Detoxing, short for detoxifying is the process by which dangerous chemicals also known as toxins are eliminated from the body. From the food you eat to the lotion you use, you are always introducing new chemicals to the body. If you are putting good quality chemicals in and on your body, your body should be able to effectively get rid of them. However, if you constantly expose your body to dangerous chemicals, your body may fail to keep up.
Take an example of alcohol. If you drink a glass of wine every now and then, there is no problem. The alcohol gets in your body, is broken down, and passed out. If you take it up a notch and drink a bottle of vodka every day, your body will eventually give in and fail.
To be clear, the body, specifically the liver, is able to do all the detoxification necessary. However, you can support your liver by nourishing it and reducing the strain you put on it. If a product for example a type of tea or smoothie claims to be able to detox the body, stay away from it. Many of the so-called detox products are just laxatives that can cause your gut serious damage in the long run.
How can you support the detoxing and cleansing process?
• Eat a healthy diet rich in whole foods. Whole foods not only nourish your body but also protect you from damage caused by toxins and other dangerous substances like inflammation promoters
• Regular physical exercise. A good run can improve your body’s ability to rid itself of disease-causing agents. An especially important benefit of exercise is promoting the loss of heavy metals through sweat.
• Reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet. When processing food, all kinds of chemicals are added to it to make it tastier and make it last on the shelf for months. When you eat this food, all those chemicals enter your body and accumulate eventually resulting in health conditions
• Eat organic whenever possible. You would not believe the amount of pesticide that is put on a tomato before it reaches your plate. Pesticides are especially dangerous because they are not designed for human consumption. Eating organic can save you from eating pesticides with every meal. If you cannot afford organic, wash your produce thoroughly before using it.
• Drinking lots of water. It is common knowledge that urine is one of the ways through which the body gets rid of waste. However, if you are not properly hydrated, this process is not as efficient. Drink at least 1.5l of water every day to maximize your body’s ability to get rid of wastes and toxins
• Consume substances that can help remove heavy metals from your body. Nutrition supplements such as zinc and zeolite have been proven to help with the detoxification of our body. Moreover, foods with high sulfur content such as garlic, brussel sprouts, broccoli can also help the removal of several toxins such as heavy metals.
If you are healthy, you should not worry so much about your body’s ability to detox itself. However, there are some cases when it becomes necessary to watch your habits. Some of the signs and symptoms that you need to mind your detoxing ability include:
• Gas and bloating
• Acne
• Low energy
• Brain fog
• Headaches
• Diarrhea and constipation
Remember to watch out for commercial products that promise to detox your body. Many of them can have dangerous side effects on the body if used consistently without professional guidance. Instead, stick to living a healthy lifestyle that not only supports your liver but also all other organs. Eat your fruits and salads, be active as often as you can, stress less, have a green juice or two and wellness will come your way.
Interested in following a Group Detox Plan?
Anna Cortesi hosts 10-Day DETOX Groups every month. Here people can get together and follow a balanced meal plan to kickstart weight loss, tap into wellness and feel amazing.
Find her info below or visit her website for more details!
Anna Cortesi is a Certified Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist and Women’s Wellness Influencer. Her companies, Cortesi Nutrition and C.N Wellness are world-class Wellness & Nutrition hubs which aim to upgrade the everyday lifestyle of their clients.
Anna is an internationally recognized expert, with experience in the various roles of human nutrition, wellness, food design and technology.
She is passionate about Health and Wellness and she has been featured in national and local media, including Buzzfeed, Time Out Dubai, Healthy Life, Nutrition by HRM, Entrepreneur Magazine, Global Woman Magazine and many more.
