Spring Cleaning our Bodies
By Catharine Walkinshaw

At this time of year, we clean our houses, our yards, and our cars. But what about the most important of all – our bodies? A healthy body relies on regular detoxifying. Yet, in this country, our lifestyle encourages the build-up of toxins in our bodies. Many of our more serious chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, are a result of this.
Healthy metabolism involves a balance between anabolic (building or synthesizing reactions) and catabolic (decomposing or breaking down) states. When anabolism goes on at a higher rate than catabolism, serious health problems result.
I talk to most of my clients about the need to detoxify on a regular basis. Other cultures incorporate cleansing rituals as regular routines. In addition, many weight loss programs start off with some form of detoxification to put the body into a catabolic state so that weight comes off quicker.
The following are some ways to increase “catabolism” and “spring clean” your body:
1. Eat more catabolic foods. Foods that are naturally detoxifying in nature are raw vegetables, especially those that are helpful to the liver such as leafy greens and root vegetables (beets, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips, radishes, carrots), as well as some raw fruits.
2. Eat less anabolic foods, such as sweets, meats, and dairy.
3. Drink lots of water. Water is the medium by which the body eliminates many of its toxins. For extra detoxification, add diuretic herbal teas, such as dandelion, nettles, unsweetened raspberry or blackberry, rooibas, and green tea.
4. Exercise regularly, enough so that the body sweats. The skin is one of the organs responsible for eliminating toxins from the body. A good sweat cleanses the body.
5. Take a sweat or hot bath on regular basis also to encourage sweating.
6. Be sure to move your bowels every day. Constipation creates a toxic condition in the body. If you have chronic constipation, increase fiber in your diet (raw veggies, fruits, and whole grains), water, and exercise. Also, some herbs are helpful for this. One of my favorites is Triphala, an Ayurvedic herbal formula that is gentle and detoxifying.
7. Start out each morning with a cup of plain hot water flavored with fresh squeezed lemon juice. This is an old Ayurvedic practice that gently wakes up the digestion system and encourages a bowel movement.
8. Periodically, for one day, eat no solid foods, and drink only organic unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices, herbal teas, and water. Many religions practice this ritual. You could also get the same detoxifying effect if you eat a mono diet of only green vegetables or fruit, such as grapes or melon.
9. Twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall, do a long-term detoxification program that fully cleanses the kidneys, colon, liver, and gallbladder.
10. Consider getting periodic professionally-administered colon hydrotherapy, which is a gentle procedure that cleanses the colon of accumulated wastes.
I, along with most of my clients, find that we feel much lighter, clear-headed, and healthier after a body cleanse. Because of the potential for uncomfortable symptoms as toxins are released, it’s best to always conduct any detoxification program under the guidance of your health professional.

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