{"id":21984,"date":"2018-06-20T13:53:01","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T20:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/?p=21984"},"modified":"2018-06-18T14:05:28","modified_gmt":"2018-06-18T21:05:28","slug":"juicing-really-detox-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/juicing-really-detox-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Does juicing really \u201cdetox\u201d the body?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Anything that promises detoxification sounds a little questionable \u2013 like products that claim to \u201cpull toxins out of your system\u201d or \u201ccleanse the liver.\u201d \u00a0The body does have detoxification mechanisms that are working all the time, and both healthful eating and intermittent fasting can accelerate those processes. Several-day juice \u201cfasts”\u00a0are one way to tap into the benefits of\u00a0intermittent fasting\u00a0and enhance removal of toxins from the body, because the body enhances the removal of toxins when not digesting food and burning more fat for its energy needs. Our fat supply stores toxins, and when we lose body fat we release more toxic waste simultaneously. The body also needs adequate phytochemical and antioxidants for the liver to most effectively process fat-soluble toxins so they can be excreted via the urine.<\/p>\n

Get into the catabolic phase<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We\u2019re always either in a fed state or a fasting state; you\u2019ve likely read about the anabolic and catabolic phases of digestion in my books or articles that discuss\u00a0toxic hunger<\/a>. When we are eating, digesting, and absorbing nutrients from food, we are in the anabolic phase; think of it like filling your car\u2019s tank with gas. That is followed by the catabolic phase, between meals, in which our energy needs are met by burning energy that we stored during the anabolic phase.<\/p>\n

The catabolic phase is when most healing and self-repair happens, and there is evidence that prolonged time in this fasting (catabolic) state has significant health benefits. Also, these benefits don\u2019t necessarily require an extended, several-day water fast, which is difficult for most people to commit to.<\/p>\n

I always say, the longer you live in the catabolic phase, the longer you live. Here\u2019s why: Being in a fasting state shifts the body\u2019s cells away from growth, and instead toward a mode of maintenance and repair.1,2<\/sup>\u00a0This repair mode is associated with a reduction in insulin and\u00a0insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production; two hormones that play a huge role in health and longevity.3,4<\/sup>\u00a0These hormonal changes lead to reduced inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity and stress resistance, slower cell growth, improved immune function, and reduced\u00a0oxidative stress<\/a>.5,6<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Fasting also stimulates autophagy, an important self-repair process. Autophagy removes damaged components from cells and tissues.7<\/sup><\/p>\n

Eating right is already detox; calorie restriction enhances the benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On a cellular level, many dietary phytochemicals \u2013 such as isothiocyanates derived from\u00a0cruciferous vegetables, sulfur compounds from garlic and onions, and\u00a0carotenoids\u00a0from a variety of colorful produce \u2013 drive the production of enzymes that enable the excretion of carcinogens and other potentially harmful compounds. This detoxification system counteracts oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage.8<\/sup>\u00a0 Eating right, in itself, enables valuable detoxification mechanisms.<\/p>\n

Caloric restriction adds to this, and has been the one intervention that extends life in a number of different species.\u00a0Adding periodic calorie restriction to an already nutrient-rich diet could intensify the body\u2019s ability to heal and repair by extending the amount of time in the fasting repair mode and reducing growth-related signals.4<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0It also can enhance the breakdown and excretion of fat-soluble toxins; lowering the body\u2019s toxic load.<\/p>\n

Intermittent fasting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Intermittent fasting or a juice detox could also be a warm-up to incorporating occasional water fasting. Back in 1995, in my book,\u00a0Fasting and Eating For Health<\/a>, I discussed my experience of how fasting improved health parameters in my patients. I also co-authored a series of case reports documenting remission of\u00a0autoimmune diseases\u00a0following supervised fasting.9<\/sup>\u00a0 More recently, fasting has been shown to have\u00a0dramatic regenerative effects on the immune system. Studies over the past few years in animals and humans have suggested that fasting signals the immune system to discard old and damaged cells and generate new cells by increasing hematopoietic stem cells. The reduction in\u00a0IGF-1\u00a0signaling was a necessary factor in this immune boosting.\u00a06,10<\/sup><\/p>\n

Intermittent fasting \u2013 usually by reducing calorie intake dramatically a few days per week \u2013 is a method for getting some of the benefits of longer-term fasting. Human studies on intermittent fasting suggest it improves insulin sensitivity and promotes weight loss.2,11,12<\/sup><\/p>\n

I recommend incorporating a juice detox into your life, with vegetable juices plus one salad per day for several days, to act as a method of intermittent fasting, to slow aging and prolong lifespan as an easier alternative to water fasting. \u00a0Water fasting has a rapidly decreasing effect at removing toxins, as nutrients necessary for the removal also decrease as the fast progresses. Also, juice fasting enables the participants to continue to work and is safer, compared to water fasting, as it prevents dehydration, loss of electrolytes and fainting. It is also compatible for people who must remain on medications, so almost anyone can participate.<\/p>\n

Tips for juicing wisely<\/strong><\/h3>\n