Every day we are assaulted with toxins whether they are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, or the drugs we take. We even accumulate toxins from sluggish digestion and elimination systems in our own bodies. Our liver plays a major role in our internal detoxification process. It works non-stop at breaking down toxic substances, but it can become overloaded and thus not able to perform as efficiently. Accompanying symptoms might include feeling more sluggish than usual, poor digestion, and general malaise.
A juice fast is a simple yet powerful way to give the liver a chance to catch up on internal housecleaning along with giving our digestive system a rest. It is also possible to lose a few pounds during a juice fast as an added benefit! If you have never done a juice fast before, it is important to take it slowly. Make sure you have plenty of support and can take a break from daily stressors. If you have any major health challenges, it is important to get additional support from a health care professional. The time taken to do a juice fast should include other supportive practices to receive the maximum benefit of cleansing. Massage, steam baths, sauna, skin brushing, light exercise, deep breathing, and even castor oil packs will further promote the elimination of toxins.
A typical three day juice fast should include: fresh vegetable juices, broths, miso soup, herbal teas, and plenty of water with fresh lemon squeezed into it. Juicing is preferred over blending for a fast because when you are blending fruits and vegetables together, you are including the fiber. Fiber requires your digestion system to engage and digest it. When you drink juices and broths, the fiber has been removed so your digestive system gets a real break. Your body can then redirect its energy into supporting your liver and the detoxification process. You can tune up the medicinal benefits of your vegetable juice by adding small amounts of parsley, ginger, garlic, ginseng, spirulina, wheatgrass, or cayenne pepper.
Following a juice fast, it is important to reintroduce foods gradually, starting with simple steamed vegetables and brown rice. Then, over the course of a few days return to a full, whole foods diet. You will feel lighter, more energetic, and your liver will thank you.
