In the spring of 2007, I experienced sudden weakness and some numbing on my left side: leg, arm, and midsection. At first, I thought I had experienced a stroke, but after two MRIs and other tests it was determined that I had sclerotic scar tissue on my brain—a sign of multiple sclerosis (MS). When the official diagnosis came in, I was both scared and shocked. MS did not run in my family, and I had experienced no health problems before this. What was I supposed to do? How could I slow the progression? I was only in my early twenties, and as a registered dietician and nutritionist, I was familiar with the painful progression of MS in patients who had been diagnosed with the disease.
It has been almost eight years since the diagnosis, and I am proud to say that I am practically symptom-free. I attribute it to the power of raw foods and daily green juices in my life! After the scar tissue was discovered on my brain, I turned to nutrition for help. I began incorporating more raw produce into my diet, focusing mostly on leafy greens and other nonstarchy vegetables. I completed a juice cleanse very similar to the Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse and began replacing toxic food-like products and processed foods with raw fruits and veggies and other whole foods. Within a few months’ time, my symptoms began to improve. Hip and back pain and tightness went away, as did the exhaustion and migraines. I felt stronger and more alert, I was able to complete my workouts successfully, and I was able to maintain balance and increase strength on my left side. I was amazed at the results. Since then, raw produce, green juices, and green tea (another great brain booster and source of antioxidants) have become part of my daily routine. Even when I’m traveling, I try to get in as much as I can. Oh, the power of raw food!
The Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse is a gentle, nourishing way to rid your body of unwanted toxins, and it may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases. I not only claim this with my background in clinical nutrition, but also out of my personal experience. There are many ways to cleanse your body and get rid of the toxin buildup there, but not all cleanses are created equal. Some are more effective and efficient than others, and the Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse belongs in the former category.
Consuming a variety of antioxidants is essential to cleansing well. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which can damage cells and even cause them to die. It is important that you consume a variety of antioxidants because each type of antioxidant serves a specific purpose, targeting specific cell groups and body systems. The Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse incorporates a wide range of fruits and vegetables that provide you with a broad repertoire of vital antioxidants to support and improve your body’s cleansing process.
Adequate hydration is essential to cleansing well. The 4-Day Cleanse ensures that you stay hydrated with lemon water and green tea when you first wake up, the three green juices throughout the day, and plenty of cool, fresh water. All these fluids will assist the kidneys and intestines in moving the toxic buildup out of your body.
Health-care professionals frequently stress the need for whole grains and protein in our diets, as well as noting the beneficial resveratrol in wine and the mental benefits of caffeine. So why should we remove these items during the 4-Day Cleanse? While it’s true these foods and substances provide valuable nutrients or benefits on a daily basis, they can place a heavy digestive burden on your body. In fact, did you know that digestion can require as much as half of your body’s available energy on a daily basis? Animal protein in particular requires increased energy to be broken down so the available nutrients can be absorbed. Additionally, with mass agricultural practices as they are today, many animal proteins, alcoholic drinks, and sources of caffeine contain hormones, chemicals, and additives that add to the buildup of toxins in your body. The Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse gives your digestive tract a break by incorporating simple juices throughout the day that require the expenditure of less energy in the digestive tract. So raw fruits and veggies can be consumed as needed, decreasing the energy required for digestion and allowing it to be funneled elsewhere—like recharging your body!
Raw fruits and vegetables naturally contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, and phytonutrients. When fruits and vegetables are cooked, many of these vital nutrients are lost, either through heat or water, decreasing the concentration of nutrients in a given amount of fruit or vegetable. While incorporating some cooked fruits and veggies on a regular basis is perfectly fine, it is important to maximize your body’s cleansing process with a high intake of raw fruits and veggies. The consumption of specific raw foods during your cleanse can potentially decrease some of the negative side effects that often accompany cleanses and detox diets, like headaches, fatigue, and stomachaches.
What makes the Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse different from many other cleanses is that it incorporates raw foods high in fiber, plant protein, and healthy fats at the end of each day for your dinner meal. Many cleanses simply provide your body with the tools to gather toxins from your body’s tissues and move them into your digestive tract; however, a vital part of successful cleansing is the elimination of those gathered toxins from your body altogether. Fiber does just that. It provides the bulk, or the “glue,” to help your digestive tract bind and eliminate the toxic buildup. Without consuming fiber at the end of the day, the gathered toxins will sit in your digestive tract. This can potentially cause cellular damage to your tract and other bodily tissues, as well as constipation and unnecessary digestive discomfort. You might even know someone who has tried a cleanse and has complained about headaches, skin breakouts, or irritability. Eliminating the gathered toxins at the end of each day on the Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse will allow your body to expunge maximum buildup without causing unnecessary discomfort.
After completing the 4-Day Cleanse, you should feel light, energized, and de-bloated. Your digestion will be easier and improved (as will your bowel movements), and you’ll likely get a better night’s sleep. Providing your body with nutrients in their natural, raw form is ultimately fueling your body to cleanse and heal as it needs to. Your body is an incredible machine! Feed it well, and enjoy the energy and life you get in return.
—Lauren Minchen, MPH, RDN, CDN