I am so struggling to post up this review of detoxification. It is difficult because to expound on such simple and important process had created a need in me to  slew out a multitudes of words but I find that I am limited only by my own suitable lack of vocabulary, so suffice for me to just say- detox to save your life and your health.

I have been reading up on detox and have some interest in this area, an area which I have renounced in the past as  tough and  I  lacked the self  discipline. I have sheer implausible  attitude since diet is to DIE with a T- likewise to all methods of detox like juicing: fruits only diet: fruits and vegetables only diet: tea detox, you name  it, no way Jose!

So, when I was invited by Juvanex to meet their team to learn more about detox and try their detox program, which is claimed to be a  Total- Cleanze™ with cleansing herbs like dandelion and milk thistle and grapeseed; soluble and insoluble fibre  with probiotics and prebiotics and  is 100% made of natural ingredients. I was curious; first as to how Juvanex  would be different and secondly , whether I would have the discipline to go through with it, what no carbs and coffee for  a whole week (I would be  a nightmare to all who cross my path…)

In a nutshell, the Juvanex program is meant to be an EASY attempt to cleanse system with herbs and fibre and replaces lost nutrients in the process with come necessary protection for the digestive system and liver. Formulated with antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins to protect and nourish the body after all the cleansing. It comes in a refreshing lemon flavour.

I first heard of Juvanex from  a gym friend who is in his 50s, and Edward is a fine specimen of a man that age, with very good skin and is also very athletic. His testament to his fitness and good health is regular exercise, a disciplined diet with weekend indulgences and Juvanex , two or three times a  year.

It’s been one week after my detox, in which I  feel most encouraged and am attempting to continue  the recommended diet although the carb cravings and coffee drinking have returned. It is  amazing how easily one can fall off the healthy wagon, the weak mind easily slipping back into habitual eating.

I do feel lighter even after one week and almost going back to 70% of my regular diet. So  we hear this word detox every other day, what does it really mean, who should detox and how often, what are the pitfalls of detox?

But why is detox important? Why are there so many myths about detox? Could detox be oversold  as another new age quick fix- it health craze….

Myth ONE: Detox only to  slim down

Do you know that a  detox program is not just about getting slim, but it is really about cleansing more than your digestive system. Much to my surprise (duh) , it is also meant to flush toxins that are accumulated from all the harmful chemicals that we use right down from our shampoo, lipstick and even the air that we breathe. The digestive system  serves as one major outlet for the toxins to be removed; the rest could be through sweat and urine. The greatest myth about detox is that it must be all about diarrhea and urinating because a lot of detox programs especially the ones with tea  are really laxatives although in a detox program,  drinking lots of water is also highly encouraged as this flushes the toxins out faster.

FACT

Toxins accumulate when body can not cope with the burden of toxins (mostly fat soluble) and starts to store up in cellulite, brain and hormonal glands where they stay for years. When it recirculates in blood stream is when it causes health problem.

Toxin symptoms-feel tired all the time, having digestive problems, cellulite,weight gain, headaches, skin allergies, body odour and dark eye circles.

Toxin is- anything that damages cells structure or function.

The Juvanex detox program is  a two phase program about promoting healthy cells via a healthy liver. Their ingredients include milk thistle  to cleanse the liver and dandelion to make the toxins water soluble so as to be flushed out effectively whilts grapeseed acts as anti oxidant. Next phase, they have ingredients like acid amino and glutens that prevent oxidation from forming and causing an imbalance in the system after all the purging of toxins I mean.

Myth Two: Detox is really hard

Actually it isn’t so hard. Juvanex’s main aim is to make detox easy. You are supposed to be able to eat your normal and regular meals and detox with the Juvanex formulation after or during. However should you want to embark on the trek of healthier living , they do have a recommended seven day diet program which allows for your carb cravings and protein needs to be met with healthier alternatives.

Myth Three: Only adults can detox

Actually minimum age to start for detoxing with Juvanex is as young as 12 years old and above. Teenagers should take 14 days to detox an  and use 1 satchet a day, they can mix it with apple juice for easier drinking.

Myth Four: Detox gives immediate results

Actually, a detox program should used as a long term commitment to health. One should not just not look at external results like skin radiance and weight loss because this could be red herrings. The real results would be to have incorporate this into the long term health plan and ultimately would be to ensure healthier cells overall.

