Ready, Set, Cleanse!
By Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH

With New Year’s right around the corner, many of us are thinking about starting off the New Year off right. If our plans or resolutions involve health, then it probably includes eating better, losing weight or cleaning out toxins. Many of us combine cleansing with dieting, since a cleanse diet and program can naturally help us lose weight. The following article summarizes the many cleanse programs & products that I recommend, from easiest to the most challenging.

When considering a cleanse program or product it is important to take an honest inventory of yourself first. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding on a cleanse program, product or diet:

1. Are you a disciplined person or does the thought of a schedule and strict cleanse diet send your adrenal levels soaring?
2. How busy is your schedule and do you have time to prepare your own cleanse meals?
3. What family influences do you have in your home that could support you or sink your cleanse program & diet?
4. What is your endurance level? Have you cleansed before? If it is your first time, then a shorter, easier cleanse is better, so you can succeed.
5. What duration of time are you willing to commit to your cleanse program or diet?
6. What is your current health level? If you are in great health, a more intense cleanse program is possible, if not, starting slowly and gently would be a better fit. If you have any serous health challenges, it is recommended that you check with your health care provider before beginning any diet or cleanse program.
7. Are you under weight or over weight? An under weight person can not afford to lose much weight, so a milder cleanse product and a more generous diet would work better.

Once you have answered these questions, then you should have a better idea of your ideal level of cleansing. For your convenience and understanding, I have ranked the following cleanse products and programs are ranked into categories of Mild, Medium and Intense and include a brief description of each.

Mild Level of Cleansing & Dieting

Capra Cleanse by Mt. Capra is a blend of botanicals, essential oils, enzymes, probiotics, fiber and alkalizing minerals from predigested goat’s milk. It contains over 20 proven ingredients that assist the body with cleansing and detoxification. It is Strong enough to remove mucoid plaque, gentle enough to use daily and contains no harsh laxatives. It can help prevent constipation, supports colon, liver, gall bladder and blood detoxification. It requires no special cleanse diet, but eliminating junk foods and eating more whole foods is encouraged. Suggested use is 3 to 6 caps per day. Click here for more product information.

Medium Level of Cleansing & Dieting

Perfect Cleanse by Garden of Life - is a 10-day cleanse program that includes three cleanse products (Purify, Capture & Remove), an instructional CD, and an informational booklet. Perfect Cleanse provides cleansing without harshness and works naturally with your body’s normal detoxification processes to support healthy functioning cells, organs and systems, including the digestive tract, to contribute to overall health. Its primary focus is colon and liver cleansing.

Perfect Cleanse allows you to maintain your daily routine at school, work or home without disruption. It is recommended to drink 64 ounces of filtered water each day. Dietary suggestions include eating fresh fruit, vegetables particularly crucifers and bitter greens (such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, endive and radicchio), seeds, nuts and lean protein- organic whenever possible, with wild caught fish and avoiding high allergen foods, such as dairy and wheat products.

Suggested use is 3 caps of Purify ½ hour before dinner, 1 scoop of Capture added to water ½ hour before dinner and 3 caps of Remove taken at bedtime. Click here for more product information.

Complete Body Cleanse Kit by Life Flo – is a 14-day cleanse program that includes three cleanse products (Fiber formula, Liver Cleanse formula, Metal Cleanse formula and an instructional booklet).The primary focus of the Complete Body Cleanse is to cleanse the GI tract, eliminate toxins from the liver and eliminate heavy metals. So if your primary focus is heavy metal cleansing, this cleanse would be recommended over the Perfect Cleanse kit.

The Complete Body Cleanse Kit also allows you to maintain your daily routine without disruption, although it is recommended to get enough rest in order to properly support and recover from detoxification. Dietary suggestions include: drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of purified water, eliminate caffeine and alcohol (in order to support the liver & other organs), reduce the consumption of sugar, saturated fats, artificially flavored foods and artificial sweeteners and try to reduce red meats, pork, bacon, and processed meat products.

Suggested use for the first week is to take 4 caps of the Fiber formula in the morning and before bed with 8 ounces of water, 1 cap of the Liver formula in the morning and one at night (for week two, 1 cap in morning and 2 caps at night), and 1 cap of the Metal Cleanse formula taken between meals, 3 hours after the Liver formula with 8 ounces of water. Click here for more product information.

Intense Level of Cleansing & Dieting

Éjuva Internal Cleansing Kit is a 4 week cleanse program that includes the following:

1 Power, 350 tablets - Power herbs are not working like a "Roto-Rooter®" or "plunger." Rather, they work gently to assist the body in reestablishing its peristaltic action as well as cleansing vital organs, blood, and tissues.

