Whats Involved In A Gut Cleanse
A gut cleanse is essentially eating a clean diet of unprocessed, unrefined gut-friendly foods as well as some gut-friendly supplements. For more serious health complaints, commit to a four-to six-week cleanse, for general wellness opt for two weeks.
If you currently eating a high-sugar, low-vegetable diet, you may experience fatigue, a change in bowel motions, mental fogginess and skin eruptions. These symptoms tend to subside after three to five days.
A gut cleanse is essentially eating a clean diet of unprocessed, unrefined gut-friendly foods. Image: iStock.
You Feel Moody Anxious Or Depressed
Our happy hormone, serotonin, contributes to mood, sleep and appetite, and most of it is made in the gut. As our brain cant store the nutrient needed to make serotonin, you need a constant supply from the diet via the gut to help. Foods like bananas, chicken, turkey, milk and eggs are all rich in tryptophan.
If the gut is leaky or not functioning properly due to a poor diet, youre less likely absorbing tryptophan and making serotonin, potentially leaving you feeling moody, anxious or depressed.
Ways To Cleanse Your Colon
There are two main colon-cleansing methods. You can buy products or you can see a doctor to have a colon irrigation.
Colon cleansing with powdered or liquid supplements. You take some supplements used for colon cleansing by mouth. Others you take through the rectum. Either way, the idea is to help the colon to expel its contents. You can find these products on the internet or in health food stores, supermarkets, or pharmacies. They include:
Colon cleansing with colon irrigation . The first modern colonic machine was invented about 100 years ago. Today, colonic hygienists or colon hydrotherapists perform colon irrigations. Colon irrigations work somewhat like an enema but they involve much more water. While you lie on a table, a low-pressure pump or a gravity-based reservoir flushes several gallons of water through a small tube inserted into your rectum.
After the water is in the colon, the therapist may massage your abdomen. Then you release the water like a regular bowel movement the process flushes out the fluids and waste. The therapist may repeat the process, and a session may last up to an hour.
The practitioner may use a variety of water pressures and temperatures and may or may not combine water with enzymes, herbs, coffee, or probiotics. Probiotics are supplements containing beneficial bacteria.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Hair From Growing On Your Stomach
Best Foods To Cleanse Colon
For decades, a gut cleanse has been recommended by health practitioners to improve their patients health and well-being. One of the best things you can do is to keep your gut healthier by eating a well-balanced healthy diet. Here are the best foods to eat to cleanse your gut.
Cucumber Lemon Mint Water
- A few sprigs of mint
Directions:
Wash and slice the cucumber and lemon, and rinse the mint. Place cucumber and lemon into a water jug. Fill the jug with water, mix, and leave to steep overnight in the fridge. You can keep topping off the jug with more water for a few days until you need to change the fruits and herbs.
What does it do?
This refreshing and energizing detox water is loaded with vitamin C and vitamin A , which are both powerful antioxidants. According to Goodman, lemon interacts with enzymes to stimulate gastric juices, cleanses the arteries and blood, and helps the liver produce more enzymes and release toxins. Lemon is also known for its ability to reduce inflammation, increase mineral absorption, and improve digestion, she adds.
Now for the mint. âThe mint in this water may aid digestion while providing anti-inflammatory properties,â says Palinski-Wade. âIn addition, the aroma of lemon can awaken the senses and help you to feel more energized,â she adds.
Read Also: How Do I Know I Have Stomach Cancer
You May Like: How To Take Away Bloated Stomach
Decrease Your Salt Intake
For some people, detoxing is a means of eliminating excess water.
Consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain excess fluid, especially if you have a condition that affects your kidneys or liver or if you dont drink enough water.
This excess fluid buildup can cause bloating and make clothing uncomfortable. If you consume too much salt, you can detox yourself of the extra water weight.
While it may sound counterintuitive, increasing your water intake is one of the best ways to eliminate excess water weight from consuming too much salt.
Thats because when you consume too much salt and not enough water, your body releases an antidiuretic hormone that prevents you from urinating and therefore, detoxifying .
When To Sleep: 11 Pm
Sleep deprivation has been found to alter the bacteria in your gut. Go to bed early at least 30 minutes before you normally do on a weekday for quality sleep.
But that doesnt mean that adults dont benefit from the fuzzy snuggles, too.
Get dirty
Garden. Play outside. Lounge on the grass. Exposure to the natural microbes around us can help replenish our microbiota and encourage diversity.
Its probably not wise to go around licking subway poles or eating undercooked chicken, but most of us could benefit from a little less cleanliness.
Don’t Miss: What Helps Soothe An Upset Stomach
What The Research Says
Theres little doubt that, in most cases, a saltwater flush is effective in the short-term at cleansing the colon by causing bowel movements. Still, theres no scientific evidence that a saltwater flush detoxes the body or removes so-called waste buildup and parasites from your digestive tract.
