Posted: May 3, 2017
 

This week I want to clarify a little bit on the issue of ‘detox’ or ‘detoxing’, as this comes up too often when most think of a healthy lifestyle. To be clear it is not about cutting out fatty foods or just juicing for a week.
 
To start, and to clarify, our bodies consume everyday toxins from synthetic chemical pollutants that occur in our water, air and food. We all need to periodically take time to flush out toxins and let our body renew itself. It is a process in which a person makes dietary and lifestyle changes to clear their body of toxins. 

 

In recent years, the detox industry has been growing with cleansing and ‘detox programs’ which is available to the consumer. Some programs when followed for prolonged periods of time have been found to cause nutritional deficiencies. 
 
As a naturopathically trained nutritional therapist, I would first reduce any dietary and lifestyle excesses. Examples would be:
 

 
Following the reduction of these I would then introduce a healthy diet with plentiful of organic foods, herbal teas, water, and if necessary vitamins and minerals supplements.
 
Another thing to keep in mind, is that it is important to prepare your body, with the right nutrients, before starting on any detox diet . I would address any digestive issues such as bloating using probiotics supplementation and natural fermented foods such as yogurt, or kefir. I would increase fibre consumption for  better bowel elimination and the use of digestive enzymes for digestion and absorption of nutrients.  All the elimination organs such as liver and kidneys must be functioning well in order for a detox to be of benefit.
 

Of course there are other ways to detoxify the body other than through foods or oral consumption. Such, would be skin brushing, contrast showers, steaming in sauna/ steam room and having a daily exercise routine.  Skin brushing is a simple technique using a natural bristle body brush. It is carried out on dry skin starting from your feet and working upwards, brushing the legs, buttocks, chest and stomach areas and finally the face.  You should always brush towards the heart. It is good for circulation and helps to eliminate toxins from the body. 
 

Contrast showers also increases circulation, promoting detoxification and strengthens the immune system. This helps bring nutrients, oxygen and immune cells to damaged and stressed tissues and carries away metabolic waste, inflammation and other toxic substances. Saunas and steam rooms are both equally good and help flush out toxins when you sweat, not to mention that they are also therapeutic and relaxing.
             
I personally believe that a ‘good detox’ is about eating a balanced healthy diet and a reduction in everyday lifestyle excesses. Please keep in mind that if a detox is asking you to do the very opposite as in juicing and drinking an excess of juices- this is not detoxing. The reason being is that there may be excess sugars and a juicing detox then can be worse than not doing a detox to begin with.
If you eliminate toxins and restore your body via a detox it is as good as giving your body an MOT as you do for your car!  
 

Be Healthy- Live Longer! Cristina Okada