How to Get Started with Intestinal Cleansing^

“I’m thinking of doing a cleanse.” 

Many health professionals hear that from their clients this time of year – and for good reason. The holidays tend to be time of excess, challenging even the most established of wellness routines. We eat, we drink, we’re merry – and then we’re left with less time and energy for the foundational healthy habits that keep us on track during the rest of the year. We overdo it on rich foods, sugary treats and indulgent family recipes. We may imbibe more than usual, and we might find ourselves trading a morning run for a late night with loved ones. 

Then along comes January with the promise of a fresh start, and the pendulum swings to the opposite end of the spectrum. We partake in Dry January and pledge to make big changes to our eating habits. We take up diets and workout routines with big numbers in the name. And often, there’s a cleanse or detox component to our January projects. 

Read on to learn why a gentler approach might be the secret to long-term success, how to help your clients get started and which products can offer support.^ 

Matching the Approach to the Season 

While some individuals have both the personality and the constitution for a radical cleanse this time of year, winter months bring shorter, darker and colder days in most places, with a feeling of having less time – and less energy, too. Those with weakened constitutions, individuals dealing with deficiencies or people simply living in cold climates might feel better – and stick with – a simpler approach. 

Embracing a gentler approach to kick off the year, then working toward more intense programs or plans, might help clients stay motivated. 

Though programs for cleansing are usually tied to health, they are frequently treated like any other New Year’s resolution – which are notorious for being broken. Research shows that a lack of willpower, daily stress and negativity are common reasons why individuals abandon their goals. 

Additionally, we underestimate how hard change can be and set goals that demand more from us than we expected. It’s called false hope syndrome. Furthermore, when clients seek to change not for themselves but for others – or even in response to test results or a session with a trusted provider – their motivation may not last. External motivators are the least effective kind, according to the Self-Determination Theory. 

Motivation that comes from within can take time to find, but it’s the most effective form. A slower or gentler approach to change – including cleansing protocols – may help bolster self-confidence and motivate clients to work toward bigger goals or more intense programs later on. 

Healthy Digestive Habits for Winter 

While many people think of cleansing as juicing and fasting, there are plenty of other ways to press reset or start fresh. Remind clients that establishing habits and creating lasting change takes time. Think: slow and steady, marathons not sprints, one step at a time, etc. Focus on adding rather than depriving. 

Nutrient-rich bone broth (or mushroom broth) and simple foods like congee or dal can provide the warmth and sustenance needed in winter, while also letting the digestive system enjoy some R&R. 

Whether your client is working toward a bigger goal or doing a simple reset, consider these habits:  

• Focus on regularity and motility. These two crucial aspects of healthy digestion perfectly illustrate the importance of taking a marathon vs. sprint approach. Holiday fare and inactivity may lead to occasional constipation and slowed gastric emptying. Before jumping ahead to a cleanse, consider prioritizing these two processes. 
• Reach for a digestive enzyme with probiotics.^ Instead of either-or, choose a product that includes both. No matter which type of diet plan your client embraces during this season or anytime, this duo supports healthy digestion and the microbiome, for less gas, bloating and digestive discomfort.^ If clients are maintaining a calorie deficit, enzymes are a helpful ally since they help increase energy and nutrient absorption.^ Think of them as a budgeting tool for those on a diet.^
• Tidy up before you deep clean. In the kitchen as well as the rest of our homes, we usually start small with cleaning and organization. You vacuum the floors before deep-cleaning the ceiling fans, right? Remind clients to make those same smaller changes. Prioritize fiber and protein, drink more water, abstain from alcohol, etc. Once those feel like second nature, add another habit. 
• Don’t forget to rest – and recharge. Daily stress and healthy sleep are two habits worth investing in. Get those two in shape before considering bigger changes. Adults need seven hours of sleep or more per night.  

Products to Offer Support^ 

GI Motility Complex® provides support for slowed gastric emptying and associated discomforts, like occasional constipation & bloating.^ It contains clinically studied ProDigest®, a blend of triple-standardized artichoke leaf and ginger extracts, as well as apple cider vinegar. ProDigest® promoted healthy transit times by at least 30% and had a positive effect on digestive discomfort in 82% of people.^ We included apple cider vinegar to boost metabolic function.^

Kiwi Regularity Chews harness the power of kiwifruit to help maintain regularity and healthy digestion.^ Kiwifruit retains more water and swells more than other common fiber sources. With over 15 real, organic kiwifruits in every bottle, these chews help reduce occasional constipation and include prebiotics to boost the gut microbiome.^

Critical Digestion® combines the highest-potency digestive enzymes with guaranteed-potency probiotics. Thera-blend® enzymes work synergistically across the diverse pH range of the GI tract. This maximum-strength formula relieves occasional gas, bloating and indigestion, and increases energy and nutrient absorption.^ For gentle digestive support that combines enzymes and probiotics, consider Complete Digestion™. 

As we move deeper into 2025, we’ll offer insights to guide your clients through cleansing and detoxification support protocols. Look for future blogs, protocols, emails and webinars about enzyme-based detoxification, microbiome support and more.^