TO DETOX OR NOT TO DETOX?
Oh, the detox question… I get asked this so often, so thought I’d just write a quick post to give some guidance.
How do we become toxic in the first place?
The simple answer is that humans have become highly skilled at creating toxins! We pump them into the air from our cars, we spray them over our crops to make the crops last longer or ‘look nicer,’ we add them to food to make it taste sweeter, we allow them to pollute our tap water, and we consume them as quick-fix medicines instead of addressing the actual cause of our ailments.
Most of us have a high tolerance to toxins now and, as long as our immune system and cleansing organs are in good nick, we may be able to handle the everyday exposure to toxins. It’s when we’re run down or we’ve been exposed to too many harmful chemicals that the symptoms of toxic overload begin to surface. The most common symptoms are headaches, fatigue, allergies, skin problems and weight gain. Long-term exposure to toxins is even more serious and is believed to play a part in causing certain kinds of cancer.
We are naturally extraordinary detox machines!
Our body handles toxins by neutralising them, transforming them into something harmless or eliminating them all together. We try to cough up toxins that we breathe, while those landing on our skin may be washed away by sweat. Toxins in our food are dealt with by the liver, gallbladder and colon, while those that dare to enter us in liquid form may be partially flushed out by the liver, kidneys and bladder.
There’s no need for complex diets, all we need to do is help our bodies along by following these simple, common-sense tips.
Steer clear of chemicals
Buy organic food whenever possible.
Avoid artificial sweeteners (most contain aspartame – a chemical closely linked to cancer).
Choose produce free from artificial additives: we’re natural beings – we’re not meant to consume man-made chemicals!
Choose non-toxic household cleaners and personal care products.
‘Grow your own fresh air’ by buying plants for your house such as Peace Lilies and Spider Plants.
Exercise & Sleep
After exercising we tend to look and feel better, we have increased energy levels and our mood improves. One of the reasons for these positive feelings is that exercise helps to release toxins from our muscles, lymph glands and skin.
Make sure you’re getting good quality sleep. A lot of cleansing goes on while we’re asleep, so give yourself the best chance of having a good night’s rest.
Give yourself enough time to unwind after coming home from work or putting the kids to bed.
Listen to relaxing music.
Avoid eating just before bed, you’ll use energy digesting your food.
Drink plenty of clean water The majority of people ignore their body’s cry for water and often think they’re hungry when they really need to fill their stomach with a glass of clean water! Aim to drink around 2 litres a day if you suffer from heartburn, rheumatoid joint pain, back pain, migraine, high-blood pressure or weight problems.
Try juicing and sprouting
Fresh juice is great for cleansing because it helps flush the digestive system and restore important nutrients to the body. Juicing is especially good for cleansing the liver. Make sure you’re getting plenty of green stuff in the juice. As alkalising your body enables it to do its best natural detoxing. Sprouting seeds is another great way of providing high quantities of essential nutrients. It’s easy and cheap and adds variety to salads, stir-fries and sandwich toppings – check out a recent blog on this here.
If you feel your body needs a little extra boost, there is one awesome product I would recommend: Restoriix
removes free radicals and unwanted substances, balances pH levels, and supports healthy immune function while bolstering the body’s natural detoxification processes. I personally take this four times a year – every season for a fantastic liver cleanse and it also naturally flattens the tummy! If you would like to try it, it is available on my website – just click here.
Hope that helps!
Bx