Detox Diet Body Liver Colon Cleanse Drug....

Some herbs and fruits have very good effect for a healthy detox. This includes artichoke, milk thistle, turmeric, aloe, and other, more on herbs and diets for detox you can find here

- Detoxify with Diet

Artichokes These members of the thistle family stimulate the body's production of bile, which helps break down fats in the bloodstream. Try: Steaming whole, fresh artichokes and serving with balsamic vinegar as a dipping sauce. Asparagus The tasty tips and stalks are a gentle diuretic and contain antibacterial compounds. Try: Drizzling steamed asparagus with lemon juice and olive oil, a tangy combo that also helps detox the liver.

Natural Detoxify

Cucumber Crunchy and mild, this salad fave is high in acid-reducing alkaline compounds that help cleanse and tone the blood. Try: Putting cucumber slices in a pitcher of water for a cool, clean, refreshing drink. Leeks Touted as a miracle weight-loss tool in French Women Don't Get Fat, these long, green members of the onion family have diuretic properties and lots of fiber. Try: Sauteing 1 lb. leeks in a little olive oil, then adding 4 cups fat-free chicken broth and 1 tsp. dried thyme. Simmer 30 minutes for a low-cal, anytime soup. Watercress This detox superstar is high in sulfur compounds that cleanse the liver; it has also been credited with reducing the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Try: Tossing it with radishes and orange slices for a salad; or adding a handful of leaves to the leek soup, above. COPYRIGHT 2007 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company & Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.

- Do a Personal detox, one-size detoxification doesn't fit all.

Customize your detox program with supplements that work best for liver detox, digestive system detox and arteries detox.

People are living longer than ever: In 1929, life expectancy of a average US American was 57 years; today, it's 77. Yet those extra two decades are spent in a world filled with pollution, pesticides, and the internal toll (especially on the liver) taken by medications. "Toxicity is of much greater concern than ever before," explains Elson M. Haas, M.D., founder and director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, Calif.

To detox or not to detox is no longer the question; instead, people have to decide what to detox first. Do you need to decontaminate your liver, clean out your gut, or clear away cholesterol? Each worthy goal can be accomplished using herbs and supplements. Here's a brief guide to some of the best natural cleansers.

People seem more pharmaceutically oriented than ever. In the last decade, U.S. prescription expenditures increased about 200 percent, while the population rose less than 15 percent. Some of these medications, along with alcohol and high doses of over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol), place substantial stress on the liver. It's important to support the liver's filtration activity, which is your body's best defense against any number of poisons. Fortunately, there are several herbs that may detoxify your detoxifier for a general detox.

Many people eat a detox diet low in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables--and therefore low in fiber. This may result in constipation and hemorrhoids, both of which are common in the U.S. Considerable evidence also indicates that chronic constipation increases the risk of colon cancer. In response, formulas for detox the digestive system contain laxatives to empty the colon. - Heart and cell mates LDL Cholesterol is, to some degree, a lifestyle toxin, the result of unhealthy living (fatty foods, inadequate exercise) that increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Severe cases generally require powerful drugs, but people with mildly elevated cholesterol can try natural options to detoxify their arteries via body detox. These three supplements may help reduce harmful cholesterol; garlic and tea are accomplished cancer fighters as well. - Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Milk thistle seeds contain three components, collectively known as silymarin, that have a remarkable ability to protect and heal the liver. European studies, including a Swiss report in the journal Drugs and an investigation at the University of Vienna, have shown that the herb aids the treatment of alcoholic cirrhosis, extends the survival rates of alcoholics, speeds recovery from hepatitis and help to detox the body. Plus, milk thistle works better than mainstream medicine against amanita ("death cap") mushroom poisoning; analyzing 452 cases, Swiss researchers found that 18 percent of those who received

