Magazines and television programs have given a lot of coverage on the benefits, and different methods, of doing a body cleanse. There is so much information about it in the media; it’s really difficult to sort out what you should do. Which method is best? What will you need and how do you prepare? What can you expect? For every question there are literally thousands of answers.

Well, here’s the good news – your body cleanses itself naturally! Your real goal here is to keep things simple and enhance you natural body processes. So there is no need to fast, no need for pills or equipment. Cleansing toxins is a continuous internal process. You just have to learn how make your body more efficient at it!

The first step to accomplishing this is to understand where the toxins are coming from! We get toxins built up from outside sources, like chemicals in our food and water, particulates in the air, and other toxic substances we come into contact with. Toxins can also build up inside our bodies. This happens when our organs cannot rid us of the toxins as fast as they are being introduced.

A build-up of toxins can be extremely dangerous to our health. They can result in everything from simple fatigue to heart disease. This is why health experts are so adamant about cleansing the body. If possible, you should make it a regular part of your life and not just something you do every once in awhile.

Basically what you will need to do is keep the demands on your digestive system to a minimum! Eat only easy-to-digest foods like whole fruits and vegetables. Proteins like meat, eggs, nuts, dairy, and legumes (beans) take a lot of work for your body to digest, which means they make more demands on your organs. Fats are also hard for your body to process. All whole fruits and vegetables (not canned) are great for a body detox, so stock up on your favorites. Eat until you are full, but do not further stress your system by overeating.

The other thing you should do to help your body cleanse detox is to drink a lot of water. Filtered tap water is just fine. Most filters are efficient at screening out toxins in the water. If plain water is difficult for you to drink, try hot or iced tea. Add citrus juice (fresh squeezed) instead of sugar, and try to drink only decaffeinated tea. The water will help your system flush the toxins as well as make sure your organs are properly hydrated so they can work the way they are supposed to.

For a really effective detox, you really should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. These substances are stimulants and can stress your system. If you want to try to give them up for the duration of the cleanse, give yourself a week or so to taper off. Otherwise you will suffer from withdrawal symptoms that may make sticking to your cleanse more difficult. If you feel you cannot give these things up, it’s okay. Do not give up on your cleanse! You will still get a lot of benefits from the fruit, veggie and water program. One more thing; never stop taking prescribed medications without the express permission of your doctor.

It really is that easy. Get rest, drink water, and give your body a break with easy-to-digest foods as often as possible. If you plan to do this for more than a week or two, make sure to research a vegan diet to see how to get adequate protein to maintain your muscle mass and overall health. If you are pregnant or if you have a serious health problem, check with your doctor before you begin a full body cleanse. It might not be the most fun you ever had, and you will probably spend more time in the bathroom, but focus on the long-term benefits. Your body will thank you for the detox.