Our bodies are under a deadly toxin-attack.

Every day, we inhale automobile exhaust, dust, pollutants, fumes, and tobacco-smoke. Our fast-food diets are full of chemical preservatives and food additives. Toxins make us more susceptible to diseases and accelerate ageing.

A week-long detox is a great way to give your body a break from the toxic onslaught, and replenish the body with healthy nutrients. And the perfect detox consists of a healthy vegetable diet and plenty of water to flush out the toxins.

Herbalist Hoang Anh Tuan tells us about a simple week-long detox plan which has the approval of experts around the world.

Day 1, 2

Eat only fibrous vegetables like spinach, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, and lettuce. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water every day. A good way to increase water intake is through herbal teas and the juice of oranges, lemons and pomelos. Stay away from cereals, sugar, salt, alcohol, protein and meat.

Day 3-5

Begin your day with a glass of warm water and deep breathing to filter out toxins from the blood. Sip the water while rubbing your stomach gently. The movement stimulates bowel movement and helps cleanse the body.

Have a breakfast of fruit. For lunch, have a fillet of steamed fish with a large tossed salad. For dinner, have nourishing vegetable soups of watercress, spinach, lettuce and dill, with more vegetables and fruit.

Avoid rice, bread, milk, cheese, cereals, sugar, and fried food. Reduce the amount of salt in your meals.

This is a diet very low in calories, so avoid physical labor and work stress.

Day 6, 7

In the last two days of your detox week, have a bowl of boiled skinless chicken for lunch. You can now add cabbage, pumpkin and cucumber to your diet. Continue having green vegetable soups and plenty of water.

A great detoxifying dish is leek soup. Wash and slice leek, and boil it in a pot for a nourishing meal.

End your detox week with a relaxing steam to bath clear out all the pores in your skin.

You will notice increased vitality through the detox week. Not only will your skin glow from the cleansing, your digestive system will function better and you will have shed a few kilos.

As you return to your normal diet, begin by incorporating a little meat in your meals everyday. Continue to have lots of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables for lasting effects of the detoxification.