Juvanex is a not  a fat burning solution, any weight loss could possibly be due to the clearing up of hardened and clogged faeces in the intestines which in some people could go up to as high as 2-5kg. What could possibly happen is when you clear the toxins from your system, the fat soluble hidden amongst the toxin could  also be flushed out. Detoxing is not recommended for pregnant and breast feeding women however although women trying to conceive may derive some benefits from them, but if in doubt get your doctor’s advice.

Meet Juvanex marketing team (Tania Lee and Esther Peh).Juvanex whish belongs to Cambert (M) Sdn.Bhd.’s marketing team mostly consists of trained pharmacists or bioscience graduates.

My detox adventure:

Day 1 - started uneventfully, decided  to just go with the recommended diet…so had fruits for breakfast and  also fruits for lunch, dinner was cooked vegetables with white rice not the recommended brown rice. I did feel a little fatigue,  took  a  forty winker. A lot of flatulence and some constipation and  a lot od excuse mes moments in a corner.

Stool is still quite mushy.

I broke down the dosage as recommended by Irene, the Juvanex dietitian  as recommended to get the body accustomed to the sudden additional intake of fibre and to avoid constipation. I had one satchet at breakfast and another mid  morning with some fruits.

Managed to go for my spinning class and no it wasn’t in my head.

Day 2- started the day with yogurt, fruits and  lunch was a salad, felt okay. Dinner is always a challenge as there is cooked food on the table, had small portion of white rice (not brown again) and cooked vegetables.

Flatulence reduced. Mouth did feel a bit bitter but otherwise no other outward symptoms. In fact, felt quite energetic.

Did combat class ( did not feel the lethargy I was warned of for first and second day…felt strong).

Day 3- Had  an early  morning meeting where salad was served and a late tea. But after two days of abstaining from caffeine and refined carbohydrates like bread and cakes, white flour, I finally succumbed to chai latte  and cranberry muffin at Austin Chase, not forgetting to mention that small piece of apple pie and a slice of carrot cake at breakfast. No obvious adverse effects ( some real “carbo injected” joy)

Day 4- Breakfast was yogurt with apple, grain soup and avocado and lettuce salad for lunch, tea was some salmon tartlets.  Dinner was fried fish and a little white rice with vegetables.

By now, flatulence is far in between although still there and stool has become the ideal, medium hard stools and no longer mushy.

Day 5- yogurt with apples for breakfast and lunch was a lot of salads with  smoked salmon, fruits, some sushi and pasta. Early dinner of cooked mince meat with some noodles. Did not drink enough water.. felt a little parch, slight lethargy; definitely my most unhealthy diet day .

Day 6- yogurt and apples for breakfast, some chee cheong fun with tofu and fish paste balls. Dinner was   chicken rice ( ate only half of the rice servings and most of the lean chicken meat, I think)

Day 7- totally blew  the diet except for the salad at lunch and one too many shortbread. The great thing was I had almost no  caffeine for the last seven days except for the chai latte and did not suffer any cravings.

The Results-

Did  it remove accumulated toxins? I felt really fresh and light of course, right after you drink the mixture one tends to feel a little stuffed but otherwise no other side effects . Yes, the bowel movement has been consistent and I did make it a point to observe the results of my bowel movements (euggh , but it is almost detrimental to good health to NOT).  In fact we all should, because your bowel movement’s appearance is a huge indicator of your general health.

Kickstart weight loss?-At the time of the month when I normally look and feel quite bloated, on the contrary I felt lighter. Although, I am not sure if I did shed the 2.5kg of unwanted stool.

Enhanced skin tones and radiance? My skin is brighter and probably a combination due to the detox or in addition to the other products that I am reviewing. There seems some marked significance…

Increased energy and vitality levels? Yes, I  feel  energetic all the time and able to just push ahead and do things I usually procrastinate over…

Improved sense of well being and clearer mind?  Well being yes, clearer mind… alas my jumbled mind…

I would however caution against taking it on an empty stomach especially if you have  some history of gastritis or onset of gastritis which was what happened to me on the Wednesday morning. I would suggest strongly taking it together with meals as recommended.

So don’t wait…purge your way to healthier you.

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