Detoxing in our toxic world

There is a lot of mixed opinion surrounding the issue of detoxing. Some people swear by their regular detox, where as others see them as pointless. To add to the confusion there are also many different detox diets available to choose from. So should you detox, and if so how?

Following a detox plan for a short period of time can help your body to readjust if it has been subjected to chronic stress from poor diet and lifestyle choices. A detox can help to quickly cleanse and heal your system in the event of a health scare or benefit those struggling with immuno-compromised disease such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes and chronic fatigue. A detox can also set people straight if suffering from food intolerance or allergy. They can be used to jump-start a healthy weight loss plan or, quite simply, set you on the right tracks after years of neglect to your health.

Your body has its own built in detoxifying system and detoxification is one of its most basic automatic functions. Your body naturally detoxifies everyday through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. However, we are now living in a toxic world, whether it’s in the food we eat, water we drink or air we breathe, and our natural cleansing proces can become clogged somewhere along the line. At times it may be necessary to give it a helping hand. A detox programme should never be started without caution however. Your body is a finely tuned machine and just as easily as abuse causes disruption, a detox taken too far can cause problems of its own.

Some people love to detox purely for the way it makes them feel. People report increased energy levels, better concentration, better sleep, healthier looking eyes and skin, and a general feeling of wellness. However, some people respond badly to a detox and can feel awful throughout the whole process. This can be the effect of withdrawal from substances such as caffeine, or simply the effect from the elimination of toxins. However, this could also be the result of a badly practiced detox and your body’s way of telling you to stop it.

A gentle detox could be achieved by drinking cleansing teas and plenty of water and eliminating sugar, caffeine, alcohol, processed food and food products. However…shouldn’t you really be following these guidelines all the time (albeit maybe not 100% strictly). And on those occasional times you do fall off the band wagon, isn’t that what our liver and internal cleansing systems are for? Whilst our bodies are well designed to rid themselves of nasties, the environment we live in now is so full of pollutants that our natural defences are being challenged everyday. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle and avoiding toxins where possible will help your body to keep up with demand but there may become a time when a little cleanse will be greeted with open arms. Just remember that a detox should only be followed for a short period of time and always under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Whilst a detox is aimed at de-stressing your liver and lymphatic system, following a strict dietary cleanse for too long can create nutritional deficiencies and all the flushing can actually create its own stress on your system.

But why intensely detox only a few times a year? Why not take preventative measures and include some form of detoxification everyday?

Most toxic chemicals we are exposed to in our environment today are lipophilic. This means ‘fat loving’. Our body tries to protect us from these foreign bodies by surrounding them in mucus and fat which then gets trapped and stored somewhere on our bodies. By burning fat, we leave these toxins exposed to cause damage to our bodies, but equally, maintaining unhealthy levels of body fat exposes us to other health problems, plus the problem of all these stored toxins! A toxic body is less willing to burn fat as it wants to prevent the release of these stored toxins. So, rather than waiting until your body becomes clogged, take action now and help your body cleanse itself everyday. Some things you can include in your diet to aid your natural detoxification processes include:

- Gelatinous plant foods- chia seeds or aloe vera for example. The gelatinous fibres in these foods move through the gastrointestinal tract and absorb and bind to toxins. I personally take 60ml of aloe vera juice first thing in the morning, every morning and have certainly noticed a difference in my health since doing so. If you’re interested in including this amazing plant food in your diet, please contact me for more information and advice.

-Green vegetables – their high chlorophyll content is a potent natural cleanser. Try adding a green juice to your daily diet, here’s a few ideas: Celery, lemon and pear; Celery, cucumber, lemon and apple; Celery, cucumber, kale, lemon and pear; Celery, cucumber, spinach and apple.

-Parsley – also a great source of chlorophyll and has an excellent ability to cleanse the blood system.

- Coriander – binds to heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and lead, to help eliminate them from your system. Coriander is also a powerful antioxidant which is thought to be the reason behind its potent anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

            Try this recipe for a detoxifying pesto: 3 cloves galic, 1/3cup Brazil nuts, 1/3cup sunflower seeds, 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds, 1 cup coriander, 1 cup parsely, 2/3 cup olive oil, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, pinch of sea salt.

Blend all ingredients together…simple!

- Lots of clean water!