Time for a detox

Your body has an amazing capacity to rid itself of harmful substances through detoxification pathways. This is a process that happens naturally every minute of every day. The organs responsible for detoxification are your liver, kidneys, bowel, lungs, lymph and skin.

The liver is the main organ for detoxification equipped with a process known as Phase I and Phase II. Phase I is activated by external toxins like caffeine, alcohol xenobiotics, smoked food, pharmaceutical and drug use. This phase relies on cytochrome P450 enzymes to break down these toxins into smaller more useful molecules. Some toxic by-products can remain and must be quickly dealt with in Phase II. In this phase, these molecules are conjugated and made ready to be excreted via the urine and stools. Both phases rely on many nutrients to support detox activities and protect against free radical damage.

Every day we are exposed to hundreds of toxins. They are present in the environment we live in, the foods we eat and drink and those that are made as a by-product within our body. Over time our natural detox mechanisms can become overworked or backlogged causing sluggishness, headaches, skin problems and illnesses. You can support your body’s natural detoxification system on a daily basis through the following nutrition and lifestyle practices:

Include

• Plenty of pure water (at least two litres per day).
• Lots of leafy greens and brassicas – broccoli, kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, cabbage. Support your liver with garlic, turmeric, rosemary, milk thistle, globe artichoke, green tea, and chlorella.
• Vit B (legumes, flaxseeds and wholegrains) & Vit C which helps produce the antioxidant glutathione.
• Adequate amounts of protein.
• Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut to help create a healthy gut flora. I also recommend taking a probiotic.
• Increase fibre intake (plenty of fresh fruit and veges) to ensure daily bowel motions.

Avoid

• Processed foods (refined sugar and saturated fats).
• Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and unnecessary drugs.
• Harsh cleaning products, and toxic body care products.

Lifestyle Practices

• Gentle exercise daily.
• Epsom salts bath – add 1-2 cups to a hot bath. Soak for 15-20 minutes.
• Dry skin brushing – before you shower use a firm-bristled brush or loofah and make circular motions over the body to remove dead skin cells.
• Saunas - ensure you remain hydrated, sip on water with fresh lemon juice and/or mint.
• Lymphatic drainage massage.
• Reduce stress - try relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, and meditation.
• Sleep and rest well, aim for 7-9 hours’ sleep per night.

Now that the festive season has been and gone, it is the perfect time to get started on a path to health. A seasonal detox or cleanse can be a great way to reboot our bodies, boost energy, support a healthy weight, and help you to feel your best.