Detoxification is an optimal part of achieving good health.
When we remove toxins from our bodies, we protect ourselves from the harm they may cause. That is one of the many reasons people are trying detoxification diets as one of the effective ways to rid their bodies of toxins. Along with eradicating toxins, detoxification also enables us to reap its benefits like weight loss and improved immunity.
In this article, we will explain how to naturally eliminate the toxins in our body and the common misconceptions about it.
Where do toxins come from?
Toxins are well-known and have been widely discussed by many about the various methods to eliminate them. But what many people fail to ask is where toxins come from and how they enter our bodies.
To effectively detoxify our body, we must first identify the sources of toxins. It is an essential part of the process. Knowing where toxins come from will make it easier for us to mitigate its potential effects on the body and find natural ways to eliminate it.
Essentially, there are three sources that bring toxins into our body such as:
- Environment
- Cellular waste products from the body’s internal process
- Bacteria found in our digestive system
Effects of toxins from the body
Obviously, there is a specific reason why we need to remove toxins in our body – they can bring harm to us.
You see, our body should be able to efficiently remove toxins naturally. But this does not apply to all, which means that some people may find removing certain toxins easy while others may not.
For those people that are having difficulty removing toxins, they are more prone to their risk when it builds up in their body. When this happens, the harmful effects of toxins will manifest and can negatively affect health.
Listed below are some of the effects of toxins in our bodies.
- Your stomach appears to be bloated
- Too much coating of the tongue
- Having a bad breath
- The unpleasant smell of the sweat
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
Understanding detoxification
Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from the body.
You may not be aware of it, but your body is detoxifying itself daily. When you exhale, perspire or go to the bathroom to empty your bowels or your bladder, your body is actually expelling harmful waste and toxins.
Your body’s detoxification process actually starts from the cellular level because it is where toxins accumulate constantly. This is done by your liver, kidneys, spleen and lymphatic system. Once the toxins are expelled from your cells, your body’s major cleansing organs, such as your kidneys, colon, skin and lungs, finish the job by ejecting the toxins together with the body’s wastes.
To be specific, your liver function carries it out in two steps. In its initial stage, the body converts harmful substances into highly reactive compounds before excreting those toxins.
Your cleansing organs need to stay healthy so that they can function normally. To do this, you need to nourish them or do some activities that help them make their jobs easier.
Benefits
You are probably still here because you may have heard about the wonderful benefits of having a body detox.
Well, you are not wrong about that. Fortunately, our body has its own highly efficient detoxification system, which happens naturally.
Performing certain healthy habits can also help our bodies detoxify. This way, you will be able to provide fuel to your body to function accordingly and visibly see its benefits. We will discuss some of them in the next portion of this article.
Here are some benefits of detoxifying your body naturally:
- Detoxifying keeps you healthy and away from developing harmful diseases
- It can also reduce inflammation
- Cleanse and purify the blood in our circulation
- Allows you to have a good sleep
- Boost bodily functions
Misconceptions about detox programs
As we have previously mentioned, detoxification is one of the efficient functions of our body.
You might probably be wondering about the detox program you have recently watched and will try. The thing is, they do little to no effect in “detoxifying your body.” Many famous detox diets have been around, claiming they can bring health benefits.
What exactly do we mean by these?
Certain foods and beverages that were recommended for you to consume to detoxify do have a number of health benefits. But here’s the catch: these products aren’t actually intended to do what you think they are, which is body detoxification. Their functions are only limited to providing nutrients to supply energy to your body for it to detoxify naturally.
Moreover, most of these detox diets, like the water diet, are low in calories. Remember that although burning calories is essential in losing weight, your body still needs it to have a supply of energy.
Tips to effectively detoxify body naturally
Now that you have a background about how toxins are formed and their effects, let us look into the most efficient way to rejuvenate our bodies.
Eliminating toxins in your body should not require you to starve yourself for days or to stick to a certain magic drink. Supplying your body with healthy foods high in essential nutrients is good enough to sustain your body’s detoxification process.
Here are some tips that can help you detoxify your body naturally:
1. Eat foods that are rich in quality protein and essential fatty acids.
These substances help to make your cells healthy.
For instance, the role of protein in the body goes beyond strengthening your muscles. In fact, proteins are highly essential in detoxification as phase II of the detoxification requires high amounts of amino acids or methionine.
Protein and fatty acids can be obtained from nuts, whole grains, olive oil and omega-3 fish oil.
2. Drink plenty of clean, pure water to flush out the toxins from your body.
Your body needs at least eight cups of water every day. Drinking enough water helps to stay hydrated and keep your skin refreshed.
