What is a Gut Detox?
Many of us don't think about the digestion and elimination process until the situation becomes dire. Excessive bloating, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea can all be linked to a toxic intestinal system that is out of balance. One solution to this uncomfortable and unhealthy problem is an intestinal detox program. Natural ingredients such as psyllium fiber, healthy gut flora, and wood oils work in combination to eliminate toxins and parasites in the colon and small intestines, then provide essential nutrients to restore the proper balance of ‘good’ bacteria and fluids.
Poor gut health is now thought to be strongly linked to a compromised immune system, malnutrition, and poor mood regulation, and plays a role in arthritis and obesity, according to a recent review of scientific literature published in the journal BMC Medicine.
A gut detox is a necessary step in repairing a poor gut. Why? A good cleanse will replace foods that aggravate and compromise our gastrointestinal health with gut-friendly foods that do three things – ‘heal and seal’ the gastrointestinal tract; provide probiotics for healthy gut bacteria; and provide fibre for bowel health.
Intestinal detox supplements should not be confused with chemical laxatives or bowel stimulants. Users may experience some of the same symptoms during an intestinal cleanse, but the natural ingredients should not cause dependency or severe abdominal pain. Many cleansing programs are designed to be short-term, lasting no longer than a few weeks. Once balance is restored to the digestive tract, users should feel long-term relief.
If you are struggling to lose weight, we recommend a gut detox. The latest research suggests that an unbalanced and unhealthy gut microbiome, caused by a poor diet and overuse of antibiotics, produces toxins called lipopolysaccharides (LPS), triggering inflammation and insulin resistance, which then promotes weight gain. We often focus on kilojoules for weight loss, but the truth is, without a healthy gut, weight loss can be a battle.
What is involved in a detox?
A gut cleanse is essentially eating a clean diet of unprocessed, unrefined gut-friendly foods as well as some gut-friendly supplements such as the Regul8 Digestive Tune-Up. For more serious health complaints, commit to a four-to six-week cleanse, for general wellness opt for two weeks.
How often should I detox?
This depends on your symptoms but generally you should commit to a detox once or twice a year, under the care of a health professional. Post-antibiotic treatment is a must, as you need to nourish the gut and replace all the healthy bacteria that’s been wiped out by antibiotics. After holidays is also a good time to detox as alcohol and treat foods wreak havoc on gut bacteria and gut lining.