You hear the word Detox and what immediately comes to mind is checking into some facility and giving up some addictive habit. (And even worse for some, YOUR CELL PHONE!) Or just as bad, the idea of a restrictive diet or some new intimidating process or habit. Giving up all of your favorite things. (Although some of us, myself included, could stand to find some new favorite things!) I must give myself and my body a break from some of my naughty pleasures.
I’m pretty disciplined, but I have to admit, I find a bag of Tates Chocolate Chip Cookies a tad irresistible. Luckily, I’m not really a sugar junkie. If there’s no chocolate involved, Im typically not all that interested. My guilty pleasures are wine, chocolate with sea salt (that I read probably has plastic in it from all the plastic crap that ends up in the sea!) warm French bread and soft rich cheeses! (All things in moderation! Well except the wine and the chocolate! With those two, all bets are off!)
But back to the need to, and the ways that you can detox your body. Let’s start with “The Why.” While I am talking about wine (as I often do!) let’s first talk about the detox capital of your body; your liver. We all learned this in school many moons ago, but if you are like me, you don’t really remember that *#it. You know everything in there serves a purpose, but who remembers what does what? If you do, forgive my ignorance and indulge me for a sec.
While your skin is your body’s largest organ, the liver is the second largest. The liver, among other things, converts toxins into waste products so they can be eliminated. It produces bile. Bile breaks down fats. Your liver plays a critical role in your health. It cleanses your blood and helps with digestion, metabolizing nutrients and regulates blood sugar. It literally performs hundreds of functions.
Unfortunately, when we are overwhelmed by toxins and stress, (as many of us are!) our liver function is affected. It’s overwhelmed! When the liver is not functioning properly, toxins can build up in your body. All Bad.
One way we can support our liver is by giving our digestive system a break and by reducing the amount of toxins we are exposed to.
From the Vibrant Blue Oils Blog by Jodi Cohen,“When the liver’s detoxification pathways are impaired, heavy metals can accumulate in the body. In particular, the liver’s stores of glutathione, which safely and effectively binds to toxins and metals, can be depleted. Read more about this HERE.” Vibrant Blue Oils offers information and essential oils for detoxing the liver. More info in my next post!
In an effort to understand MS (as my readers know, my Daughter and love of my life, was diagnosed with in June) and other autoimmune and neurological issues, I started reading everything I could get my hands on.
Thus far in my research, one of the common denominators of autoimmune and neurological diseases (Alzheimers, Dementia) appears to be an overload of heavy metals in the body. What are they? And, how are we exposed to toxic heavy metals you ask?
Heavy metals include mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium. They can be found in our tap water, in fish we consume, in our soil and even in the air we breathe. Let’s talk Aluminum and some of the strange and more obvious ways we are exposed to it.
Well, for starters, the soil in which our food is grown, cookware, aluminum foil, antacids, deodorant, food additives, lipstick, meds, canned foods, and douches. (for the ladies) Where does it end up? Your bones, your brain, your kidneys, lungs and stomach. Did I mention your BRAIN?
Dr. McLaughlin, M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), a professor of physiology and medicine and the director of the Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto, states, “Concentrations of aluminum that are toxic to many biochemical processes are found in at least ten human neurological conditions.” Recent studies suggest that aluminum may be involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), senile and pre-senile dementia.
The list goes on, but for more info, check out this book:
Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William. There is some very in depth info about heavy metal toxins a/k/a poisons!
https://www.medicalmedium.com/cleanse-to-heal.htm
In addition to reading books, I also enrolled in a few online courses. One course I am taking offered by Emory Univerity is called, “Biohacking Your Brain’s Health. One of the books I am currently reading is, Beat Autoimmune, The 6 Keys to Reverse Your Condition and Reclaim Your Health, by Palmer Kippola. The following in an adapted excerpt:
Palmer is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach who reversed her MS by removing her inflammatory root causes and healing her gut. She has created a framework for healing and preventing autoimmune conditions called F.I.G.H.T.S.™ which represent the root cause categories we can control: Food, Infections, Gut health, Hormone balance, Toxins and Stress.
Of course, toxins are what I am focusing on today. In last week’s post I mentioned some of the ways that we are exposed to a number of toxins. Everything we consume or absorb through breathing or things we put on our hair and skin, as well as our stress level, affect how our body’s natural detoxification system works. Sadly, we live in an extremely toxic environment both mentally and physically. (Thank you 2020! Stressful AF!) As a result, the toxins are just more than our bodies can handle. Your body needs a little help getting rid of all that crap!
Your kidneys, colon, skin and lungs also play a role in the detoxification process. Support your kidneys with proper hydration and eating foods that nourish your kidneys. Make yourself a pot of cabbage with garlic and onions. Enjoy cranberries, blueberries and apples.
The colon of course, keeps things moving. Hydration and fiber support this process. Fiber rich foods again, include apples. Snack on some almonds. Hell, pretend it’s actually football season and make yourself a nice pot of turkey sausage and three bean chili!
How does the skin support detoxing? By sweating! So go bust a sweat on the regular. It’s almost fall on the east coast so there’s no excuse not to get out there and power walk. My west coast friends have no excuse whatsoever! And rinse off the sweat so your body doesn’t just reabsorb the toxins it just eliminated!
For the lungs, there are breathing exercises and get a quality air filter.
Experts agree that the best approach to removing toxins is a continuous detoxification rather than a few quick cleanses each year. So, let’s all start the process of eliminating toxins from our world and assisting our bodies with this process of elimination.