In addition, water is also essential to support your kidney’s role in eliminating harmful toxins. It also helps to improve digestion and prevent constipation.
You should also note that soft drinks, coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages cannot substitute pure water.
3. Eat fiber-rich foods to improve bowel movement.
Fresh greens and raw fruit also contain antioxidants which do a lot to prevent the accumulation of toxins in your system.
Fiber-rich foods, for example, travel through our digestive tract, assisting in the elimination of toxins from the body. This also benefits the body by lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as colon cancer, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Listed below are some of the fiber-rich food you can try:
- Probiotics like yogurt, tempeh and miso
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Kiwi
- Apple
- Grapes
- Prunes
- Whole wheat bread
4. Exercise regularly.
Engaging in daily physical activity is one of the best ways to naturally detox your body, lose weight and reduce disease risk.
Exercise promotes various means to eliminate toxins. It improves circulation and oxygen supply to your cells. Adults are recommended to take an average of 150 minutes of exercise each week to benefit and strengthen the body.
Keep in mind that improving blood circulation will enable our liver and lymph nodes to perform their roles efficiently. It also helps to burn fat and remove toxins from your body through sweat.
5. You can also induce sweating by engaging in other activities.
If exercising is not your thing, why not try relaxing activities like saunas and warm baths with Epsom salts.
Aside from its detoxifying benefits, sauna and Epsom salts are also known to relieve specific ailments such as:
- Reduce stress levels
- Aid in soothing the skin
- Gives relief from soreness and pain
- Prevent food odor
6. Massage can also stimulate your skin to detoxify naturally.
Tired from a long day at work? Give yourself a relaxing reward like getting a massage as a way of self-care.
The benefits of massage go beyond relaxation. Massage also improves blood circulation in the body. Improving blood circulation is vital for reducing the risk of heart disease development as well as lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
Massaging the skin activates the lymphatic system to do its natural detoxification job. In order to boost the detoxification process, drink water after massaging your skin. Another natural method that stimulates the skin to detox is dry brushing.
7. Minimize your intake of toxins by eating organic foods
With the many detox diets you can try, nothing beats a healthy diet to detoxify your body.
Avoiding processed foods, drugs, sugar and stimulants is a must to improve your overall health. Most processed foods available on the market contain additives that can bring adverse effects to our body.
Eating organic meals allows your body to receive the necessary vitamins and minerals, like detoxification, to sustain your body function. According to a study, consuming organic-free food for at least a week can significantly decrease the amount of pesticides in the body.
Also, you can prevent toxins by not exposing yourself to environmental chemicals.
8. Take supplements to fortify your body’s detoxification system.
Taking supplements regularly is a great way to fill in the gaps in your nutritional needs. It is an effective way to boost your immune function while eliminating toxins.
Through supplements, you can benefit from its vitamins and minerals to improve your body’s cleansing ability.
For instance, vitamin c are great antioxidants to fight free radicals that bring oxidative stress. It is also helpful in reducing the symptoms of various illnesses and diseases, keeping us strong and healthy.
9. Do deep breathing exercises to release carbon dioxide from your system.
Breathing is essential for everyone to live. It is actually the most natural way to detox.
The oxygen we get from breathing is required for our body organs to function properly. It also provides adequate oxygen to your brain and blood cells, allowing you to remain physically and mentally alert. This is possible since deep breathing will enable us to reduce carbon dioxide while increasing oxygen in our blood.
Aside from this, deep breathing also promotes healthy digestion. The oxygen in our body allows the faster absorption of nutrients by improving the digestive process.
Here are the other benefits of deep breathing:
- Deep breathing helps to keep us calm, which reduces stress
- Elevates your energy levels
- Can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Reduce headaches
10. Avoid stressful thoughts and situations.
Think positive. Be aware that negative thoughts and feelings can trigger the release of chemicals that can harm your brain.
Knowing and staying away from situations that may trigger you is also an important part of detoxification. Applying deep breaths during these situations is the best way to calm your nerves.
Detoxify naturally and embrace a healthy lifestyle
Toxins are everywhere we go. Thus, we are responsible for ensuring that our body organs are properly nourished with vitamins and minerals to perform their functions.
Breaking bad habits and adopting healthy lifestyle practices is a great way to keep your detoxification going. From doing exercises to simple deep breathing — all are simple and natural ways to eliminate toxins.
Start your detoxification journey today and browse and explore through our exercise and food blog posts for more meaningful healthcare advice.
