Detox is such a highly controversial subject these days that I hardly dare mention the word. Many health experts say that our liver and kidneys do a great job to detox us, so we don`t need to take additional any supplements or have a special diet to help us detox. So why do many people claim that they feel so much better when they detox?
The fact is many people are deficient in the nutrients needed for the optimum function of the detox system because of poor dietary choices and stressful lifestyles. From specialized lab tests, it`s known that some people have slow or non-functioning detox pathways. It`s also known that these pathways can be boosted with specific nutrients.
We are bombarded with so many toxins every day which find their way into our bodies that our detox organs are severely overloaded and struggle with the detoxification process.
Modern detox is about giving our bodies foods that contain the nutrients needed for the optimum function of the detox system while reducing the number of toxins going into our bodies. Detox diets often restrict certain foods that are hard to digest and contain harmful substances, but they are replaced with other nutritious meals, so you are not deprived. One study showed that even a 7-day detox could help reduce symptoms and boost liver function.
Here are 7 top tips for detoxing your body without any starvation diets.
1. Eat Slowly and Chew Well To Allow Proper Digestion
Eating slowly and chewing well will help to stimulate the release of digestive enzymes that break down food and help release the nutrients that are needed for your body to detoxify. By eating slowly, you will also give your brain enough time to receive satiety signals from digestive hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract, so you don’t overeat. As a result, your body will be trained to eat just what you need and to stop when you are already full. So the next time you eat, take time to savor your food in between bites and avoid any distractions.
2. Ensure Healthy Bowel Movements
Making sure your bowel is working well is essential for proper detoxification. Your liver eliminates the toxins it has processed through bile which carries the toxins out of your body through the digestive system. The best way to ensure they get removed quickly is by eating lots of fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of good quality water. Health experts recommend that women should eat at least 25 grams of fiber each day while men should eat at least 38 grams. Some of the best sources rich in fiber are whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans.
Water helps keep your stools soft and smooth to pass. It also helps the kidneys remove harmful toxins and wastes from your blood in the form of urine.
3. Support Liver Function
Avoid making your liver work any harder than it already does by eating nutrient deficient, processed foods, foods with additives, refined sugar, and alcohol. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives that contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals needed for optimum health.
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage are unique among all plant foods in their ability to boost detox enzymes to assist your body in expelling toxins.
Integrate leafy greens into your diet as well, such as arugula, bitter gourd, dandelion greens, and spinach. These vegetables have incredibly high levels of chlorophyll which can bind to toxic heavy metals in the blood and help carry them out of your body.
4. Increase Antioxidant Content of Diet
Antioxidants work by neutralizing and eliminating the free radicals in your system, which result naturally from the detoxification process and can cause damage to your body and contribute towards many diseases.
There are two different types of antioxidants; the body’s antioxidant system which relies on vitamins A, C and E and the minerals selenium, zinc and copper to be sufficient, while the other consists of nutritional antioxidants that came directly from our diets.
If you don’t have a diet rich in these nutrients, your body won’t be able to produce your antioxidants. So eating a vast variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, such as kale, berries, carrots, beets, and cauliflower is the most important.
5. Avoid Chemical Toxins
Do you know that most of the products that we use every day in our homes and on our bodies contain toxic chemicals that are linked to various diseases such as breast cancer, asthma, infertility, and other serious illnesses? Detoxifying is not just about eating the right foods; it also means being careful about what you are putting into your body from personal care products, beauty products, and household cleaning items.
There are infinite ways you can protect yourself from these harmful toxins. For instance, if you have to use plastic, avoid those that contain BPA as this could harm your body. When buying beauty products, take the time to read the ingredients; products that contain phthalates, Triclosan, and other harmful chemicals must be avoided.
Use natural household cleansers in favor of those commercial cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals. Avoid also room fresheners which contain harmful chemicals.
6. Move your Body
We all know that exercising brings us benefits in so many ways. You must take time to move your body on a daily basis to help with the blood and lymphatic circulation which delivers nutrients to the cells and takes toxins to the liver for processing to less harmful substances. It does not necessarily mean performing intense workout exercises. Even simple things like brisk walking, dancing, skin brushing, and rebounding on a mini trampoline should be enough.
Sometimes, you may want to give your body some relaxing time in the midst of your busy schedules. You can go for a hike, attend a yoga class, or perform any activity that makes you feel relaxed while still moving your body. You will end up releasing tension while improving the recovery and repair of your body.
7. Get a Good Night`s Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital to stay healthy. One study shows that it is during your sleep that the brain detoxes itself through the lymphatic system. This system, which is most active during sleep, is capable of clearing waste from the mind. It has been shown to have an impact on headaches and other neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
There are many ways to enhance your quality of sleep. Detox baths with lavender and Epsom salts can help you to sleep more efficiently and improve your quality of sleep. Remove any distraction that could prevent you from getting a shuteye such as your mobile phone or tablet. Wearing eye masks may also help.
Conclusion
There’s more to detoxifying than starvation diets. If you want to stay healthy while still being able to perform at your best, you should not starve yourself or deprive your body of the foods that are known to support its vital detox function. The goal is to eliminate toxins. Once you do, your body will start craving nutritious foods that can help you feel active, energized, and stay healthy.
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