Are you tired of feeling sluggish? It is likely that hazardous chemicals and toxins are stealing your health and vitality.
Toxins naturally accumulate over time and we are all exposed to them. With the significant and increasing media attention that has been focused on this issue over the past several years, I'm sure that it is one that most of you are well aware of and concerned about - and rightly so. Consumption of natural, organic food limits exposure to chemicals, additives and preservatives. However, even with healthy organic eating, toxins from the environment (pollution) and ingredients found in many cleaning and body care products can still enter your system through inhalation or absorption through your skin.
Why should you consider detoxification?
· cases of chronic disease have risen over the last 20 years along with the number of man-made toxins in our environment
· optimal health and functioning of the body are affected by toxins
· chronic exposure to various toxins is linked to infertility, eczema and cancer. In fact, 90% of all cancers are thought to be linked to environmental carcinogens.1
What are toxins and where do they originate?
Toxin exposure is inevitable in this world. Compounds used in our everyday life such as detergent, chronic use of medication, excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol, tobacco use, and a poor diet high in processed foods and fat are just some examples of unwanted exposure to toxins. Although your body is designed by nature to cleanse itself of many of the harmful agents it is exposed to through the environment and everyday living, it may be overwhelmed because of overexposure.
Removing toxins that have built up overtime with a cleansing protocol will help get you on the road to feeling your best. Research supports the general and specific health benefits of detoxification and I would like to share with you some helpful suggestions and strategies as to how you can: (1) eliminate the accumulation of toxins from your body; and (2) minimize their re-accumulation in the future. From the perspective of Naturopathic Medicine, the primary therapeutic modality used for eliminating an accumulation of toxins and minimizing subsequent re-accumulation is a detoxification regime in conjunction with dietary modifications. Optimal health and energy requires that each and every cell of our body is vibrantly clean and well nourished. If this is accomplished, many health problems resolve.
Detoxification programs can be difficult in social gatherings. Three tips to make a detox easier are:
1) Finding a partner or "detox buddy" who is interested in doing a cleanse with you. They will provide added support and strengthen your willpower.
2) Pre-planned meals and snacks handy at all times.
3) A list of detox-friendly restaurants (e.g. Camros Organic Eatery).
With a detox program, you can expect to experience an increase in energy, mental clarity, smoother skin and improved sleep. Weight loss is also commonly experienced. The foods that you eat play a key role in the strength of your immune system and your naturopathic doctor (ND) can provide you with dietary suggestions to re-balance, replenish, and re-start your system. Most detoxification programs recommend an increased intake of fresh vegetables and garlic, consuming whole grains (like quinoa, millet and brown rice), reducing stress, and saying goodbye to sugar in all its forms (refined carbohydrates). Regular exercise and yoga are also encouraged. Detoxify this spring and start living the healthy lifestyle that your body deserves.
Toxins affect various systems in the body and they may play a role in allergies, skin disorders, poor immune functioning, headaches, digestive disorders, fatigue and lack of mental clarity. Simply put, when the liver (the major detoxification organ in the body) is overwhelmed, its ability to rid the body of toxins is hindered. As a result, toxin levels accumulate over time and can lead to an array of health problems.
What is the lymphatic system and why is it important?
Most detoxification products found in health food stores do not address the lymphatic system and only offer a laxative effect (i.e. cleanse your colon by eliminating the accumulation of waste in the intestine). While colon cleansing is an essential part of a good detoxification program, these products and other bulking herbal agents do not address other systems in the body where toxins may be hiding. The lymphatic system transports lymph fluid throughout the body and picks up waste products, which it carries to the lymph nodes and ultimately into the circulation where they can be removed by the liver. Without a well-functioning lymphatic system, which can be due to many factors, including the toxins themselves - the liver does not receive anything to detoxify.
Tips While Detoxing:
Limit further intake of toxic substances. Certain foods, such as processed foods, dairy, wheat, eggs, red meat, and sugar must be eliminated from the diet. Natural and nutritious organic foods are recommended.
Avoid eating empty calories which simply fill you up. Aim for high-quality wholesome foods which provide your body with the nutrition it needs.
Consume 2 - 3 liters of water per day. Start your day with one cup of warm water with 1/4 sliced lemon. This will help stimulate your liver and improves digestion.
Exercise is mandatory and sweating is encouraged. Saunas and hot yoga classes are recommended in most cases.
Learn to better manage stress. Rather than view a detoxification program as a time of deprivation, view it as a positive experience which will enhance your quality of life. Stress, fear and worry alter the body's cells and the body's ability to eliminate effectively.
Consider alkalinizing your diet and avoiding acidic foods. Your ND can provide you with a list of alkaline foods.
1. Murray, Pizzorno. Textbook of Natural Medicine; 440.
