Joseph F. McWherter, MD FACOG

Detoxification aids in weight loss and in reducing inflammation. Detoxification is also important for achieving and maintaining weight loss in that it…

1. Helps clear your body of toxins released from dying fat cells
2. Increases the proficiency of your metabolism

I created a 21 day detox meal plan which can be used after major holidays or fabulous vacations. This detoxification diet is a nice starting point for weight loss since it prepares the body’s major weight loss organ – your liver — for maximum efficiency. Include a “24 hour news fast” at least twice a week as part of the detox regimen to rest your mind and emotions. Try to exercise three times a week for a total of 120- 180 minutes by the use of a heart rate monitor.

Along with FEM Centre’s detox diet plan, I recommend enjoying hot bath soaks several times a week. Your bath should include essential oils containing lemongrass and ginger blended into bath salts. The skin acts as a third kidney and the soles of the feet have some of the largest skin pores for removing toxins. I recommend a detoxifying, therapeutic bath salt enhanced by essential oils that my patients find to be very beneficial.

Finally, moderate, persistent internal detoxification is required to mobilize the biologic poisons residing inside your individual cells. My smoothie recommendations (5 days a week) include a careful selection of anti-inflammatory herbs which in-vivo testing has proven to be 73% as powerful as Celecoxib, a very popular anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical capsule (without the prescription’s side effects). The inclusion of rice protein in our smoothie base is based on its hypoallergenic profile and the more  favorable amino acid profile compared to other proteins. (Rice protein has approximately a 98% amino acid profile compared to breast milk. Whey has 46%.)

Many of you may notice an increase in water retention after the holidays – swollen hands and legs and even a puffy face. Your body retains water because “the solution to pollution is dilution.” Water dilutes the toxins accumulated from poor holiday eating and drinking habits. Detoxing lowers your toxic load and allows your kidneys to excrete the water overload. Your weight may show a sudden drop which is secondary to water excretion, not fat loss.

Our goal for the New Year is to be our healthiest and to not get sick. Control of VAT (fat around the waist) is essential for all of us to accomplish these goals. Treat your diet in terms of a hormonal balancing program frequented by sound detoxification principles.

For more information on nutritionally-sound weight loss, visit http://www.energyhealth.com or book an appointment with a FEM Centre nutritionist in Colleyville or Fort Worth, Texas. While face-to-face meetings are the best, phone consultations are also an option for long distance readers of this blog.

JMcW,MD