Anecdotal evidence is plentiful, however. The internet is full of salt flush testimonies the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although these may be interesting reads, specific success rates are difficult to come by.
A 2010 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that alternating drinking lukewarm salt water and doing specific yoga postures effectively cleansed the bowel in preparation for colonoscopy. Its unclear if drinking lukewarm salt water alone would have the same results.
May 7, 2021
Are you like 20 percent of the public that suffers from constipation? Its nothing to be ashamed about, so even if high-fiber foods dont always do the trick, consider a salt water flush. Sometimes called a salt water cleanse or a master cleanse, its designed to help you cleanse your colon and digestive system by bringing on a forced bowel movement.
The salt water flush is most effective if you perform it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. If you do it later in the day, just make sure you havent eaten anything in the past one to two hours.
Your Gut Cleanse Needs
- Clean water and herbal teas
- Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso
- GMO-free, free-range chicken
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Healthy fats such as salmon, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and coconut oil
- Dairy-free milk such as almond and coconut milk
- Herbs and spices, especially ginger, garlic, and turmeric
- Psyllium husk for more fiber
- Apple cider vinegar, tamari, and coconut aminos
- Super greens including BIOHM Super Greens
Read Also: Why Take Allegra D On Empty Stomach
Black Grapes For Weight Loss
Grapes are tasty and easy to consume, but keep in mind how much you eat. If you have too many in one sitting, the calories and carbohydrates will quickly mount up. This could cancel out any health benefits and put you in danger of gaining weight. Grapes have natural sugar content, however, they have a low glycemic index rating.
How To Clean Stomach Gas
Trapped gas can lead to intense gas pain. Try out the following ways to get rid of stomach gas:
- Bowel Movement: Passing of stool is effective to relieve gas.
- Slow Eating: Donât directly swallow food. Air can enter the system along with the food, which may lead to gas pain. Eat slowly and chew each bite thoroughly. This will help relieve indigestion and bloating.
- Avoid Carbonated Drinks: Carbonated drinks such as sparkling water and sodas contain gas that causes bloating and gastric issues.
- Quit Smoking: It is a root cause of various health problems, including trapped gas in your stomach. Quit smoking to get rid of trapped gas.
Also Check: Why Do I Have Constant Stomach Pain
Indulge In A Spicy Lemonade Bomb
This last natural colon cleanse recipe is delicious and healthy. All youll need is a few simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry. To make this colon cleanse drink, youll need:
- 1/2 tablespoons of raw honey
- 1/4 cups of fresh lemon juice
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- A pinch of ground ginger
- 1 cup of hot water
- Optional: a pinch of turmeric powder
Begin by filling a mug or a cup with hot water. Next, add your lemon juice and stir in the honey and the warming spices. Allow the ingredients to dissolve and consume immediately. You may expect colon spasms indicating a bowel movement very soon.
Fill Up On Salmon Sardines And Trout
For people who have colorectal cancer, those who increased their intake of omega-3 from fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and trout had a lower risk of mortality compared to those who avoid fish, finds research published in the journal Gut. This is because omega 3 fats may stop cancer cell growth and even promote the death of colon cancer cells.
Ever wonder if some types of salmon are better for you than others? Dieticians point to your healthiest options.
Read Also: Does Your Stomach Hurt When Pregnant
Foods That Help To Cleanse The Colon
A Colon Cleansing Diet is simply a well balanced and nutritious meal plan that includes foods that cleanse the colon. By including more organic fruits and vegetables in your diet, you add lots of fiber, and a good quantity of fiber helps to regularize bowel movements, and it helps to make the stool soft so it is much easier to pass.
Fruits, vegetables and plenty of water also help to keep the digestive system and body hydrated throughout the day, which also helps to remove all the wastes that stick to the walls of the digestive system. Avoiding fatty, refined, processed and fried foods, is also imperative, as these foods speed up the accumulation of toxins within the body and slow down the colon. Consistently consuming more of the foods below into your daily meals will cleanse your colon quickly and easily while helping you detox, fight chronic conditions, aid weight loss and even hinder the aging process.
What Is A Colon Cleanse
A colon cleanse is the act of flushing out your large intestine.
The practice of natural colon cleansing, or colonic irrigation, dates back to ancient Greece. It became popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s. But theories behind it lost support, and it fell out of favor. Recently, though, colon cleansing — using teas, enzymes, or colon irrigation — has become more popular.
Is colon cleansing good for you? Scientific research on colon cleansing is extremely limited. Thereâs no good evidence for most of the claims that its practitioners make. And the side effects can range from mild to serious.
