Powerful Detox Foods, Herbs and Supplements
If our cells get blocked and are unable to expel waste and take in nutrients, this can cascade into more serious blockages in our blood and organs as well causing a host of issues including acne, premature aging, cellulite and sluggishness and eventually disease. Luckily, eating the right foods and supplements can greatly reduce our toxic load and help our bodies find balance and homeostasis. I have compiled a list of the most powerful detox foods and supplements that can be incorporated into your current diet or as a complete detox program such as The Beauty Detox.
Trying to minimize processed foods, sugar, dairy and meats is the best way to support your body's natural detoxification processes. The less we consume things that are harmful the less our body has to work to eliminate.
Anti-inflammatory Spices
Garlic • Ginger • Turmeric • Curry powder • Chili peppers • Basil • Rosemary • Thyme • Cinnamon
Apples
Filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals and many beneficial phyto-chemicals used in the detox process. Apples are high in pectin which helps detox metals and food additives from your body as well as help boost bile production.
Asparagus
A veggie to help support the kidneys, asparagus contain a multitude of vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, as well as folate, iron, copper, calcium, protein, and pre-biotic fiber. Asparagus contains high levels of the amino acid asparagine, a natural diuretic, helps flush excess fluid and salt from your body.
Beets
Packed with phytonutrients called betalains, vitamin C, K Folate and Iron, beets protect ag ainst free radicals and supports detoxification through an important phase 2 detox step in the liver.
Berries and Lower Glycemic fruits
Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Oranges, Pink Grapefruit, Red grapes, Plums, Pomegranates, Cherries, Pears are rich sources of flavonoids and carotenoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Choose as many colors as possible to ensure a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Blueberries neutralize free radicals, strengthen the cardiovascular system, protect against cancer development, and have been linked to healthy eyesight. Raspberries are another great antioxidant, while also help prevent overgrowth bacteria and fungi.
Bitter vegetables
Bitter gourd, dandelion greens, mustard greens and chicory promote the production and flow of bile. A great side dish to help support detox Dandelion + Cilantro Sauteed dandelion leaves and cilantro with coconut oil, Himalayan salt, turmeric for a powerful detox side dish to add to your warm bowls.
Burdock Root
Used for centuries to cleanse the blood and induces the lymphatic system and detoxification, reduce excessive heat and help heal skin ailments. Is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory as well as fights free radical damage. Burdock root not only stimulates the kidneys to increase urine elimination, the fiber content is excellent for detoxification and facilitate elimination. Burdock root is a vegetable and can be consumed in it's natural form, as a tea or supplement.
Carrots
Fresh carrots are rich in beta carotene, which can neutralize toxins. For a quick and easy detox drink, try blending a few carrots with fresh lemon juice and monk fruit.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is rich in B Carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the liver, which helps boost detoxification. Helps increase blood flow and helps clear arteries. Can be eaten raw or in a tea. Great for reducing inflammation, and helping with acneic skin conditions.
You can make a tea by boiling chrysanthemum flowers and adding a little stevia. It is also good to add to a greens juice in the morning.
Cilantro
High in Vitamin K, vitamin C, along with phosphorus, potassium, zinc, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Helps rid the body of heavy metals. Lowers blood sugar levels, protects against oxidative stress, reduces stress and anxiety and helps improve sleep cycles.
Cruciferous Plants
In addition to vitamins, minerals and fiber, cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals that help activate enzymes that detoxify the body form carcinogenic compounds before they damage our cells. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and radishes are cruciferous veggies.
Dandelion
High in vitamins A & K and fiber it helps cleanse the liver, kidneys and colon. Dandelion greens can be chopped up and used as a garnish or an addition to a sauce, or they can be eaten raw or cooked to minimize their somewhat bitter flavor. You can also use the dandelion root, stems and flowers to make a delicious and super-healthy tea. Either way, you reap the benefits of this unexpected nutritional plant.
