The New Year is a fantastic time to start a new and healthy lifestyle. It is an extremely good opportunity to assess lifestyle and diet and to try out a cleansing and rejuvenation programme. A New Year detox should be milder than a spring one because the body is more vulnerable in the cold winter months, writes Dr Bhatti.

A New Year detox should focus on a rejuvenation programme that will build up the body's immune system so that any severe winter flus or Christmas overindulgences will not have such a harmful or debilitating effect on the body. A severe detox regime, done at the wrong time of year and not monitored carefully, can cause undesirable and serious effects, symptoms such as extreme exhaustion, headaches and depression. People are already experiencing these challenges during the winter, so focus on a routine that is supportive and nourishing and stick with a gentler programme but always under medical supervision.

There are still a lot of cold and wet winter months ahead, so it is important to keep our bodies and minds in good working condition. Key to any detox is plenty of rest and gentle exercise, preferably outdoors in the fresh air. We are more inclined to sleep more during the winter, so follow this natural rhythm and try not to put yourself under undue pressure. This is a natural way for the body to recuperate and build up reserves to keep us going through to the spring sunshine.

The best form of detox for the New Year is one that gives the entire digestive system an overhaul. This will help to stimulate vitality and health in the whole body. The kind of symptoms often associated with a toxic body include: extreme tiredness, premature aging, digestive complaints, obesity, hormonal imbalances, feelings of being bloated, unexplainable digestive pain, headaches and general lack of motivation and vitality. People are surprised by how sudden these symptoms can clear up after a good digestive overall. Just like our cars, we need a service every now and then to boost us back into full vibrant health. As long as there are no underlying medical conditions, a visit to a naturopath or herbalist for a digestive cleanse may be one the best moves taken for the New Year.

A good digestive cleanse can be tailor made to suit you. 1. A thorough bowel cleanse using herbs and medicinal foods. 2. Introduction to a specific cleansing diet. 3. Herbs to support and strengthen vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. 4. A programme of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. 5. Acupuncture and body work to stimulate increased vitality and support the detox process.

It is vital that people on a detox routine spend time chewing their food properly. Eat small portions more often and give the body plenty of time for digestion and always maintain adequate hydration. Try not to go rushing around after eating and have all meals in a stress free environment.

It is important to understand that a detox programme might not suit everyone and a person's present and past medical history should always be taken into account.

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a topic covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804

Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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