Diet Detoxification

standard treatment died, compared with only 10 percent of patients given silymarin. "Anyone who drinks alcohol and takes medication regularly might benefit from milk thistle," declares James Duke, Ph.D., retired botanist for the United States Department of Agriculture. The typical recommended dose is 140 milligrams of silymarin three times a day during periods when the liver is stressed from the use of drugs or alcohol or when liver enzymes are elevated. Side effects are rare, but headache, stomach distress, nausea, hives, itching, and joint pain are possible. - Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Because artichoke is closely related botanically to milk thistle, its leaves offer similar protection. "Artichokes are not as beneficial to the liver as milk thistle," Duke says. "But if you enjoy eating them, some liver benefits are an added bonus." As well as being a source of folic acid, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, artichokes contain cynarin, an acid that aids hepatic function, plus a detox compound called inulin. The herb may also reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver for liver detox. Artichoke leaf extract is found in some liver-detox formulas. Renew Life Liver Detox (renewlife.com), for example, combines artichoke leaf with milk thistle seed, selenium, dandelion root, green tea leaf, and other purifying ingredients. (It's taken in conjunction with a formula of ayurvedic herbs to support liver function.) Nature's Secret Ultimate Liver Cleanse (naturessecret.com) also provides artichoke leaf, along with milk thistle, dandelion, and other herbs.

- Eleuthero  (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Also known as Siberian ginseng, this adaptogen stimulates the immune system and increases energy levels. It has a long tradition of use in China as a general tonic with a protective effect against toxins. According to a Korean study, the polysaccharides in the stems of eleuthero enhance liver function and reduce levels of enzymes and other factors linked to liver disease. In animal studies reported in the British Journal of Phytotherapy, eleuthero tempered the effects of a number of toxins, including ethanol and tetanus. And research in Russia indicates that the herb may help the body withstand the effects of chemotherapy for detox. Eleuthero can be taken for detox following the use of liver-stressing medications like statins or when liver enzymes are high. The typical dose is up to 3 grams of dry root per day for up to a month or up to 16 milliliters of extract one to three times daily for up to two months. Eleuthero is also available in formulas; for example, Now Liver Caps (nowfoods.com) blends it with silymarin (milk thistle), vitamins [B.sub.2] and [B.sub.12], and iron-rich protein. Side effects, while uncommon, may include drowsiness, anxiety, irritability, headache, and depression. Those who are pregnant, nursing, feverish, or hypertensive should avoid eleuthero.

Eleuthero or Siberian Ginseng

- Psyllium (Plantago psyllium)

Psyllium supplement, from the seed of the plantago or plantain plant, is safe for GI detox. The word psyllium is from the Greek for flea, referring to the seed's tiny size. But when placed in water, psyllium's outer coat swells like a sponge into a thick, gelatinous material called mucilage, which is a form of soluble fiber. In the colon, psyllium adds bulk to stools, which then press against the colon wall, triggering nerves that signal the urge to go; the water taken with psyllium also softens stools and lubricates their passage. A number of studies have confirmed psyllium's Nebraska scientists showed that the herb provides significant relief from constipation and reduces pain during defecation, while a report from Procter & Gamble researchers found that psyllium works better than docusate sodium, the active ingredient in Colace, an OTC stool softener. Because bulk-forming laxatives most closely approximate the body's own mechanisms, psyllium is a "recommended choice for most forms of constipation," according to the American Pharmaceutical Association. The usual dose is about 7-5 grams per day. To avoid blockage, it's

Psyllium

important to take psyllium with 8 to 12 ounces of water followed by more water throughout the day, says Linda B. White, M.D., co-author of The Herbal Drugstore. Psyllium, which is safe to use for detox in long term, is available as a powder or capsules under numerous labels; it's also the active ingredient in Metamucil. In addition to aiding the digestive tract, the soluble fiber in psyllium is similar to oat bran in its ability to reduce cholesterol. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kentucky researchers gave people with high cholesterol a placebo or 5.1 grams of psyllium twice a day along with a modified diet. After 26 weeks, serum total and LDL cholesterol was 4.7 and 6.7 percent lower, respectively, in the psyllium group. An added bonus: A study in Spain found that psyllium lowers blood sugar absorption in type 2 diabetics. "Psyllium doesn't lower cholesterol as much as the statin drugs," Blumenthal notes, "but it's clearly useful in any cholesterol-reduction program." Take psyllium with plenty of water; check labels for details.

- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Used medicinally by Native Americans, goldenseal has an active compound called berberine, which has demonstrated powerful antimicrobial action in lab studies (though it's not easily absorbed). University of Illinois researchers found that goldenseal inhibits the growth of H. pylori, the bacterium behind most ulcers. Other studies indicate its value in treating giardiasis and infectious diarrhea. Goldenseal causes no significant side effects, though long-term use for detox can be expensive. Many herbalists recommend it only for symptoms of persistent intestinal distress. Take 2 to 4 mL tincture or o.3 to 1 mL fluid extract. The goldenseal herb is also included in formulas such as Amazing Herbs Detox/Flush (amazing herbs.com), which combines goldenseal with milk thistle and other body cleansers like burdock root and beet powder; it's taken for a seven days cleansing diet in a range of doses, based on desired results, with additional dosage for daily maintenance.

Goldenseal

- Aloe (et al) (Aloe barbadensis, A. Africana, et al)

Many herbs have laxative action. Aloe, buckthorn, cascara, and senna all contain anthraquinones, compounds that chemically stimulate the colon. But they can also cause abdominal distress, cramps, and diarrhea. In addition, extended use may result in "laxative dependency syndrome," an inability to without them. In 2002 the FDA banned laxative drug claims for over-the-counter products containing aloe and cascara. "But these herbs may still be found in supplements that do not claim laxative action," explains Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, in Austin, Texas. "They are labeled as intestinal cleansers or detoxifiers for promotion of bowel health." To try these herbs, buy a commercial preparation and follow the label directions. Use only occasionally for relief of constipation that does not respond to other approaches, such as psyllium or exercise. FYI, the laxative portion of aloe is the solid residue that resides beneath the skin, not the leaf-derived gel commonly used to treat minor burns.

Aloe

- Garlic (Allium sativum)

In an investigation at Penn State University, garlic lowered total cholesterol in subjects with high cholesterol by 7 percent. (Additional research has shown that every 1 percent drop in total cholesterol results in a 2 percent drop in coronary-disease risk.) Other studies with garlic have generated less impressive results, but there are still significant indications that garlic may have a positive impact on cholesterol levels and heart health, Many studies with garlic have used the equivalent of one-half to one clove a day. "Garlic works best if you chew the cloves raw," Duke explains. If that's a turnoff, take a supplement--one clove equals about 4 grams. Kwai and Kyolic (at drugstores) are two popular brands--the former also offers a "Heart Fit" variation that combines garlic with antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E--and manufacturer trials found that Nature's Way Garlicin (naturesway.com) was consistently potent. Impaired blood clotting is the one notable side effect, so if you notice increased bruising, consult your physician; if this is not an issue for you, garlic may be used daily. To avoid "garlic breath," chew on parsley or opt for "deodorized" supplements.

Garlic

- Tea (Camellia sinensis)

In the West, tea is a beverage; in China, it is medicine, especially green tea. "The Chinese consider tea a grease-cutter," says San Francisco-based Efrem Korngold, LAc., O.M.D. "It protects against harm from fatty meals." Western science seems to be catching up to this idea. In a study conducted by the USDA, volunteers received five servings of tea daily or a placebo; after three weeks, the tea group's cholesterol dropped 6.5 percent. And a Dutch study found that people who drank one or two cups of tea daily had significantly lower risk of heart disease than non-tea drinkers. "Tea is high on detox components, which help prevent both heart disease and cancer," Duke observes. Drink one to four cups a day, or as much as you enjoy. A cup of tea has approximately half the caffeine of a cup of instant coffee, and one-fifth the caffeine of brewed coffee; however, jitters and insomnia are still possible. By the way, green tea and black tea come from the leaves of the same plant--steaming the leaves produces green tea, while fermenting them yields black--and both may help ward off heart disease. Natural Health, April by Michael Castleman - COPYRIGHT Weider Publications & Gale Group

Green Tea

- A detox program

Think of it as a well-organized sanitation system. Your five main body detox systems--lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, the gastrointestinal tract, and the skin--work in concert to neutralize and eliminate potentially harmful substances, from the outside (pesticides, food additives, airborne allergens) as well as the inside (free radicals, metabolic waste). The hydrochloric acid in your stomach kills bacteria; your colon readies wastes for expulsion; your skin secretes toxins via sweat. The tiny vessels that make up your lymphatic system act like garbage trucks that shuttle fluids, fats, and waste throughout your body, channeling these to your liver, which constantly filters and purifies the blood. ("The liver decides which substances the body needs, and which to purge," Gittleman says. "It's the key to life.")

