Buy organic predominantly raw foods when you can, especially fruit and vegetables which are richer in nutrients as they are not grown in mineral deficient artificial fertilisers and then sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. You can can some great nourishing raw food recipes at Kristen's Raw. Eat lots of vegetables. They contain antioxidants (these bind themselves to free radicals altering them to prevent cellular damage) that are said to fight free radicals (highly unstable, reactive atoms that can damage cells and have been linked to the advance of illnesses such as, cancer and cardiovascular disease) such as beta carotene, vitamins A and C, minerals, enzymes.

• Get plenty of Essential Fatty Acids. These are fatty acids that the body is incapable of producing and should be gleaned from dietary sources. These include, linoleic acid, (omega 6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3), the essential fatty acids. The EFAs perform important functions such as: maintaining cell membranes, producing regulatory hormones such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes and regulating cholesterol levels. Omega 3 acids are believed to benefit the immune system, suppress tumour growth, improve cholesterol levels and lower the risk of coronary heart disease, among other health benefits. [1, 2]

The amount of Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids you consume needs to be balanced as evidence has suggested that an imbalance may be a contributor to certain illnesses.

Omega 6 fatty acids can be found in the oils of seeds and grains. Sunflower, safflower, wheatgerm, sesame, pumpkin and corn oil are rich in linoleic acid as is evening primrose and borage oil, which also contains Gamma Linoleic Acids (GLA). Vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts are also a source of linoleic acid. Flaxseed oil is a rich source of Omega 3 acids as is fish oil, however flaxseed oil is much richer source of alpha-linolenic acid than fish. Rapeseed oil, canola and walnut oil are also rich sources of Omega 3 acids. Green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, mustard seeds, grains, soya beans and spirulina also provide Omega 3 acids.

• Eat lots of fibre rich foods, such as: fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds (as long as they don't cause an allergic reaction). You can also take flaxseeds (linseeds) or oat bran and psyllium husks. Fibre aids the body in removing waste, absorbs waste from the blood stream and helps the cells of the colon to replenish and repair.

• Drink distilled water if possible, which is said to detoxify the body as it is believed to be purer than both tap water (which may contain fluorine and chlorine linked to certain illnesses and altered thyroid function, and softened water can contain high levels of sodium which can also cause health problems such as hypertension and swelling) and mineral water (which it has been claimed has minerals in a poor balance, often with too high sodium and fluorine levels, as well as dangerous nitrates).

• Use stevia in place of sugar or sweeteners. It is a natural sweet herb, is said to contain no calories and does not increase blood sugar levels.
  
  
• Drink fresh organic (if you can) fruit and vegetable juices. They are easily absorbed by the body and rich in enzymes and nutrients. A qualified nutritionist may be able to put you on a detox diet for a couple of weeks based around fresh fruit and vegetable juices. The Gerson Therapy is also based around drinking high quantities of juices every day. It is a very powerful detoxification method so make sure you visit a qualified Gerson Therapy practitioner before embarking upon a Gerson detox programme.

[1] Johnston IM, Johnston JR, 1990, Flaxseed (Linseed) Oil and the power of Omega 3, Keats Publishing.
[2] Dennis L, Gregory T, http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=23820&page#tocl..

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