The word detox is often confused with a quick fix for weight loss, but the health giving benefits of a good detox will not only make you feel like a new person it could make you look younger too. Start the year as you mean to go on - we asked Detox guru to the stars - Dr Joshi to give us his top tips.
According to Eastern disciplines, ageing is seen as the body slowly degenerating as a result of toxic residue within its organs. Detoxification has profound effects on not only boosting the bodies metabolic performance but also boosting its immune function, vitality, and reducing the effects of toxic free radical activity on the body - which are by products of every chemical reaction, pollutants and stress. A good example of this can be seen in the effect of UV light on the skin and how UV radiation will slowly cause free radical destruction to the skin’s collagen and elastin layer.
My Detox programme encourages people to look at the effects of their nutrition on how they look and feel. It encourages people to reduce as much as possible – foods that are acidic, toxic and refined, such as wheat, potatoes, red meat, fried foods, sugars, alcohol and dairy produce. The idea is to balance the body’s pH by focusing on eating more healthily and freshly prepared foods without preservatives, colourants, pesticides etc, to drink more water, to take regular exercise and to be more aware of their lifestyle choices.
A lot of the ‘toxic’ foods are known to promote oxidant formation which create free radicals, one of the prime factor in the ageing process - the degenerative diseases of ageing and the break down of the collagen matrix of the skin. The oxidative properties found in these foods can affect the body’s healing and regenerative abilities. Regular consumption of acidic foods also causes other conditions such as a sluggish digestion, bloating, water retention, dark circles under the eyes, acne, a sallow complexion, dry brittle hair, low energy levels, inflammation of the joints, dermatitis, IBS, muscle tensions etc. Eating fresher more healthy foods aids to boost the body’s natural ability to cleanse and detoxify, repair itself and remain in balance.
Detox treatments including Cupping, Massage, Endermologie, Colonic Hydrotherapy and Acupuncture - used widely by my celebrity clients – are excellent for their anti-ageing and rejuvenation benefits.
Cupping and massage - boosts lymphatic drainage and improves circulation.
Endermologie - a unique non-invasive way of shaping the body, reducing the appearance of cellulite and improving overall skin tone and fitness. Circulation is increased, collagen function is restored and toxins and abnormal water build up is expelled. The result is a smoother body.
Colonic Hydrotherapy - when the colon is congested with stagnant waste, dangerous toxins back up in our system and wreak havoc on our tissues and organs, speeding up the ageing process. Colonics gently cleanse the colon and open our body’s natural detoxification pathways. The result is the removal of toxic waste from the body, increased absorption of nutrients, radiating skin and weight loss.
Acupuncture – boosts circulation and immunity and can also be used as a natural facelift.
I have also combined the Ayuverdic properties of various natural ingredients and harnessed these within my skincare range ‘Joshi’s Holistic Skincare’ including the benefits of using grape seed as an exfoliant, shea butter as a moisturiser, and pomegranate as a natural sunscreen.
Here are some of my top anti ageing nutritional and beauty detox tips:
- 1. Drink more water. Water not only hydrates but also purifies the body of toxins, helps flush out the kidneys to prevent those dark circles and helps prevent wrinkles by improving skin elasticity, suppleness and lustre.
2. Get your antioxidant fix by eating tons of fruit and vegetables. Invest in a juicer and enjoy the skin-boosting juices such as orange, grape, papaya, mango, guava, carrot or celery.
3. Take antioxidants A, C and E, and Selenium. These help reduce the free radicals that cause premature aging and reverse the damage caused by pollution, sun damage and smoking and alcohol.
- 4. Exfoliate. Cleaning the skin every day and regularly exfoliating not only helps remove deep imbedded impurities but also removes dead skin cells that prevent your natural glow from shining through.
- 5. Be wary of products that offer a quick fix. If you force your skin to do anything fast, it will undoubtedly rebound on you. And beware of products that claim to be able to ‘force’ or ‘push’ wonder ingredients such as Vitamin C or collagen into the skin.