Looking deeper into this body detox process, and you'll see that all this activity begins at the cellular level with glutathione, a molecule made up of amino acids. Just as we identify trash by placing it at the curb, glutathione binds with harmful wastes, tagging them for expulsion from the cell. Normally, the availability of glutathione adjusts according to the amount of toxins present.

But there are limits. "Pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals--we get rid of these with the help of glutathione," says Sharol Tilgner, N.D., a naturopathic physician and owner of Wise Acres Herbal Educational Center in Pleasant Hill, Ore. "But as we do more damage to the planet, our bodies need to work harder. Glutathione gets used up more quickly--faster than we can replace it."

If too many harmful agents accumulate, your body is unable to detox and expel them. The mercury your liver can't eliminate, for example, likely ends up in your hair, while xenoestrogens take up residence in your fat cells. This "body burden" can result in immediate problems like fatigue, headache, and low-back pain, and over time, it may create conditions ripe for disease.

The new renew thing

"People used to take up detox as part of the old puritanical idea that our bodies are dirty, evil, and in need of purging," says Tilgner. "But our bodies are these beautiful temples that extract all the nutrients and fluids we need from food and get rid of what we don't need. So the question is really: How can we restore normal body function and elimination?"

The answer is easy: This spring, earmark three days for a detox program, renewing and supporting your organs of elimination. Detox vary in intensity and duration, but effective ones blend nutrition, herbs, rest, and movement to stimulate and enhance our own natural systems, says Scott Blossom, a yoga therapist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda in Berkeley, Calif.

"Clearing your schedule for a detox allows you to watch, moment to moment, the cause and effect of food and lifestyle choices that often remain unnoticed," notes Blossom. It also provides a time for reflection and fresh insights into how diet and lifestyle habits are serving to support or undermine our health, he adds.

Opposite, you'll find a recipe for a basic detox; you can follow it exactly or adjust it to meet your personal needs. It calls for a light diet, herbs to support organ function, and beneficial yoga poses. This cleanse provides the benefits of fasting without the hardships. (When toxins are released from fat reserves during a fast, the body has insufficient nutrient support to rid itself of them, says Gittleman; this often results in headache, fatigue, and other problems, so anyone tempted to fast should consult a physician.)

As you detox your inner body dwelling, take time to purge your outer environment as well. Do you slather yourself with lotion containing artificial colors? Do you fill your shopping cart with only non-organic foods? Bit by bit, you can lessen your body's toxic load, leaving more energy for battling the factors you can't control. "We are creatures of habit," affirms Blossom. "We get into familiar patterns of eating, moving, resting, thinking, and feeling that aren't necessarily optimal, and a detox creates the opportunity to see things from a new perspective." In this sense, a spring detox program challenges those bad habits and sets a standard for a healthier lifestyle--one that mitigates the need for detox your body in the first place.

- 5 Detox Herbs

Your detox plan should support the organs and systems that naturally neutralize and eliminate toxins. These five botanicals offer a great start:

1) Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), known for centuries as a liver cleanser, has been clinically shown to increase levels of glutathione, the amino-acid compound that's necessary for toxin removal. Take a teaspoon or two of the ground seeds twice a day, or ingest it as a tea or tincture, or in capsules, according to package instructions. (Sylimarin, which is a complex of flavolignans, is another option.)

2) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) supports the liver, the adrenals, and the immune system. It also acts as a gentle laxative. Take it as a detox tea drink or tincture according to package instructions. Licorice may not be appropriate for patients with high blood pressure, so consult your doctor before using it if you are at risk.

3) Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) stimulates the gallbladder, the kidneys (as a diuretic), and the liver for detox, increasing bile production. The more bitter, the better, advises herbalist Sharol Tilgner, N.D., at least in terms of increasing the liver's ability to function optimally. Harvest some fresh, or purchase as a tea.

4) Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), a Chinese tonic herb, is a multitasker for body detox. "It's an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, a liver protector--they keep finding out more about it," notes Tilgner. Chew the berries, drink the tea, or take 10 to So drops of tincture, up to four times a day. (Talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure.)

