An alcohol detox can be effectively performed on your own.
An alcohol detox involves ridding your body of the toxins present in alcohol. Alcohol itself, in fact, is a toxin which, if over-indulged in, can destroy the human liver. The liver is the human organ that naturally rids the body of toxins, making alcohol doubly potent as a toxin. A good do-it-yourself alcohol detox may include several herbal elements, the intake of B vitamins and the proper diet.
Herbal Solutions
Consider taking the herb kudzu. Kudzu has been used to treat alcoholism for many years, especially in China. During a detox, the taking of kudzu can help combat the urge to drink--obviously common among recovering alcoholics. Kudzu is available at any . Kudzu can be used in combination with coptis--an herb with known liver-cleansing properties. Coptis, too, is available from any herbal store.
Milk thistle has long been considered an effective liver tonic--exactly what you need if you are attempting an alcohol detox. The silymarin in works to bind the membranes of the cells in the liver--shielding the organ and its cells from toxin attack. Additionally, the milk thistle's silymarin stimulates the liver to produce proteins and enzymes faster--thus enabling it to battle the toxins in your body at a faster rate. Milk thistle, available at any herbal store, is best taken in combination with food.
Vitamin B
Alcoholics tend to be deficient when it comes to B vitamins. Ironically, alcoholism itself creates an increased physical need for these very vitamins. Taking 500 mg of niacin (which contains Vitamin B3) each day, for example, can not only help restore vitamin B levels---essential during an alcohol detox---but possibly also reduce the individual's cravings for alcohol altogether. Some doctors recommend alcoholics ingest at least 100 mg of B-complex vitamins each and every day---but especially during a detox.
Complementary Diet
Try complementing your cleanse with the proper diet. Anything that contains sugar (check the ingredients for corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose or brown sugar) should be avoided---and that includes artificial sweeteners. Also avoid dairy products as a rule, including milk, cream cheese, sour cream, butter and yogurt. Grains that contain gluten, including wheat, barley and rye, should also be avoided.
Fatty foods are obviously out when it comes to a detox, as is junk food in any quantity. As a rule, also avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
All sorts of fruits and vegetables, whether frozen or fresh, are recommended for those going through alcohol detoxification. However, some vegetables are considered slightly more effective in moving the detox effort along. These include broccoli and broccoli sprouts, beets, red and green-colored veggies, artichokes, cauliflower and garlic.
Rice is a highly recommended grain, particularly brown rice. A natural alcohol detox diet can be improved by the inclusion of other grains as well, such as millet, buckwheat and amaranth. Kidney beans and pinto beans are great for such a diet, as are lentils, garbanzo beans and mung beans. Raw nuts and seeds are also recommended, except for peanuts, and peanut butter.
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