The Importance of Detoxification

Importance of Detoxification

What comes to your mind immediately you hear the word” detoxification“? Of course body cleansing with juice and hard-to-follow protocols. Detoxification refers to biological processes your body undergoes consistently to release waste. The body MUST eliminate toxic byproducts of cellular metabolism, environmental toxins and chemicals from its system for it to function well physically and mentally.

Here are 5 organs of detoxification: 

·       The liver 

·       The lungs  

·       The colon 

·       The kidneys 

·       And the skin 

Of these, the key detoxifier is the liver. A healthy life certainly depends on a healthy liver!

Why is Detoxifying Our Body Important?

The body collects environmental toxins such as mercury, lead, arsenic and therefore needs cleansing, else you can be sick all the time. These toxins come from carpeting, candles, fabric softeners, furniture, food containers, farm raised fish, non-organic produce, shower water treated with chlorine, cigarette smoke, tailpipe exhaust and more.

The toxin exposures we face today are more than those of any other generation in history. The sad news is that they overwhelm our body’s detoxification systems, hence causing symptoms and disease. Most of these chemicals are known neurotoxins, respiratory irritants and hormone disruptors.  The good news is that if your body is healthy, it can work hard at cleansing or eliminating these toxins. You can also reduce your exposure to toxins by cleaning your environment regularly.

The Best Everyday Detox Solutions 

1.     Limit Your Exposure to Toxins

Here are some changes and lifestyle you can embrace to reduce your chemical exposures in your life and living environment. This helps to lessen the toxic burden on your body, enabling your detoxification systems to handle the toxin exposures which you can’t control. 

To decrease exposure to dangerous chemicals, pollution and mold that overwhelm your natural detoxification systems, do the following:

·       Replace plastic water bottles with reusable glass or stainless steel ones 

·       Filter water for both cooking and bathing 

·       Filter indoor air 

·       Eat only organic, non-GMO food 

·       Choose personal skincare products without endocrine disrupting chemicals 

·       Don’t heat food in plastic containers 

·       Use natural cleaning products  

2.     Eat Detox Supporting Foods

Eat real foods and foods that can get rid of common toxins like preservatives, artificial flavors, food dyes, and pesticides found in processed foods. Natural foods also provide key nutrients to support your body’s detoxification processes and especially your liver from processed sugar. 

My Favorite Detox Foods Include:  

·       Cruciferous vegetables like brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower  

·       Bitter greens: Nutrient-dense greens like dandelion greens, kale, watercress and arugula

·       Artichokes for their richness in silymarin; an antioxidant which protects liver cells

·       Apart from cruciferous vegetables, other remedies include a slice of lemon in water, pomegranate, beets, fresh fruits, turmeric and high-quality protein.

 

3.     Drink Tea to Detox

Go for medicinal herbs to support your detoxification organs. Here are a few potent herbal extracts for more therapeutic dosages:  

·       Grind milk thistle plant seeds and brew like tea  

·       Grind dandelion root and brew like coffee  

·       Make tea out of stinging nettles for toxin removal  

·       Green tea, especially Pique tea to eliminate toxins

4.     Hydrate

Good hydration supports the kidneys and helps it flush out toxins. Sufficient hydration depends on our body size, sweating level, climate, amount of caffeine consumed and our electrolyte status. You may drink between 6 to 8 cups of water. 

5.     Sweat and Breathing Hard

Eliminate toxins from your body through the skin by sweating. Get active via moderate or higher intensity exercise to sweat and breath hard release toxins from your lungs. Sauna and hot baths also help you sweat.

Embrace these strategies to support your body’s natural detoxification processes and you can limit exposures to toxins and optimize your body function and overall health.  

Please feel free to leave a comment or question below or share your experience.