There are different moments throughout the year when we notice that we have gained weight, that we have drier skin and hair, and that we feel more exhausted... It often coincides with the time after a period of excesses, such as Christmas.
The term detox comes from detoxify and has as many adepts
as detractors. Some people claim that it is the basis of almost everything, and
some others affirm that it is just “magufism”. Virtue is found in the middle
ground.
Our bodies will naturally return to the routine days after the excesses of
Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with no need to do anything special. No one
unavoidably needs a depuration, nor will a depuration heal all your disorders.
Health is the consequence of consolidating good habits of life, a well-balanced
diet and moderate physical activity over time. In the same way, we do not inevitably
need a moisturizer to hydrate dry skin, but after summer and tanning, we know
that exfoliation and proper moisturization are positive for faster skin repair,
which is exhausted from too much sunbathing. Therefore, why not help our bodies
with a detox guide?
Advantages of a detox plan
The benefits of a detox time exceed expectations:
- DIURETIC EFFECT: some plants have diuretic properties. There
are multiple reasons for fluid retention: dehydration, a diet rich in
sodium, potassium loss due to excessive sweating, a sedentary lifestyle,
poor blood flow, some drugs, or even some pathologies that need professional
treatment. Eliminating liquids will not help you lose weight because water
loss may cause you more harm than good in the long run. However, in short and
specific times, it may help to improve the feeling of heaviness, heavy
legs, swelling or inflammation. Plants such as horsetail, green tea or
dandelion help to accelerate the secretion of damaging substances
accumulated in the body. A diet rich in potassium and fiber also
potentiates diuresis.
- PLACEBO EFFECT, POTENTIATING BELIEFS AND
HORMONAL ADAPTATIONS: The placebo effect
is underestimated, but there is a lot of science behind the beliefs. What
and how we think do have physiological consequences, particularly on the
hormonal level. As if our hormones listened to our thoughts and their
response was mediated by that inner dialogue. That’s it. Therefore, it is
proven that maintaining a “plan” that includes the intake of natural
supplements increases our commitment to the habit and ourselves.
- THE POWER OF ARTICHOKE: we know that this plant has countless benefits,
one of which is its high content of phenolic compounds, which have a
stimulating effect on the gallbladder and contribute to better fat digestion
as well as a noticeable reduction in triglycerides and endogenous cholesterol.
Moreover, it has antioxidant, diuretic and antiedematous (it reduces
inflammation) effects.
- PROPERTIES OF THE CHLOROGENIC ACID OF GREEN
COFFEE: chlorogenic acid is a phenolic compound found
in lots of vegetables and coffee. This polyphenol has multiple properties
that promote health, most of them related to the prevention or improvement
of metabolic syndrome. In addition, chlorogenic acid has an antioxidant
effect that protects against lipidic oxidation, which helps to overcome
the prejudices of gaining and losing weight and that typical vacation “yo-yo”
effect.
- THE 21-DAY RULE: The strategies that work best to generate a
habit are those that have to do with creating environments that facilitate
the path, thinking about short-term objectives, and positive reinforcement
so that our brain understands that what we are doing is effective. In
order to do so, the search for quick results, although futile for long-term
habit changes, is in fact useful to consolidate the necessary motivation
to keep the habit for enough time to obtain real achievements. The 21-day
rule cannot be taken literally, but it is a good way to make the objective
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound).
When is it good to have a "detox" period?
- At the beginning of a fat-reducing diet
- After times of excesses, such as vacations
or Christmas
- During seasonal changes, that entail habit
and schedule changes
When is it not recommended to do detoxification?
- During
pregnancy or breastfeeding
- When suffering from any disease, it is
always recommended to consult a professional before taking any supplement
- When you are taking any drug