1 Balance, 350 tablets - The Balance formula uses specific, time tested, Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs to balance and harmonize each individual’s energies. This unique approach is vital when undergoing detoxification and elimination processes.

1 Moflora, 25 grams – A special probiotic formula to nourish and re-balance the entire gastro-intestinal tract

2 Combi, 185 grams - Combi has been designed to help the peristaltic action of the colon by bulking, nourishing and feeding the healthy bacteria. Consisting of wild-crafted Psyllium Seed Husk powder and Chia seeds, deep pockets of old matter are not only cleansed but the tissues are nourished and toned.

1 Renew, 300 tablets - Renew works not only to cleanse and regenerate the tissues and intestinal tract, but is especially formulated to be effective against parasites. It uses Triphala to extract toxins from the body rather than bentonite clay.

1 Vibram, 60 ml - Flower essences are used in this formulation to help harmonize and balance the emotional changes that often accompany cleansing.

1 Manual – The manual includes a description of the four phases of cleansing including:

Phase 1 This is the initial phase that prepares the body for deep cleansing. First time cleansers, toxic individuals, meat eaters, those with chronic diseases or physical problems start here. Even at this stage, old fecal and mucoid matter is expelled from the body. Three meals may be eaten per day.

Phase 2 Two meals may be eaten per day, which still supports cleansing.

Phase 3 One meal may be eaten per day, allowing for deep cleansing. Many people elect to end their cleanse here.

Phase 4 This is the most potent phase of the Ejuva Intestinal Cleansing program. No food is eaten during this phase, which allows for maximum cleansing and detoxification.

1 Copy of "The Cleanse Cookbook" – I wrote “The Cleanse Cookbook” to help cleansers with their alkaline, vegan food programs during cleansing. It includes pH testing methods, alkaline, cleanse recipes and cleanse resources. It can be a valuable tool during any cleanse program, whether you are on a strict, cleanse diet or just wanting to incorporate more alkaline food recipes into your diet. We include it as a gift with the Ejuva cleanse. Click here for more information.

The scheduling and program recommendations for the Ejuva cleanse are more complex and can be viewed by clicking here.

Dietary recommendations do include eating alkaline, vegan cleanse foods and including at least 50% raw produce & juices. For more in depth information about the Ejuva cleanse program, Click Here.

Arise & Shine – We also carry the 28 day & 7 day Arise & Shine cleanse programs. They are similar to Ejuva, but use Bentonite clay to extract toxins. The schedule is more exact and intense than Ejuva and the cleanse herbs contain Cascara Sagrada, which can be harsh for some cleansers. I find the Ejuva just as effective but more gentle on the body. Arise & Shine can be too intense for some cleansers but it is also a great, comprehensive cleanse. The 7 day Cleanse is milder and is usually done at the Mildest of the four cleanse levels. More information is available by calling our office.

Specialty Cleansing

Specialty cleanses for Candida Cleanses and Parasite Cleanses include:

Candida Cleanses:

• CandaCleanse by Mt. Capra
• Candi-Not by Ejuva
• Fungal Defense by Garden of Life

Parasite Cleanses:

• Para-Nix by Ejuva
• Capra Site by Mt. Capra

Combo Kit (Candida & Parasites) by Ejuva

Information on these cleanses can be found on our website by clicking here.

Weight Loss & General Health

Weight Loss & Health:

Maker’s Diet Program & Book by Jordan Rubin and Garden of Life, Click Here for Information.

Support Resources

The following books & resources can be a great support during cleansing and dietary changes:
Cleanse & Detoxification Books – Click Here.

Colon Care Books - Click Here

Cookbooks & Diet Books - Click Here

Candida Books – Click Here

Liver Cleanse Books - Click Here

Weight Loss Books Click Here

Cleanse, Nutritional & Diet Consultations – are available by phone with Christine our Nutritionist, Herbalist, Cleanse Coach & Author. For more rates and scheduling information, click here.

Conclusion from Christine

I wish you much success with your health, diet or cleanse commitment. The easiest way to succeed is to take one step at a time and choose the level of change you can handle. A small success feels better than a large disappointment, so if you are new at healthy changes, then start off with small steps and acknowledge your self each step of the way. It has taken most people decades or longer to evolve into their current health and fitness level, so don’t expect to change it all within a few weeks. Besides, the body generally likes smaller, consistent changes over time, rather than radical changes overnight.
I do know first hand the value and benefits of healthy eating, cleansing and proper dieting – the effort is well worth the results achieved. If we don’t have our health, how can we enjoy our lives fully and do what we came here to do?

To your health!
Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH