The arrival of Fall on September 23rd marks a time of transformation, renewal, and change. I love this time of year – beautiful sunny days in Colorado without the intense heat and afternoon storms (mostly).
As the season changes, so do our bodies and minds. You have likely gained extra body weight during the summer of barbeque and outdoor gatherings.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the health benefits of a 10-day Cleanse over the Fall Equinox and Harvest Moon, how it works, and why it’s perfect if you are looking to restore balance and recharge your health and well-being, and finally, how you can participate in your 10-day Fall cleanse.

What is the Equinox?

The equinox is an astronomical event that marks the changing of the seasons. It occurs twice a year – once in the Spring (March) and again in the Fall or Autumn (September).

During an equinox, day and night are of roughly equal length as the sun passes directly over the equator. This phenomenon also appears to align with humans’ natural energy cycles.

The equinox is the perfect time for detoxification as our body’s natural energy cycles align with the sun’s. This makes committing to a complete detox diet or 10-day cleanse easier, and the season’s energy supports us in achieving our goals.

What is the Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the Fall Equinox in late September or early October.
In some cultures, the Harvest Moon is seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, while others see it as a sign of pending destruction and change.

In either case, the Harvest Moon is a powerful force often seen in its fullest glory during this time of year.

Why Cleanse over the Fall Equinox and Harvest Moon?

The Fall Equinox and Harvest Full Moon are great times to prepare for the winter months ahead. What better way to achieve this than with a detoxifying cleanse for 10 days, designed specifically for the Fall Equinox on September 23rd and Harvest Full Moon on September 29th?

Prepare your body for the temperature change, build greater immune resilience, and change your eating habits for a new season.

Does Your Body Need a Cleanse?

The cleanse will help you reboot your system support, eliminating toxins accumulated throughout the preceding months while minimizing their redistribution and reabsorption. It is time to start afresh.

It will increase your energy levels, reduce your food cravings, boost your immune system, burn fat, provide some weight loss, and give you a radiant glow – all while being friendly to your body and the environment. Your liver is your major detox organ.

It plays a crucial role in protecting your cells, organs, and systems from potentially toxic chemical insults through its capacity to convert lipid molecules into water-soluble metabolites [1], which can be eliminated from your body via your urine. But we also want to eliminate toxins via stool to protect your kidneys from toxic chemicals.

Is a 10-Day Cleanse Beneficial for Your Health?

The health benefits of a 10-day cleanse are endless. The cleanse will help flush out and eliminate toxins from your body that have accumulated over time from unhealthy eating habits, gut toxins, too much sugar, and wildfire smoke or other environmental pollutants (too many of those these days that we can’t avoid no matter how much we try), and general stress.

Who doesn’t suffer from stress? Stress is a constant companion to most of us these days.

The cleanse will help you release unwanted pounds, feel less bloated, increase energy levels, and improve your skin complexion. It’s important to note that this cleanse is not a fad, diet plan, or a way to lose weight quickly.

The lifestyle part of the cleanse accompanies a scientifically researched detox protocol essential for healthy detoxification to ensure that toxins are not redistributed in the body rather than eliminated. Many commercially available detox programs must address this vital aspect of safe detoxification.

It’s a holistic approach to rebooting your immune system and restoring balance to your body.
Toxins are stored in your fat cells, so getting rid of toxins safely with the proper support is likely to shed some pounds, which may vary from person to person, depending on your body weight and type.

Why a 10-Day Cleanse is Perfect if You Are Stressed Out

You probably juggle multiple roles, which can lead to exhaustion and burnout. This 10-day cleanse is perfect because it will help detoxify your body, improve focus and concentration, and boost energy levels to tackle your day.

It is also a chance to focus on you and realize how important self-care is.

It’s a great way to feel less stressed, essential for overall health and well-being.

It is a short time, increasing your chances of success and lessening the chances that you will quit. It will be over before you realize it, and you will want to repeat it.

How a 10-Day Cleanse Works

The 10-day detox diet includes eating whole foods and eliminating processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, coffee, and sugar. You will consume many fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins.

You will also drink lots of water and herbal teas to keep your body hydrated and help flush out toxins.

Then, we recommended a gentle liver detox protocol to accompany your food and lifestyle changes available in our store. This standalone cleanse is designed to give your digestive system a break and allow it some healing breath, especially when accompanied by the 10-day meal plan and self-care recommendations.

