DETOX: The Body

Detoxification has been practised for centuries by cultures around the world including Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems. This health practice is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.

You may consider a detox if you are generally feeling less healthy and vital than usual. Signs such as unexplained fatigue, bloating, sugar cravings, weight gain, slow bowels, irritated skin, allergies, puffy or bags under the eyes, aching joints, menstrual problems, poor concentration, trouble sleeping, anxiety and depression may be a result of your body being overloaded with chemicals or metabolic wastes.

Below are eleven evidenced-based ways to rejuvenate your body’s detoxification systems;

LIMIT ALCOHOL

Drinking too much alcohol reduces your liver’s ability to carry out its normal functions, including filtering waste and other toxins from the blood. Limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two for men is one of the best ways to keep your liver's detoxification system running strong.

FOCUS ON SLEEP

Ensuring adequate and quality sleep each night is a must to support your body’s health and natural detoxification. Adequate sleep allows your brain to reorganise, recharge, and eliminate toxins that accumulate throughout the day. You should sleep seven to nine hours per night on a regular basis to promote good health and avoid toxic build up.

DRINK MORE WATER

Hydration could possibly be the most simple and impactful detox tool. Water transports waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea, efficiently removing them through urination, breathing, or sweating. The recommended daily intake of water is 3.7 litres for men and 2.7 litres for women or more depending on your diet, where you live, and your activity level.

REDUCE PROCESSED FOODS AND SUGAR

Excess junk food consumption is linked to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. These conditions can cause harm to organs important to detoxifying, such as your liver and kidneys. The best way to limit your intake of high sugar and processed foods is to leave packaged and convenience foods on the supermarket shelf. Replace with healthier whole grains, good quality meat, dairy, nuts and fresh fruit and vegetables. If you need assistance with meal plans and accountability we can help at First Things First Wellness Centre with our Ketogenic Eating Program.

EAT FOODS RICH IN ANTI-OXIDANTS

Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Alcohol, tobacco smoke, a poor diet, stress and exposure to pollutants can produce excessive free radicals. Consuming a diet rich in antioxidants helps your body reduce damage caused by free radicals and may lower your risk of diseases that can impact detoxification. Examples of antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene and lutein. Food sources rich in anti-oxidants include berries, fruits, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, spices, coffee and green tea.

INCREASE HIGH PREBIOTICS FOODS IN THE DIET

Your digestive health is central to detoxification. The good bacteria in your gut can become unbalanced with bad bacteria from use of antibiotics, poor dental hygiene, and diet quality. Consequently, this unhealthy shift in bacteria can weaken your immune and detoxification systems and increase your risk of disease and inflammation. Good gut health starts with prebiotics, a type of fibre that feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Good food sources of prebiotics include fermented foods, tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic, and oats.

GET ACTIVE

People who exercise regularly have fewer toxins in their systems than those who don't. Exercise can kick-start the natural detox process as it flushes out the lungs, and cleanses the skin as we work up a sweat. It also increases blood flow promoting better circulation pumping white blood cells through the body in turn helping organs cleanse themselves effectively. It’s recommended that you do at least 150–300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise — such as brisk walking — or 75–150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity — such as running.

STRESS REDUCTION

When we are overworked, anxious and flat out in life, we can also become burdened with toxins. Stress creates excess production of hormones in the body and a lack of adequate rest can mean our system does not have a chance to clear these metabolic wastes. As part of your detoxification plan, allow time each day for a relaxation technique such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, journal writing or massage.

LYMPHATIC DRAIN

It’s the job of the lymphatic system’s to pick up and dispose of cellular “trash” like white blood cells, bacteria, viruses, toxins and other molecular debris from every tissue in your body. The lymphatic system doesn't have a pump like the heart to circulate fluid. We can encourage the movement of lymph and the detoxification of the body with exercise, dry skin brushing and endermologie lymphatic drain treatments.

NATURAL BODY CARE

There are chemicals in everything from our toothpaste, soap, deodorants, shampoo, nail polish, perfume and make-up. Fortunately there has never been a higher demand and availability for non chemical self care products than now. But don't just take a products word for it if it says 'Natural' 'Pure' or 'Green' on the label. Start to read the ingredient lists of the back of the product and avoid the following particularly nasty ingredients- Amines. Sulphates, Parabens, Mercury, Aluminium, Retinoic Acid and Formeldehyde. At First Things First Wellness Centre we stock 'No Pong' a chemical free deodorant that is a favourite with staff and clients.

FAR-INFRARED SAUNA

Far Infrared heat is recognised by many health practitioners worldwide as the most effective method of removing both chemical and heavy metal toxins from the body. It causes a rise in core temperature resulting in a deep detoxifying sweat at a cellular level where toxins reside. These toxins include sodium, cholesterol, alcohol, nicotine, acidic compounds, pesticides, organic pollutants and heavy metals such as mercury and aluminium. At First Things First Wellness Centre we offer 50 minute far-infrared detox box cabin sessions for just $35.