5) Burdock (Arctium lappa), the detox herb of our grandparents, can today back up its traditional use with research. It helps protect the liver and clears toxins that lead to skin eruptions like eczema and acne. Cook with the root, or take 20 to 40 drops of tincture up to four times a day.

- 7 Detox Foods

These foods harbor healing promise for those looking to detox--and they're safe to consume every day.

* Apples and grapes are high in fiber to detox the colon. "The pectin present in apples helps detox the gut, while the phytonutrients in grapes support the immune system, which in turn addresses toxins in the body," says integrated-medicine specialist Elson Haas, M.D. Both fruits are easily tainted by pesticides, so buy organic if possible.

* Artichokes are a source of ditox and liver-supporting cynarin. "Artichoke not only detox this organ," says holistic nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., "but also helps convert the inactive T4 thyroid hormone to an active T3, which helps to increase metabolism and weight loss. Artichoke also helps the liver decongest fats."

* Cranberries kill bacteria in the urinary tract and contain digestive enzymes that detox the lymphatic system, says Gittleman. Unsweetened cranberry juice is available at health-food stores.

* Leafy greens like chard, kale, spinach, dandelions, chickweed, and salad leaves not only are among the most nutrient-rich vegetables, they help detox the GI tract, according to Haas. Buy organic--or collect fresh greens that are harvested in spring from untreated soil.

* Lemons contain antioxidant, antiseptic, and detox substances. Once ingested, lemon's alkaline effect helps counter excess acid, while its high vitamin-C content bolsters the immune system.

* Whey, a milk protein that's rich in amino acids, offers immune-system and bone support. Research has shown it also helps the body produce more glutathione, facilitating toxin removal. Herbalist Sharol Tilgner, N.D., advises buying the undenatured whey power (which needs refrigeration).

Detox Diet Include the following on each day of the program:

* 8 ounces of lean protein.

* Fresh vegetables, steamed or raw, favoring leafy greens (spinach, kale) and high-fiber options (broccoli, celery). Eat as much as you want.

* 4 servings of fruit, including 2 organic apples for fiber.

* Lots of filtered water, as well as the Master Cleanser and Cranberry Elixir as prescribed.

MASTER DETOXER  Elson Haas, M.D., founder and director of the Preventive Medical Center of Matin in California and author of The New Detox Diet, recommends starting each day of your body detox with this libation. Mix the ingredients together, and drink immediately.

8 ounces filtered water

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon maple syrup dash cayenne pepper

CRANBERRY ELIXIR Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet, suggests this tonic concoction. Mix the ingredients together in a glass, and drink immediately, it's the real thing for detox.

1 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice

8 ounces water

2 teaspoons green superfood (chlorophyll/ antioxidant) mixture, such as Sweet Wheat wheatgrass powder

- Three-Day Detox Program

You can expect visible results when you follow a healthful detox plan such as this one. Drink plenty of filtered water each day, take a multivitamin, and allow time for extra sleep. Whey protein powder, milk thistle seed, tincture of schisandra, flaxseed oil, dandelion tea, cod liver oil, and green super food are available at natural-foods stores. (Prepare the milk thistle seed in a coffee or nut grinder, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.)

Day 1

MORNING

* Drink 8 ounces of Master Cleanser and 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take I tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil and I tablespoon of cod liver oil.

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Cobra. Lie on your stomach with legs outstretched. Place your palms on the floor near your rib cage. Inhale as you press your hands into the floor and lift your chest, keeping your hips anchored on the floor and pressing down with your pubic bone. Hold for 3 to 5 smooth breaths, then lower to the floor. Repeat 3 times. (According to yoga therapist Scott Blossom, the Cobra Pose puts pressure on the abdomen, assisting elimination.)

AFTERNOON

* Take 2 packets of whey protein.

* Take 2 heaping teaspoons of ground milk thistle seed.

* Drink 1 cup of dandelion tea.

* Clean up your environment. Swap your household glass cleaner, bathroom scrub, and floor wax for natural alternatives from the health-food store. Or save money by making your own greener cleaners with natural ingredients such as vinegar and borax. (For more details, see "Lean & Green Spring Clean" on page 87.)