The 10-day detox diet plan will expand the varieties and quantity of fruits and vegetables you eat, alongside some helpful lifestyle adjustments for greater self-care. It will also reduce your summer weight gain and help shed those few unwanted pounds.

Tips for a Successful 10-Day Cleanse

The key to a successful 10-day cleanse is to plan. Ensure you have all the ingredients and eliminate temptations from your home and work environments.

It’s also important to listen to your body and adjust the cleanse to fit your needs. You can participate in this cleanse anytime during October to enjoy the benefits. We recommend a cleanse such as this twice a year to our clients. It is a great habit to get into to prevent toxin accumulation in your body and feel better overall.

If you’re hungry, add more healthy fats or proteins to your meals. Ensure you get enough rest and exercise to support your body during the cleanse.

Our cleanse is planned to start on September 22nd and finish on October 1st, but as I already mentioned, any 10-day period during October will be beneficial. Beginning on a Friday allows you to maximize your days off from work if you work a standard Monday-Friday work week.

Breath and Detox

Deep breathing is an essential tool in the detoxification process. Deep breathing increases oxygen uptake and helps to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, allowing your body to relax and function at its optimum level.

Aim for 10 minutes of mindful deep-breathing exercises daily; do this as part of your morning or evening routine.

Meditation and Detox Diet

Meditation can help relax and provide mental clarity during a detox diet. It is beneficial to start some meditation practice during your detox plan. There is no one way to meditate.

Again, data shows that people who meditate live healthier lives. Start with 5 minutes daily, get consistent about it, and tell us what happens to you.

Sleep and Detox Diet

Get as much sleep as you can during your 10-day detox diet. 7 – 8 hours is healthy for most people unless you have specific health issues. However, data shows that most Americans are not getting enough sleep. And definitely not the quality of sleep that they need.

Get to bed before 10 pm at night.

Turn off all electronics in the evening, and have a social media fast. You may decide to take a vacation from social media for the entire next detox for 10 days.

Movement and Detox Diet

Start each day with 20 to 30 minutes of movement. Get your blood flowing, and get some sweat going. Do whatever type of exercise you enjoy most, whether it’s yoga, walking, running, cycling, or something else.

Other Therapies and Detox Diet

Other therapies or processes that are helpful include intermittent fasting[2], acupuncture, massage, sauna, skin brushing, and rebounding, which are all helpful when doing a body cleanse here. Be kind to yourself.

Dietary recommendations during your Detox

The foods you choose to eat are essential to the success of your 10-day detox. You want to focus on healthy foods that support your body’s drainage systems and avoid foods that add to your toxic burden.

Our Metabolix Health Equinox Cleanse meal plan does the meal planning for you.

Give your cells a vacation from all the heavy lifting they must do during the rest of the year.

Foods to avoid during body cleanse

Foods to avoid while cleansing include processed foods, gluten, dairy (if you know you have a sensitivity), refined foods, added sugars, caffeine, and alcohol.

Avoid all sugars

Sugar is one of the main culprits of weight gain and poor health. When you avoid sugar during a 10-day cleanse, your body can restore balance and start functioning optimally again. By cutting out sugar from your diet for 10 days, you allow your body to flush out toxins and unhealthy fat that have been building up over time.

Furthermore, avoiding blood sugar crashes during a cleanse can help avoid reaching for sugary, processed foods and snacks when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Avoid alcohol

Avoiding alcohol during the cleanse is recommended, as it can act as a diuretic and interfere with detoxification. It also stresses your liver, precisely what you do not want to do. Furthermore, alcohol can cause dehydration and fatigue.

Instead of relying on a drink to relax, try doing deep breathing exercises or getting a massage.

Stay away from gluten

Gluten can be difficult to digest, and it can also cause inflammation in the body. Some people have sensitivities to gluten that they might not realize. While avoiding gluten during your 10-day cleanse, pay attention to how you feel and if there are any changes in your energy levels or digestion.

If you find it beneficial to continue avoiding gluten even after your cleanse, that’s a sign that it may be good for you to make a permanent switch.

Limit Saturated Fats

Saturated fats, like those found in red meat, coconut oil, and dairy products, can strain your liver if your toxic burden is high and your detox pathways are not functioning optimally. During the detox diet, we recommend reducing your saturated fat intake.

Choose healthy foods such as leaner proteins such as lean beef, without saturated fat, lean chicken or fish, and plant-based fat sources like Mediterranean olive oil.

