If you are waking up with puffy eyes, experiencing unexplained fatigue day after day, or just need help jump-starting a weight loss program, a detox could be the solution. By taking steps to eliminate toxins from your body, you can improve your ability to right off illness and maintain optimum health.
What Is Detoxification?
Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. It is used by health and wellness practitioners to help clients improve their health and promote weight loss. By eliminating toxins from the body and then nourishing it with healthy nutrients, it can help you maintain optimum health and improve your body's ability to fight off disease.
How Does Detoxification Work?
Detoxification is meant to remove impurities from the blood in the liver. The body is naturally designed to eliminate toxins from the skin and throughout the lymphatic system, intestines, lungs, and kidneys. However, if any of those systems are compromised, they cannot properly remove impurities, and the person's health and well-being can be compromised. A detoxification — or detox — program can help the body with this natural cleansing process. Some methods for detoxing are:
- Fasting to rest the organs.
- Promoting the elimination of toxins through the skin, kidneys, and intestines.
- Stimulating the liver to help it eliminate impurities.
- Improving blood circulation.
- Fueling the body with healthy nutrients to promote optimum health.
Benefits of Detoxification
There are different ways to detox your body, and each detox can give you different results. However, some of the benefits that people experience with detoxification include:
- Improves energy: Detoxing eliminates things like sugar and caffeine that cause drops in energy. After these are eliminated from your body, you will notice more stable energy levels throughout the day.
- Promotes weight loss and weight management: A detox can jumpstart your diet by removing sugar and many processed, unhealthy foods from your diet. It also helps you create healthy habits that promote long-term weight management.
- Improves immune system: Detoxification takes some of the work off your organs, which makes it easier for them to fight off illnesses. You'll also be better able to absorb nutrients that encourage a strong immune system, such as Vitamin C.
- Clears the skin: By improving your diet, you should see a marked improvement in your complexion. Be prepared for breakouts as your body eliminates toxins during the detox and then expect it to clear up when the detoxification process is over.
- Helps improve memory: The energy crashes that occur as a result of sugar consumption and other effects of an unhealthy diet can impact your memory and ability to think clearly. Many people experience clearer thoughts and a better memory as a result of detoxification.
Signs You May Want to Consider Detoxification
It's important to always consult with your healthcare provider before you begin any type of diet program to ensure it's safe. Detoxification is never suggested for children, nursing mothers, or people who have cancer, tuberculosis, or chronic degenerative diseases.
For others, though, detoxification can be a great way to improve your energy, reduce bloating, and even think more clearly. Some signs that you may want to consider a detox are:
- Irritated skin
- Allergies
- Unexplained fatigue
- Mental confusion
- Mild infections
- Bags or puffiness under the eyes
- Bloating
- Menstrual problems
Ways to Detox Your Body
While your body naturally eliminates toxins on its own, there are steps you can take to optimize its ability to remove impurities from your system. Here are a few you may want to consider.
Improve Your Sleep
Sleeping gives your body a chance to remove toxic waste byproducts that accumulated throughout the course of your day while also recharging your brain. If you consistently go without adequate sleep, toxins can build up and impact all areas of your health. In fact, poor sleep has been linked to anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep on a regular basis. Consider limiting your exposure to blue light, which is emitted from cell phones and computer screens, prior to going to bed and aim to maintain the same sleep schedule every day.
Limit or Eliminate Alcohol
Alcohol is primarily metabolized in your liver. Though the liver converts the alcohol into a substance that is eventually eliminated from your body, excessive drinking can cause fat buildup, scarring, and inflammation. This makes it impossible for your liver to properly filter toxins and waste from your body. By limiting alcohol or eliminating it from your diet entirely, you can keep your detoxification system healthy and strong.
Reduce Your Intake of Sugar and Processed Foods
High sugar intake has been linked to chronic disease and obesity. It also impairs your body's ability to detoxify itself. By cutting back on sugar and replacing processed foods with healthier options like fruit and vegetables, you can optimize your body's natural detoxification system.
Consume Prebiotic-Rich Foods
Prebiotics are a type of fiber that feeds the probiotics in your stomach. This good bacteria can become unbalanced because of poor diet, antibiotics, or poor dental hygiene. By consuming prebiotic-rich foods, you can help to keep your body's detoxification and immune systems healthy. Good sources of prebiotics are bananas, tomatoes, onions, garlic, artichokes, and asparagus.
Drink More Water
Not only does water keep you hydrated, but it also lubricates the joints, helps your body with digestion and the absorption of nutrients, and removes waste products from your system. The recommended daily intake for water is 125 ounces for men and 91 for women. Depending on your diet and activity level, you may need to modify that amount for you.
If you're ready to take your detox to the next level to reset your body or prep for any weight loss diet, contact the biostation. We are South Florida's leading provider of Functional and Age Management medicine and offer a 7-day detox cleanse to help you cleanse your body of toxins, food intolerances, hard-to-digest foods, and intestinal and colonic blockages. The program includes nutrition, diet, and lifestyle guidance under the supervision of a nutritionist and medical doctor. Contact us today to learn more.