‘Detoxing’ is something we deliberately tend to do periodically, but in fact, it is something our bodies require daily. Learn a few simple habits to adopt to lessen the level of toxins in your body and aid the detoxification process.
HOW TO DETOX YOUR BODY
How many times have you embarked on a detox diet or detox cleanse for a period of days or weeks? While periodic detoxification can provide great benefits to the body when done correctly, it is not something we should be doing every now and then: it is something that the body in fact does naturally on a daily basis.
WHY DETOX?
We find ourselves in a very polluted moment in history. In many parts of the world, the air, water and soil are contaminated with substances that humans should not be constantly exposed to. And not only are we absorbing toxins from our outside environments, but our bodies also naturally produce toxins as by-products of metabolism.
Since we encounter toxins daily, it is only right that we counteract them daily. The body consists of many organs that play a vital part in the detoxification system. Keeping them healthy and working well is therefore important.
THE ORGANS INVOLVED IN DETOXIFICATION
The liver plays a huge role in detoxification. It gathers toxic substances from the blood and recycles them into bile which is later excreted through stool. To keep your liver functioning optimally, drink lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, consume foods high in B vitamins, antioxidants and fibre (berries, mushrooms, chickpeas, carrots, green bitters) and reduce your alcohol intake.
Like the liver, the kidneys are resilient detoxifiers. They excrete toxins through urine, and when they do not function well, it can lead to a fatal build-up of toxins in the blood. Having a diet that is low in simple carbs, saturated fats and salt will prevent diseases that cause kidney damage. They can be further supported by foods that are high in antioxidants like cranberries, red bell peppers and cabbage. Drink plenty of water to aid the flushing out of toxins and protect the urinary tract from infection.
One of the most apparent effects of detoxing is clearer skin. Skin is not only an indicator of a successful detox, it also plays a part in the detoxification process. By sweating, we release toxins through our skin. Exercising and using saunas are great ways to stimulate sweat and detoxing on a regular basis.
