Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Cathy
A detox diet helps your detoxification organs eliminate toxins from your body. The organs include the kidneys, large intestine, liver, lymphatic system, and sweat glands. A detox diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods, antioxidants, and hydration, promoting overall well-being and aiding in the elimination of harmful substances from your body.
It’s the organ’s job to convert toxins into compounds your body can eliminate (urine, stool, or sweat). Pollutants are everywhere so the organs have to work hard. They remove environmental pollutants like bacteria or heavy metals.
They also remove toxins you ingest through your food or water. Every day your body deals with an extreme amount of external and internal toxins. Plus, if you suffer from constipation your body can’t eliminate the toxins.
When your body is unable to clear out the toxins they begin to build up. An overload of toxins can lead to allergies, brain fog, fatigue, mood swings, and obesity. It also leads to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis (MS). By eating an anti-inflammatory diet, you are eating a detox diet.
Genetics
Everyone is different and some people’s body has a harder time removing toxins. I discovered this when I took a DNA test. I have the COMT gene that makes it harder for my body to remove toxins. The COMT gene not only makes it harder to remove toxins it’s also harder to remove stress hormones.
That explains why I always get stressed out so easily. The COMT gene is a methylation gene, it is important to get enough of the B vitamins to support COMT. Especially vitamins B2, B6, B9, and B12, also magnesium.
People with the COMT gene may do better eating a low-protein diet. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and caffeine since they release dopamine. Smoking also has a negative effect on COMT and smoking increases a person’s risk of MS.
Detox with Food
You don’t necessarily need to go on a “detox cleanse” when food can supply the proper nutrients. The first step is to stop eating foods that cause inflammation. Remove all processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and refined sugar.
Stop Eating Foods That Feed Diseases Including:
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Refined sugar
- Artificial flavors and sweeteners
- Natural flavors
- Corn (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Soy (it’s mostly a GMO)
- MSG
- Canola oil (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Pork (it’s high in fat and prone to parasites)
- Farmed fish (it’s washed in toxic chemicals due to parasites)
- Processed citric acid (it’s mostly derived from corn)
Try an elimination diet to find “healthy” foods that your body is sensitive to. This is how I discovered I was sensitive to tomatoes and bell peppers. You only need to remove these foods until your leaky gut has healed.
Vegetables
Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help in the aid of removing toxins. Include vegetables in every meal. They are great in salads, smoothies, soups, stir fry, or as a snack. Eat a wide range of colorful vegetables such as red beets or purple cauliflower.
Load up on lots of vegetables. Dr. Terry Wahls, the author of The Wahls Protocol, recommends eating nine cups daily. You don’t need to limit yourself to nine cups, the more the better. However, don’t be afraid to eat fruit. Fruit is full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins. – Everything your body needs to heal.
The Wahls Protocol recommends 3 cups of each per day:
- Leafy greens
- Colorful
- Cruciferous (sulfur)
Having MS means you more than likely have a leaky gut. Eating raw sulfur vegetables like asparagus or broccoli can irritate the gut lining. Steaming sulfur vegetables or eating them in soups will help your digestion.
Eat starchy vegetables such as beets, sweet potatoes, or yams on occasion. They have a higher sugar content which will raise your blood sugar. It’s best to keep your blood sugar level to avoid high and low spikes. Plus, bacterial or yeast overgrowth feeds on sugar allowing it to grow.
Eating a starchy vegetable with protein or fat will help keep your blood sugar from rising. Sprinkling cinnamon on starchy vegetables will also help. – Plus, it tastes good.
Fruit
Eating fruit is a good source of antioxidants and nutrients that help your body detox. Eat fruit in moderation to keep from getting a sugar spike. Some fruits, like grapefruit, can interact with certain medications.
Fruit lower in sugar:
- Avocados
- Berries
- Grapefruit
- Green apple
- Lemon
- Lime
Dairy Alternatives
Most dairy foods contain antibiotics, growth hormones, and other toxins. Plus dairy can cause acne, allergies, and a leaky gut. There are dairy alternatives but you still need to read the label to watch for added ingredients.
Dairy alternatives:
- Almond
- Cashew
- Coconut
- Hazelnut
- Hemp seed
- Macadamia
- Tigernut (it’s not a nut)
Nut and seed milk have plenty of calcium and vitamin D like cow’s milk. Oftentimes, people with MS develop a food sensitivity to nuts and seeds. If you are working hard to heal your leaky gut you should pass on the nut and seed milk.
Coconut and tigernut aren’t really a nut. However, it is still possible to have a food sensitivity to these just as other nuts. After taking a food sensitivity test I discovered I was sensitive to coconut.
Protein
Fish is a good protein and people don’t eat enough of it. Fish, especially fatty fish, are good at protecting and rebuilding myelin. Myelin is the protective covering around nerves that get destroyed by MS.
A study found that people who ate a high fish intake had a 45 percent reduced risk of MS such as:
- Cod
- Lake trout
- Salmon
- Sardines
All fish contain some trace of mercury. For most people, small amounts of fish won’t cause a health problem. But, the mercury found in fish is toxic to the central nervous system which is not good for people with MS.
Fish with high levels of mercury:
- King mackerel
- Shark
- Swordfish
- Tilefish
- Tuna
Other sources of protein include:
- Grass-fed meats (beef, bison, lamb, rabbit)
- Pasture-raised poultry
It is best to avoid eggs while you are trying to heal. In the book The Wahls Protocol, Dr. Terry Wahls recommends people avoid eggs.
Fats and Oils
Avoid overly processed and refined fats and oils. Fortunately, there are many healthy fats and oils available in the grocery store. Look for minimally processed fats, and organic if you can afford it.
Look for:
- Cold-pressed
- Minimally processed
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Unrefined
Fats and oils break down in heat, light, and oxygen. It’s best to keep them in a dark glass container in a cooler area. Some oils/fats need refrigeration after opening, check the label. Don’t stick with only one fat/oil, instead, use a variety of different options. Although olive oil is always a good option. Extra virgin oil is best to use in salad dressings. You can heat regular olive oil at a lower temperature.
Quick Links To Information In This Post:
DNA Test For Multiple Sclerosis
How To Start An Elimination Diet
Is MS Caused By A Leaky Gut?
A Detox Diet
The important thing to remember as you are trying to heal your body is to eat a wide variety of food. The bigger the variety the more nutrients your body will absorb.
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Resources:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234183/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301164827.htm
A Surprisingly Easy Detox Diet
