What are the benefits of a seasonal cleanse?

Seasonal Health 30 January 2017

As all seasons are interconnected, spring, summer, fall and winter each have an impact on our body’s overall equilibrium. Our internal clock (circadian rhythm) is continually modified by the different atmospheric conditions (light, temperature, wind, sun, moon…). This means that we must constantly adapt our lifestyle to the current season, whether it be in regards to our sleeping patterns, diet, mood and even our immune system.

Help your body get rid of toxins!

Also referred to as a “seasonal detox”, seasonal nutritional cleanses purify the body from within. The principle is based on the elimination of toxins that have accumulated over the past seasons. Some of our key organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, etc.) are permanently eliminating toxins from our body. As there are clearly more toxins in the environment today than ever before, our detoxifying organs are overworked and no longer have the capacity to eliminate all accumulated waste.
And, as we all know, there is nothing like a change of season for catching a nasty bug and being bed-ridden for days on end, while putting our immune system to the test. Based on the season, a cleanse will target one or several specific organs. The spring seasonal cleanse is the most practical as it focuses on the liver, which is the body’s “detoxification plant”.

Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables!

As the name indicates, a seasonal cleanse must include seasonal fruits and vegetables! What could be better than a juicy raspberry packed with vitamin C in the summer, followed by perfectly ripe avocados rich in omega 3 in the fall? Fresh produce, harvested when fully ripe, is brimming with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. To remain in harmony with nature, it is important to choose products that are of high quality (organic, officially certified) and locally-sourced. Adapting our diet to the changing seasons is the perfect way to enjoy a wide range of well-balanced and varied meals. A seasonal detox also comprises a liquid cleanse that aims at effectively draining our key organs (emunctory organs). Don’t hesitate to prepare a variety of delicious soups or gazpacho based on the season, with a basket full of colorful fruits and vegetables.

A seasonal cleanse for everyone!

To ensure that your detox program is effective, an overall healthy lifestyle is a must. Eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising daily and living in a low-toxin environment (pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol, industrial food…) are essential to our good health and well-being. There is nothing like a new season to take a hard look at our lifestyle and make new resolutions for our health. What changes can I make in my daily life that will improve my sense of well-being? A seasonal cleanse is an effective way of energizing and purifying the body, when it needs it the most. A cleanse can be scheduled for one weekend a month to the entire season, depending on your needs. A detox program often includes dietary supplements that contain a high concentration of beneficial vitamins and minerals to improve your health.

It’s up to you to choose the seasonal cleanse that is best suited to you and your specific lifestyle.  🙂

By LAURANE CHAÏEB, NUTRITIONIST