Metabolic Cleanse | 7 Day Greens Cleanse

By Mike Elkins - NPTI, NSCA-cpt, Precision Nutrition masters certification

The goal of this 7 day cleanse is to balance out gut bacteria, eliminate parasites, and improve hormone levels.  You will likely also lose some weight during the cleanse and your energy levels should increase as you cleanse your digestive system and optimize your nutrient absorption. 

BENEFITS OF THIS CLEANSE

• Improve gut bacteria

• Eliminate parasites

• Improve hormone levels

• Improve metabolism

• Lose weight

• Increase nutrient absorption

• Increase energy levels

This diet is designed to completely pass everything through your digestive tract. In doing so, it will dramatically improve your overall gut health. The idea is to completely clean you out and “reset” your metabolism by eliminating harmful gut bacteria and replace it with healthy bacteria. This will also help get rid of possible parasites hidden in the body. Parasites in the intestinal tract have been shown to cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms such as, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, inflammation, leaky gut syndrome, hormonal imbalances, auto-immune diseases, and even have been linked to cancer. Not good things! I cannot stress enough how important it is to have optimal gut health.

During the cleanse you will be purging your body of all toxins and sugars. This means no sugar, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco (which you shouldn’t be smoking in the first place, if you want to be healthy!) The only carbs you should be eating are those from vegetables, which are mostly dietary fibers that will help the elimination process. Also, giving your body a break from caffeine from time to time will give your adrenal glands a rest. When the typically American gets used to having 2-3 cups of coffee per day, it really asks the adrenals to work overtime producing cortisol. While a little bit of cortisol is a good thing, chronically elevated levels can wreak havoc on our entire metabolic state. Getting “false” energy from caffeine is like buying something on a credit card, at some point you must pay it back. If not, your body will go into something called adrenal insufficiency (bankrupt). More commonly called adrenal fatigue. Giving yourself a little break from that morning cup of joe is not always pleasant, but it is critical to long term adrenal health. Plus, after the cleanse, that first cup of coffee is pure bliss all over again! I’m not even going explain why taking a break from alcohol, tobacco, or any other substances like that is a must. Like I said earlier, you know you shouldn’t be doing those things away, if you want to be healthy.

I will add that the main purpose of this cleanse is not to lose weight! Sudden food restrictions intended to cause rapid weight loss is not a good idea. That too can cause undue stress on the metabolism and create hormonal imbalances. While weight loss may occur, it is not first and foremost. Balancing out gut bacteria, elimination of parasites, and improved hormone levels is the goal. However, by doing this you will dramatically improve nutritional partitioning (the ability for your intestines to absorb nutrients). By doing this you will be able to reap the benefits of “eating healthy.” Therefore, long term weight loss or weight management will be possible. This cleanse can be used to jump start any training or weight loss program.

The first two days are the most challenging because of sudden lack of caloric energy (fats and carbs). We do this as a way of letting the digestive tract empty. Also, using up all stored glycogen and other stored energy sources. Low intensity resistance training during this cleanse is highly recommended to breakdown cells. Which is a good thing when cleansing the body. Water intake should be relatively high to help elimination of cellular breakdown. Protein intake should remain the same, around 30% of your diet. A high protein diet will help prevent muscle loss. It also has the highest influence on the thermic effect of food, which is the amount of energy your body uses to breakdown macronutrients. You are expected to be hungry during the first couple days. Being able to experience true hunger every know and then is a good thing. This helps regulate the hormones leptin and ghrelin, also called the “hunger hormones.”

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE DURING THE CLEANSE

• Probiotics - Since the idea is to replenish gut bacteria, it only makes sense to include this.
• Propello Life Rejuvenating Aminos - Taking an amino acid will help prevent muscle loss. Also, it will help from feeling like death when you are low on energy!
• Propello Life Vegan Protein (plant based protein powder) – Taking a protein supplement is a great way to keep your overall calories low while maintaining enough protein in your diet.
• Propello Life CogniGreens (super food greens powder) – Great for making nutrient dense green smoothies
• Turmeric or curcumin - Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. It is the most powerful natural supplement that reduces inflammation.

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DAY 1 & 2 (no carbs; no fats)

BREAKFAST

• The Green Monster Smoothie
  • 8-10oz Almond or cashew milk
  • Propello Life Vegan Protein – Spiced Vanilla
  • Propello Life CogniGreens - super food greens blend
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • Dash of cinnamon
• 1 can of sweet peas with Himalayan pink salt and pepper

LIGHT EXERCISE

• Sip on Propello Life Rejuvenating Aminos during your exercise

POST WORKOUT SNACK

• Propello Life Vegan Protein

LUNCH

• The Green Monster Smoothie

MID-DAY SNACK

• Propello Life Rejuvenating Aminos

DINNER

• The Green Monster Smoothie
• 1 can of sweet peas with Himalayan pink salt and pepper.

*Note: Feel free to substitute peas with any other green veggie, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, etc.

DAY 3-7 (start adding healthy fats for energy)

BREAKFAST

• The Green Monster Smoothie
  • Add 1 Tbsp Almond Butter
• 1 can of sweet peas with Himalayan pink salt and pepper

EXERCISE (increase intensity as energy levels permit)

• Sip on Propello Life Rejuvenating Aminos during your exercise

POST WORKOUT SNACK

• Propello Life Vegan Protein

LUNCH

• Spinach and kale salad with peppers, nuts, olive oil & rice vinegar dressing
• 6oz baked or grilled cod
• 1 cup roasted brussel sprouts
• 1 cup roasted broccoli and cauliflower

MID-DAY SNACK

• The Green Monster Smoothie
• Serving of Pumpkin seeds

DINNER (Days 3-6)

• 6oz baked or grilled cod
• 1 cup roasted brussels sprouts
• 1 cup roasted broccoli and cauliflower

DINNER (Day 7 – introductions of healthy carbs)

• ½ cup quinoa
• 6-8oz shrimp
• Sautéed peppers and squash and Parmesan cheese.

*Keep in mind these are my servings. Adjust your meal portions as needed.

Good luck with your cleanse!  If you have any questions or just want to share your experience with cleansing, please comment to the blog or send us an email to support@propellolife.com

About the Author:

Mike Elkins - NPTI, NSCA-cpt, Precision Nutrition masters certification

www.effortbasedtraining.com

FB: @mikeelkins

IG: @m.elkins81