October 2008 - The Top 10 Foods for Detoxification

So, you've been told that you need to undergo a "detoxification" program or diet, and need to buy a 30, 60, or 90 supply of supplements to achieve the goal. Or how about those convenient detox foot pads--just stick them to your feet and detox while you sleep? Perfect for this fast-paced society where we're on the gogo- go and where we expect to make up for lost nutrition by popping a few horse pills every day. How about using food to detox?

Since most people tend to eat every day, incorporating these "Top Ten" detox foods will enable your body to shed the accumulation of poisons and sludge in a gentle, on-going fashion and without breaking your stride.

Eat Your Weedies. Green, leafy vegetables are the Numero Uno addition to your diet that just can't be overdone. Raw is best--or toss into a broth, add to juices, or gently steam or "sweat" them and eat as a (big) side dish. The chlorophyll in green leaves not only is an allround liver protector (your body's major defense against toxins), but also helps accumulate and clear out environmental toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides.

Become a Sourpuss. Fresh, organic lemons are the ideal way to keep fluids flowing to wash out the body. Clean water, with a few generous squeezes of fresh lemon juice or a few slices floating and plenty of both throughout the day, keeps the systems hydrated and refreshed. Vitamin C is considered THE detox vitamin and converts toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.

Water--what?! Watercress is a plant with many tiny, peppery green leaves that are rich in minerals and also has diuretic action to help move toxins out of the system. Toss a handful into salads, soups, or on sandwiches. Can't find it? Grow it! The

Stinking Rose. Another name for garlic, this easy-togrow food is jam-packed with nutritional health, as well as antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial action. My favorite pick for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and more, garlic also activates liver enzymes that help filter out toxins. Peel a few cloves, cut into pill-sized pieces, swallow with water without chewing. Or add it to soups, salads, sauces, etc. Worried about garlic breath? Chew a spring of fresh parsley -- the chlorophyll neutralizes dragon breath.

More Green, Please. We're talking green tea, which many stores now carry in a different brands. Personal favorite: Tazo Zen green tea, a blend with lemon verbena, lemon grass and spearmint. Hot or cold, green tea is rich in antioxidants and its catechins content speeds up liver activity. Don't hold the lemon!

Broccoli and More Broccoli. Your mother was right, broccoli is very good for you whether fresh cut raw in salads or steamed. But the sprouts carry 20 to 50 times more cancerfighting and enzyme-stimulating activity in each bite than the grown-up veggie. Be sure to use organic seeds if you sprout your own.

Open, Sesame! Sesame seeds get an A++ for protecting liver cells from the damage caused by alcohol and other chemicals. Can't eat seeds? Try tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds that can be used numerous ways including as a sandwich spread, added to dips, or mixed with humus, another deliciously nutritious food loaded with healthy flavor.

Check out the Cabbage Patch. Cabbage helps activate the two main detoxifying enzymes in the liver. This humble yet potent veggie is delicious in as many ways as it is healthful, including adding good fiber to your diet. Eat raw as a finger food, in slaw or salads, ferment it as kraut, or enjoy stuffed and baked, like stuffed peppers.

Be Fruitful. All kinds of fruits have almost all of the benefits mentioned above -- Vitamin C, fiber, healthy fluids, antioxidants, minerals -- and this year's growing season has provided a bounty of fruit from berries to peaches and pears, plums and apples, cherries and elderberries and much more. And what tastes better than fresh organic fruit?

Water, Water Everywhere, be sure a LOT to drink! Drinking ample good, clean water is so beneficial, not only for a detox, where it's crucial, but for everyday health and well-being. I'm always surprised to find how many people overlook this critical component of good health. Here are two simple tips for upping your daily intake of H2O: Keep a 5 ounce drinking cup and water bottle in the bathroom. After each visit, pour and drink 4 or 5 ounces of water. Don't wait until you're superthirsty and chug down 16 - 20 ounces. If you're like me, you'll be uncomfortable for awhile with all the slosh going on in your stomach. Second tip: When traveling in your vehicle, take only water with you -- leave the coffee, tea, pop, etc., at home. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find how good it tastes, and think of the calorie savings!

Detoxification doesn't have to be a miserable, expensive proposition. Remember, these wastes didn't accumulate in your body overnight. Take the kinder, gentler, and more delicious route and use your daily food to cleanse and repair your systems. It's easy, cost-effective and delicious.

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