What is the big deal about detox?

You may be wondering if a detox protocol actually works and if it’s right for you. 

So we’re here to provide you with the real dirt on toxins:

Let’s first examine what detoxing really is.  Before we can understand the “de” in detox, let’s take a closer look at the “tox” (a.k.a. the toxins we’re aiming to get rid of).

Toxins are made up of small compounds from various sources, and if they build up in our bodies, these small substances can drastically affect our health.

These toxins can be broken into two main categories:

Environmental Toxins: These are produced outside of your body and are carried in things like food, air, and water. Some examples include over-the-counter or prescription medication, carbon monoxide, and common pesticides.

Metabolic Toxins: These are the opposite of environmental and are made inside of the body. Metabolic toxins are the waste byproducts produced throughout each metabolic pathway in the mind and body. Often, these toxins are a byproduct of processed, packaged foods. Added sugars and nutrient imbalances (excesses and deficiencies) both contribute to increased levels of metabolic toxins. 

Internal buildup of toxins can cause a range of symptoms:

Now, let’s examine the ‘de’ in ‘detox’. Our livers, lungs and kidneys bear a large part of the burden in processing these toxins.  

The “best” way to detox is to avoid direct exposure to toxins, but this is not as easy as you might expect. We are exposed to many different toxins each and every day.  

Here are some of our recommendations to help eliminate toxin exposure and the consequential side effects:

Eat Well:  Eating organically with a balance is the true “detox diet.”  There’s nothing particularly fancy about it. Once you’ve created a healthy habit, it’s easier to maintain your health rather than having to get it back. It’s all about prevention, so try to choose organic fruits and vegetables and hormone, antibiotic-free meats and poultry. This reduces the risk of ingesting chemical additives, antibiotics, and pesticides. 

Be Aware of What's on Your Skin: Anything you put on your skin will get absorbed by your body.  Many lotions, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, makeup products, nail polishes and other beauty products may contain potentially hazardous chemicals and toxins. Look at your product ingredients and choose natural products when you can. 

Keep the Air Fresh: Try switching to greener cleaning products. Chemical cleaners can be harmful to breathe in and increase your risk for toxin exposure. Also, do your best to avoid things like cigarette smoke as much as you can.  Indoor air quality is often worse than it is outdoors, so making an effort to get outside more often can make a big difference. 

Exercise:  Regular exercise keeps your blood pumping and circulating through your body, which can lead to increased filtration and toxin removal. While you don’t sweat out all toxins, exercise is still beneficial. 

Remember this:

The best way to reduce toxins in the body is to make day-to-day changes and avoid intense periods of detoxing. Be mindful of the products and foods that you purchase and make small, significant changes where you can. Creating a life-long approach to toxin elimination is far more effective than a short-term “detox” diet or cleanse.