The simplest way to understand symptoms and disease integrates Western linear thinking, Chinese medicine and its philosophy of yin and yang, and the naturopathic approach to health and illness. Problems in the body (and mind) often arise from either deficiency, where we are not acquiring sufficient necessary nutrients to meet our needs and body functions — or congestion, where we are having excessive intake, both from reduced eliminative functions and the overconsumption of foods or nonfood substances, such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, refined sugar, and food chemicals.
People who are deficient may experience such problems as fatigue, coldness, hair loss, or dry skin, and they need to be nourished with wholesome foods to aid healing. Congestive problems, however, are more common in Western, industrialized civilizations. Many of our acute and chronic medical diseases and dilemmas result from the clogging of our tissues and tubes, and the suffocating of our cells and vital energy. Colds and flus, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and allergies are all examples of congestive disorders. These medical problems may be prevented or treated at least in part and often dramatically by embarking on a process of cleansing and detoxification. Dietary changes, including more fresh fruits, vegetables, and water; fewer animal fats and proteins; and elimination of damaging substance abuses mark the beginning of the rejuvenation process for the human body.
I consider the cleansing/fasting/detoxification process (they are different degrees of the same process of reduced toxin intake and enhanced toxin elimination) to be the missing link in Western nutrition and a key to the health and vitality of our civilization. In my twenty-five years of medical practice, I have used various detox and healing/rejuvenation practices both for myself and for thousands of patients. I can tell you that I truly believe that the combination of cleansing and detoxification is one of the most powerful healing therapies I have seen.
I have written extensively about detoxification in the last section of my book Staying Healthy with Nutrition. This is also the focus of my recent book, The Detox Diet: The How-to and When-to Guide For Clearing Your Body of Toxic Substances, wherein I discuss both the medical and health factors of the cleansing process. The basics of the Detox Diet follow here to give you the general ideas of what is involved.
In truth, what I attempt to do in my writing and practice, is to place your health and that of your family back into your hands, because so much of it is up to you. It really matters how you live — what you do and what you eat, and what you think and feel. Take hold and do what you can to be vital and healthy. It is really worth it! Be well.
The Detox Diet
Special Guidelines:
1. Chew your food very well and take enough time when you eat.
2. Relax a few minutes before and after your meal.
3. Eat in a comfortable sitting position.
4. Eat primarily steamed fresh vegetables and some fresh greens.
5. Take only herbal teas after dinner.
The Detox Diet Menu Plan
Morning (upon rising): Two glasses of water (filtered, spring, or reverse osmosis), one of these with half a lemon squeezed into it.
Breakfast: One piece of fresh fruit (at room temp), such as apple, pear, banana, grapes, or citrus. Chew well, mixing each bite with saliva.
Fifteen to thirty minutes later: One bowl of cooked whole grains — specifically millet, brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, or buckwheat. Flavoring can be two tablespoons of fruit juice for a sweeter breakfast taste, or use the "better butter" mixture mentioned below with a little salt or tamari for a deeper flavor.
Lunch: (Noon-1:00 pm) One or two medium bowls of steamed vegetables; use a variety, including roots, stems, and greens — e.g., potatoes or yams, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, asparagus, kale, chard, and cabbage. Chew well!
Dinner: (5:00-6:00 pm) Same as Lunch.
Seasoning: Butter/canola oil mixture. Make this "better butter" by mixing a half cup of cold-pressed canola oil (or olive or flaxseed oils) into a soft (room temperature) half-pound of butter; then place in dish and refrigerate. Use about one teaspoon per meal or a maximum of three teaspoons daily.
11:00 am and 3:00 pm: One or two cups of veggie water, saved from steamed vegetables. Add a little sea salt or kelp and drink slowly, mixing each mouthful with saliva.
Evening: Herbal teas only — e.g. peppermint, chamomile, pau d’arco, or blends.
Note: You may feel a little weak or have a few symptoms the first couple of days; they will pass. These symptoms may include irritability, fatigue, achiness and feeling fluey, as well as mild sinus congestion. Clarity and feeling good should appear by the third or fourth day, if not before. If during this diet, you start to feel weak or hungry, assess your water intake and elimination; if needed, you can eat a small portion of protein food (three to four ounces) in the midafternoon. This could be fish; free-range, organic chicken; or lentils, garbanzos, mung, or black beans.
Elson M. Haas, M.D. practices Integrated Medicine and is founder and director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin, San Rafael, CA. He writes and lectures extensively on topics relating to Preventive Medicine, Nutrition, and Detoxification and has appeared on numerous radio and television news and talk shows. For more information, including articles, visit his web site.
© 1999, Elson M. Haas, M.D.