Have you been hearing about detoxification more often? That's because we are now recognizing and appreciating that our bodies are not just separate parts, but a connected system which must be in "balance" if we are to feel and be well.

So what is detoxifying?

Well, it is an internal cleansing of toxins, from our bodies. These are toxins that we either produce, ingests or absorb. Our bodies produce toxins as it goes about it's regular daily functioning and when our system is working properly these toxins will be eliminated efficiently. But very few of us have systems that are so well balanced, anymore. We are not eating properly, we don't get enough rest or exercise. So, our bodies don't function as smoothly as they should.

We absorb toxins from the air as we breathe in pollutants from chemicals.

Normally the body can neutralize and eliminate these. But as the levels of these toxins get increasingly higher, our bodies become over-whelmed and can no longer keep up.

This is why we detoxify!

Detoxification is a process and can be a gentle cleansing or a more rigorous therapy, where many foods are completely avoided over a long period of time.

The detoxifying program you would choose would depend for the most part on the condition of your elimination system and your ove-rall health.

You should get the advice and support of a Doctor or Naturopath. Most of us know when we need to detoxify, even if we don't put a name to it. We just don't feel "ourselves"! We get that hazy, lack of focus, fatigued, sluggish, blocked, over-all rundown feeling.

One of the reasons that I recommend getting the support of a health care practitioner is that you can, rule out a more serious cause for these feelings, and then better monitor the process and your progress.

A detoxification diet is usually very simple, consisting, of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, grains, lots of water and lean, (non-organ or cured) meats. Salt and sugar is normally not allowed. It is not a starvation diet, but a way to rest and re-balance your system.

This is suprisingly not the hardship that I thought it would be, when I did my first detoxifying this year in March. When the program was being explained to me, all I could think was, "how am I going to live without salt and sugar for a month"? Well, suprisingly, I not only survived, but now I almost never add sugar or salt to my meals!