For years, the natural health community has been touting the benefits of detoxing to rid toxic chemicals from your body. But what is the best way to detox and how can you effectively flush toxins out of your body? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Different approaches yield different results, and what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to recognize that everyone is different and may need to approach detoxing differently. That being said, there are some common steps one can take that may be beneficial to most.
1.Avoid Toxins
The first and best way to detox is to avoid contact with toxins in the first place. Toxins come in many forms, including environmental pollutants, pesticides, household chemicals, fungicides, and plastics. Some toxins can be avoided easily, such as avoiding processed foods and artificial sweeteners. Other toxins, like those found in your home, can be more difficult to avoid, and require extra vigilance in order to keep exposure to them minimal.
2. Eat a Clean Diet
One of the key ways to detox your body is to eat a clean, plant-based diet. Eating a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense foods is one of the best ways to provide your body with the nutrition it needs to cleanse its organs and help remove toxins naturally. Additionally, look for certified organic foods that are free of artificial additives, preservatives, and other pollutants. Aim to minimize consumption of unhealthy fats, sugar, and processed foods which can add to your toxic burden.
3. Sweat
Sweating helps to detoxify the body and eliminate pollutants through the skin. You can sweat naturally by exercising, or you can take a sauna to induce sweating. If you’re looking to sweat out toxins, aim to exercise regularly for at least 30-45 minutes per day and take a 15-30 minute sauna at least two times a week.
4. Dry Skin Brushing
Skin brushing is a great way to detox the body as it exfoliates the skin and increases circulation, aiding in toxin elimination. To do skin brushing, use a brush made with natural bristles on dry skin in long, soothing strokes. Start at your feet and sweep up the legs, arms, torso, abdomen and chest. The movement should be in the direction of your lymphatic system, which are the vessels that move toxins out of the body.
5. Filter Your Water
Our water supply is full of toxins, so filtering your water is an important step in detoxing. Get a filter for your home’s drinking water and be sure to filter or buy bottled water if you are drinking outside of the home.
6. Support Your Liver
Your liver is responsible for more than 500 tasks, including the elimination of toxins from your body. To support your liver’s detox pathways, avoid excess consumption of alcohol, and take natural herbs and supplements such as milk thistle, dandelion, turmeric, and schizandra to keep your liver healthy and functioning optimally.
7. Supplement
When detoxing, it’s important to replenish your body with the right kind of supplements. For example, probiotics support healthy gut bacteria, which helps your body effectively eliminate toxins and absorb nutrients. The amino acid N-acetyl cysteine helps to process toxins and glutathione, which can protect your cells from oxidative damage. Additionally, specific minerals such as selenium and zinc help to support detoxification enzymes in the liver.
Wrapping Up
Detoxing your body is an important part of maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. To properly detox, it’s important to steer clear of toxins and eat a nourishing diet, sweat out toxins, dry skin brush, filter your water, and take supplements that aid in supporting and cleansing the body. While you may feel overwhelmed by the idea of detoxing, these steps are fairly easy to implement and will go a long way in ensuring that your body is able to efficiently eliminate toxins and remain healthy.