Forget the 5 day expensive juice cleanse, our bodies have an innate ability to cleanse and detoxify. Our skin, liver, kidneys, lungs, gut and lymphatic system all have sophisticated mechanisms for ridding our body of toxins, we just need to support this natural process.
Although modern society provides some amazing luxuries and conveniences (looking at you Uber Eats), it has also significantly increased the toxic burden. Today’s environment from the air we breathe, water we drink, and food we eat, is filled with toxins which means our bodies are constantly working overtime. If you’re dealing with any of the following symptoms, it could mean you have excess toxins:
Unable to lose weight
Frequent headaches
Blood sugar imbalance
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Digestive issues like constipation or bloating
You can talk to your doctor about testing your liver enzymes to get a general idea of how well your detoxification system is working. The ultimate goal however, is to reduce the amount of toxins you’re exposed to. Here are some tips for limiting toxins in your life:
Clean up your personal care products - makeup, lotions, perfume, shampoo, etc. Use The Environmental Working Group’s App Skin Deep to find cleaner alternatives
Cut back on plastic - even bpa free plastic can leach toxins. Try to swap plastic for glass, stainless steel, or silicone whenever possible
Avoid traditional nonstick cookware - these have compounds that leach into your food every time you cook
Focus on organic foods - conventional produce and meat have increased levels of chemicals, antibiotics, and heavy metals
In addition to reducing the amount of toxins you're exposed to, you can also take steps to support your body’s natural detox pathways. Your body gets rid of toxins through sweat, pee, poop, and breath so optimizing these systems is key. Here are the best ways to help you body help you:
Drink plenty of filtered water
Exercise often
Use a sauna a few times a week
Poop at least once a day
Focus on fiber-rich foods
Get lots of cruciferous veggies in (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc)
Cook with herbs like cilantro and parsley
Cook with spices like garlic and turmeric