Detox Crash Course
Some time ago, the Guardian released an article entitled: “You can’t detox your body. It’s a myth. So how do you get healthy?”
In the article, the author says that: “…detoxing — the idea that you can flush your system of impurities and leave your organs squeaky clean and raring to go — is a scam. It’s a pseudo-medical concept designed to sell you things.”
Is this true? Yes and No.
If all our systems work perfectly then the toxins are not accumulating in the body, but getting safely out with the help of the detoxification organs: our liver and kidneys.
Unfortunately we don’t live in the ideal world: no matter how “clean” you live your life, some buildup of toxins is inevitable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 212 chemicals in people’s blood or urine. Read here for more information.
Good news: Our liver and kidneys can process many of these chemicals and toxins.
Bad news: These toxins can cause medical problems if our liver and kidneys are not functioning properly or are overburdened by a poor diet.
However, by following healthy diet, you can help your body to detox.
While the kidneys are acting as a filtration mechanism, removing wastes from the body, it’s the liver that is called the body’s powerhouse.
The liver uses a two-phase process to break down chemicals and toxins. During phase 1, toxins are neutralized and broken into smaller fragments. Then, in phase 2, they are bound to other molecules, creating a new non-toxic molecule that can be safely excreted from the body.
For these two phases to work properly, there is a need for specific nutrients. For example:
Phase 1:
- B-Vitamins (B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid)
- Flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables
- Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E (eg, carrots, oranges, wheat germ, almonds)
- Glutathione, found in avocado, watermelon, asparagus, walnuts, fresh fruits and veggies, and the nutrients n-acetylcysteine, cysteine and methionine.
Phase 2:
- Indole-3-carbinol, found in cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
- Limonene, found in oranges, tangerines, caraway seeds and dill seeds
- Glutathione, found in avocado, watermelon, asparagus, walnuts, fresh fruits and veggies.
- Fish oil
5 tips for smart detoxification
- Avoid extremes. You don’t need to starve yourself or buy everything organic. Start with less toxic choices of food and cleaning products. Drink more water. Take a walk before bed. Gо to bed earlier. Adjust your lifestyle to support your body’s natural ability to detox.
- Have a “detox focus” periodically. It is a good idea periodically (seasonal: spring and fall) to give special attention to our body’s detoxification mechanics. We all get a little off-track occasionally; a week of avoiding alcohol, refined sugar or red meat provides a recharge and a fresh start.
- Make sure your nutrient intake is optimal. Virtually all vitamins and minerals are involved in the daily detoxification process. Ensure that you are getting optimal amounts of all essential nutrients, especially the vitamins C, E, and B complex as well as the minerals zinc, magnesium, and selenium.
- Watch out for special conditions. Most detox programs are for healthy adults. If you have a medical condition, or if you are younger than 18, the detox might not be a good idea for you. Consult a healthcare practitioner who can suggest some adjustments to make it work for you.
- Take it slow with some prep steps. If the idea of detoxification feels overwhelming – don’t stress out! Try some prep steps before you start. For example, if you are a coffee drinker, start reducing your coffee intake a week before you start the detox. When you start the detox and find it too hard to follow all the rules, don’t give up! Instead, make it more flexible. You can always add other healthy food choices, even though they aren’t part of the original diet.
This smart approach will not give you an unhealthy claim of: “lose 10 pounds in 5 days”. But the payoff is so much better! Eating healthy and building healthy habits will result in increased health and vitality, better moods, and enjoying life.