7-Day Detox Miracle: Restore Your Mind and Body's Natural Vitality with This Safe and Effective Life- Enhancing Program

Reviewed by Mary James, N.D.

Detox programs are not new-- health food store shelves today are lined with products whose labels guarantee major overhauls within a few days. Although many people tolerate and even benefit from these programs, others become quite ill in the process. Overlooked is the important fact that effective detoxification requires more than just "stirring things up". Health, in general, requires proper nutrition, assimilation, circulation, and the ability to eliminate metabolic waste. A breakdown in any of these areas results in toxicity that leads to poor cellular function, disrupted organ activity, and ultimately illness. Likewise, the road back to health (including detoxification) involves a restoration of these functions-all of them.

This is what I found so refreshing about the book 7-Day Detox Miracle, by Peter Bennett, N.D. and Stephen Barrie, N.D. The title refers to the prescribed week-long regimen for clearing toxins from the body (the EcoTox program), but inside the cover is also a wealth of information about factors contributing to illness. The stage is set for a safe and effective cleansing program, as the same factors which promote health are those required for an effective detox program: removing obstacles to health, improving circulation, enhancing elimination, ensuring healthy GI function, stimulating the liver, and transforming stress. Toward these ends, the EcoTox program employs a variety of techniques, including diet, supplements, and activities to stimulate the circulation.

I decided to test out this 7-day program first-hand. Other than skipping the suggested alternating hot and cold showers (I did manage half-the hot half), I followed every direction. The first two days of water were a challenge, as my energy was low and my stomach snarled in rebellion. The next five days of brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, and rice protein shakes were a treat and surprisingly easy, after two days of lemon water. The prescribed supplements enhanced elimination, and provided nutrients for the detox process. My experience was what the book predicted in its last chapter: Along with a clearer head, quieted nervous system, and more restful sleep, my cravings for unhealthy foods had diminished, and the experience of a "cleaner" system made continuing with a healthier diet and lifestyle less of a discipline and more of a choice.

The 7-Day Detox Miracle provides a far-reaching education for the patient about how the body keeps itself well, and also for the clinician who desires a broader understanding of the mechanisms of detoxification-a more holistic view of biochemical mechanics. As the authors state, "The reason for an illness is more important than its name. The cure begins with the cause." This book is a great roadmap for getting there.


Buy me, Buy me.....   January 11, 2000
49 out of 51 found this review helpful

It all began when I entered a health food store a few days ago, and saw the 7-Day Detox Miracle book, staring at me with a look saying "buy me, buy me". I hesitated at first as I've bought many books on health, only to have them sit on my bookshelf and do nothing other than collect dust.I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for a while, and have tried many ways to boost my energy levels, (including buying endless amounts of health books), but to no avail. I reluctantly bought the 7-Day Detox Miracle, hoping it would not have to die a quick death, and join all its fellow health books on that dusty bookshelf. I started to read it the moment I arrived home, and amazingly finished reading it the same day. The information was of high quality and it kept me interested up until the last page. Once completing the self- health check-up, using the guidelines in the book I quickly found out that my habits needed to change. The following day I began the detox program and am currently on my third day.I initially thought that a two day liquid fast would be unbearable and impossible, but to my surprise it was easier than I thought.I am now drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, and since I am on my third day that makes it 24 glasses - a lot more than I would have drunk in a fortnight - and yes - it's easy.Speaking of water, the hot and cold showers outlined in the book, have turned out to be my favourite. As I am a big fan of hotter than hot showers, I was dreading the moment the water temperature would have to willingly change to cold. The first day was a challenge, yet quite amusing hearing my boyfriend from the other room conduct a countdown after my five minutes of pure bliss hot water, to the dreaded cold. For the three days now, he has been kind enough to provide his ever so empathetic countdown, which allows me to laugh instead of focussing on the cold. It's amazing the amount of energy you obtain simply by alternating hot and cold water. The food guidelines are simple to follow. It wasn't until I sat down and organised my food plan for the week, when I suddenly realised the variety of dishes that can be created using vegetables and rice. I have found, even by following this simple plan for only three days so far, I am pleased to say that I feel more energetic, alert, vibrant and overall a great deal healthier.I highly recommend this book to all - especially my fellow skepticals out there who have a bookshelf just like mine.


Healthy and easy way to detox - finally!   October 1, 1999
29 out of 29 found this review helpful

After using primarily fasting as a way to detox in the past, this book provided me with a much easier way to detox by combining fasting, as well as a careful produce/rice diet to continue the detox process without fasting. I knew what to expect, and my cravings for 'bad' foods went away, and while I had some trouble finding "rice protein" I did fine with rice products, and didn't have any trouble sticking to the careful five day diet. This book made it easy to understand what is going to happen during the detoxing process, which I'd never clearly understood. There seems to be a lot of "extra" info in the book if you're interested, such as supplements, tests and details about each part of the body that absorbs toxins. Good to know in hindsight. I think I may continue living a detox lifestyle! It's worth it.


Well worth reading - even if you think you're feeling great.   June 8, 1999
35 out of 36 found this review helpful

Once I understood the principal behind the book, I skipped some of the research information and cut to the chase - the programme. After I'd been following the guidelines for a few days, I started feeling really good, and dipped back into the book to read the sections I'd missed. I wanted to know exactly what was happening to me. It's a week long programme, that you can follow every now and again to clean out your system. At the end of the seven days I felt calmer, clearer, lighter and bursting with energy. As well as dietary guidelines (and a two day lemon juice and water fast, not nearly as bad as it sounds!) there are suggestions for other activities to help the detox process. Nothing weird, just proven methods (bodybrushing, sweating, daily exercise and so on). I didn't feel like I was having to refer to it all the time to see what I should be doing or eating, it was really simple.

The book is easy to read, not overwhelmingly technical and seems to work. I'd recommend it even if you think you feel healthy. After a week you might be pleasantly surprised.


It's not easy - but it works!   August 14, 2000
Janice Newrick (Whistler, BC Canada)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

The book was recommended to me by my yoga teacher and I have to say I had my reservations. I read the book once and then delved back into it as the science of it began to sink in and make sense to me. I was unsure about a two day fast, fearing I would faint away after the first missed meal. Not so! I didn't feel a single pang of hunger throughout. Having completed my week of de-tox successfully I feel great. I'm sleeping deeply and feel refreshed and rejuvenated upon waking in the morning. An added bonus of this whole de-tox week is that I've lost an inch around my hips and my waist! I would recommend this book to anyone seeking better all-round health and an understanding of how the digestive system works.