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What is a Detox and how does it help with weight loss?

A lot happens to our body when we take on a new eating program, particularly in the first month. This is why I recommend relating to this first month as a Detox; being aware of what happens during a Detox, and adding in a supplement that can support a Detox. By doing this, we can greatly increase our chances of success with our eating program and jump-start our body for a more active, healthier life.

Detoxification is like hitting a reset button for your body and can have the following Heath Benefits:

Alters Body Chemistry. One of the healthiest and most effective ways to initiate fat loss and maintain balanced weight is to normalize our body’s pH. Our pH levels measure how acidic or alkaline our body is with regards to the pH scale. The idea is to get the right balance, so that our body is neutral or better yet, slightly alkaline. When overweight, our pH is typically acidic. To protect our vital organs from this acidity, our body floods our midsection with water to attempt to dilute the acid and produces toxic waste storage cells (fat cells) to store the acid in. We may not appreciate the extra fat, but if our pH is out of balance, our body needs these fat storage cells just to keep us going! The great news is that pH levels are directly affected by what we eat, and by switching to a more alkaline diet, we’re finally giving our body the ‘relief’ needed to release all the extra water and fat it’s been holding onto. This is why it’s possible to lose so much weight safely in the first month of a new eating program.

Reduces Inflammation. Anything highly processed, overly greasy, or super sweet isn’t a good choice for inflammation. While medication and other treatments are important, many experts say that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is the best defense against inflammation, and one that includes lots of low-glycemic vegetables, proteins, plant-based fats (e.g. nuts, avocados, etc), fatty fish, and fresh herbs and spices (i.e. the Keto diet!).

Controls cravings. It’s a myth that cravings are controllable with just will-power alone. Processed and high-glycemic foods cause the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and endorphins—natural opiates that make us ‘feel good’. Removing these foods from our diet can cause withdrawal symptoms like  headaches and fatigue, and can last anywhere from days to weeks from quitting. The first crucial step toward breaking free from physiological food cravings is to stop eating addictive foods and replacing them with wholesome, nourishing foods. A smart detox plan that includes eating nutrient-dense food with balanced portions of protein, fats and carbohydrates, diminishes and eventually gets rid of physical food cravings (i.e. the Keto diet!).

Increases energy throughout the day. While a detox diet might cause some fatigue early on (particularly for those who had a poor diet beforehand), most people report feeling more sustained energy during and after a detox diet. A major part of any good detox should be adequate hydration, and studies show that even mild dehydration (a fluid loss of under 3%), frequently causes headaches and fatigue.

Setting new food choices. The number one goal of a high quality eating plan should be long-term, sustainable change. By undergoing a detox diet, you will be resetting the way you eat, and the choices you make.