After-Christmas Reset: Start your Detox Plan and Remove the Excess from Christmas

During Christmas, our body goes through a true marathon of excesses. We eat more sugars, fats and alcohols, alter our sleep and, usually, exercise is left for “next year”. This sudden change floods the organism and the natural cleaning system of the body and overwhelms them.

Cells, as a consequence of their own metabolism, and some other substances from the exterior generate a waste that the organism has to remove. In order to face this task, the body has some organs specialised in this function: the liver, kidneys, bowel, skin... When all of them work normally and with the usual workload, our internal environment is clean and cells keep working correctly. This is what a healthy and active person looks like. On the other side, when waste generation overrides removing capacity (as it happens during Christmas), these organs start functioning wrong and the body begins accumulating toxins.

The liver is one of the organs that cleanses the most. When there is an excess of workload, the situation is reflected in all of our organism, since it loses the balance, it once had. Then, we start detecting some alarm signs sent by our body.

6 SIGNALS TAHT TOUR BODY NEEDS A DETOX CLEANSE

1. Tiredness, fatigue and lack of energy. 
2. Heavy digestions.
3. Trouble falling asleep.
4. Skin disorders.
5. Irritability and mood swings.
6. Headache.

A detox cleanse consists on facilitating the function of all the organs involved in the digestive process, improve digestions and bowel transit, regulate cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. Furthermore, it contributes to lose weight. There are many ways to help our organism cleanse. Here are six.

• Be conscious of your nutrition. Follow a healthy, natural diet; easy to absorb. Prioritise fresh food seasonal foods, and prepares them by following simple recipes. Green should be in all your dishes. Some vegetables like chard, artichoke, celery, asparagus or leek favour depuration. Avoid: ultra-processed foods, charcuterie, sugars and alcohol. Reduce the intake of meat and those foods that are difficult to digest.

• Stay hydrated. Drink, at least, 2 litters of water daily, preferably with meals. Another good advise is starting the day with a glass of water. During the day, you can combine that water with vegetable broths and teas, and include foods that help you stay hydrated. For example: chard (97% water), cucumber (96%), lettuce (96%), tomato (93%), water melon (92%).
• Avoid stress. Learn some relaxation techniques and meditation, strengthening your bond with nature, if possible. A good moment to practice this is just before going to bed. It will help you relax and fall asleep. 
• Sleep the time your body needs. Avoid copious dinners that make your digestive system work extra hours. Go for a light dinner and sleep will become healthier.
• Exercise regularly. Find the exercise that fits you the most: running, bicycling, yoga... Or maybe just go walking at a good pace for thirty minutes a day and you will activate the detox mechanisms. Sweating is one of the best ways to remove toxins through the skin.
• Help your liver’s functioning with medicinal plants. Using artichoke, milk thistle, black radish and desmodium is a good way to start your detox plan.  

MILK THISTLE Silybum marinum Gaertn

It is commonly known as liver’s guardian. Its seeds have silymarin, a mix of compounds that, when liver cells have been damaged by tobacco, alcohol or drugs, it stimulates their regeneration. 

BLACK RADISH Raphanus sativus L. 

It contains a spicy sulfurated substance with choleretic properties. This means that it increases the production of bile in the liver. Digestive properties are also attributed to black radish. 

ARTICHOKE Cynara scolymus L.

This plant is considered as a good detoxification agent. It has cynarine, an active substance that assists liver function and a correct cleansing function. In addition, it is diuretic and digestive. 

DESMODIUM Desmodium adscendens D. C. 

It is a native plant from Africa that develops as a parasite of bushes and palm trees. It favours the formation of bile and helps protect the liver. Furthermore, it has draining properties.