Well, it's that time of year again - the time for New Year's resolutions, the time to kick old habits, the time to set new goals, and the time to make positive changes for better health!

Many of us tend to overindulge over the Christmas and New Year period --- too much rich food, alcohol, cigarettes, and so on --- which can leave us feeling bloated, tired, lethargic, unmotivated, and perhaps carrying a few extra kilos than the year before. Or maybe you've simply found that your weight has steadily increased over recent years, leaving you feeling much less content with yourself. But it's not too late to do something about it.

The start of a New Year can also mean a new beginning with the chance to have a fresh perspective and positive outlook on your health and well being.

Every day our bodies are exposed to toxins - both external toxins (pollution, cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, pesticides, household cleaners, caffeine, alcohol, drugs, refined sugar, food additives, and antibiotics) which can enter the body through the skin, the lungs, or the digestive system; and internal toxins (abnormal organisms, hormonal imbalances, free radicals, and by-products of the body's normal digestive and metabolic processes). All of these toxins, or poisons, need to be broken down and eliminated by the body.

Our digestive system is able to cope with a certain amount of toxic insult - by way of stomach acid, digestive enzymes, "friendly" bacteria in the gut, the immune system (70% of which is associated with the gut), and the liver.

The liver is by far the most important organ of metabolism in the body. It is the major site for the detoxification of all substances in the body, as well as the storage site for blood, vitamin B12, glycogen, vitamin A, vitamin D & iron. There are many more metabolic functions of the liver, including carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, to name a few.

A healthy liver is able to filter all toxins out of the blood, making them safe for elimination via bile or the kidneys (urine). The liver filters over a litre of blood every minute! An unhealthy liver cannot do its job properly.

If the body's eliminative processes are functioning correctly, then the body can safely remove these substances before they cause harm. Unfortunately many of us continue to overwhelm and overburden these natural processes simply by our modern lifestyle.

Poor elimination means that dangerous toxins remain in the body where they can cause congestion, inflammation, unpleasant symptoms, and eventually illness and disease. Frequent or persistent infections, cardiovascular and heart diseases, arthritis, allergies, diabetes, obesity, chronic gut disorders (IBS & IBD), autoimmune diseases, dementia and cancer are all results of congestive disorders. However, many of these conditions can be prevented (and treated) through regular cleansing and detoxification of the body.

The old saying "prevention is better than cure" really is the best way to approach your health. It is far better to lead a healthy and active lifestyle and support your body in wellness, than to seek help once a disease or illness has established itself.

Why do I need to detox?

If you suffer from any of the following conditions, you can definitely benefit from treating your body, and mind, to a detox:

• Fluid retention
• Sweet cravings
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Skin disorders (Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Slow wound healing)
• Hormonal imbalance (Impotence, Infertility, Premenstrual syndrome)
• Digestive disturbances (Parasite infestation, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Indigestion, Intolerance to fatty foods, Nausea, Bloating)
• Bad breath or body odour
• Poor concentration and memory
• Weight gain / overweight
• Tiredness or Persistent fatigue
• Poor sleep
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pains
• Lowered immunity

What can I gain from a detox?

• Increased energy
• Less bloating
• Less fluid retention
• Better sleeping patterns
• Improved digestion
• Improved memory and concentration
• A clearer mind
• Less stressed and able to cope better with day-to-day challenges

Detoxification is a process that should not only enhance the elimination of toxins, but also reduce the intake of toxins, to pave the way for healing and health. Detoxification can help to stimulate the body's own self-healing powers - and do what it was designed to do!

To avoid unpleasant detox symptoms (such as headaches and caffeine withdrawal) I would suggest to slowly wean yourself off some harmful substances before you commence your detox program. This will help to ease the burden on your body and its organs and avoid what some call a healing crisis, allowing your body to slowly adapt to the new foods and cleansing program.

