All you need to know about a Functional Medicine detox
Its all about removing toxins, replenishing nutrients and restoring balance.
This is different from a juice cleanse or a trendy diet using “detox” as a buzz word.
What we’re talking about is a Functional Medicine Detox, formulated by Dr. Stephen Cabral a Board Certified Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Doctor. He does this detox quarterly for his personal health, has successfully utilized it within his own client practice worldwide, taught it within his Integrative Health Practitioner Institute and beyond.
What you can expect:
Healthy Inflammation Levels
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Balanced Hormones
Toxin Reduction
Reduced Joint Pain
Reduced Allergies
Balanced Metabolism and Weight Loss
Balanced Digestion
Reduction in Brain Fog
Improved Energy and Mood
Better Sleep
The benefits seem great…but what’s the point of a 7, 14 or 21-day detox?
Our bodies absorb and accumulate toxins from our environment 24/7, not just from contaminated air, water and food, but from the daily habits we partake in like cleaning the counters with a chemical spray or putting chemical-laden makeup on or mycotoxin exposure from the bathroom leak or pesticides sprayed on our lawn…you get the point. Our liver works very hard for us, in fact its the main filter of the body, so think of this detox as giving the liver more of what it needs to perform its function optimally. It promotes healing by eliminating toxins while providing the nutrients it needs. If you’re feeling sluggish, your digestion is problematic or you’re experiencing poor sleep, this is a good place to start.
A functional medicine detox represents a whole body reset and getting the body back in balance. This is accomplished by an anti-inflammatory diet, two days of fasting (with nutrient-filled shakes) and specifically formulated, third-party tested supplements. The supplements include an Ayurvedic Detox Formula (AYU Detox) with a trio of ayurvedic herbs. The Functional Medicine Detox Formula (FM Detox) has amino acids, antioxidants, herbal extracts, trace minerals and essential vitamins to enhance detoxification while protecting the liver. Dr. Cabral’s kit includes all the supplements, a 7-day guide, specific food list, and supportive emails from the EquiLife community.
This is the functional medicine detox I use personally and in my practice with clients. Its often the first step in working with someone, creating a healthy baseline and then the labs and protocols follow suit.
An outline of the plan includes:
Day 1-2
8am - Detox shake, 2 FM Detox Capsules and 2 AYU Detox Capsules
11:30am - Detox Shake
3pm - Detox Shake
6:30pm - Detox shake, 2 FM Detox Capsules and 2 AYU Detox Capsules
Day 3-7
8am - Detox shake, 2 FM Detox Capsules and 2 AYU Detox Capsules
11:30am - Vegetarian Lunch
3pm - Detox Shake
6:30pm - Paleo Dinner, 2 FM Detox Capsules and 2 AYU Detox Capsules
As you see the first two days consist of four shakes a day, essentially flushing the system, giving your body a break from breaking down food and creating autophagy. This is most likely a reduction in calories then you’re used too, but you do remain satiated and are given a maximum of micronutrients.
Between meals you can do some herbal tea. Ideally you want to be off of coffee at this time, but for me, I found the detox much easier to keep in a limited amount of coffee (no milk or sugar) so as not to experience withdrawal symptoms while detoxing.
The vegetarian meals consist of plant protein like beans, legumes, lentils, tofu, hummus and hemp hearts. The paleo-style dinners include protein like chicken, cod, duck, salmon, sardines, shrimp, turkey and wild game.
For days 8-14 (for a 14-day detox), you would do 4 shakes a day the first two days again (Day 8-9) and continue on with whole food meals for lunch and dinner just as before. And same thing for adding a third and final week (for a 21-day detox), you repeat the process once more.
It’s also a great time to implement other forms of detox support into your routine at this time, like dry brushing or sauna.
coming out of the detox, it would look something like this…
Introducing your favorite fruits back into your diet and into your morning smoothies, like antioxidant rich berries. Perhaps a few times a week, keep up with that vegetarian lunch. Mid-afternoon if you’re hungry, your options can look like a handful of raw nuts, maybe another smoothie, or veggies and hummus. Dinner will be a similar Paleo focused meal of protein, healthy fat and veggies.
And then you can also integrate a flex meal (or cheat meal) once a week, going for your favorite pasta dinner, or eating that birthday cake at the party!
I recommend doing a functional medicine detox seasonally if you can. If you only have the capacity to perform one 21-day detox a year, then Spring is the perfect time. Think Spring cleaning, a time for renewal and reset.
If you’re game to start, visit EquiLife here to purchase a Functional Medicine Detox. And if you become a client, I can fully support you throughout your detox, as well as your 4-month coaching journey with me, which includes lab testing and protocol recommendations along the way.