The Clarity Cleanse

Books, Health, Peace 4 Minutes

June turned July, and I committed to a ten-day cleanse. I said to myself, I can do anything for ten days. Even so, it took me a minute to commit. The unsaturation diet idea came from a book I read listened to on Audible, Dr. Habib Sadeghi’s The Clarity Cleanse.

As a twenty-one-year-old medical student, Sadeghi was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He ran into his anatomy partner right after receiving the news. His friend said something like, “You don’t look so good.”

Sadeghi told him about the cancer.  

His friend said, “Let’s go get lunch.” During their conversation, the friend asked Sadeghi how he was feeling.

Sadeghi thought he was going to die.

His friend said, “I don’t know the God you believe in, but the God I believe in is a loving God. You’re going to be okay.”

During that lunch, Sadeghi’s entire perspective changed.

Sadeghi took a medical school sabbatical and traveled the world studying the power of thoughts, words, and alternative medicine. He studied the psychology theories of Wilfred Bion, who coined the terminology of container and contained. Every element of thought or emotion has either a projective/masculine component or a receptive/feminine component, so when a baby (or anyone) is angry, hurt, fearful—all they need is someone who understands. And when a container is there, the cycle of emotion is complete. I’m fascinated by this idea.

Sadeghi studied eastern and western medical practices and later studied Spiritual Psychology with Emphasis in Consciousness, Health, and Healing. He started paying attention to what he put in his mouth and how he processed his emotions. He started an exercise called PEW 12 (Purge Emotional Writing, click here for more). He learned self-containment in this way and the belief that thoughts have power and that anything is possible. He practiced forgiveness, mindfulness, and slowing down. Do you see why I like him?

Through CAT scans every three months, Sadeghi monitored his levels of cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol prepare our bodies for fight or flight responses. Too much cortisol plays a role in inflammation and stress. As his cortisol dropped, he produced a higher level of immunity.

All of this leads me to my ten-day cleanse or Intentional Unsaturation Diet. I only have one body. I might as well take care of it. The ten days are heavy on lemon water, red or pink apples, sardines, and brown rice.

Sardines

I had never tried a sardine in my life and didn’t care to start. I kept an open mind and read about the benefits of sardines. I’m no expert. I learned from Dr. Sadeghi. Purine proteins support cellular reconstruction, enzymatic function, and DNA repair. Calcium (from chewable bones) and Vitamin D support bone health, nerve and muscle function, and regulation of cellular activity. Vitamin B12 supports cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids are an anti-inflammatory. They reduce cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. They support fluidity and integrity of cell membranes, building blocks for hormones.

And would you believe it? I actually like sardines now.

Apples reduce cholesterol and risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. They function as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and aid in hormone balancing (help correct estrogen dominance). They provide energy and tissue hydration. They detoxify, reduce gallbladder stress, reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, increase HDL (good cholesterol), reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and help maintain healthy body weight.

I think I’ll stop typing and go eat an apple. My favorite is the Honeycrisp, but I’m liking the Pink Lady apples, too. Dr. Sadeghi suggests slicing (or grating) your apples and allowing them to turn brown (or oxidize). I think he said that oxidation breaks down the sugar. Don’t quote me.

As for the brown rice, it digests slowly to keep blood sugar levels stable and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. It also helps protect against from free radical damage and reduces cancer risk. The fiber detoxifies, reduces gallbladder stress, cholesterol, risk of cardiovascular disease, and helps to maintain healthy body weight.

For lemon water. Wash your lemons and chop. Add to boiling water (one lemon per quart or litre). Cover and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes more. Strain and drink all day long.

Ten days of lemon water broke my morning coffee habit. I didn’t even miss my coffee, which I normally drink with added decadence. However, I did lay off of all caffeine for about a week before I started. Benefits? Lemons stimulate better digestion. They cleanse your liver, kidneys, and blood. They are a good source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

More than anything, I write this as a note to self. I actually love the lemon water. I could go the quicker route, and I have, no boiling, just squeeze the lemon, but I especially like it hot.

Ten-Day Intentional Unsaturation Diet

Other than the emphasized foods above, the diet includes all poultry (white meat), fish and shellfish, egg whites, all vegetables (no legumes), all fresh fruit, olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.

  • Days 1/2: Anything listed above.
  • Day 3: Avoid animal proteins. Anything else listed.
  • Days 4/5: Only brown rice, apples, and sardines. Use in moderation: herbs, salt and pepper, lemon, Bragg Aminos, ginger, garlic, scallions, onion.
  • Day 6: Fast. No food. Drink lemon water. I fasted 24 hours and ate around 8 PM that evening. I had never fasted in my life. Until now.
  • Day 7: Brown rice, apples, and sardines as above.
  • Day 8: Avoid animal proteins as above.
  • Days 9/10: Anything listed above.

