My friend Sue Ward wrote this. Sue does such a great job at explaining detoxification and it’s importance. I hear so many people trying different detoxes and some of them are down-right bad for you (and pretty scary too).

Detoxing our body doesn’t have to be a harsh, one-time thing we do…really, it is much better for us to continually do (and not do) things on a daily basis to lower our toxic burden and detox our body so we feel great – all the time!

Join my FREE February Online Detox here.

 

Detoxification: How It Works and Why It’s Important

Written by Guest Blog Contributor
Sue Ward, MS, CCN

Do you want to feel as energetic and alive as possible each day?

Most would answer “yes,” however, many of us are in poor health and don’t even realize it.

We often accept low energy, unwanted body fat, constipation, a weakened immune system, and an unhealthy physical appearance as “part of life.”

If you are ready to improve your health and longevity, it’s important to first understand how toxins affect us and then learn some simple things you can do to help your body reduce and eliminate them.

Detoxification is the process by which our bodies filter and remove harmful substances (toxins).

We must process internal toxins or those created by normal daily metabolism (digestion, energy production, hormone synthesis) and external toxins, such as those we take in from the world around us including heavy metals like lead or arsenic.

Our bodies are continually eliminating toxins through our skin, urine, feces, and lungs.

Potentially toxic substances need to be processed and eliminated from the body.

The liver is the organ that does most of the work in converting these substances to forms that can leave the body either through bile or through the filtration system of the kidneys.

But the liver doesn’t act alone. The kidneys are also key players in the latter stages of breaking down these compounds

There are two main phases of liver detoxification.

• In phase one, toxins are made into less toxic, water-soluble forms.
• In phase two, the toxins are prepared to be excreted from the body.

It is important that adequate nutrients are available to make this process work at top efficiency.

Protein is one of the basic requirements for phase two detoxification, which is why cleanse programs that do not include protein may hinder effective liver detoxification. This is also why many detoxification programs include supplemental nutrition support.

When our bodies become overwhelmed with toxins and our natural method of eliminating them becomes impaired, every system in the body can be affected.

Too much toxicity in the body can lead to chronic health conditions such as fatigue, obesity, depression, diabetes, infertility, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.

6 Steps to Lower Your Overall Toxic Burden

In addition to supporting the body’s detoxification systems with a healthy diet, environmental toxins should be avoided through sensible lifestyle choices. Here are six simple things you can do:

1. Strive to eat a whole food diet. This means eating foods that are close to their natural state and avoiding highly processed food products that include additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. Eating at least one whole food meal daily is a great start.
2. Reduce toxins in your home environment or replace with non-toxic alternatives.Household cleaners, laundry products, bug sprays, personal care products, air fresheners, plastics, dry-cleaned clothes and mold are some examples of household toxins. Look to reduce your biggest sources of exposure.
3. Increase your intake of foods that support the liver such as artichoke, avocado, dandelion greens, garlic, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lemons, limes, apples and medicinal mushrooms (shitake, reishi, maitake).
4. Increase fiber in your diet by adding plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
5. Drink plenty of pure water daily from a glass or stainless steel water bottle (avoid plastic).
6. Consider nutritional supplementation that supports liver health and everyday detox. A nutrient formula that includes milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid, and N-acetyl cysteine is an example of a synergistic blend that can provide daily support.*

As you learn more about toxins and how they can affect your health, begin to take these steps to put you on the path to better health. Once you do, you will find your body in a more balanced, healthy state. Remember, the body has the ability to heal itself. You just need to provide the right environment.

Did these tips on Detoxification Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate it if you commented below and shared on Facebook & Twitter.

To your health!

 

Cindy Nunnery
cindy@cindynunnery.com
Look Your Best. Feel Your Best. For Good. I can show you how.

P.S. Want more tips & quick recipe ideas to make sure you are eating healthy foods that help you detoxify your body? Join my FREE ONLINE DETOX here.  Be #poweredbynutrition

 

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Sue Ward, MS CCN, is a Nutritionist and Health Educator at Sanoviv Medical Institute. Located in beautiful Rosarito Beach, Mexico, Sanoviv is a fully-licensed hospital that offers a unique blend of conventional, alternative, and integrative programs to help maintain good health.

** I have been to Sanoviv and it is truly a wonderful place for health & healing. Email me at cindy@cindynunnery.com if you would like more information on Sanoviv. **