EVENING

* Drink 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take I tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil.

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Corpse (see below).

Day 2

MORNING
* Drink 8 ounces of Master Detox and 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take I tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil and 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil.

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Lying Twist. Lie on your back, your arms stretched out to the sides, in line with your shoulders. Bring your knees to your chest. Slowly let both knees fall to your left side; turn your neck and look to the right. Breathe for a few moments, then return your knees to center and repeat on the opposite side. (Doing twists massages the internal organs, encouraging sound digestion, improving circulation, and helping to detoxify the organs, says Blossom.)

AFTERNOON

* Take 2 packets of whey protein.

* Take 2 heaping teaspoons of ground milk thistle seed.

* Drink I cup of dandelion tea.

* Commit to organic food for detox. If you can't afford to buy all organic, start with one or two foods you consume most (milk or eggs, for example), or those most likely to be contaminated with pesticides (peaches, strawberries, apples, spinach, nectarines, celery, pears, cherries, potatoes, and sweet bell peppers).

EVENING

* Drink 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take I tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Corpse (see below).

Day 3

MORNING

* Drink 8 ounces of Master Detox and 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take 1 tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil and 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil.

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Seated Forward. Fold. Sit with your legs crossed and back straight. Slowly lean forward, relaxing your neck, shoulders, and spine into a comfortably rounded position. Remain folded for 5 to 10 smooth breaths, then rise up, switch the cross of your legs, and repeat. (Forward folds put pressure on the legs, triggering the liver, gallbladder, and lymph channels and promoting proper elimination patterns, says Blossom.)

AFTERNOON

* Take 2 packets of whey protein.

* Take 2 heaping teaspoons of ground milk thistle seed.

* Drink I cup of dandelion tea.

* Reassess your beauty routine. Pick one or two detox products to swap for natural options. Start by assessing your skin cream, since the ingredients end up in your bloodstream.Visit ewg.org/reports/skindeep to assess the toxicity of common cosmetics.

EVENING

* Drink 8 ounces of Cranberry Elixir.

* Take 1 tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil.

* Take 50 drops of schisandra tincture.

* Yoga Pose: Corpse (see below).

Corpse Pose: Lie on your back, feet and arms extended and comfortably relaxed. Let your weight sink into the floor, and relax everywhere.

(This pose keeps bringing attention back to the sensations of the body, so we get glimpses of where we're holding tension, says Blossom. "Releasing nervous, mental, and emotional stress is of utmost importance when we cleanse.)

Natural Health, Author Jennifer Barrett - COPYRIGHT Weider Publications & Gale Group

What others bring on detox: 1 Detox diets  2 Criticism  3 References  4 External links

"There is a huge toxin burden inside each of us," says Walter Crinnion, N.D., director of the Environmental Medicine Center of Excellence at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Tempe, Ariz. "It doesn't come out after a week of drinking a certain tea and getting off sugar."

In other words, giving up offending foods for a couple of weeks can eventually help the body to detox --if it leads to a new, long-term healthy mind-set. The best way to help clear out toxins is to put as few new chemicals into your body as possible--and controlling what you eat is among the simplest ways to ease the burden, even if sugar, fat, alcohol and coffee aren't toxins in the same sense as heavy metals, pesticides and plastics are.

What's more, the foods that add to our "body toxic burden" have little or no nutritional value, contribute to weight gain and are habit-forming. That last part is especially important. Making a concentrated effort for as little as two weeks to remove or reduce these foods from your diet can break their addiction like lure and lessen your desire for them. Consequently, you'll eat less junk, and over time your body can devote more of a concerted effort to staying healthy. "I tell patients to try a fast [of a "toxic" food] for two weeks and see what happens," says Mark Hyman, M.D., co-medical director of Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Lenox, Mass., and author of Ultra-Prevention: The 6-Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy For Life (Scribner, 2003). "You'll likely feel more energetic and mentally sharp, less hungry, and you may even lose weight."

Here, the lowdown on four top body detox goals, including what you should know about each for health and weight loss.

Cut the coffee

Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss (Little, Brown and Co., 2003), says one sign that a food is "toxic" to your body is that you feel bad for a short time when you give it up; in the case of caffeine that typically means killer headaches. "You don't go through withdrawal when you stop eating broccoli," Fuhrman says.

