Mind & Body

 The body will benefit from a regular ‘spring clean’. Detoxing isn’t always easy. It’s not just doing without favourite foods and drinks that make it hard work. A detox programme, however beneficial, will still put extra strain on the liver, digestive system and the lymphatic system too. Whatever detox programme is chosen, nutritionists recommend food supplements to support the body in the cleansing process and the maintenance of digestive health.

BioCare’s suggestion is for an easy-to-follow 3 day detox, to be followed by 2-4 weeks of sensible eating. To accompany this, BioCare’s team of experts recommend 3 supplements to support the body as it works to eliminate waste substances and toxins.

Liver

HepaGuard Forte provides nutritional support to the liver, combining liver supportive nutrients such as taurine, apple extract and antioxidants. Choline, inositol, l-methionine, sodium sulphate and artichoke assist detoxification. Digestive System

A good probiotic such as Bio-Acidophilus Forte will support the balance of friendly bacteria in the gut with beneficial effects on the digestive system, reducing gastrointestinal discomfort. Bio-Acidophilus Forte contains 24 billion friendly bacteria in each one-a-day capsule. Lymphatic System

Sea Plasma helps with gentle cleansing and is a very nutritious food source. It contains Hawaiian-bred phyto-plankton, rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids.

Biocare's Simple 3 Day Detox

Choose a time when it’s possible to be relaxed and relatively stress-free. Follow these guidelines for 3 days.

•Exercise for at least 15 minutes daily.
•Drink at least 2 litres of filtered water each day.
•In addition to the water, drink half a pint of fruit or vegetable juice daily. Try carrot and apple with grated ginger, or fresh watermelon juice.
•Eat fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance. Those with the highest detox potential include apricots, berries, melon, kiwi, peaches, mango, red grapes, peppers, beetroot, artichokes, carrots, red cabbage, cucumber, sweet potato, watercress, broccoli and sprouted seeds.
•Consume brown rice, corn, millet or quinoa no more than twice daily, oily fish no more than once daily, and one handful of nuts and seeds each day.
•For the duration of the detox, completely avoid all wheat products, all dairy produce, all meat, salt and any food containing it, hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners, fried foods, spices, additives, preservatives, and dried fruit.
•Potatoes and bananas should be limited to one portion every other day for those following a slightly longer detox regime.
At the end of the three days, continue with a less rigorous body cleansing regime by cutting down on meat, increasing intake of oily fish, fruit and vegetables, replacing sweet snacks with nuts and seeds. Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Take regular gentle exercise such as swimming and walking.

Advice on detox is available from BioCare’s team of technical experts.

To Buy

BioCare supplements are available from health stores, mail order 0121 433 3727 and online www.biocare.co.uk