What is a detox?
This question is really important to be addressed so we can understand what the benefits and challenges are.
Detox simply means to get rid of toxins that are harmful to the human body. Your body does this all on its own. Thankfully it does not rely on us to detox when necessary so us deciding to 'do a detox' is really just supporting rather than doing a job that would otherwise not get done.
The organs involved in detoxification are the skin, kidney's, intestine, liver and the lymphatic system.
What are Toxins ?
Toxins are chemicals that interfere, interact and change our own body chemistry. Some can come from within our own bodies such as carbon dioxide (by product of cellular respiration) and urea (made by the liver when the whole protein digestion thing has happened)
Other toxins include industrial toxins. They are everywhere, in our food, in our water, personal and household care items. They are in our cookware, in storage containers, the list is endless and you are probably quicker doing a household inventory.
We can also obtain toxins from disease causing bacteria that reales toxins into our body, making us ill.
What happens in our body ?
Our bodies have been created so perfectly that it can eliminate toxins from our body on a daily basis, whenever the need arises.
When a toxin enters our blood stream (via the lymphatic system digestive system) it's first stop is the liver. Here the liver will separate toxins from nutrients the body needs. Then a two step process begins:
Liver uses oxygen and enzymes to make this toxins more soluble ( meaning they can dissolve)
Toxins are combined with sulphur or amino acids (simplest form of a protein) to eliminate toxins through urine or bile.
We are then back at the organs that are responsible to excrete theses toxins, skin, kidney, intestines.
This leads to changes in the way our cells are able to communicate with each other, how chemical reactions in our body take place and whether the environment in our body remains optimal for our cells to function in.
What reduces/slows/stops the detox process ?
If in step 1 the liver cannot detox it fast enough because of the sheer toxic load then it will circulate through the whole body again, possibly causing damage, before it reaches the liver again.
If the liver runs out of products in step 2 the toxins will build up in the body.
When we are exposed to large amount of toxins on a daily basis, over a long period of time this process cannot happen fully and our body becomes overloaded with toxins.
What are some signs of toxic overload?
migraines / headaches
tiredness
difficulty sleeping
low energy
acne
skin conditions
mood swings
difficulty concentrating
How can you support your body to detox ?
There are really simple and cost-effective ways to help your body to detox. With the constant environmental toxins we are exposed to it is important that we set time aside in our daily or weekly rhythms to optimise and support the biological processes.
Here are some simple things we can implement right now :
Okay, I am aware that I wrote simple things at the top of this and then proceeded with reducing stress and giving up sugar. What I mean is these are simple because, they are in our control, unlike what is in our water and what chemicals are in the food we eat.
Head over to My Clarity Toolbox for some tools to support you in your low-tox journey.
Please know that while there is a billion dollar industry for detox and weight loss this is a lifestyle change and not a quick buy-it-in-a-box fix solution. Whatever we put into our bodies our cells have to process and a 4 or 7 day detox is not going to be the solution here. It is what we do everyday, every week that is going to have the biggest, life-giving impact.
Thank you for being here!
* Always consult your health care practitioner to receive a tailored solution for you.
Read the full Disclaimer here.
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