Like many aspects of body detox, the wisdom of forgoing coffee is hotly debated. Many doctors believe that drinking one or two cups a day won't harm most people, though pregnant women and those with hypertension are well-advised to avoid the stuff. Others point out that in addition to disrupting sleep when drunk too close to bedtime, coffee causes the jitters and often travels with other less-than-healthy foods--namely sugar, fatty cream and gooey pastries.

Coffee body detox tips: Whether you go cold turkey or reduce gradually is a matter of preference. If you drink, say, five cups of coffee a day, you might cut down every two to three days from five cups to four and so on to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Another choice is to reduce the strength of your coffee by filling your cup with more decaf and less regular every couple of days. Some people just want a warm drink in the morning and feel satisfied sipping a cup of hot water with lemon; try it.

Take a break from booze

Going the teetotaler route can improve digestion and sleep, boost energy and sexual function and lessen muscle pain. The effect that alcohol has on weight gain is complex and controversial, in part because researchers are unclear as to whether alcohol calories count as much as food because of how they're metabolized. But if you're drinking, say, five or six glasses of dry white wine (at 70 calories a glass) each week, you can figure that giving those up could lead to a loss of about half a pound a month. Another benefit of abstaining: Research clearly shows that drinking spurs appetite.

And even moderate amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer. A recent article in the journal Public Health Nutrition found that women who average more than four alcoholic beverages a week increase their breast cancer risk by 7 percent for every drink.

If you're a social drinker and just want to body detox from alcohol, Hyman suggests taking a booze break. "If you can give alcohol up for several weeks, but don't notice much of a change and you really miss a glass now and then, go back to drinking," he says. Hyman recommends limiting yourself to no more than five glasses a week. Red wine, he notes, appears to provide the best health benefits since it contains flavonoids, antioxidants that may prevent heart disease. Alcohol detox tips Some people prefer to ease their way off the fermented grapes and grains, while others switch from hard-liquor drinks like martinis to wine. But for social drinkers doing a short-term detox, most doctors recommend going cold turkey.

Kiss the sweet stuff goodbye

We're genetically wired to love sugar. In fact, eating sugar and fat seems to stimulate the same brain receptors as morphine. The fix isn't free, though: Sugar uses up precious antioxidants, substances that help remove natural byproducts caused by oxidation, which play a role in heart damage, cancer and other problems. Sugar is also associated with high-fat, high-calorie foods that cause weight gain, diabetes and heart disease, though the only proven downside of sugar consumption itself is dental cavities.

The first step to kicking the white stuff is to avoid hidden, or added, sugars that manufacturers load into all sorts of prepared foods, including bread, pasta, ketchup and salad dressing. Finding these requires a bit of detective work, since sugar is often indicated on food labels under other names, like fructose, sucrose, dextrin, dextrose, corn syrup and malts. "If you simply avoid hidden sugars, you stop feeding the addiction and soon reset the sensitivity threshold of the nerves that are hooked up to taste buds," explains David Katz, M.D., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center in Derby, Conn., and author of The Way to Eat. "Your sweet tooth will be satisfied with lesser amounts."

Sugar body detox tips: Use spices such as cinnamon and flavorings like almond and vanilla extracts to add a sweet taste to foods. To ease particularly severe cravings, nutritionist MaryBeth Augustine recommends one cup of a bitter tea, such as chicory root or burdock root, at each meal. If you have a pang for something sweet, enjoy a piece of whole fruit; the skins of apples, pears and other fruits are rich in fiber, which slows the rate at which carbohydrates break down into sugar in the body. After a sugar fast, try to stick to the World Health Organization's guideline of keeping sugar intake under 10 percent of calories, or about 50 grams (12 teaspoons) for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet.

By now you know the mantra: Not all fats are harmful. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats--like those from olive oil, nuts, fish and flaxseed--are needed for body function and for staving off disease. The dietary bogeymen are saturated fats--which come from animal products like beef, poultry and full-fat dairy products--and man-made trans fats. Trans fats, which are created by bubbling hydrogen through vegetable oil, extend product longevity; these fats are the reason that Crisco can sit on a shelf forever. The trouble is, your body can't get rid of the stuff easily, either. You can spot a trans fat quickly on food labels: If you see the word hydrogenated on the list of ingredients, avoid that food. That means you better do a body detox.

