Detox with Kefir
Detox with kefir is highly popular among advocates of a healthy lifestyle and those who have decided to make slight adjustments to their weight without undue strain, while also getting rid of a significant portion of toxins. The program is quite light, does not provoke the loss of essential vitamins and micronutrients, is easily tolerated, and yields excellent results.
When is Detoxification Necessary?
Cleansing the body is advisable to do regularly. It is not complicated and significantly improves the quality of life. Toxification is akin to weights hanging on the legs, hindering a person from developing the necessary speed of movement. Notably, after a kefir diet, many people first notice an ease in their gait, movements, and thoughts.
The body has its own resilience, and nature has provided for self-purification, but only to a certain extent. If detoxification occurs more rapidly, as is often the case, coping independently becomes challenging. There are several reasons for this accelerated accumulation of toxins.
Environmental Factors
There’s no escaping this factor. Water, air, and soil pollution contribute to the level of the body’s toxicity. One can slightly reduce the harmful impact through meticulous adherence to hygiene rules, taking a shower after being outdoors, but these measures are insufficient without regular cleansing of internal systems and organs.
Sedentary Lifestyle
This leads to a slowed metabolism, the development of the “lazy bowel” syndrome, and digestive problems. Imbalance between the calories consumed and burned inevitably triggers rapid weight gain, increasing the load on bones, joints, and the cardiovascular system.
Unhealthy Diet
This is the primary source of harmful substances entering the intestines. Few prepare tasty and healthy homemade food, and even fewer adhere to the right dietary regimen. Opting for fast-food products and semi-finished goods means being prepared for a significant intake of salt, preservatives, stabilizers, colorings, and flavor enhancers. These substances envelop the intestines, hindering the normal absorption of beneficial substances.
Accumulation of Toxins and the Need for Kefir Detox
The buildup of toxins leads to internal poisoning as the process of decay of uneliminated residues begins. This results in belching, heartburn, and bloating. In addition, there are other signs indicating that the body needs assistance and it’s time to undergo a kefir detox. These include:
- Sharp decrease in immunity.
- Frequent respiratory illnesses and inflammatory processes.
- Headaches of unclear etiology.
- Impaired coordination of movements.
- Absentmindedness, loss of concentration.
- Decreased attention and logical thinking ability.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Persistent fluctuations in blood pressure.
- Unmotivated anxiety and reduced mood.
- Signs of depression.
- Rapid weight gain.
- Unpleasant odor from the skin.
Symptoms may vary, but general malaise and a constant decline in energy without clear reasons clearly indicate that the quantity of toxins has exceeded a critical level, and measures need to be taken to neutralize and eliminate slag masses. It is not advisable to immediately purchase a large quantity of various dietary supplements. It is much more beneficial to regularly undergo a kefir detox day approximately every 7-10 days. This will allow the body to be cleansed naturally, gently, and delicately, without creating shock conditions.
Kefir Detox – What Is It?
Essentially, it is a detox day, assuming a one-time action or a careful elimination of slag during a more extended diet, where such a dietary regimen is designed for 5-7 days. Variations are allowed. For instance, if very hungry, you can additionally introduce apples, buckwheat, and cottage cheese.
Kefir – an Extremely Beneficial Product
Kefir is an extremely beneficial product. Unlike whole milk, it is quickly and completely absorbed, supports intestinal function, activates peristalsis, and creates favorable conditions for the development of beneficial microflora.
It has been observed that regular consumption of kefir:
- Reduces the severity of allergic reactions.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Improves the condition of hair, nails, and skin.
- Eliminates predispositions to inflammations.
- Normalizes metabolism.
- Accelerates metabolism.
- Stabilizes the functioning of the digestive system.
The high content of B-group vitamins improves appearance and overall well-being. The product effectively satisfies hunger, and during a kefir detox, a sense of fullness is maintained. However, with a high degree of toxin accumulation, there may be a rather acute feeling of hunger. This indicates a disruption in the processes of absorption and assimilation of beneficial substances, where there is a paradoxical situation – large portions, but a low level of satisfaction.
But as soon as the detoxification process begins, the reverse relationship will become noticeably evident – periods of satiety will lengthen as the amount of food decreases. Mood will also significantly improve, weight will decrease by a few kilograms due to the elimination of excess water and removal of slag masses.
General Recommendations for a Kefir Diet
It is important to remember that strict restrictions and mono-diets are harmful to health, especially during hormonal imbalances, menopause, and prolonged physical exertion. The body undergoes stress, valuable substances are rapidly lost, and replenishing the deficit is challenging.
That’s why it’s best to choose balanced and satisfying diets. Caloric intake will be lower, especially when selecting a combination of products that stimulate the elimination of excess fluid while adhering to a proper hydration regimen. For those leading an active lifestyle, the kefir diet is considered an optimal choice, as a portion can easily be taken to work or leisure activities.
This method of relief normalizes blood pressure, cardiovascular system function, is effective as a preventive measure against tumor formation and atherosclerosis, and protects against the harmful effects of the environment.
The rules for conducting a kefir detox are very simple. Firstly, the type of product is chosen. An optimal choice is considered to be a fat content of no more than 1-2%, and the composition should include only milk and the ferment, without any sweeteners or flavorings. In high-quality kefir, the content of lactic acid bacteria should be at least 10^7 CFU per 1 gram of the drink.
Next, it is important to consider that the product’s effectiveness depends on its production date. Today’s weakens, yesterday’s strengthens. This is crucial for the normal functioning of the intestines and provides an opportunity to accelerate the elimination of toxins, but on such a day, it is not advisable to plan long walks or trips. The total volume of kefir per day is 1.5 liters, divided into 5-6 portions.
Another aspect is the mandatory additional intake of fluids. These can be herbal teas, decoctions of dried fruits, or rose hips, but without sugar. You can sweeten it with a spoonful of honey. It is desirable to drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day in addition to kefir. Edema will not occur if you don’t spend the whole day on the couch, but engage in light exercise or go for a short walk.
On this day, it is not advisable to plan significant physical or mental exertion. Reduced calorie intake reduces endurance and attention span. However, this is a short-term effect, followed by a sense of lightness and well-being.
Combining kefir with an apple is possible; for this, 5-6 apples of a sweet-sour variety are chosen, or adding low-fat cottage cheese in the amount of 400 grams. For those with a sweet tooth, bananas are suitable, reducing hunger and lifting mood.
How to Eat After Detox
Entering and exiting a detox day should be done gradually. The only exception is the post-holiday period when it is necessary to urgently restore the balance of fluids, performance, and internal energy. In the planned scenario, right after detox, it is advisable to consume lean meat, cereals, vegetables, and continue drinking two glasses of kefir.
To solidify the effect, it is desirable to completely reconsider one’s diet. This doesn’t mean giving up everything delicious, but it’s preferable to eliminate or minimize pastries, completely remove fast food, replace sugar partially or entirely with honey, and significantly reduce salt intake. Taste receptors quickly adapt to such a regimen, and new nuances start to be noticeable.
Natural spices should remain in the menu, and the volume of greens, grains, plant fats, fruits, and vegetables should be increased. This allows improving the quality of nutrition, reducing portion sizes, and continuing the detoxification process.
Possible Contraindications
Dairy products are not suitable for everyone. There’s nothing to worry about; each person is unique. Therefore, in case of individual lactose or casein intolerance and other elements, kefir detox can be replaced with another equally effective program. Detox should be carried out with caution in cases of gastritis.
Exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases is also considered a temporary limitation to the diet. People with heart and vascular diseases should avoid consuming a large amount of kefir due to its high content of milk proteins and fats. If there are doubts about the appropriateness of such a detox day in these cases, it is advisable to seek preliminary advice from a doctor.