The Dr. Hulda Clark website provides specialized recovery diets to support detoxification by increasing elimination from the body, cleansing the colon, enhancing circulation to clear toxic substances, eliminating foods that require heavy detoxification or are allergenic, and providing nutrients to support and protect the liver – the main organ involved in detoxification.
Detoxification Diets can remove potentially toxic substances from the body. Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for general health.
What is Detox?
Detox, short for detoxification, is the body’s natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins (anything that can potentially harm body tissue) are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds and excreted via stools or urine. Sources of toxins include those produced in the body during normal functions, such as the ammonia produced during the breakdown of protein, and chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals like lead that enter the body when we ingest or inhale them.
Dr. Hulda Clark Detoxification Diet Principles:
- Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).
- Emphasizes foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.
- Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water, that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.
Why Do People Go on a Detox Diet & What Results Are Gained?
A growing body of research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body. The cumulative load, called the “body burden”, is thought to lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.
Expected Results: People often report improved energy, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity after a detox diet.
After the Detox Diet: Alternative practitioners suggest gradually easing back into a healthy, less restrictive diet. Medication should never be discontinued or reduced without consulting your prescribing doctor.
Side Effects & Precautions
One of the most common side effects is headache within the first few days of starting the detox diet, often due to caffeine withdrawal. Practitioners suggest gradually decreasing caffeine prior to starting. Other side effects can include temporary tiredness, irritability, or dehydration if fluid intake is not increased alongside fiber.
Detox diet plans may include a special diet, herbs and supplements, hydrotherapy, exercise, breathing techniques, or sauna therapy. Alternative practitioners usually recommend that people trying a detox diet for the first time opt for a gentle detox diet plan targeting the skin, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and lymph system.
Getting Started
Follow one or more of the following diets and/or supplements to your existing diet. If you focus on an exclusive therapy, such as the Gerson therapy that conducts all meals as liquid juices, set a time limit, say 3 days, and allow your body to adjust.
Following this, in order to achieve a remission from a serious disease such as cancer, or a life-threatening illness, one must consider that a serious timetable must be created in order to achieve the goal of restored health. This requires determination and willpower.
Dr. Clark Recovery & Detoxification Diets
Explore the 9 foundational nutrition and recovery programs below:
