Our bodies are bombarded by toxins from our environment, processed food, polluted water, stress, medications and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Over time, these can make us feel run down, lethargic and sometimes they may lead to serious illnesses.
Detoxification (detox) has been prescribed as a treatment to heal people of all sorts of ailments throughout history by great physicians such as Hippocrates (the “Father of Medicine”), Galen and Paracelsus.
The organs primarily responsible for neutralising and eliminating toxins include the liver, kidneys, lymph glands, intestines, skin and lungs. Toxins unable to be eliminated from the body are normally stored in the fat tissues and bones.
Many detox programmes are designed around eliminating this accumulated waste to provide a feeling of better health and well-being. Typical symptoms and signs that you might need a detox of your system, include:
- Tiredness, irritability, depression, mood swings, low libido.
- Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, irregular bowel movements, body odour, halitosis (bad breath).
- Aches and pains, fatigue, low energy.
- Skin problems; acne, eczema, rashes, dull or lack-lustre complexion.
- Difficulties losing weight, weight rebound.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Food cravings (especially sugar and salt), intolerances, sensitivities, or allergies.
- Poor concentration, foggy mind, feel anxious, chronically stressed, and overwhelmed.
- Unexplained headaches, migraines.
- Frequent bouts of cold sores, colds and flu, and seem to have a vulnerability to pick up viruses easily.
- Difficulties sleeping, waking up feeling really tired still.
- You regularly consume coffee, alcohol, drugs (prescription or otherwise) or cigarettes.
- You are constantly exposed to common environmental toxins such as artificial fragrances, household chemicals, herbicides and pesticides or cigarette smoke.
A detox involving simple lifestyle changes and nutritional guidelines can help the body to more efficiently detox, assist in weight loss and may help to alleviate medical conditions, such as obesity, digestive disorders, arthritis, eczema, depression and more. Some of these changes and guidelines include:
#1 Reduce Sugar, Refined and Processed Foods:
For example, foods containing white processed flour, refined salt or sugar and artificial sugars. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and drugs.
#2 Avoid Exposure to Unhealthy Foods and Chemicals:
Clean out the fridge, pantry and bathroom of all the foods and products containing additives, pesticides and toxic chemicals. Limit your intake of dairy food and avoid gluten as these may upset your stomach lining and could even be clogging you up, making your digestive system work hard. Focus on whole foods, raw foods and life-giving alkaline foods.
#3 Try a Juice Cleanse:
A juice cleanse, particularly Green juices or smoothies, are very effective for detox and weight loss. WonderFoods Green smoothie products like Moringa Supergreens Plus (benefits of pre & probiotics), Chlorophyll and Green Barley Grass which may help feed beneficial gut flora and offer energy to your cells whilst supporting the effective elimination of toxins from your body’s organs.
Couple these with some other healthy ingredients, eg wild berries, coconut oil, Maca powder, pepitas and/or flax seeds in filtered water or almond milk and you’ve got a scrumptious superfood smoothie that will keep you going much longer than any coffee would.
#4 Love your Liver in the Morning:
On arising in the morning, the best thing to kickstart your liver and digestive system (and your day) is to have a ginger and lemon drink. Use tepid or warmed water, not boiling water, as some of the precious enzymes can be damaged by the extreme heat.
#5 Drink Herbal Teas:
Herbal teas such as roasted Chicory, Burdock root and Dandelion root (a tasty alternative to caffeine), Cleavers, Echinacea, Marshmallow root, and Ginger root are just a handful of wonderful plants that you can take to boost your body’s ability to detox your liver, lymphatic system, skin and your colon.
For added support for detox and under the supervision of a qualified Herbalist specific herbs such as Dandelion, St Mary’s thistle, Schisandra fruit, Cleaver, Parsley, Hydrangea root, and Uva Ursi can be added.
#6 Support with Spices:
Believe it or not, spices are very effective in supporting your body through the detox process. Turmeric, garlic, chili powder, ginger, cardamom, clove, oregano and cinnamon are just some of the well known spices which have been used for centuries to treat ailments and support the body’s health function. These can be ingested in the form of dressings, infused oils, not just in cooking.
#7 Drink Clean, Filtered Water:
Our bodies need clean, filtered water to survive and it’s essential to drink a minimum of at least 2 litres of clean, filtered water every day, more if you’re physically active, to help flush toxins and hydrate your cells.
#8 Alkalise your Body:
The body struggles to detox and lose weight when in an acidic state. Most fruits and vegetables, soybeans and tofu, and some nuts, seeds, and legumes are alkaline-promoting foods whereas dairy, eggs, meat, most grains, and processed foods, like canned and packaged snacks and convenience foods, can all cause acidity in the body. The good news is that there are easy ways to quickly help your body get back into an alkaline state – one is to use 1 tsp of a superfood greens powder mixed in a glass of water. WonderFoods’ Organic Green Barley Grass Powder and Chlorophyll work wonders at alkalising the body, and they’re both on SALE this month! Check them out here!
#9 Do a Heavy Metal Detox:
The accumulation of heavy metals in our bodies can lead to immune suppression, auto-immune diseases, damage to the nervous system and overall chronic inflammation. If you know you have or have been exposed to amalgam dental fillings, aluminium, copper or teflon cookware, cans, cosmetics (especially hair dyes and deodorants), petrochemicals, lead paint, fabric softeners and tap water, consider chelating heavy metals from your body.
The most effective ways to chelate heavy metals are:
- Avoid farmed fish, tuna, smoking, drinking tap water, food additives, environmental exposure, dental amalgams;
- Increase good fats, especially Omega-3, which strengthens the cell membrane and may help improve cell
- Take WonderFoods’ Green Barley Grass – this may help bind and excrete toxic chemicals and heavy metals from the body.
- Increase your intake of green vegetables and boost with WonderFoods’ Liquid Chlorophyll.
#10 Ground Yourself:
Be a kid again and take your shoes off and go for a walk outside, in the sand at the beach, on grass or out in a forest. This can help to discharge the radiation which we are exposed to through our phones, computers, wifi etc.
#11 Move and Breathe:
Daily movement like walking, biking, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, hiking, swimming, in fact any exercise, can really accelerate the detox process. The movement and sweating activates the lymphatic system, increases metabolism and improves oxygenation. Spend more time outside in fresh air, connect with nature, take deep breaths and meditate on all things good. It’s great for your mind, body and soul.
#12 Other Detox Essentials:
To help your body eliminate the toxins easier and more effectively, try an infrared sauna, foot baths, Epsom salt baths with WonderFoods’ Epsom Salts, lymphatic massage, dry skin brushing, essential oils, oil pulling, coffee enemas, colonic hydrotherapy, magnesium citrate and probiotics.
References:
- https://www.foodmatters.com/a-to-z-conditions/wellness-guide/how-to-detox-your-body-naturally
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/alkaline-diets
- https://tonicnaturalhealth.com.au/blog/weight-loss/benefits-of-cleansing-or-full-body-detox/
