Detoxing

Nowadays, you are seeing so many advertisements for Detoxes and Cleanses, something that has become more of a hot topic in the last ten years. But how important are these detoxes and can they do more harm than good? Many of these cleanses boast weight loss and a cure for all illnesses. In my opinion, anything that has chemicals found in the ingredients in the detox/cleanse is something I would be weary of. You should also know that any type of cleanse that uses herbal ingredients, laxatives, enemas, colonics, and/or irrigation devices can possibly disrupt the normal functioning and balance of the large intestine, resulting in electrolyte imbalances, diarrhea, dehydration and damage to the protective bacteria in the large intestine.

What are toxins anyway?

Toxins are present all around us. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, foods we eat, soaps we use, and cleaners we use. Toxins can also enter our body through our skin, the largest organ in the human body.
Toxins can hang around our body for a long time and even be soluble in fat cells, accumulate in our major organs and glands like the thyroid and adrenal which are meant to regulate our body.

Our body was meant to naturally detoxify itself through perspiration, excretion of wastes, and other natural processes like breathing. The large intestine also contains good bacteria which also there to help reduce toxin activity. But with the increasing amount of toxins found all around us, its become harder and harder for our body to natural rid of these harmful chemicals.

So even though we know toxins are bad, what is the actual science of how toxins affect our body? Toxins can aggravate your normal hormonal functions and prevent your body from utilizing essential minerals that we are ingesting from the foods we eat. Eating too many toxins can lead to neurological diseases, hormonal disruption (too much estrogen), nutritional deficiencies, and in worst case scenarios auto-immune disorders and cancer.

How do we reduce toxins in our environments?

1. Buy organic and avoid processed foods. Organics don't contain pesticides that can disrupt your hormonal balance.
2. Avoid products containing BPA, which can be found in plastics, cans, food wrapping, clothes, etc.
3. Avoid Parabans and Phylates which are found in most non-organic/mineral/unanatural cosmetics and beauty items. Check for products like make-up and cosmetic products approved by the environmental working group (www.ewg.org)
4. Ensure you are getting enough Magnesium, which protects your cells from heavy metals.
5. Take a Vitamin C supplement. I recommend Lipo-Spheric Vitamin C since it encapsulated in liposomes and as a result is able to cross the normal barriers to absorption into the bloodstream and into cells. Vitamin C is used to help detoxify the body and protect cells from toxic chemicals.
6. Drink lots of filtered water. Staying hydrates is important for your body to function and perform processes. 

Hopefully this guide has helped you become more aware of the things you consume and how to mindfully create a less toxic environment for your body.

If you have any other suggestion for detoxing, I am always open to hearing new ideas :)