You can start slowly - try removing 1 or 2 bad habits at a time from your daily routine for a day or a week (such as caffeine, alcohol or sugar) and implement a positive new habit to replace the old one/s, such as drinking more water, or going for a brisk walk, cycle or swim. You will notice a difference!

Can I do a detox whilst pregnant or breastfeeding?

It is best not to undertake a detox program during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, as many herbs are not suitable during these times.

It is beneficial, however, to eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fresh foods and maintain a regular exercise regime for the health of you and your baby.

Nutrients & Herbs to support liver function, assist weight loss and promote detoxification:

• Barberry, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Boldo, and Wild Yam - herbal liver tonics which stimulate bile secretion promote bile flow to aid digestion
• Globe Artichoke - promotes the production and flow of bile, protects the liver from damage, and helps to rid the body of metabolic waste
• St Mary''s Thistle - has the ability to regenerate destroyed liver cells. It is able to prevent liver destruction (due to its powerful antioxidant properties) as well as enhance liver function
• Pau d'arco - cleanses the blood and helps fight infection
• Yellow dock - cleanses and purifies the blood, and improves colon and liver function
• Burdock root & Red Clover - rejuvenate the liver and cleanse the bloodstream
• Hydroxycitric acid (Brindleberry) - inhibits fat production, suppresses the appetite, and therefore helps to reduce food intake and encourage weight loss
• Nutritional antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, coenzyme Q10, bioflavonoids, and silymarin (in St. Mary's Thistle) are essential to protect the liver from free radical damage. Green tea is also a powerful antioxidant - it is recommended to drink 2 - 3 cups per day
• Vitamin C - a deficiency can cause cholesterol accumulation in the liver
• Lipoic acid - helps detoxify the liver of heavy metals, reduces blood cholesterol levels, and helps convert sugar to energy
• Chromium - involved in the metabolism of glucose and maintains stable blood sugar levels. Promotes the loss of fat and an increase in muscle tissue
• Taurine - required for liver detoxification
• Lipotropic factors - Choline, Inositol, Methionine, Betaine, Folic acid and Vitamin B12 ... all hasten the removal of fat and decrease the deposition of fat in the liver via their involvement in fat metabolism.
• L-Carnitine - transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production (helps to break down fat stores)
• CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) - inhibits fat formation and promotes thermogenesis (fat-burning), and thus encourages body fat reduction
• Spirulina, Wheat grass, Barley grass, Chlorophyll - all are cleansing and healing to the digestive system, help control the appetite, stabilise blood sugar levels, are alkalising to the body, and support detoxification processes
• Probiotics (''friendly'' bacteria) - support digestion and help maintain proper intestinal health
• When detoxifying, it may be appropriate to also use a fibre blend (such as psyllium husks, oat bran, guar gum, pectin) to prevent loose stools (diarrhoea) and irritation of the intestinal wall, as well as bind certain toxins for elimination.

Breakfast is important for kick-starting your metabolism, maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, preventing unhealthy snacking or over-eating between meals, and preventing a drop in energy (lethargy) in the afternoon due to low blood sugar levels. If you find it difficult to make time for breakfast, you could try a protein shake or smoothie, or a fibre blend such as Lady Bird Fibre Cleanse, Totally Natural Quick Fibre Plus, or Health Directions Fibretone Powder with fresh fruit. Regular elimination is vital to our health, as it plays a major role in controlling the level of toxicity in the body. Constipation can lead to toxins being both produced and stored in the body. Listen to your body and the signals it sends! Your body will tell you - by way of symptoms - when things are out of balance and need to be addressed before they get out of control and result in illness and disease.

Successful detoxification and weight loss are about making life-long changes for the better and choosing a healthy lifestyle - eating good quality fresh foods; drinking clean, pure water; getting adequate sunshine and rest; reducing stress; and of course - regular exercise! Most of all, it requires motivation to want to change unwanted habits. We make many choices each and every day, but the most important choice you have to make right now is whether or not you want to improve your health and prolong your life!