“Detox” describes the body’s physiologic process of rendering chemicals, compounds, hormones and toxicants less harmful. Organs involved in detoxification include the liver, kidneys, large intestine, lymphatic system and sweat glands. Your doctor might recommend this diet if you have hormonal imbalance, food intolerances, large toxic burden or a sluggish digestive system. The detox food plan can begin alone, or following a 4-6 week elimination diet, in which food triggers are identified after a period of removal.
The Detox Food Plan is a long-term food plan that reduces food triggers that may be connected to health problems, supports liver function, requires clean and organic foods, reduces toxic burden, provides targeted antioxidants, supports nutrient-dependent pathways, and balances hormone metabolism. Therapeutic foods within the detox food plan help support the detoxification process, by assisting in hepatic secretion of toxins, eliminating excess hormones such as estrogen or xenoestrogens, and providing optimal amino acids for optimal liver performance.
These dietary recommendations remove gluten products, corn and dairy, which are common food triggers. The detox food plan is omnivorous but includes easy modifications for vegetarians and vegans.
In addition to the Detox food plan, recommend consuming 8-12 glasses of filtered water per day, daily exercise to induce sweating, and consideration of sauna use and gentle liver support such as green tea or dandelion tea.
-Leann Silhan, MD