Dark leafy greens
Raw and cooked vegetables such as spinach, collard greens, kale, swiss chard are rich sources of flavonoids and carotenoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Choose a colorful range to ensure a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
Essential Oils
Lavender, Lemon, Cilantro, Thyme, Black Pepper, Helichrysum, Tangerine, Rosemary, Geranium, and Juniper Berry. Taken internally to promote heavy metal detoxification.
Garlic
Best used raw for microbial properties, although cooked garlic still has a lot of value. In fact, the antioxidant value is equal (or sometimes even higher) when cooked. During your cleanse, you can add raw garlic to any soups, stews or stir fries or salads.
Healthy Fats
Coconut Oil, Extra virgin olive oil, Walnut oil, Avocado Oil, Hazelnut oil , Flax See Oil, Sunflower oil Healthy fats are rich in monounsaturated or omega-3 fatty acids. Extra-virgin olive oil is high in polyphenols with antioxidant activity. Avocado, Flax, Chia, Hemp Nuts and seeds are whole food sources of healthy fats rich in monounsaturated and/or omega-3 fatty acids.
Kombucha
Rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids our body produces and uses to detox your system, thus reducing our pancreatic load and easing the burden on our liver. Also, because
it’s naturally fermented with a living colony of bacteria and yeast, Kombucha is a probiotic beverage and aids in digestion. This has a myriad of benefits such as improved digestion,
fighting candida overgrowth, mental clarity, and mood stability. Helps relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety.
Legumes
Legumes can stimulate bowel movement, help with constipation, and induce diuresis. You can put red beans to stew in an electric cooker or crockpot before going to bed and then drink the liquid the next morning to promote detoxification. Adzuki, Lentils, Peas (black, chickpeas, black-eyed peas), Red Beans, Black Beans, Fava Beans, Edemame are a low glycemic load food, rich in folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and soluble fiber. During cleanse you may have 2-3 servings daily.
Lemon
Helps alkalize the body, assists bowel movements and helps reduce calcification of kidneys. Drink upon rising daily.
Millet
A gluten-free, fiber rich food, millet helps regulate your your digestive system and eliminate waste. Millet is also high in antioxidants that help neutralize free radical damage as well as quercetin, curcumin, ellagic acid that help detoxify harmful substances and promote proper excretion.
Onions
Onions are rich in sulfur, a powerful detox element that helps the body release toxins, especially from the liver. Also rich in quercitin, a powerful antioxidant that helps lower inflammation, fights bacterial and viral infections. Be sure to blend your onions to activate the cancer fighting enzymes before heating.
Radishes
Part of the cruciferous family, radishes contain an antioxidant that supports the liver while reducing inflammation in the blood. Also, an excellent source of potassium which acts as a natural diuretic.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Contains acetic acid which helps kill pathogens including bacteria, virus and fungus, some claims help prevents cancer and reduce tumors. It helps support kidney and bowel function. Drink some diluted vinegar with a dollop of honey after breakfast and dinner.
Sea vegetables
Prevent aging and chronic disease, lowers cholesterol, helps deliver minerals, detoxifies heavy metals and carcinogens from the body, balance thyroid and boost bowel function. Be sure to get from a really clean source, organically farmed if possible. Sea vegetables are known to be the sponge of the sea, as they have the ability to absorb heavy metals and radiation. Therefore, if you consume sea vegetables from a contaminated source, it could cause much more harm than good. Try adding nori or dulse to salads or cooking your soups and grains with kombu to add a nutritional boost.
Sweet Potatoes
Perfect for a detox diet, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber as well as being loaded with vitamin A, C, manganese, copper and B Vitamins. Great steamed or baked, adding honey, a tsp of coconut oil and a dash of cinnamon for a nutrient packed, guilt free treat.
Sweeteners
Raw organic honey, Raw Cacao, Dark 70% Raw Chocolate, Monkfruit, Stevia, Xylitol
Tempeh, Sprouted Soy
Whole soy foods provide isoflavones, which are free radical scavenging antioxidants.
