What About Cleansing

Signed, Curious Cleanser

Dear Curious Cleanser,

First, let’s separate the fact from hype.

Cleansing and detoxing can include any number of practices with the goal of eliminating toxins from the body to promote better health. A cleanse might include fasting, drinking juices, using supplements, and other regimens.

Cleanses are +often sold to us as a get-slim-quick scheme. Drink this elixir! Swallow this pill! Eat this not that, and watch the toxins fade and the pounds melt. Right?

Well…not really.

There are any number of companies out there trying to slide their slick hands into your pockets and take your hard-earned money, with the promise of a tiny waist.

Which is not to say that there isn’t value in exercising dietary restraint, or even fasting! Cultures and societies around the world have overserved restraint and limitation for ages – many Christians observe Lent, while Muslims practice Ramadan, and Buddhists use fasting a form of self-control. Restraint in our diet is certainly not a new trend.

But most of the cleanses and detoxes sold to us these days are trendy, rather than traditional.

I’ve personally tried a number of cleanses. In my early twenties, it was “The Master Cleanse”, several days spent drinking lemon juice and maple sugar – a sure way to feel terrible! Then it was juice cleanses, and most recently, a cleanse that involves Chinese medicine. And alright I’ll say it…I’ve even done a colon cleanse!

So, I do think there is potential in trying out a cleansing or detox regimen. But what is sound tradition – and may offer potential health benefits – and what is simply snake oil medicine?

My advice on the matter is this: If you’re interested in trying a cleanse regimen out, always proceed with caution, always with the guidance of an expert, and ideally with your physician’s permission.

No matter what it’s sold as, a cleanse or detox is NOT a lose weight quick program. If done properly, a cleanse may offer you a jumpstart to long-lasting, healthier habits that lead to better health.

If you’re curious but not ready to go all in, just try ditching sugar treats and coffee for a few days, and replace them with vegetables and water.

If you’re a person that’s already diligent with your water and veggie intake – try taking out all processed foods for a week (i.e. packaged and junk foods), and increasing vegetable protein intake (such as lentils and quinoa).

If you can tolerate these changes, then go ahead and seek an expert and invest the time and money to try a more intense regimen – always with guidance of a professional. Be sure to do your research, and never starve your body of the nutrients it needs.

My final advice on the matter is this – get comfortable with what you look like. Cultures across the world celebrate different body shapes and sizes as beautiful. We have found ourselves in a society where beauty is sold as a big butt, tiny waist and huge boobs, smooth skin and glossy hair, straight white teeth, slender ankles, firm calves….the list goes on.

It’s exhausting trying to keep up. Try to honour your body – through all the changes you have gone through, you are beautiful. We’re really not all meant to look like Nicole Kidman.

Ultimately, there are lots of fads, but the truth remains the same – add what’s good, take away what’s bad. Moderation is always a good idea. Cut back on sugar. Drink more water. And most important of all – appreciate your own, unique, beautiful body.

Send your questions to: Carrie Pratt carrieann.pratt@gmail.com

by Carrie Pratt

What About Cleansing

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