Detox Your Body the Right Way

Your body isn’t only made up of systems that facilitate its essential operations, like digestion, circulation, and elimination, but also systems designed to defend itself, like the immune and lymphatic systems. Part of the body’s job is to detox.

Detoxing is a normal, ongoing process the body performs to get rid of what we take in that’s not good for us, like too much alcohol, or harmful chemical substances, or even too many processed foods. The body already has a system for that, of course, and if you’re healthy, it’s always working, but natural detox activity is centered on liver and kidney function and if you have an illness that impairs them, detoxing may take on additional importance. Either way, our situations or choices can sometimes overwhelm the body’s natural defenses for detox, and you can usually tell when that’s happening. What are the clues? Things like:

1. Unexplained Fatigue.
   
2. Poor gastro-intestinal elimination.
   
3. Blemishes and irritated skin.
   
4. Allergies.
   
5. Signs of poor immunity ie: repeated infections.
   
6. Puffy eyes.
   
7. Acidity and bloating.
   
8. Continuous brain fog.
   

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If you think you might need to detox, there are a lot of preparations and methods on the market that range from  total starvation fasts to juice fasts to food modification approaches and often involve the use of laxatives, diuretics, vitamins, minerals and/or ‘cleansing’ foods, but honestly, you probably don’t need them. In fact, some suggest detoxing as a weight loss method and, while you may lose a few pounds in the process, it won’t be permanent. However, a natural detox can sometimes perk up your body systems, and there are safe and effective ways to take one. 

Detoxification starts in your liver and happens in two phases. First, it converts toxic substances and excretes them with the help of your kidneys, lungs, and gut. A simple detox is just to limit processed, high-fat and high-sugar foods and replace them with fresh, whole, organic fruits and vegetables. This is good advice at any time, but if you want to detox, it’s essential. And if it sounds like a recommendation for a good weight loss diet, that’s no accident. The gradual buildup of toxins can cause weight gain. In any case, good food is actually the key to a good detox.
 
There are a few specific substances to avoid in detox. High fructose corn syrup such as that found in a lot of carbonated drinks is one. It’s found to be a contributor to disease and causes chronic inflammation.Trans fats, which are commonly seen on a buffet line, are another substance to avoid. These fats are oxidized, or damaged. Any food that can cause sensitivity is another–foods like gluten, dairy, soy, and corn. 

Which foods, then, are good for a detox? Try these:

1. Natural fats and oils–olive and coconut oils
   
2. Nuts and Seeds–almond, sunflower, walnuts, and flax
   
3. Proteins - grass fed meats and wild caught fish
   
4. Legumes - beans, lentils
   
5. Fruits and vegetables - organic is best
   

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One more thing - get a massage or go to the chiropractor. They can help move the toxins out, which is where you want them to go. You can also support your system with IV or oral supplements. IFM can help with that. Drink plenty of water and get good sleep. You might like the way you feel so well that you’ll find a new way of life!