Everything you need to know about detoxing...
Detoxing has become quite the buzzword in recent years. Juice cleansing and infamous detox teas often leave people frustrated due to false promises of fast, unattainable results.
The truth is, your body has its own internal detoxing process with help from your liver and kidneys. This system works incredibly well to flush out toxins, pathogens and unwanted chemicals. That being said, sometimes toxicity can build up. In these cases, there are many ways to enhance and support the body’s detoxification process naturally.
What does detoxing really mean?
It’s important to understand that nutrition professionals’ definition of detoxing is probably very different than what you might think. When health practitioners talk about detoxing, we’re referring to a nutrition & lifestyle protocol that supports the liver & kidneys in flushing out toxins, so that your body can function optimally and you can feel your best.
In today’s culture, however, you might know the term “detox” from people saying things like “I need to cleanse” after a long vacation or holiday. While it’s fair you might feel sluggish and bloated after a vacation, you usually don’t need to go to extremes to correct this. Most of the time, lots of water and whole foods will do the trick!
So… this brings me to my next point:
Do you actually need to detox?
I’m a huge fan of natural detox protocols for boosting energy & feeling your best … but the trouble is, many people go into a detox protocol for the wrong reasons. For example, if you have a goal to lose weight, a detox isn’t necessarily the answer (especially if it comes in the form of a trendy tea or supplement). While weight loss can happen during a natural detox, it’s not really the point...
The purpose of a functional detox is to support the liver & kidneys so that you can feel improved digestion, energy, mood, skin and brain function. So, if your goal is rooted in aesthetics, there’s nothing wrong with that … but you’d be better off focusing on whole foods, movement, and sustainable habit changes.
With that being said, there are signs of toxic build up that might warrant a functional detox protocol. If you’re experiencing long-term symptoms like fatigue, sluggish bowel movements, bloating, digestive discomfort, or brain fog, it might be time to do a functional detox.
Whatever your reasons may be, it’s best to avoid trendy detox products and be wary of “7 day cleanses” from people with no credentials. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s best to work with a holistic health practitioner to safely detoxify the body. Otherwise, you risk making your symptoms worse.
How does toxic build up happen?
The biggest culprits of toxicity are heavy metals, mold, pathogens, bacterial overgrowth and parasites. Interestingly, not everyone reacts the same way to these toxins. Some people can flush out toxins just fine, while others are more susceptible to toxic build up - it all depends on factors like your gut health, genetic makeup, nutrient absorption & general bio-individuality.
Toxins enter the body in a variety of ways, many of them environmental. The water & food we consume, the air we breathe, & the products we put on our skin can all contribute to built up toxicity in the body.
Some of the most common culprits of toxins are…
Processed foods like chips, candy & fast foods
Sugary, processed drinks like soda
Unfiltered tap water
Skin, hair & makeup products with harmful chemicals
Harsh chemicals in cleaning products
Drinking contaminated food & water while traveling
Mold in your home or workplace
How to Detox the Body Safely & Naturally
If you feel like you need a detox and want to do it on your own, it’s important that you start by checking off the basics:
Are you drinking enough water?
Eating enough fiber?
Eating lots of nutrient dense, whole foods?
Avoiding added sugars & processed foods?
Moving your body/finding some way to sweat everyday?
People often skip over these basics because…well… the basics aren’t very sexy. However, they might be just what you need to start feeling better & support healthy detoxing. Check these boxes first to ensure you’re doing everything you can to support your body’s detoxification system on a regular basis.
If you’re doing all of the above and still feel low energy, constipated, foggy or bloated, here are some additional ways to boost your body’s detoxification processes:
Sauna: Your skin is your largest organ, and one of the best ways to detox through the skin is through sweating! Saunas use steam heat to raise internal body temperature and release sweat, which can aid in detoxification through the skin.
Cilantro is a popular herb for detoxing because of its ability to bind to toxic chemicals. Put simply, toxins will attach to the chemical compounds in cilantro and follow them out of the body through your stools.
Similar to cilantro, chlorella is an algae-based supplement that’s safe to use & acts as a binder for heavy metals to aid in their elimination.
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in ancient Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine and has been shown to support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Turmeric helps the body create more bile, which aids in elimination of toxins. If you use turmeric, combine with black pepper to boost detoxifying properties.
Dandelion root is a wonderful herb to support digestion, liver & kidney function. It’s also great for immunity & bone health.
How to prevent toxic build up
If you want to prevent toxic build up in your daily life, follow these simple guidelines to support your liver & kidneys in detoxing on their own.
Avoid processed foods & added sugars.
Stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb is that your urine should never be bright yellow… If it’s clear or straw colored, your body is hydrated.
Sweat! Find some way to move your body every day to aid digestion and sweat out harmful toxins.
Aim for 1 healthy bowel movement a day: if you aren’t eliminating everyday, or your stools are clumpy and hard, it’s a sign your body isn’t detoxing properly. Simply increasing fiber can help you have regular, healthy bowel movements.
Focus on adequate fiber: 20-30g per day is recommended. Raspberries, avocados, sweet potatoes and whole grains are great sources of fiber that will support digestion & detoxing.
Switch to organic skin care & makeup products. Some of my favorites are Youth to the People, Merit Beauty, Native, and CocoKind.
Use organic/natural cleaning products for your home.
If you’re traveling to foreign countries, consider a probiotic supplement to support your gut health and protect against foreign bacteria.
Invest in a water filter for your home.
With so much noise about detoxing in today’s culture, it can be easy to feel fearful about toxins. While it’s certainly something to be aware of, remember that your body has an innate ability to detox on its own - it’s been doing it your whole life!
Most of the time, eating nutrient dense foods, focusing on fiber & water, avoiding too many processed foods and moving your body will do the trick. Turn to supportive herbs & sauna therapy when you need a boost, and if you need additional support, work with a health practitioner to help address your symptoms.
My goal as a holistic health coach is to support you in achieving optimal wellness, help you feel you best, & help you accomplish your goals safely and effectively. To learn more about how I can support you on your wellness journey, click here to book a consultation.
