Hello! In this article, we're going to talk about the Protox challenge, breaking it down into four main parts:

1. We'll start by looking at what Protox is and the good things it does for your body.
2. Next, we'll discuss who can take part in this challenge.
3. Then, we'll give you some advice on what to do and what to avoid.
4. Finally, we'll talk about any issues you might run into and how to deal with them.
    

Introduction to the Protox:

To begin with, the Protox diet involves eating these things every day: a healthy juice, a salad with lots of protein, a vegan protein salad, and two raw energy balls. The salads are made from fresh veggies, including both animal and plant-based proteins, with a dressing made from cold-pressed olive oil. To keep your juice fresh, it's important to store it in the freezer. These juices are meticulously prepared from fresh fruits and vegetables, free from additives or sweeteners, utilizing a cold-pressed method to maximize their mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant content. The raw energy balls are mostly made from nuts and dried fruits. This diet has lots of good things like protein, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats, and it's around 900 calories a day composed of 40% protein (high),30% carbohydrate (low) and 30% fat (moderate).

Benefits of the Protox:

First, your liver is important for cleaning out bad stuff from your body. The juice and food don't clean your body directly, but they have a lot of good things like amino acids, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your liver work better. Plus, the reduction of harmful substances, which will be discussed later, alleviates the liver's workload, thereby enhancing its proper functioning and maintaining its health.

Also, the Protox challenge can make your body go into a fasting mode because you're eating a lot fewer calories than usual. With only 900 calories a day, which is less than the recommended 1200, your body will stimulate autophagy and cellular regeneration, contributing to overall cellular health.

So, the Protox challenge isn't just about losing weight; it's also good for your liver and your overall health.


Eligibility Criteria for the Protox:

1. People who are healthy and not taking any medicines.
2. People who want to do a detox but still want to eat some protein. If you're not a vegan, you might like this diet.
3. It proves especially beneficial for individuals who have previously grappled with overeating, excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, prolonged stress, insufficient sleep, or inadequate exercise over recent months.
4. Individuals with underlying medical conditions or taking medications should seek guidance from their healthcare provider before embarking on the Vegantox Challenge.
   
    

General Recommendations:

In terms of nutrition:

• Ideally, If you can manage with only eating our four meals, that's perfect.
• However, if you feel the need for more energy, you can include: Lean animal-based protein sources such as 100g of chicken breast, fish, meat, or two eggs. Ensure that the chosen protein portion is roughly the size of your palm. 
• 4 handfuls of vegetables, with an emphasis on leafy greens like cabbage, kale, lettuce, arugula, purslane, and thyme. Avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes, palm hearts, corn, artichokes, green beans, and peas.
• 1 handful of low-sugar fruits, with the exception of dried fruits, figs, raisins, pomegranates, avocados, dates, papayas, bananas, mangoes, cactus fruit (prickly pear), kaki, and custard apples (ashta).
• The inclusion of olive oil, mayonnaise, or any fatty dressing is prohibited in this diet.
• You can have coffee like Turkish coffee, espresso, or Americano, but not instant coffee.
• Tea is fine too, just don't add any kind of sugar.
   

When it comes to lifestyle:

1. Prioritize physical activity: Maintaining a regular exercise routine is crucial. Aim for a minimum of 150 minutes weekly, engaging in activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, running, or gym workouts. Ideally, target an enjoyable hour of daily activity, splitting it into 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon.
2. Social dining balance: It is generally not preferable during the Protox challenge as most restaurants use processed foods, and many hidden unhealthy ingredients may be present in whatever item you order.
3. Avoid alcohol consumption: Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and excessive consumption can lead to inflammation.
4. Cease the use of medications: Certain medications are metabolized in the liver. Prolonged use or misuse can strain the liver, potentially leading to drug-induced liver injury.
5. Hydration guidance: Hydration is paramount, and we'll provide precise water intake recommendations based on your current weight.
6. Quit smoking for health: Taking the crucial step to quit smoking is fundamental for a healthier lifestyle.
7. Stress management strategies: Equip yourself with strategies to navigate or alleviate stress, given its substantial impact on our eating habits. A detailed exploration of this topic will be presented in an upcoming article.
8. Prioritize quality sleep: Prioritize a restful 8-hour sleep each night, a golden rule for curbing calorie intake. The duration and quality of your sleep can significantly influence your eating patterns.
9. Do not eat processed foods: processed meat (cold cuts and sausages), whey protein, and dairy products.
   
    

Potential Side Effects and Mitigation Strategies:

Most people who do the Protox challenge don't have any problems, because you're eating healthy food. But it's hard to stick to a very low-calorie diet like Protox for a long time, and some people might eat extra food from their homes. Also, if you don't get help from our dietitians, you might gain the weight back. So, we recommend talking to our dietitians after you finish the Protox challenge to learn how to keep your weight where you want it. 
 

To wrap it up, we've given you a good look at the Protox challenge, and we hope you understand it better now. If you have questions or need more information, please get in touch with us.