Why and How to Detoxify your Body at Home

by Pankaj Kotak, M.Sc., N.D.


Toxins are constantly entering your body through air, water and food. In most people, these toxins cannot be eliminated completely; they build up in the body and cause serious degenerative diseases. Natural detoxification techniques help in extracting and eliminating these harmful substances from the body. When toxins are cleared up, the body can repair and rebuild itself, restoring good health.

In today's heavily industrialized world, air, water and food are heavily contaminated by pollutants such as heavy metals, chemicals and many toxic substances.

Food Contamination

Food often contains contaminants such as artificial preservatives, additives like colors and flavorings, heavy metals, pesticides and many harmful chemicals. These contaminants enter the food during agricultural process, food processing, packaging, handling and transportation.

Water Contamination

Ground water, rivers and streams are heavily contaminated by industrial waste, chemical fertilizers and waste produced by waste water treatment plants. This water eventually makes its way into the municipal water system. Most municipal water treatment facilities do only basic filtration. As a result, tap water contains harmful substances such as chlorine, fluoride, lead, mercury, aluminum, nitrates, radon and hundreds of toxic chemicals.

Air Contamination

Air pollution is a more serious health issue because we cannot choose the air we breathe. We breathe air polluted by dust, car smog, industrial fumes, cigarette smoke, chemicals and aerosols used at home and office, toxic fumes coming out of furnaces and many household products. Air pollution is much higher in the cities and metros.

Besides these pollutants, metabolic waste is constantly created in the body as a result of food digestion and natural bodily processes. It is also toxic and must be eliminated by the skin, kidneys, lungs or the colon. Thus, an average person's body is overwhelmed with eliminating all kinds of toxins. It puts excess load on vital organs of elimination such as the skin, lungs, kidneys, liver and colon. Under constant load and stress, these organs can malfunction, resulting in various diseases that affect these organs.

Importance of Water in Detoxification

Pure clean water is an effective natural cleanser of toxins and is essential for maintaining good health. An average adult must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water during summer and 6 to 8 glasses during the other seasons. Although tea, Coffee, Soda, Juice and Milk are liquids, they should be consumed in addition to - and not instead of, this required amount of water. Avoid drinking tap water. Use a good filter at your home and office. Natural spring water is a good alternative.

Lemonade Fasting

Lemonade fasting once a week is an effective way of removing the toxins. Here is how to prepare the lemonade for fasting:

  • 1 glass (8 to 10 oz) purified or spring water
  • 2 tablespoon lemon or lime juice (approximately half lemon)
  • 2 tablespoon organic maple sugar (or syrup) or organic jaggery (concentrated sugarcane juice)

Mixing the above ingredients in a glass will get your lemonade ready. Drink 3 to 4 glasses of this lemonade on the day of your fast. Drink another 3 to 4 glasses of water during that day. You can alternate between lemonade and water.

Do not eat any solid food while fasting. Break the fast with easy to digest foods such as fruits or a glass of juice. The first meal after the fast must consist of light foods such as fruits, vegetable salad, soups and whole grains. Stay away from heavy foods such as milk products, meat, eggs and oily foods. They can strain your digestive system.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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