It is a fact that our body is constantly detoxifying itself through the liver, kidneys, lungs & skin \u2013 with or without our aid. But a detox is only truly beneficial when the total amount of toxins to the body are reduced, removed properly and sustained, long-term.<\/strong> When I refer to \u2018detox\u2019 in this article, I\u2019m talking about lowering & reducing the toxic load present in your body at any given time.<\/p>\n But when focusing on detoxification as a health practice, it can become about so much more than the foods we eat. It\u2019s what we fill our minds with, what\u2019s surrounding us, and even what we put on our skin. But the result is always the same: being well and in optimal health conditions. So let’s start with detoxing your body!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of course, a detox requires the expected exclusions \u2013 like no caffeine, no alcohol, no sugar (and no fun!) \u2013 but the experience of a detox doesn\u2019t have to be one of deprivation.<\/strong> On the contrary, changing certain things in your diet, and in your life overall, can help you to better function and feel your best. There\u2019s really no need for difficulties; it can be as simple as making healthy choices that work for you, as you work to eliminate toxic waste from your body.<\/p>\n During the course of the year (and our lives), we are constantly exposed to toxins. These toxins can be sourced internally or show up as a byproduct of the environment \u2013 to name only a few: pollution, alcohol, stress, caffeine, drugs, medication, secondhand smoke, pesticides, herbicides, food additives, unclean water, chemical exposure caused by self-care<\/a> and\/or household cleaning products<\/a><\/strong>. Each of these factors adds to the toxicity level in your body, and as it rises you may start to notice dangerous side effects (which manifest themselves in every body differently).<\/p>\n Even as we accumulate these toxins, our bodies work simultaneously and around the clock to get rid of them. By choosing to detox, you are simply aiding in the body\u2019s natural elimination process; it also involves preventing potential stressors before they ever have the chance to enter the body.<\/strong> More likely than not, your body will show you a lot of appreciation for giving it an extra helping hand.<\/p>\n Toxins are stored in adipose tissue (body fat). The best way to remove toxins from your body is by pushing them out the back end. <\/strong>The typical diet of a detox promotes bowel movements and, in turn, this motion works to discharge toxins as well as the correlated fat in which the toxins reside in. It\u2019s a win-win, really. And it’s not only about how much you extract that counts; the general method of clean eating works to support a good metabolism. In this way, a byproduct of detoxing can be weight loss.<\/p>\n When your body is functioning at its best, it will direct its energy into being vital & thriving. Toxic overload however, can instead drain the body of its precious energy and put it hard to work on metabolizing chemicals; this is on top of carrying out its other bodily functions. By putting less stress on the body, you help it to focus its energy on getting the toxins out.<\/strong> You\u2019ll be doing a large part of the body\u2019s internal work \u2013 and it will, therefore, feel all better for it.<\/p>\n A big part of detoxification is increasing your body\u2019s intake of fibre & water through the changes in your diet. The addition of these two key factors help flush out impurities and make it easier to expunge toxic waste. This boost gives your body more energy, helps with weight loss, and, moreover, puts more life back into your skin.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we are constantly exposed to a vast array of toxins, we will eventually start to feel the negative effects of their presence. Relatively high exposure to toxicity in the body can translate into:<\/p>\n When it comes to what to eat, there are some simple detox dos and don’ts. If followed properly, these will not only expedite the detoxification process, but will also help your general health and well-being.<\/p>\n The list below contains foods which are usually higher in nutritional content and easier to digest \u2013 and so naturally, the body thrives on them. They\u2019ll also promote better digestion and liver detoxification to help out with the elimination process. (Choose organic fresh fruits, vegetables and meats whenever possible \u2013 and don\u2019t forget to exercise regularly!)<\/em><\/p>\n Consuming anything included in the list below can prevent the body from functioning well, and may lead to disease. This also excludes some foods which aren\u2019t necessarily unhealthy, but are harder to digest. (Steer clear especially from foods that you know are problematic for you, or that cause allergies\/sensitivities.)<\/em><\/p>\n In order to be thorough, 2-4 weeks is a sufficient time period for a detox before you start seeing some real results.<\/strong> A detox is a good way to boost your health quickly, but ideally you can also adopt such dietary & lifestyle habits on a long-term basis. The motivation to move towards this change can be found in reducing your overall lifetime accumulation of chemicals \u2013 which often leads to a wide range of health problems if left unchecked.<\/p>\n Once you decide it\u2019s time to finish your detox, it\u2019s important to reintroduce what you have removed gradually. The worst thing you could do is to go out on a big night partying directly after a detox. Your body flourishes under a routine and it takes time to adjust. Therefore, going from one extreme to the other will only exacerbate stress on the body and cause amplified toxicity intake. Take it easy \u2013 add things back in week by week.<\/p>\n Starting a detox is also a great way to feel like you have a clean slate mentally. When I find myself repeating an unwanted habit or behaviour, I always find that a detox is an effective way to eliminate it, both physically and psychologically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As detoxing has become more popular, it\u2019s stirred a lot of controversy among health experts \u2013 leaving many people confused<\/p>\nIn this article, I give you the low-down on the what, how and why detoxing might be exactly what you need. And more importantly, how to get long term results by incorporating it into you life without a purging, liquid diet or starving yourself. Scroll to the bottom for the detox guidelines & tips.<\/em><\/h5>\n
What is a detox really about?<\/h1>\n
Lowering your toxic load \u2014 listen up, it\u2019s important!<\/em><\/h2>\n
What to expect from a detox<\/em><\/h2>\n
Weight loss<\/h3>\n
More energy<\/h3>\n
Better looking skin<\/h3>\n
Detox Guidelines<\/span><\/h1>\n
What are some signs you might need to detox?<\/em><\/h2>\n
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What does a detox diet include?<\/em><\/h2>\n
Do<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Don’t<\/em><\/h3>\n
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How long should a detox last?<\/em><\/h2>\n
But if you don’t have the time to go the full distance, you could also use our\u00a03-Day Detox Diet Plan<\/a>\u00a0for inspo as you take the first steps on your detox journey.<\/em><\/h5>\n
What happens after a detox?<\/h1>\n
Helpful tips while detoxing<\/em><\/h2>\n
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In closing: when doing a detox, the most important thing you can do is support your body by reducing its toxic load. Also, you can make changes that feel worthwhile & are sustainable. Doing this will let you play an active role in maintaining your health. Don\u2019t fall victim to all those celebrity fad detoxes \u2013 while they might seem like a quick & easy go-to, in the long term they won\u2019t be as beneficial to the body. Better to go low-impact for gradual, but sustained, results.
\n<\/strong><\/h4>\nIf you enjoyed reading this article, you can get an update of what\u2019s on the magazine dropped right into your e-mailbox. Sign up here<\/a> for our newsletter!<\/h5>\n
Editor\u2019s note: Originally published in January<\/span>\u00a02015 and reposted in January 2018 for accuracy.<\/em><\/h5>\n
Photo credit: Sylvie Tittel<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"