Foods to add during the Cleanse

During your 10-day cleanse, focus on healthy eating habits such as organic fruits, leafy greens, and various vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, nuts, seeds, medicinal herbs, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados. Healthy vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties.

We even recommend you have lean protein and limit saturated fats to help your liver detox more efficiently.

You can include MCT oil from coconut (C8 is best) and olive oil. You may also have some ghee.

These will nourish your body while helping to remove toxins from the digestive system. Probiotic foods such as fermented vegetables, kombucha, or sauerkraut will support the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Sweet potatoes are a helpful food to eat if you don’t have blood sugar issues. However, some people may find fermented foods challenging to digest, so try these foods slowly.

Green Cleansing Drink

Including green and healthy smoothies in your program is beneficial. Rather than a Juicer, we recommend using a Vitamix or Bullet to retain the fiber of the fruits and vegetables. Fiber is essential for your digestion. Include lots of leafy greens in your daily diet.

Meat and Fish

You can include lean proteins such as fatty wild-caught salmon, cod, chicken breast, and lean beef. Avoid deep sea fish such as tuna and swordfish.

Staying hydrated during your cleanse

Staying hydrated is a vital aspect of the 10-day cleanse. Water plays a crucial role in detoxification, helping to flush out toxins from your body. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.

Water makes up 73% of the human heart. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have shown that ordinary water — without any additives — does more than quench thirst. Drinking more water increases blood volume and the sympathetic system’s activity – makes you more alert, and raises daytime blood pressure and energy expenditure. [3]

Infuse your water with slices of fresh fruit, such as lemon, cucumber, or berries, for an added vitamin boost and to keep things flavorful. Herbal tea is also a great way to stay hydrated.

Green tea is excellent to drink regularly during the 10-day cleanse diet. We don’t recommend drinking coffee, but 1 coffee daily will unlikely cause any issues. They hydrate but also provide a range of health benefits depending on the herbs used.

Drink them hot or cold as per your preference. Coconut water is another excellent hydrating drink due to its high electrolyte content. Just remember to opt for natural, unsweetened versions to avoid unnecessary sugars.

Staying well-hydrated will support your body’s natural detoxification and proper digestion processes and make your cleanse more effective.

How to Maintain Your Health after the Cleanse

After completing the detox diet and healthy eating plan for 10 days, it’s important to continue healthy eating habits to maintain your health and well-being. Incorporate many fruits and vegetables and lean protein into your daily nutrient-dense food plan, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly.

You can also use this time to make dinner recipes and discover new recipes, delicious foods, and cooking techniques to keep you excited about healthy eating habits and nourishing foods.

10-day detox kit

We offer the push-catch 2-step cleansing protocol designed to support your liver. It uses a liposomal delivery system proven to enhance absorption with immediate benefits. We will provide you with specific instructions for your kit.

You will also receive a personalized meal plan and Cleanse Guide book when you order your kit. Adding the kit will help you enjoy an energy boost, experience fewer food cravings afterward, and more significant weight loss.

Conclusion:

The 10-day cleanse designed for the Fall Equinox is the perfect way to reboot your system, improve your health and well-being, lose weight again, and feel your best.

As a busy person, it’s essential to prioritize your health and well-being so that you can continue to thrive in all areas of your life.

With the 10-day cleanse, you can increase your energy levels, improve your focus, boost your immune system, enjoy weight loss, and feel more balanced and centered. So why wait? It’s time to give your body the attention it deserves and join the cleanse today! Get your 10-day detox package in our store.

And when you do, you will receive your Complementary Guide Book for your 10-day cleanse and additional tips and tricks to help you feel your best!

If you are ready to uplevel your health, schedule a virtual functional medicine consultation today to learn how to use food as medicine, supplements where appropriate and put the pieces of your health together in a cohesive plan. We consult in a virtual setting with clients across the world.

References:

1. Panda, C., Komarnytsky, S., Fleming, M. N., Marsh, C., Barron, K., & Metzger, B. (2023). Guided Metabolic Detoxification Program Supports Phase II Detoxification Enzymes and Antioxidant Balance in Healthy Participants. Nutrients, 15(9), 2209. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092209

2. Tinsley, G. M., & La Bounty, P. M. (2015). Effects of intermittent fasting on body composition and clinical health markers in humans. Nutrition Reviews, 73(10), 661-674. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuv041

3. Jordan J. Effect of water drinking on sympathetic nervous activity and blood pressure. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2005 Feb;7(1):17-20. doi: 10.1007/s11906-005-0050-z. PMID: 15683582.

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