WEEK 1
Q: What defines a cleanse?
A: A cleanse is a simplification of the diet.
Q: What constitutes a cleanse?
A: There are four major components to a cleanse: food, water, sleep and lifestyle/exercise
Q: What should I expect from a cleanse?
A: A cleanse induces a stress response in your body. Calorie restriction will lower white blood cell counts, triggering the immune system to start producing new WBC. WBC are a key component of your immune system.
After 24-48 hours without solid food, energy reserves (glycogen) can be depleted depending upon caloric intake. Dr. Longo is the Edna Jones Professor in Gerontology and Professor in Biological Science. He is also the Director of the USC Longevity Institute. Dr. Longo is interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of disease. In one of his studies he explains the physiological process of fasting as the bodies way of “recycling a lot of the immune cells that are not needed.” Once you start eating again, your “stem cells kick back into high gear to replenish the cells that were recycled” (Cheng et al 2014).
The body has three major organs for neutralizing and eliminating toxins: the liver, the kidneys and the colon. To effectively cleanse the body the colon needs to be functioning well. Proper elimination is vital to your health; the colon is primary in eliminating toxins, allowing both the liver and the kidneys to function properly. Which is why it is so important for you to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. By eating a plant based diet, and eliminating processed and refined foods, you are giving your body a chance to flush and refresh.
Q: Why would I want to cleanse?
A: Break unhealthy habits, retain tastebuds, stop smoking, snacking or overeating, introduce consciousness into our food choices, boost our immune system, assist our digestive system, curb snacking and over eating, nurture our bodies.>
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