Also Check: What Helps Bad Stomach Cramps
Cut Calories But Not Too Much
Typically, if youre looking to lose weight, you may need to monitor your calorie intake.
One popular approach is to reduce your daily intake by 500750 calories, which can help you lose approximately 12 pounds per week .
That being said, restricting your calorie intake too much can be counterproductive and harmful to your health.
Eating too few calories can cause a , or the number of calories you burn on a daily basis .
Furthermore, consuming too few calories each day is associated with several side effects, including fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritability .
Summary
Eating too few calories may slow your metabolism and cause negative health effects. Therefore, it is important not to restrict calories too much or for too long.
How To Lose Belly Fat
The short answer to whether there are benefits to a detox diet is no. The Mayo Clinic explains that people report feeling more energetic after going on a detox diet. The reason for this may simply be due to cutting out processed foods and added sugar. Overall, detox diets are not a long-term solution, and if you are considering doing a cleanse or detox diet, you should consult your doctor beforehand.
Besides, there are plenty of healthy ways to get a flat stomach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eating fewer calories than your body uses. This approach doesn’t necessarily mean eating less food. Rather, it involves replacing foods with lower-calorie alternatives.
Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends physical activity to burn abdominal fat. The amount of exercise you need may depend on your weight loss goals. While you’re at it, you can add strength training to your routine. This will help you to build lean muscle mass, which allows you to burn calories throughout the day.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Flatten My Stomach
Organic And Herbal Teas
Herbs like ginger and cayenne pepper contain antimicrobial phytochemicals that suppress bad bacteria. Teas made up of these herbs help tackle constipation and acidity.
However, certain herbs might not be suitable for you. So, before adding these to your tea, talk to your physician or healthcare expert.
Bench Press With Barbells
Its fashionable these days to despise the bench press, yet its one of the most popular lifts for a reason. The normal barbell bench, for example, permits you to move the most weight. Its also a more manageable lift than pressing large dumbbells. The exercise is also rather obvious, so dont be hesitant to request one!
Classic protocols like 5×5 for muscle and strength, or even 10×10, dubbed German Volume Training, for pure mass, work well on the bench press. There are systematic bench press regimens like Bench 300 that might help you chase a huge number if you want to go serious.
Variations of the Barbell Bench Press for Chest Growth:
- Bench press using barbells
- Floor press with barbells
- Bench press with a barbell and chains
- Bench press with a neutral grip, a Swiss bar, or a multi-grip bar.
- Bench press with a reverse-grip barbell
- Bench press with a barbell guillotine
- Bench press with weights suspended
- Bench press with a reverse band
During your exercise: Bench press hard sets in lower rep ranges, such as 5-8 reps, at the start of your chest workout. For high-rep chest burnouts, there are better moves. To get a more complete chest workout, change up your grip width and style.
2. Push-ups
Its critical to finish each rep slowly and carefully if you want to get the most out of each push-up and maintain your form. Dont rush anything.
Don’t Miss: Does Stomach Cancer Pain Come And Go
When Should You See A Doctor
Colon cleansing should only be done occasionally when your digestive system is not feeling or acting right. Overuse can quickly lead to chronic constipation or even bowel injury. A healthy body should not need cleansing. Generally, I would argue that when our bodies are in good health, they are equipped to cleanse themselves, notes Dr. Eric Johnson, a colorectal surgeon from the Cleveland Clinic.
If you feel your gut needs cleansing, try the gentle remedies mentioned here. If these fail to bring you relief or if you have unusual results, contact a doctor for further advice and possible treatment. You may need a more professional approach, such as colonic irrigation.
Overdoing colon cleansing can be harmful. Watch for these side effects of intense cleanses:
This May Assist Lower Blood Pressure
Grapes contain 6% of the daily value for potassium in one cup . This mineral is required to keep blood pressure in a healthy range.
Potassium lowers blood pressure by assisting in the dilation of arteries and veins, according to research. It may also aid salt excretion and reduce artery and vein narrowing, which would otherwise raise blood pressure.
You May Like: What Causes Bloating And Upset Stomach
Before Your Start A Gut Cleanse
Consult with an accredited health care practitioner. This is especially important for pregnant women and those with serious health conditions. During the cleanse, if you experience any pain or discomfort, stop and seek medical advice.
Dont cut any food group from your diet long-term without specific medical advice.
Avoid all fried, processed, refined and sugary foods. Image: iStock
It May Aid In Cholesterol Reduction
Grapes include compounds that may help guard against high cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption.
In 8-week research, consuming 3 cups of red grapes each day helped lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in 69 patients with high cholesterol. On the other hand, white grapes did not have the same effect.
Don’t Miss: How Do They Do Liposuction On Stomach