Detox redux

Telluride Daily Planet, Friday, May 10, 2024

“Broccoli is incredible. It can prevent DNA damage and metastatic cancer spread; activate defenses against pathogens and pollutants; help to prevent lymphoma; boost the enzymes that detox your liver; target breast cancer stem cells; and reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression.” – Michael Greger 

It’s springtime, an excellent time to consider paring down and cleaning out before ramping up into summer abundance. Detoxing means letting go of what is either overabundant, harmful or unwanted: abstaining, purging, changing-up, crowding out, or otherwise purifying. Sounds fun?  

In the spirit of spring and rejuvenation, here are several assorted ideas to consider: 

Detox from technology. We now know that screen overload may contribute to problems with mental health, physical health (neck and eye strain) and sleep. Like 30% of the population, you, too, can choose to detox from technology every day for a couple of hours. 

Here’s a starter plan: give yourself one hour after waking and one before bed not to use any screens. Acknowledge the sun or moon, gently move, have coffee or tea, read words on a page. Next step: an entire weekend of digital detox! 

Detox from sugar: So remarkably addictive, many don’t even care to attempt eliminating added sugars, which we consume at an average rate of 22 teaspoons per day (more for children). Where to start? How about no added sugars for 24 hours, including all the hidden added sugars in (but not limited to) energy bars, condiments, dressings, soups, crackers, breads, granolas, yogurts, dried fruit, and coffee and energy drinks. Stay away from anything processed! Next step: one day a week with no added sugars. 

Detox from climate control (addiction to comfort): For those who are resistant to ice plunging, or saunas, what about a detox from the climate-controlled comfort we are slavish to? Walk outside without a coat on; stand in the rain; turn off the AC or the heat in the car. Walk on the pebbled ground in bare feet. Relax into something a little less comfortable and watch how it can create ease in other areas of your life. I like to go outside at night, lightly dressed, and feel the chill air through my nose and my pores. Next step: a 15-second cold shower after your hot one. 

Detox from sluggishness: The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of adolescents and 27% of adults do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. So, mandate more movement into your life. During COVID, a whole new world of online offerings emerged, from chair yoga and tai chi to fitness bands, HIT, micro-workouts, and ingenious energy hacks. Rediscover the joy in garden work. Get out of bed earlier, do some shaking (yes, it’s a thing). Google “10 Breathing Techniques” on Healthline. Try one new thing for 10 minutes a day for two weeks. Next step: Reassess your energy level.  

Intestinal detox: This does not have to be complicated. Eat more fiber in the form of more fruits and vegetables and/or legumes, nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of water. Avocado is a surprisingly high source of fiber with 5 grams per half cup! Other options for colon cleansing include probiotics, psyllium seed, oxygenated magnesium, and lemon water on an empty stomach (there are many others). Next step: a day-long water fast. 

Detox old thoughts: The National Science Foundation is quoted as saying that a person has 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day and that of those 80% are negative and 95% are the same negative thoughts. So we are called upon to pay more attention and note toxic patterns in our stream of consciousness. Recognizing a tired-out or stressful thought, give yourself permission to gently let it go; because thoughts affect you, even though many are not necessarily true. Notate your thoughts a couple times a day without judgment, then breathe deeply and relax. Next step: a five-minute meditation. 

When I scan my memory for anything remotely resembling detox in our family history, I can only think of a couple of things. During the 40 days of Lent in the Catholic Church, something is given up to encourage discipline and better comprehend suffering. (Oftentimes sugar is chosen.) The other is an intestinal hack my French grandma used through her choice of a daily mineral water high in magnesium. Gerolsteiner, a bubbly, minerally brand from Germany, is one brand to buy here and potentially feel the benefits from!   

These are just a few detox ideas to explore this time – or any time – of year. For those unlikely to try anything requiring discipline, read the Michael Greger quote above again, and eat more broccoli or broccoli sprouts, whose miracle compound, sulforaphane, is good for pretty much everything, including detox. 

P.S. Raw broccoli has 10 times more sulforaphane than cooked, and broccoli sprouts 10-100 times the levels of mature stalks!