How to Detoxify your Body

Spring is here and our thoughts turn to sprucing up the yard, cleaning up the house and clearing out the garage. But what about our own bodies? Our internal organs are likely just as ‘dirty’ and it is equally important to clean out the toxins that accumulate over time.

Look around you: there is no denying that we live in a toxic world. We are exposed to poisonous chemicals in our food, water and air. The issue is compounded since many of us also lead stressful lives and lack activity. Our bodies are amazing machines with organs such as the liver, kidneys and colon that process and eliminate toxins, but they simply are not always able to handle the amount of pollutants that we are exposed to. Overexposure to toxins will slow down or even harm our body’s systems, including its capacity to detoxify on its own. Over time, toxic overload destroys your health slowly and from deep within the body. By the time you start to see physical symptoms, much of the damage is already done.

Cleansing your body is vital for good health. When any of the channels of elimination become overwhelmed with toxins they cannot process as they should. So how do you get rid of these toxins? The body has seven channels of elimination:

• The liver - transforms or detoxifies harmful toxins into substances that can be safely removed from the body.

• The colon - expels toxins from the liver as well as waste that has accumulated in the intestines.

• The blood - flows through the vascular system and carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body while removing harmful substances.

• The lymphatic system - eliminates toxins from cells through a network of vessels that extend throughout the body. Trampoline jumping is easy on the joints and is a great way to stimulate the lymphatic system.

• The skin - rids waste and toxins through perspiration.

• The lungs - dispel toxins through breathing (ex. carbon dioxide). Deep breathing stimulates lymphatic flow to dispose of toxins.

• The kidneys - receive water-soluble waste from the liver so that they can be further filtered and finally cast out through the bladder.

Herbal cleanses are available for purchase from health food stores that can assist your body with toxic removal. Keep in mind that herbal cleanses work to remove and eliminate toxins and whenever this happens it’s possible to experience “cleansing reactions.” These reactions happen during the actual cleanse as the body eliminates toxins. Cleansing reactions can include flu-like symptoms, headaches, fatigue, brain fog, nausea, diarrhea and skin eruptions. These are not allergic reactions and in most cases can be alleviated by halving the dosage of the cleansing program. Increasing water and fiber intake is also very important to help soak up and sweep out toxins as they are expelled from the body.

As a nutritionist I believe that food is another great way to detoxify and stay healthy. Here is a list of healthy, detoxifying foods —I’d recommend organic where possible:

Fresh or Frozen Fruit – Fresh lemon in warm water every morning is an excellent way to kick start your digestion, alkalize your body and support your liver.

Fresh Vegetables –Good detoxifying veggies include: artichokes, beets, onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower and sprouts.

Raw and Unsalted Nuts and Seeds –It’s easy to incorporate nuts and seeds into your diet because they can be sprinkled over salads or eaten as a snack. Good options include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Nut butters are also a great idea. Peanuts and peanut butter are not usually recommended.

Beans – Peas and lentils are most easily digested and you don’t need to soak them as long as other types of beans. Kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans are also good options.

Rice – Brown rice is best as it provides fiber.

Grains - Quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat can be used as an alternative to white rice.

Condiments – Vegetable salt, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, low sodium soy sauce or tamari and all herbs or spices.

Tea – Herbal and green teas.

Other Beverages – Water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, rice and almond or organic soy milk.

Prevention is the best medicine ; to achieve great long term health, you need to take care of the toxic burden you are carrying. Herbal cleansing twice a year is a great tool but you also need to mind what you eat, drink and expose your body to for your best health.