Detox Demystified
With the start of a new year, many people are setting wellness goals and planning to pursue healthier lifestyles and recover from unhealthy holiday eating habits. There is a lot of chatter these days about detox programs and cleanses, and a plethora of products marketed as such. But what exactly IS detoxification?
Detoxification is something our bodies do naturally to neutralize, transform and get rid of materials or toxins. Toxins may include chemicals we encounter during the day from our external environment, as well as chemicals we make internally, like estrogen. Your body’s natural detoxification process is different than the term “detox” as it is popularly used, and it is happening every single day. The body has six organs of detoxification. Although the bulk of the work is done by the liver and the intestinal tract, the kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system and skin are all involved in this complex system.
The purpose of a detoxification program is primarily to support these organs of elimination so that toxins present in the body can be metabolized and excreted. In other words, the goal is to improve and optimize the function of your body’s own systems. For many of us, the modern lifestyle leaves us overloaded by external toxins and under-supported nutritionally because our diets are not balanced enough to keep our natural detox processes robust. Fortunately, you can take simple actions to improve and support your body’s detoxification and elimination systems.
Try these strategies daily:
Eat your veggies. We need hundreds of enzymes, vitamins and other molecules to help rid the body of unwanted waste products and chemicals. The antioxidants, vitamins and minerals our liver and other organs need for proper functioning are conveniently packaged in the form of spinach, kale, broccoli, garlic, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc. Aim to fill half of your plate with vegetables.
Optimize your digestion. Many of the chemicals our body needs to eliminate are excreted in our stool. Constipation means that these chemicals are hanging around longer than needed and can be reabsorbed from inside our gut. Eating plenty of veggies (AKA fiber) is a solid strategy to improve gut motility. If constipation is still a struggle after increasing your fiber intake, talk to Relish Health to identify the root cause and determine additional strategies for relief.
Drink plenty of water. The more water you drink throughout the day, the more you are supporting your liver and kidneys. The Institute for Medicine recommends that men drink a minimum of about 13 cups of water a day and that women drink about 9 cups. Detoxing your body may be as simple as upping your water intake.
Sweat it out. Our bodies are programmed to detoxify themselves naturally through the liver, gut and kidneys, but when those organs are feeling overloaded, they turn to the skin for help. Many chemicals can also be excreted through our pores. Regular sweating with proper hydration can assist the detoxification process.
Take a bath with epsom salts. Your skin is your largest detox organ. Warm water from a bath can stimulate circulation, which improves blood flow and promotes cellular renewal. Epsom salts contain magnesium and additional minerals that aid in your body’s detoxification processes.
As you can see, supporting your body’s natural detoxification process need not be complicated or expensive. With attention to your diet and a bit of additional intentionality, you can help your body recover from the holidays and start the new year off well.