Natural Detox to Lose Weight

A natural detoxification program is an excellent way to lose weight safely over a period of time. You can do a juice fast such as the Master Cleanse, in which you drink a fasting lemonade tea made from lemons, water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Or you could drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices and herbal teas such as those with senna. Finally, eating whole foods including whole vegetables, fruits, whole grains, non-saturated oils and very small amounts of protein for several weeks can shed pounds.

The Master Cleanse Lemonade

The Master Cleanse is the name of a fasting lemonade designed by Stanley Burroughs in the late 1970s that remains popular today. The lemonade is made from lemons, filtered water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The idea is to consume only the lemonade for several days until there is no longer a visible coating on the tongue; this signals that the stomach is efficiently digesting and producing adequate stomach acids.

This detox is demanding for most people as the temptation to eat solid food is great. For beginners, it might be best to start with one day such as a Friday or a Saturday. Later, try it for 3 to 7 days and discontinue it if you become weak, dizzy or are unable to function at home or work without strain.

Using the Master Cleanse, people are able to lose weight but it is not necessarily the appropriate method for those with a demanding physical and mental routine.

Juicing to shed weight

Juicing, or consuming freshly pressed fruits and vegetables and herbal teas to assist colon cleansing and detoxification, can help you shed weight. By juicing, you give the digestive system a chance to rest and direct that energy to "cleaning house" and removing toxins and waste.

Drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juices provides important vitamins and minerals. Drinking laxative herbal teas in moderation moves the bowels as juices do not provide the soluble and insoluble fiber needed to produce normal bowel movements.

People who juice generally notice immediate weight loss. Once you return to eating solid foods, do so gradually so you do not rebound and regain weight.

Eating a whole foods detox diet

Eating a detox diet of whole vegetables, fruits, whole grains and very small portions of lean protein such as eggs, yogurt, legumes, poultry or fish, with non-saturated fats can produce permanent weight loss. Dr. Elson Haas' book "The New Detox Diet" discusses why it is possible to lose weight when you eat non-processed foods.

Especially if you have tried many other types of diets before or could not stick to a liquid fast such as the Master Cleanse or juicing, eating a whole foods detox diet might be more appropriate as your weight loss strategy.

Eating whole grains such as brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa or whole groats provides important fiber to cleanse the bowel. Consuming non-saturated fats such as flax seed oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, or monounsaturated fats such as canola and safflower oils, provides satiety to prevent binge eating.