- 6. Be gentle with your skin don’t rub it and don’t vigorously exfoliate it. The outer layer of skin is there for a reason. Treat it carefully. A gentle, once-a-week exfoliation is fine. Particularly on younger skins, too many abrasive or chemical based products could promote drier wrinkled skin in the future.
- 7. Avoid products that strip the skin of its natural oils.
- 8. Don’t use a heavy moisturiser at night – it won’t allow the skin to carry out its natural nightly detox, rest and repair. Use a light cream, a herbal gel or a natural nourisher.
- 9. Exercise regularly: lack of exercise can lead to your muscle deteriorating which, in turn, can affect the tone and firmness of your skin and hair. Sweating helps to unblock pores, cleanse the skin and rid the body of toxins.
- What you put inside your body is just as important as what goes on the outside. You can eat yourself beautiful.
- These are the beauty foods with which to plump up your diet and skin:-
- Carrots: sky high in antioxidant beta-carotene, carrots help prevent your skin ageing and can reverse some of the damage already incurred.
- Eggs: high in lecithin, one of the primary building blocks of cell walls: high levels of lecithin protect your skin from ageing. Eggs are also a vital source of coenzyme Q10; this heightens your levels of squalene that, in turn, keeps your skin hydrated and supple. Do try to eat more of the whites than the yolks though – this will maintain a good acid/alkaline balance and reduce cholesterol.
- Green tea: as your skin cells get older, they aren’t renewed so often; so dead skin cells sit around creating a dull, tired complexion. Green tea helps your cells live longer, making your skin look and act younger than it is. Green tea has also been shown to help collagen fend off free radicals (that cause ageing) and to protect against UV damage.
- Olive oil and olives: rich in oleic oil that plumps out skin cells and so makes wrinkles and lines less noticeable.
- Pomegranite: packed with ellagic acid which makes your skin heal swiftly. It is also a natural internal sunscreen – drink pomegranate juice and you increase your protection from UV light by twenty-five per cent. You can also add the juice to your sunscreen and boost its SPF by a further twenty per cent. Pomegranites have also been shown to be one of the most powerful natural antioxidants.
- Raisins: red grapes are packed with resveratrol, a specific antioxidant that slows down the speed at which your skin cells age.
- Turkey (organic): a great source of carnosine, an amino acid that protects collagen and keeps it elastic and supple thus helping to prevent wrinkles, lines and sagging.
- Avocado pulp makes a great face mask and a fabulous hair conditioner. The oil is packed with antioxidant vitamins (E, C and beta-carotene) and the B vitamins plus linoleic acid, lecithin and natural fatty acids, all of which give it moisturizing, nourishing, rehydrating and soothing qualities.
- Honey has been used as a beauty product for thousands of years all over the world. It’s full of antioxidants, minerals and B vitamins and has powerful anti-bacterial and antiviral effects. It’s deeply healing, moisturising, nourishing and cleansing for the skin and hair. Choose organic, cold-pressed, clear honey.
- Natural live yoghurt is nourishing, softening and hydrating for the skin and hair. It’s natural ‘good’ bacteria can help acne or blemish-prone skin.
- Frankincense is a wonderful beauty-enhancing essential oil used for treating wrinkles and mature, dry or chapped skin. It is deeply soothing, anti-inflammatory and regenerating. Used for facial steams or added to creams and massage blends.
- Cellulite – cellulite is usually a clear sign that your system is toxic and in need of a clear-out; the bottom line is that you’ve been consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, red meat, sugar, fatty and junk food. Diet really is the answer here. A detox is a good starting point. Make sure you’re drinking enough water and exercising (swimming, rebounding and yoga are particularly helpful). Skin brush daily before your bath or shower (always working towards the heart). Most forms of massage can help by stimulating the lymphatic flow – Endermologie, aromatherapy and MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) are superb. Otherwise, massage yourself using a mixture of sesame and mustard oil (half and half). Don’t waste money on fancy anti-cellulite creams, lotions and potions – sorry, but its hard work alone that shifts cellulite.
The Joshi Clinic, 57 Wimpole Street, Tel : 020 7487 5456, www.joshiclinic.co.uk
