What You Need To Know About Detoxification

How well your body performs its daily duty to rid your body of wastes and toxic metals and pollutants may be one of the most important factors in keeping you free of disease. The liver, kidneys, intestines, skin and lungs are the major players in breaking down and repackaging toxins so they can be eliminated safely. Toxins create free radicals which have been identified as one of the principal factors in disease generation and aging.

Your organs of detoxification have a lot to do considering the need to breakdown and eliminate normal hormones and by-products of digestion and energy production along with all the heavy metals, preservatives, artificial colorings and flavorings, pesticide residues, solvents, plastic residues (known as phthalates), gasoline and petrochemical products, ad infinitum that we absorb through our food, the air we breathe and the water we drink. All drugs and alcohol also need to be detoxified. Even overgrowth of yeast and bacteria produces toxins.

WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL: Your inherited genetics go a long way in determining if you make enough of the needed enzymes to safely rid yourself of the waste products of living and even the hormones your body makes.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Recognize signs that your detox systems are overloaded. Some tests are now becoming available to test the by-products of detoxification to tell you if your body is doing its job. You will notice that signs of toxic overload listed below can have many causes. It is simpler than you think to increase the efficiency of your detox function and see if some of these symptoms disappear.

• Heavy metal signs include: fatigue, headaches, joint pain, arthritis, poor memory, poor co-ordination, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, arthritis, learning disabilities, attention deficit, seizures, behavioral disorders, hypertension, emphysema, rashes, speech difficulty, excess saliva. Get tested if you have one or more of these symptoms that do not respond to simple treatments.
• Pesticide, herbicide and plastic residues may result in: hormone imbalances, increased PMS or menopausal symptoms, fertility issues, miscarriage, birth defects, increased cancer risk, nerve damage, skin issues Reduce exposure by buying mostly organic produce and free range animal protein, not microwaving in plastic, not drinking from plastic bottles, taking protective measures when using lawn chemicals or insecticides
• Other signs of toxic load can include abnormal body odor, bad breath, coated tongue, and brittle nails.

You can improve your body’s ability to detox daily by making powerful food choices:
• Organic foods whenever possible to minimize the toxic load.
• Drink plenty of filtered or spring water daily to help flush toxins from the liver and kidney and to prevent constipation.
• Avoid constipation by including 25-35 gms. of fiber a day in your diet. This is easy if you eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods. Healthy bowel function is critical in eliminating toxins from the body once the liver has processed them.
• Lemon and lime, garlic, onions, rosemary, and green tea increase the enzymes the liver needs to do its job.
• Beets and apples actually absorb heavy metals and other toxins.
• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and bok choy are powerful cancer protectors, because they improve the functioning of liver detoxification.
• Bitter green vegetables increase bile production. The liver wraps toxins in bile where they are carried out of the body through the intestines. Love your Romaine lettuce, arugula, watercress, endive, broccoli rabe and dandelion leaf.
• Fruits and vegetables are overall so high in the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that support detoxification, for maximum benefit include at least 8-12 servings (1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw) daily.
Supplements boost detoxification:
• Many herbs and supplements help protect the liver and enhance detoxification. These include dandelion root, milk thistle, artichoke,
-acetylcysteine (NAC boosts glutathione, the body’s own detoxifying chemical). Consult with a nutritionist to determine what supplements may be appropriate for your current individual situation.
Other assists to detoxification include:
• Exercising until you sweat or using a sauna regularly to mobilize and eliminate toxins through your sweat glands.
• Avoiding over-consumption of alcohol (more than 1 drink a day for women, 2 for men), and medications when lifestyle modifications would work just as welln • Getting a minimum of 7-8 hours of restful sleep a night (when you detox)
SEASONAL DETOX:
The change of season has traditionally been the time to institute detox boosting practices. This can include various kinds of fasting, juicing, and other practices. If you’re not up to fasting you can still enhance detoxing by more intensely avoiding the intake of toxins, reducing your stress, eliminating reactive foods and using detoxing foods and supplements with the guidance of a professional experienced in detox programs. n