Saturated fat raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol, contributing to heart disease. Trans fat does that and reduces HDL, or "good," cholesterol, while also blocking arteries. A 1994 study at the Harvard School of Public Health attributed more than 30,000 heart-disease deaths a year solely to trans fats--and some health experts think that number is low. That means body detox makes sense.

Animal fats transport other toxins too: Whenever you eat a slice of roast beef or a pork loin, you also consume whatever the cow or pig ingested--pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, antibiotics, growth hormones and other chemicals. Fat body detox tips Try this experiment if you drink whole milk (which is around 50 percent fat): Switch to 1 percent milk for a week and then to skim after another week. Your taste buds will have acclimated by then, and the whole milk will seem too rich and creamy.

During a short-term fat body detox, Augustine recommends having just one serving (1 teaspoon, 5 grams or 45 calories) of a good fat, mono- or polyunsaturated, at each meal. In general, 20-30 percent of your daily calories (about 45-65 grams for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet) should come from healthy fats. The bad fats to cut out first are those we add ourselves, such as butter, mayonnaise and margarine; switching to nonfat dairy products also helps.

If you have a hankering for, say, a piece of pie, try this: Drink a glass of water and set a timer for 10 minutes, pledging to resist the fat-filled treat for that time. Often, the desire will pass. If it doesn't, keep your portion size small.

In most cases, says Katz, making lasting dietary changes requires a focused commitment of at least a few months--which is another reason not to think of a food detox as a short-term fix but as the beginning of a new, healthier lifestyle. That's the real point, he says: "It's not about the purge. It's about a commitment to developing and sustaining good habits so you don't continue to put 'toxic' foods in your body."

The do's and don'ts of body detox:

Do buy organic fruits and veggies, which will dramatically decrease your exposure to pesticides.

Don't use laxatives or colonic irrigations that promise to "flush" the body. These can be very dangerous (risks include a perforated colon and infection) and have no proven benefit.

Do look beyond your diet. Emotional stress is also damaging; regular workouts, including those with a mind-body component, like yoga, can help.

Don't forget to get plenty of fluids and fiber; drinking enough (about nine glasses of fluid daily) and consuming the recommended minimum of 25 grams of fiber a day will prevent constipation, a common side effect of detoxing.

Do be cautious about using saunas as a way to detox: It's not possible to "sweat out" toxins through the skin, and the intense heat can be dehydrating.

Don't eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish if you're pregnant, about to conceive or breastfeeding; these fish contain high levels of mercury. Better options are shrimp, wild salmon and canned "light" tuna.

Do check with your doctor before starting a body detox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, plan to be on a detox program for more than seven days, or want to try a fast. Author Joe Mullich is a freelance health writer based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. COPYRIGHT Weider Publications & Gale Group

The times are certainly toxic.

Our kidneys and livers are constantly at work to detox and cleaning out of the body all the nasty stuff we eat, drink and breathe--pesticides on our fruit, metals in dust and smog, sugar and bad fats in the processed foods we eat, and chemical compounds we come in contact with from household products, to name just some of the most obvious offenders.

Like a window washer working on a skyscraper, the body's natural detox system never quite catches up with the grime. One study found that even people with a healthy lifestyle have an average of 91 potentially harmful toxins in their system.

If you feel your body could use a spring detox of sorts, you may have considered a "detox" program. But what's considered "detox" covers a wide spectrum of regimens, ranging from simply giving up coffee for a few days to a lengthy, liquid-only fast. "If you ask 10

different detoxification providers what detoxification is, you'll get 10 different answers," says MaryBeth Augustine, a registered dietician at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Most programs promise to detox your body of accumulated toxins, usually in about one to four weeks, in part by restricting your intake of unhealthful foods. Advocates say this purification eliminates headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure and other ills. The same folks sometimes say you will naturally lose weight on these plans too. Nice theory, but no solid scientific evidence supports the notion that a body detox of a few days or even weeks can scrub out toxins that may have accumulated over years in our bodies.