Post Holiday Detox- Don’t Lose Weight Without It! By Vicki Kobliner, MS RD, CD-N
fter a season of celebrations, we often wake up on January 1st feeling bloated, sick and determined to start anew. Losing weight is one of the top 5 goals on a typical Resolutions list, but beyond the fact that the major- ity of people are unsuccessful in their efforts, few realize that weight loss regimens, when done without care, can actually be toxic to the body. Chemicals such as organochlorines are stored in adipose tissue, and during periods of weight loss, these com- pounds are released from the fat cells into the body, where they can actually make us sick. In a 2010 study of over a thousand people published in the International Journal of Obesity, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were found in higher quantities in those that had experienced a significant weight loss and were lower in participants who had not lost weight. Multiple studies reinforce this, showing increased levels of pollutants in subjects who have recently lost weight. There is also evidence that these toxins in fact contribute to some of the diseases that weight loss is supposed to protect against. In addition, environmental toxins cause chronic inflammation in the body and this inflammation can impair weight loss efforts in other ways. To be safe and successful in managing weight, detoxification is an essential feature of any protocol. On a daily basis, our body deals with toxins in a variety of ways.
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The digestive system first acts as a barrier to undesirable compounds and many are excreted before they can pass into the bloodstream. Kidneys filter waste as well, but the liver is the champion of detoxifi- cation, working tirelessly to turn dangerous chemicals into more be- nign products that are easily disposed of. However, all these organs can be overloaded when too many toxins are dumped at once. Walter Crinion is the author of “Clean, Green & Lean.” In his book, he cautions that rapid weight loss is the most dangerous type, and a slower approach is desirable. Dropping pounds quickly will open the chemical floodgates, allowing toxins to stream into the body at a rate which can overwhelm the natural detoxification mechanisms our bodies use to protect us.
A healthier approach includes the following concepts:
• Reduce the burden. What goes in is as important at what goes out. Sugars, food additives, pesticides and hor- mones, as well as common allergens such as gluten, dairy, and egg are generally avoided during successful detoxi- fication regimens. Choose organic foods and don’t forget personal care, home and lawn care products. Use the most natural forms possible, as toxins can be absorbed through skin and inhalation.
• Drink up. Adequate fluid is essential for good kidney function, so drink at least 6-8 glasses of liquid daily. Optimal choices include filtered water, green tea, and small amounts of brightly colored, high anti- oxidant juices.
• Care for your liver. Certain herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion support and protect the liver. They are particularly important during periods
when toxicity is highest, but make sure to work with a professional to determine dosage.
• Fill up on Fiber. Fiber is like a broom, sweeping the bad guys out of the gut before they can be absorbed. Vegetables, legumes and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber, and should be included in any protocol.
• Grow good flora. Probiotics are important little bugs that play a critical role in normal detoxification processes. Since antibiotics will kill these desirable germs, most of us are lacking in adequate stores of these microbes. Eating fermented foods, or taking a good quality probiotic supplement can help restore the right balance.
• Relax in a sauna. Skin is an important detoxification organ, allow- ing sweat to remove poisons from the body. Twenty to 30 minutes in a sauna will enhance detox efforts (although any post sauna weight
30 Natural Nutmeg January 2012
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