HEALTH New Year detox tips

Kick-start 2010 with a detox


Ask the pharmacist
James Geraghty

If like many of us you’ve eaten and drunk a little too much over Christmas and the New Year, then now would be a good time to start clearing out the clutter with a good detox.
Poor digestion, tiredness, dull skin and hair and headaches are all signs your body’s eliminatory pathways could do with an extra hand.

Detox tips
Milk Thistle is of course a firm favourite when it comes to cleansing the system thanks to its protective action on the liver. Its main constituent, silymarin, appears to raise the liver’s detoxification potential, enabling it to cope with a wider range of toxins.
If constipation is a problem, psyllium husks and seeds can help. High in fibre, they can act as a gentle natural laxative, helping to attract and absorb toxins. Seeds should be soaked in water before using. Linseed and rice bran can also help to get things moving again.
Another important detox herb is cleavers, which has a cleansing, diuretic effect. Cleavers also helps to support the lymphatic system, which is where toxins tend to settle when your system becomes overloaded. The 100 percent organic cleavers tincture is a personal favourite. Dilute 15-30 drops, 2-3 times daily in a little fruit juice or water.
While these three herbs should help to get your detox programme off to a good start, you will also need to eat healthily.
Apples are an excellent detox food, rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Grapes are good cleansers for the skin, liver, intestines and kidneys, and kiwi, lemon, pears and strawberries are all good sources of vitamin C, a natural detox agent.
There’s lots of detox veggies to choose from too, including celery to help stimulate the digestive system and eliminate excess fluids, artichokes to help cleanse the liver, beetroot to help support the kidneys and cabbage to help stimulate the immune system and cleanse the intestines.
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids; aim for between 1.5 and 2 litres of fresh water daily to help flush toxins through.
If you have liver or kidney complaints or are in any doubt as to the state of your health, consult your healthcare professional before embarking on your detox.

James Geraghty is the managing director of the Molloy’s Lifestyle Pharmacy Group. He has a degree in biochemistry and pharmacy, as well as 15 years’ experience of the health industry. A huge believer in the importance of exercise and wellbeing, he regularly lectures to active retirement and special interest groups around the county.