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The benefits of Detoxification - Part 2
For fasts of two days or longer it is important to follow the following basic guidelines:
Provide fresh air, sunshine and gentle exercise during the fast.
Have pure filtered (not chlorinated or fluoridated) water available at all times.
Washing your dog will help to remove toxins through the skin.
Rub down daily with a damp towel to encourage further elimination via the skin.
Groom daily to improve circulation and aid elimination.
Ensure they are cool or warm enough and can relax when needed.
Give extra affection and attention, and most importantly be positive in your thoughts.
Avoid giving any medication, vaccinations, etc during a fast. (If the animal is on any medication, then consult a natural animal practitioner before fasting).
For one or two day's prior - Feed light meals of fish or organic chicken with finely minced vegetables. (This can be skipped if they become ill suddenly or develop a fever).
Day one:Feed a small breakfast of soaked rolled oats mixed with either meat broth or finely minced vegetables. Or use lightly cooked vegetables in beef broth to flavour.
Fast days:
Two or three times daily you may offer either one of the following:
Freshly made vegetable juice. You will be surprised how many dogs love this, but many people never think to try! Choose from carrot, cucumber, celery & beetroot.
Vegetable broth - Roughly chop up some of the following vegies (carrot, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, spinach, turnip, squash, etc) and add some beef bones for added flavour, cover with pure filtered water and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes, strain and offer broth lukewarm. Do not add salt or any stock cubes, etc.
Freshly squeezed fruit juice - watermelon, grape or apple, these are best used on their own and diluted 50/50 with pure filtered water.
You may also give a teaspoon of raw (unheated) honey or add it to the water bowl for added energy and to encourage extra fluid intake during the fast.
Cats do not generally like fruits and do not drink much so may refuse the broth also, this is more likely to be taken by dogs than cats.
Breaking the fast
Depending on how long your animal has been fasting, then it is essential that foods be re-introduced slowly. This is also a good time to make a change to a natural food diet if they have been on processed foods in the past. It is surprising how a few days without food, can change fussy eaters into natural food connoisseurs. Start by feeding only small meals, and use only natural foods otherwise animal may end up with a very painful tummy ache.
Choose from one of the following
Steamed vegetables or finely minced raw vegetables mixed with a little softened rolled oats.
Vegetables lightly cooked in beef broth.
Soaked oats or barley flakes mixed with a little natural yoghurt and few softened (soaked) prunes (pips removed).
Then after a day or two on the above you may add some natural cottage cheese, lean meat or fish to the minced vegetables. Gradually working back to a natural diet of raw meaty bones (free-range chicken, lamb, beef, fish, rabbit, roo, etc) and minced raw vegetables with occasional free-range eggs and offal once every week or so. This can also be supplemented with natural nutritional supplements for extra nutrition.
Ensure the animal is not constipated during a fast, because this will greatly hinder the detoxification process and can make them feel quite unwell.
Try some of the following
Softened prunes or figs can help mild constipation.
Psyllium hulls given in a little water orally is a gentle laxative.
Aloe vera juice is an excellent detoxifier and gentle laxative. (Ensure it does not contain preservatives such as sodium benzoate or benzoic acid).
Slippery elm gruel (Blend ½ teaspoon of slippery elm with enough water to make a paste)
Chlorophyll is one of the best detoxifiers as well as being a good tonic for the entire system. Natural concentrated sources can be obtained from green barley, alfalfa and spirulina.
There are also some instances when herbal or homeopathic treatment can be used to aid detoxification, but this should only be done under the guidance of an animal practitioner experienced in detoxification.
A healing crisis may occur during fasting or detoxification, which may show as a temporary worsening of symptoms; diarrhoea or vomiting but this will clear up within a day or so. The body has incredible healing abilities if given the right conditions. Although this may seem unpleasant, and it is our natural instinct to try to stop any of these symptoms from continuing.
It does have a purpose and when the body is trying to eliminate waste products or toxic material, by stopping this process, you can actually cause more harm than by allowing it to run its course.
For many people this theory goes against what they have been accustomed to, but by understanding the laws of nature and allowing the body to do what is necessary for healing you can enhance your dog's health and ensure they live a long, happy and healthy life.
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