Tomatoes
The antioxidants in lycopene protect the liver from free radical damage. This allows the liver to function optimally, metabolizing and removing toxins from the body. Anti-aging experts believe that lycopene is essential to maintaining good health as people grow older. It boosts the immune system, and fights against cancer cells. Although fresh tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, tomato sauce, paste, and ketchup are a more concentrated source as cooking helps break down cell walls, making more lycopene available, and unlike many other nutrients, exposure to heat does not alter the healthful qualities of lycopene.
Supplements
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll helps to purify the blood by binding to toxins and improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to cells boosting energy and anti-oxidant production. Add to water to build red blood cells and detoxify liver and blood.
Liquid Zeolite
Zeolite particles are negatively charged nano-cages and draw heavy metals out of tissues and blood and eliminated through normal bodily functions without endangering other tissue.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as an anti-oxidant that plays a key role in detoxification and immune regulation. It effectively binds to mercury and other heavy metals in the blood stream and helps flush out of body. Recommended dosage is 200-400 mcg of selenium daily
Glutathione & NAC
Glutathione is considered the master anti-oxidant as it’s responsible for protecting our DNA from free radical damage, helps maintain other anti-oxidants, and is critical in the detoxification process. It is naturally produced by every cell in our bodies. As you can imagine, by being confronted with constant oxidative stress, our reserves get depleted swiftly. Unfortunately our body doesn't easily assimilate glutathione supplements, therefore taking N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), the precursor to Glutathione, is the most effective way to help support our natural glutathione levels. Recommended dosage 500 mg daily
Alpha Lipoic Acid
A powerful and versatile anti-oxidant that has both water and fat soluble properties. This allows it to enter major organs such as the brain, liver and nerves. ALA protects the mitochondria of the cells from free radial damage while also regenerating other anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, E and CoQ10 thus helping support glutathione levels. ALA also plays an important role in optimizing blood sugar levels, strengthens blood vessels and gut lining. Key to helping detoxify the body from harmful substances while preventing more leakage into the blood and thus reducing autoimmune activity. Recommended dosage R-ALA 500mg daily
Milk Thistle
Helps boost glutathione and superoxide dismutase, 2 essential antioxidants involved in detoxification. A powerful liver detoxifying agents as well as protecting the the intestinal lining, thyroid, and immune system from radiation stress. Recommended Dosage take 500 mg daily.
Chlorella
This blue green algae is a potent sources of chlorophyll, trace minerals especially magnesium and zinc. Chlorophyll also helps to purify the blood by binding to toxins and improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to cells boosting energy and anti-oxidant production. Chlorella contains the phytonutrient sporopollenin, which is able to bind and trap heavy metals, chemicals and even mold, and viral toxins. Recommended Dosage: 2 – 4 grams taken in several dosages daily via capsules, tablets or dried powder
Lecithin Powder (Non-GMO)
A key component of lecithin, phosphatidylcholine, is the main lipid component in both plant and animal cellular membranes. Every cell of your body contains phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is responsible for maintaining the surface tension of the cell membrane. Without enough phosphatidylcholine, our cell walls harden and hinders the process of nutrient absorption and waste removal.
Lecithin helps keep fats emulsified in our body so that they may be more easily broken down and used as a source of energy. Lecithin supports healthy metabolism and liver health.
Recommended Dosage: 1-2 TBSP daily
MSM
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is an organic sulfur compound that’s naturally derived during the earth’s rain cycle. Sulfur is present in many natural unprocessed foods, but it’s quickly lost during the cooking process. MSM helps with collagen production and is essential for healthy skin, hair, nails and joints. It also is a key detoxifying agent as it makes our cells more permeable, supporting detox pathways in the cells. Best taken with Vitamin C. Recommended Dosage: 1000mg daily
Psyllium Husk or Pectin
Psyllium husk is an edible soluble fiber and prebiotic, needed for healthy colonies of probiotics to grow in the gut. Your body is better able to fight infection, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy tissue and cells. Psyllium is considered a bulking fiber because once it is ingested, it expands, forming a gel-like mass by drawing water in from the colon. It then promotes gentle and healthy elimination by sweeping waste out of the colon quickly and efficiently. Recommended dosage 1 TBSP up to 2x daily.