How To Detox Naturally - No Supplements Needed!
Hey friend! In recent years, the conversation about "detox" has exploded online! Spend just a few minutes on social media, and you'll likely find people talking about detox programs, detox supplements, detoxing gadgets, and so on. Some of these may work, some may not. Some may be appropriate, some may not.
Let's talk about it!
First, let's define what we're talking about. The word "detox" can mean different things depending on the context. We're not talking about the kind of detox related to drug and alcohol use, but rather, our body's innate, built- in system for metabolizing and excreting harmful substances from the body; ie, detoxification. We have 6 organs of detoxification that work 24/7 to assess and process toxins - those produced naturally in the body, and those from outside the body, like pesticides, PFAS chemicals, phthalates, etc. These organs include the liver (our primary detox organ), kidneys, lungs, colon, lymphatic system, and skin. Why we should support our natural detox process. Over the last 100 years, hundreds of thousands of chemicals have been introduced into our environment and the products we buy and use every day. While not all of these chemicals are necessarily bad (many of them aren't!) we are increasingly learning about links between low- level toxin exposure and serious health consequences. While our bodies can tolerate a lot, they did not evolve with the number of harmful toxins we are contending with today. Additionally, many people struggle with liver disease, which hampers the ability to detoxify chemicals and other substances. Many people are chronically constipated, which means they're not able to eliminate toxins exiting the body. This is why we should be supporting our natural detox process!
Best ways to support detoxification, naturally:
1. TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIVER!
This means limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced and nutrient-dense diet! I'm talking about all the cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and collard greens), alliums (like onions, garlic, and shallots), and sulfur-rich foods (like eggs, mushrooms, meat, and fish). These foods help provide your liver with the nutrients it needs to facilitate detoxification.
2. STAY HYDRATED!
Among other essential functions, the kidneys filter our blood and send waste products, including toxins, to be excreted via urine - if you're dehydrated, your kidneys will not work efficiently.
3. POOP DAILY!
Eating all those veggies I just mentioned will help, as will staying hydrated. Ideally, you're pooping at least 1x per day. If you're not, that's definitely something to work on.
4. SWEAT!
Although not a primary detox pathway, sauna has been shown to help with the excretion of certain toxins. Any way you can sweat is good, but regular sauna use has been repeatedly shown to have profound health benefits. Check out my favorite sauna here.
5. MOVE YOUR BODY!
The lymphatic system is sometimes referred to as the garbage disposal system in our bodies - it helps to escort toxins from our cells. But the lymph system doesn't have a pump - lymph fluid moves when we move our bodies.
