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Most of us know that low energy, weight gain, and feeling like we're not our true selves are signs that a detox is in order.
But did you know that in our modern society, a detox is probably only necessary because of the pollutants we encounter on a daily basis? We regularly absorb harmful toxins, whether deliberately or unintentionally. That's why cleansing from time to time is beneficial for the body. Among other things, it helps you shed excess weight, improve your sleep, and have more energy.
If you don't know where to start or want to learn more about how to do this, Here are some simple and easy tips on how to detox naturally.
The key thing to remember when cleansing your system is that your body is designed to detoxify itself . But we can help it to make the process easier and more effective.
How does the body detoxify itself?
The human body primarily uses five organs to cleanse itself: the skin, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and liver. Each of these organs is involved in processing and eliminating toxins from our bodies. Below, we've compiled the methods each uses to accomplish this, along with tips to help.
The skin
Our skin absorbs every product we put on it, such as creams, makeup, soap, and cleansers, to name a few. Some of these can contain alarming amounts of harmful chemicals that eventually seep into our system.
So our skin absorbs elements that we don't want in our body, but it also eliminates them simply by sweating.
There are two ways to detoxify by sweating: passively and actively. Passive sweating occurs during a sauna or steam room session, while active sweating, our favorite, is achieved through physical exercise.
The kidneys
Throughout the day, our kidneys filter waste from the blood and body before releasing it through urine. The more we hydrate our kidneys with clean, filtered water, the more they are able to eliminate.
By drinking the equivalent of half our body weight in milliliters of water (with about 240 ml extra for a cup of coffee, a soft drink, a workout, etc.), we provide our kidneys with the natural support to cleanse our system. It is also possible to add lemon to the water we drink to enhance the liver's filtering processes.
The intestines
Bowel movements are essential for the body to eliminate waste and toxins. Bowel movements vary from person to person, and bowel movements can become more difficult as we age.
A frequency of one to three times a day allows for good elimination. If this does not correspond to your current elimination process, you can stimulate your transit using the following methods:
- hydrate yourself more, in particular by drinking around 240 ml of water in the morning on an empty stomach;
- consume more fiber;
- move more or do more sport during the day;
- look for possible intestinal inflammation caused by food allergies or intolerances; and
- free yourself from emotional stress and/or trauma.
The lungs
Breathing is one of the body's most powerful detoxification processes. It may sound trivial, but the right kind of breathing helps eliminate pollutants. Deep breathing even promotes proper digestive function because it relaxes the intestines.
Detoxification through the lungs depends on how we breathe. Deep lung breathing, the most beneficial, can be achieved through appropriate deep breathing exercises or physical activity.
Pay attention to your breathing: Is your breathing shallow or slow? Can you breathe more deeply? If so, don't you feel a little more relaxed?
The liver
The liver is one of the main organs of detoxification. It plays a vital role in the body's natural processes of eliminating waste and toxins. It processes our balanced dietary choices as well as our excesses, moving unwanted extras through our intestines for elimination.
To effectively support your liver, eat healthy, unprocessed foods. To be more specific, choose:
- cruciferous vegetables cooked in water or steamed;
- cold water fish;
- root vegetables;
- broccoli sprouts;
- lemons; and
- pak choy cabbage.
There are many detoxifying products available on the market, but start by allowing your body to cleanse itself naturally. These tips are a great starting point to support your internal detoxification system on a daily basis.
REFERENCES:
https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/detox-foods-detoxification-is-an-essential-part-of-optimal-health/
https://www.fishertitus.org/about-us/healthy-living-blog/2018/what-foods-cleanse-your-liver/