone balance. Our health coaches are happy to provide you with personalised advice tailored to your situation.