Let’s be honest. Toxins are everywhere and we’re exposed to them daily! From processed, refined foods to plastic containers and water bottles, EMF’s, pharmaceutical drugs, environmental chemicals, cosmetics and so on. Many detoxification protocols can seem intimidating. You don’t have to do a 30-day juice cleanse or some crazy lemon water fast to get the benefits of detoxification.
How Does Detoxification Work?
Well detoxification means removing toxins from the body. Toxins can be eliminated through the kidneys, lungs, colon, skin and lymphatic system. However when these organs are over burdened with toxins, they won’t be properly processed or eliminated and unfortunately we end up re-absorbing them. Detoxing is a really effective way to help clear your body of toxins, speed up your metabolism, improve circulation, digestion, increase energy and get your skin glowing again.
How Do You Know When You Need To Detox?
Do you regularly experience any of the following warning signs?
Irregular bowel motions or constipation
Stomach pain
Headaches or migraines
You get sick easily (low immunity)
Low libido
Feeling lethargic (tired) or sluggish
Have brain fog/ inability to focus
Bad skin
Adrenal fatigue
Irritability
Hormonal issues
Bloating
Fluid retention
Not losing weight
Food sensitivities/ allergies
Sugar/ carbohydrate cravings anyone?
If you answered yes to any of these, then aiding your body’s natural detoxification processes may just be the key for you to begin feeling better.
The amount of problematic substances we are exposed to on a daily basis means the liver needs all the additional support we can offer it. Support your liver (and other organs) so it’s able to keep up with the demand of eliminating toxins daily. You can start by’;
Limit Your Exposure To;
Pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals on and in the food/ drink you consume
Plastic water bottles, containers, plastic wraps etc. (which contains harmful chemicals)
Chlorine and fluoride in drinking and bathing water
Preservatives, colours, flavours and other dubious ingredients in processed foods
Chemicals in skin and hair care products
Environmental pollutants (petrol fumes, 2nd hand smoke etc)
Alcohol
Avoid GMO foods
Glyphosate (a harmful agricultural chemical found in Roundup) which can actively kill the beneficial bacteria in our gut. Glyphosate residues can be found on conventional food.
7 Simple Ways To Naturally Detox Your Body
These recommendations are all very supportive to the lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and skin. Here’s how to ctrl-alt-delete those toxins from the inside out!
1. Choose Fresh, Whole Food &
Avoid Processed Foods
Rather than turning to pre-packaged foods, you want to opt for whole foods that come from the earth and are natural. If it’s loaded down with additives, preservatives, chemicals, or ingredients that you can’t pronounce, that directly translates to toxins in your digestive system. Get rid of them and you begin to really cleanse your system immediately! I also suggest opting for spray-free and organic foods where possible to decrease your toxin load even further.
2. Use Organic,
Natural Beauty & Hair Care Products
The skin is the largest organ of the body, and whatever we put directly onto our skin (or anywhere on the body), we absorb. It’s best to stick to natural, chemical, preservative and fragrant free products. Luckily these types of products are trending right now so you have lots to choose from. I’m currently loving the Mother Dirt skin care range because they’re formulated to preserve the good bacteria naturally found on the skin. Their cleanser is seriously amazing!
3. Dry Body Brushing
Dry body brushing improves our circulation which supports the removal of metabolic waste. It stimulates the lymphatic system to drain toxins into the colon. It clears clogged pores, improves muscle tone and rejuvenates the nervous system. Always start at your feet and work your way upwards towards your heart, using a circular motion with the brush.
4. Eat Quality Fats
This one may seem strange but fats are essential for healthy detoxification processes to function. Quality fats include; coconut oil, animal fats, grass-fed butter and grass-fed ghee, brain octane oil, avocado, olives, coconut oil, cacao butter, cold-pressed nut and seed oils, fatty fresh seafood such as; sardines, wild salmon and more.
The key benefits of animal fats include;
Animal fats are rich sources of vitamin A, which is necessary for the liver’s detoxification processes to work efficiently.
Fats, and especially omega-3 fatty acids, are strong natural antioxidants and are used to eliminate petrochemicals, pesticides and heavy metals.
5. Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which can be absorbed through the skin. It has a relaxing effect on muscles and can help encourage healthy bowel movements. It also encourages a gentle sweat to release toxins through the skin.
6. Infrared Saunas
Your skin is a source of toxin elimination, and it can both absorb toxins and release them. You can and should sweat out your toxins regularly. Infrared saunas helps immensely with this, as well as oestrogen detoxification, improving circulation, fat loss, skin health and immunity as well as boosting your mood and calming your nervous system.
7. Activated Coconut Charcoal
I cannot recommend activated coconut charcoal highly enough! Charcoal is a highly absorbent material with millions of tiny pores that can capture, bind, and remove up to 100x the charcoal’s own weight in toxins. I always have a bottle of this in my handbag as it's a great emergency supplement to have on hand, especially if you accidentally get 'gluten-ed' at a restaurant of cafe it can help to alleviate some of the negative side effects.