Do we really need to detox?
You might have learned in HS Biology how our human body has it’s own built in methods of ridding toxins from our body, and it does, but what happens when our kidneys and liver are overflowing like a garbage can with toxins, and just can’t keep up? Chronic illness, cancers, kidney disease are some of the resulting conditions that can result from our body becoming overwhelmed with toxins.
How does this happen, after all our body is such an intricate and wonderful system, meant to self-heal? The problem is that the number of toxins introduced into our atmosphere has increased at a far more rapid rate, than which our body is capable of adapting to new environments. Since the Industrial Revolution, 80,000 toxins have been introduced into our world. The umbilical cord of a new born baby has over 287 known toxins in it. (Dr Mark Hyman, Broken Brain 2, April 2019). 100 years ago, these chemicals just didn’t exist. We can’t see or smell them, but they have a massive impact on our body and therefore our health.
Our body is like a silo, and if we bring in toxic chemicals, through our skin, water, food, air, hair and our body can’t use them, they just build up in layers, until the silo gets full and overflows, which is when we get skin issues, auto immune diseases and other such illness.
So we DO need to help our body rid itself of these chemicals, by taking time to detox. In choosing to detox, we ensure that for a short amount of time, we really limit the toxins we allow in (and have control over), while helping the body eradicate toxins, through eating foods, using supplements and drinking drinks that help the detox process, as well as through dry skin brushing, enemas and more.
There are simple steps you can take daily to help the fact toxins are coming in daily, such as:
- Start your day with a glass of flaxseed cocktail (1tbsp of ground flaxseed in 8 – 10 oz of warm water. The flaxeed is like sawdust and helps “sweep” toxins through your digestive tract and out. It is also high in fiber and omega 3s. Follow that with a glass of warm lemon water (juice of ½ a lemon in the same size glass of warm water). This additional lemon water helps push the toxins out, but also has the benefits of helping the detox process, switching on your digestive system, to let it know food is coming soon and helps balance your blood/sugar levels.
- Drink Detox Tea – there are many detox teas on the market, that will again help move toxins through. Dandelion Root is a particularly good herb for this and as such is found in many detox teas. You could enjoy a cup of this herbal tea on a nightly basis before bed.
- Here is a list of foods that naturally help your body detox that you can incorporate into your daily diet.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night, your body detoxes while you sleep and if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you are not allowing the detox process to fully complete
In choosing a longer cleanse program (7 days-14 days), there are a few things to consider – such as what cleanse will alleviate your symptoms. You want to be wary of a cleanse that is more focused on weight loss, than in actually eradicating toxins. If this is your first time cleansing, a gentle cleanse, that isn’t about caloric deprivation, but rather about choosing to eat foods that are easier on your digestive system, while eliminating foods that commonly cause intolerances, is a great place to start.
You also might like to participate in a group cleanse program that provides a supportive community, while helping re-set your digestive system, (removing stress it has been under, and boosting the health of your micro-biome and immune system at the same time).
This can safely be done up to two times / year to help empty your “silos” of toxins that have built up, despite your best efforts at daily detoxing. The benefits of a group cleanse is the coaching support you get, that keeps you on track and accountable to your goals. Here are a few more benefits:
- This is so much more than just a focus on food, it is a focus on your whole being for this 2 week period, with support and guidance throughout.
- Clean eating, this isn’t about deprivation, you will not go hungry on this cleanse!
- Boosts your energy
- Feel lighter and cleaner
- Decreases your craving for unhealthy foods
- Experience deeper sleep, and clearer skin
- Improve digestion, through reducing stress on the digestive system.
- Shed excess weight (especially abdominal weight)
- Enhance your body’s ability to mobilize and excrete toxins
- Decrease congestion and allergy symptoms
- Discover food sensitivities
- Increase your awareness around how you feel when you eat different foods, making better choices and creating new and improved habits around food.
To find out about the next group cleanse being offered in Whistler, click here and scroll down. This program is being offered by Melissa at Better Brain Health, a WCAC member and friend.
There are other types of cleanses that you might want to look into. Through a Naturopathic Doctor, you might be advised to do a colon cleanse or liver cleanse, due to specific medical issues you may have. Here is a great article on risks and benefits of a colon cleanse, so doing it under your doctor’s guidance, is a good idea. You can also buy cleanse programs at your local Wellness Center, such as the Wild Rose detox program. Whatever you decide, it is very helpful to take notes throughout your cleansing, as you won’t remember tomorrow, how your felt yesterday, unless you write it down. Then you can look back and notice the changes in how you feel as a result of taking the time to care for your body and detox, and reap the benefits of this added learning throughout the process.
I’m offering 50% off my cleanse and digestive re-set program if you sign up before May 10.
To our Future Health.
Melissa