I liked Dr. Habib Sadeghi’s The Clarity Cleanse quite a lot. During the ten days of the diet, I was energetic during the day and slept like a baby at night. I lost a few pounds and noticed a decrease in my belly fat. My mindset shifted. Now I’m eating more apples and trying to pay attention to what else goes into my mouth. I’m monitoring the thoughts in my head. I’m thinking about Shakespeare.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

William Shakespeare

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

45 thoughts on “The Clarity Cleanse”

  1. Wow, Crystal, you are a model of self-discipline. I’m not sure I could do this unless I was very ill and it was my last chance! But it’s very interesting, if not tantalizing.

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      3. Not a lot to write about, Jane. I am seven pounds heavier this year than last. My blood work all came back slightly improved from last year. Apparently it takes more than ten days to improve one’s health. Let’s see what the next year brings.

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      4. Crystal, you’re right insofar as this report probably isn’t going to create a huge uptake in clarity cleansing! But improved blood test results is a positive. I remain impressed that you undertake this regimen for more than one day! 😊

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  2. It is good to be disciplined Crystal. Not sure my discipline will ever include a break from coffee, though. Thanks for sharing. Allan

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  4. Wow, so interesting ! I already practise mindfulness, and this concept is one I will explore further.
    My dad was a great fan of sardines, and he was always fit and slim.
    Thanks so much ! 🤗

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  5. I completed a mid day fast for keto from time to time. When I am not working in person is when I prefer to do this. I don’t eat until noon and don’t eat after 6 pm. Intermittent fasting. I decided to do this after writing a blog last week about sizes and two women confided they were like a very small size. I felt, wow, am I big with size 12 and sometimes a 14 and so, I fasted. Thanks for listening. School is almost back to session. Have a good year!

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    1. I have also tried intermittent fasting for a while, except I always had my coffee with cream and honey, which technically breaks the fast. Oops. So now I’m trying it without coffee (or just on the weekends). I’m so ready for school. I’ve spent entirely too much time with my couch for the past year and a half. Thanks for reading, CCC.

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  6. Hmmmm….I don’t know if I would want to do this, but I say cheers to anyone who thinks it’s beneficial to them!

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  8. Hello Crystal, My favorite quote from Shakespeare, “Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you.” Have a happy red clown nose super doodle day. Jerry

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    1. This is one of those books I wished I had on my shelf, so I could reread certain parts. Audible did include a PDF of the diet, the benefits, and recipes. Thanks for reading, Bridget.

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    1. Me, too. Thank you, Rosaliene. I realize this was only ten days, but it’s just an example of what we can do when we try and how a few continued tweaks might help.

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  13. Wow, Crystal! An ambitious program, which speaks to its potential benefits. That you would consider such a course is impressive; that you actually have done so earns even more exultation.

    You’re going all-in (or thereabouts) on apples, huh? I’m fully supportive, as I’m an Apple-a-Day man myself. This conversation thread resonates, as I believe we discussed this very thing a year ago. Even if so, I have a new favorite apple variety to recommend – Kanzi (a Japanese breed). It noses ahead of Honeycrisp, the old champ, which itself unseated the original go-to, Gala.

    Oh, did you have many problems disengaging the caffeine monkey? When I kicked a three Pepsi-daily habit a few Thanksgivings ago, a month of headaches and constant fatigue tried to discourage me. You did make a good try of it, Addiction, but nothing doing. I’ve been free and clear for almost four years now. May those words be yours too, my friend!

    When you emerge victorious, amidst ongoing reform, I do hope you still will visit, Crystal, as we always find more to discuss than just food.

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    1. Your apple a day inspires me, Keith. I’m an apple-a-day wannabe. Your note reminds me to go eat my apple, and our Kanzi conversation is coming back to me. I will definitely keep my eye out. As for caffeine, I can take or leave it now. I still love a good Coke from time to time. The days of the two-Coker are long gone.

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  15. Thank you for sharing! I am glad you found something that works for you, hope you have great success… as for me, don’t have to cleanse here… rather than do the cleansing thing, I watch my food intake and eat healthy every day along with some exercise… had my doctors appointment a week ago and he said to keep doing what I am doing… 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May flowers always line your path
    and sunshine light your way,
    May songbirds serenade your
    every step along the way,
    May a rainbow run beside you
    in a sky that’s always blue,
    And may happiness fill your heart
    each day your whole life through.
    (Irish Saying)

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      1. “No road is too long for him who advances slowly and does not hurry, and no attainment is beyond his reach who equips himself with patience to achieve it.” (Jean de La Bruyere)… 🙂

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  16. Thank you for documenting your challenge for us to see the positives and potential hardships! I too have a bad morning coffee habit as a lot of others do! That would be the hardest kick for me but I love these types of short-term challenges to help us see how far we can push our bodies (in new direction) to see what we are capable of (physically and mentally). 🙂

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  18. I love how you are always trying something new to improve yourself, Crystal! It inspires me. I’ve been putting a slice of lemon in my water bottle most every day for a while now and I really enjoy it. I ought to be eating more apples, I enjoy them and my body feels better when I eat them on the regular. Not sure about sardines though!

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