Detox diet plan by Kelly Cassone

This time of year the most common questions at Cassone Wellness are, “What type of detox or cleanse do you offer?” and “What can I do to jumpstart weight loss with my new exercise routine?” Detox.  Detoxification is merely the internal cleansing and detoxification of your body. Think of detox as spring cleaning for your insides.

Why do I need to detox my body?

Detox or detoxification can help you remove natural toxins from your body and help maintain a healthy weight. We are exposed to external toxins everyday, including pollutants, pesticides, and chemicals. Internally, our bodies produce waste byproducts as a result of normal metabolic function. Although your body is designed to rid itself of these toxins naturally, it can become overburdened. Detox offers your body additional support to expel natural toxins and minimize your weight, which is important to maintaining your health and vitality.

Toxins can contribute to a wide range of conditions including: Headaches, immune challenges, stuffy head, fatigue or difficulty sleeping, digestion and other gastrointestinal problems, food cravings and weight gain, reduced mental clarity and low libido.

Detox – How do I determine my toxic load?

Your toxic load is the amount of toxins that your body needs to process. Have you consumed processed foods, non-organic fruits and vegetables, non-free range meat and poultry, genetically altered food, artificial sweeteners, soda, preservatives, additives, dyes, fast food, coffee, alcohol, or tap water?

If the majority of your answers are positive, then it is likely your diet contributes significantly to a toxic load and you need to detox. Beyond diet, many external toxins, such as pharmaceutical medicine, perfumes, cleaners, and environmental pollution add to your load.

What are the benefits of a detox plan?

A detox program can have a significant, positive effect on the biochemistry of the body while allowing natural toxins and byproducts of daily metabolism to be eliminated. Detoxification also stimulates specific detoxification organs in the body – the liver, kidneys, and intestines. With help from these organs your toxic load will decrease and your body will concentrate its energy on purification and weight reduction. This will allow your body to achieve optimal health by cleansing the body from the inside out. By participating in a detox program, you may notice the following: Weight loss, increased, energy/vitality, better digestion, less bloating, clearer skin, shinier hair, better sleep, clearer thinking, loss of cravings, disappearance or lessening of chronic conditions.

How is a detox different than any other diet?

A detox diet program is not a diet. It is a system that helps you live a healthier life by purifying, nourishing, and maintaining a healthy body and weight. A good detox program uses whole food supplements and whole foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, while limiting high-calorie, refined foods and saturated fats. Nourishing yourself with nutrient-rich foods will provide the complex combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are needed to protect the body and promote optimal health.

Will a detox program help me lose weight?

You can achieve weight loss by eliminating high-calorie, refined, nutrient-poor foods. The dietary component of the detox program is designed to be a nutrient-dense diet with the added benefit of utilizing whole foods and whole food supplements to support detoxification. The ideal weight management system is not a quick fix. Instead, it is a long-term commitment. You will need to make lifestyle changes that will continue long after the purification process has been completed.

Is exercise necessary to detox? How much and what type is recommended?

Exercise is good during a detox because it facilitates the removal of toxins and it helps you manage a healthy weight. It is recommended that you walk at least 30-45 minutes at least four days per week. Strenuous exercise should be put on hold during the initial three-week period. Consult with our office if you are currently on a more strenuous exercise program that you would like to maintain throughout a detox program.

At Cassone Wellness we are with you every step of the way during our 21-day Detox Program. You’ll receive a complementary session and nutritional exam with John Cassone, Ph.D. to go over details of the program and customization to your specific needs. Daily emails will be sent to you including detox tips and detox recipes. Kerry, our Patient Coordinator, will be available to you anytime for any questions or special detox needs you may have. For more information, contact Kelly Cassone, Clinical Director at Cassone Wellness in Temecula by calling 951-837-9013.