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10 Ways to Naturally Detoxify Your Body
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| March 09, 2008ehome |
Feeling
sluggish or out of sync? Having skin problems, aches and pains, or
digestive problems? Straying from your healthier habits lately? It
might be time for a detox.
Practiced
for centuries by many cultures around the world — including
ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems — detoxification is about
resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By
removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy
nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your
ability to maintain optimum health.
"The
body has its own natural healing system," says Peter Bennett, N.D.,
medical director of Helios Clinic in Victoria, B.C., and co-author with
Stephen Barrie, N.D. and Sara Faye, of 7-Day Detox Miracle (Prima
Health). "Detoxification enhances this system," he explains.
How Does Detoxification Work?
Basically,
detoxification means cleaning the blood. It does this mainly by
removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are
processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the
kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system
is compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and every cell in
the body is adversely affected.
A detox program can help the body's natural cleaning process by:
1) Resting the organs through fasting;
2) Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3) Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4) Improving circulation of the blood; and
5) Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.
"Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life," says Bennett.
How Do You Know if You Need to Detoxify?
Bennett
suggests that everyone should detox at least once a year. A short
detoxifying program is generally safe; in fact, scientific studies show
that a detox is beneficial for health. However, Bennett cautions
against detoxifying for nursing mothers, children, and patients with
chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your
health care practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing
is right for you.
Today,
with more toxins in the environment than ever, "it's critical to
detox," says Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., the author of Detoxification
(Healthy Healing Publications). Page recommends detoxing for symptoms
such as unexplained fatigue, sluggish elimination, irritated skin,
allergies or low-grade infections; bags under the eyes; a distended
stomach even if the rest of your body is thin; menstrual difficulties;
or mental confusion.
Where Do You Begin?
First,
lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes,
refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the
body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of
chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products
(cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute
natural alternatives.
Another
deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release
stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the
"adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts
they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver.
So it's a good idea to detox stressful life situations along with
detoxifying your body. Yoga and meditation are simple and effective
ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions
to the inevitable stress life will bring.
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