We can do that in a number of ways. Keep reading…
Cutting out sugar is great for long term health management. I think we all know that by now. Alcohol is defiinitely something our bodies could and should do without, but for now, I want to focus on less restrictive and more sustainable measures we can implement starting right now. I am a big believer in gradually reducing things that we know are not good for our bodies and long term health and slowly working your way up to eliminating those things altogether. What you don’t want to feel is “deprived!”
For a while I was buying Brie and French Bread like it was my job to do so. Now I probably indulge once a month, if that. But, in addition to developing sustainable healthy habits, there is definitely a need for regular detoxing. While an occasional detox is always good for cleaning our system for a short period of time, what we really want to experience are the long term benefits and those can be achieved starting today with a few very simple, practicable, and sustainable steps.
1. Drink plenty of water
Our body is capable of keeping itself clean, provided it is supplied with adequate water! Water is the most powerful detox drink on the planet! Water helps to flush out toxins. Over 60% of the human body is made up of water. Water is indeed essential for many vital functions in the body, including transportation of nutrients in the bloodstream, regulating internal body temperature, producing saliva, lubricating joints, serving as a shock absorber for the brain, and flushing out waste products through urination or sweating. Giving yourself enough water is the best way to keep your organs functioning at their optimal health.
Drinking a glass of filtered water first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to cleanse your system, regulate bowel movements, and help with constipation and gastrointestinal disorders. (Take that Jamie Lee Curtis and Activia!) It also boosts metabolism and improves nutrient absorption, therefore aiding weight loss. Ideally, water should be enjoyed at room temperature in the morning; however, some people find warm water more beneficial. Adding lemon or honey is also a great way to start your day, as it can further boost the metabolic process. Also, keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day to support the body’s natural detoxification process. This will also keep the tissues well-hydrated, improving skin health, enhancing brain functioning, as well as promoting digestive health.
Filtered water is best as most tap water contains fluoride, chlorine, aluminum, arsenic and herbicides! Just don’t store your filtered water in a plastic pitcher! There are great stainless steel pitchers as well as filtering lead-free faucets available.
2. Get enough sleep
Many of the body’s vital functions are carried out when we are sleeping. Sleep is not just a rest from the day; it’s a reboot function, a daily detox that nature planned for every species in the living world. Sleep is restorative and rejuvenating in nature, especially for the brain. During sleep, our memories from the day get consolidated, unnecessary information is removed, and the necessary ones are assimilated into the permanent memory. Sleep in many ways is a mind detox. In our daily life, we receive so much information, go through different emotions, so many mental images are received that it becomes necessary to filter out important things to separate them from clutter. This is what happens during sleep. This is also the time for undoing any damage of the day, such as repairing and regenerating tissues, healing wounds, resetting the stress-response system, and restoring hormonal balance in the body.
A good quality sleep of at least 7-8 hours with adequate time spent in slow-wave phase (deep sleep) gives the brain sufficient time to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation of brain cells, thus keeping the brain young and removing amyloid-beta plaques. Amyloid-beta plaques are metabolic wastes that get accumulated in the brain and affect its functioning like memory, cognitive abilities, and the ability to process newly acquired information. Accumulation of these toxins is also the primary reason for developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. A 2019 study shows that slow-wave sleep is indeed helpful in removing these toxins from brain cells.
As we age, our deep sleep duration progressively decreases. This means less tissue regeneration and less toxin removal, which is why it’s very important not to further aggravate this problem by making the wrong choices. Try to improve your slow-wave sleep duration by using the blue light filter on electronic devices, reducing your alcohol intake, avoiding caffeine in the evening, and avoiding screen-time before bedtime. Instead, try reading or music to get the mind into relaxation mode.
3. Detox your personal care products
1. Read Labels. 2. Read Labels 3. Read Labels!!!
Detoxing your skin is a very important part of clean living. Most people focus on internal detox and ignore the largest organ of the body that serves as the primary medium of our interaction with the outside world. Unfortunately, our skin is also the primary medium through which toxins enter the body. According to this HuffPost article, an average woman puts 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every day, and about 60% of it gets absorbed! Do we really need to put that many chemicals on to look good? You might look good, but you won’t “be” good or “feel” good for long. How does this occur? Read on!
Skincare
Most moisturizers rely on supplying some water and then a greasy substance to hold it. They do not provide any additional nourishment; they just sit on the topmost layer to prevent water loss. Moreover, the loads of chemicals ingredients negate the benefits of any negligible quantity of oil they might list as ingredients. A 2012 study suggested using natural oils instead, as they contain many nutritious compounds, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids that the skin can readily absorb. Natural oils are also great at keeping the pores clean, minimizing them, reducing signs of aging, preventing breakouts, and revitalizing the skin. I personally use a light coating of coconut oil on my skin. After I apply it, I lay a hot steamy wash cloth on my face to open my pores and help my skin absorb it.
Making DIY creams with oils, fruit-butters, beeswax, and essential oils is another great way to reduce your chemical exposure. You can also try some homemade face packs with fuller’s earth, sandalwood, aloe vera, honey, or use natural exfoliators like sugar, oatmeal, coffee to remove toxins and cleanse the pores.
Hair care
Shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, styling agents, hair serums leave some residue even after you wash. Many shampoos also contain sulfates, the foaming agents, which are banned in Europe, but are allowed in the US. (Kinda like US citizens right now!)
Consider limiting the use of styling agents and other hair care products. Massaging your scalp and hair with coconut + tea tree oil is a wonderful way to remove scalp buildup. Aloe vera is another great cleanser that also works as a natural hair styling agent. Apple Cider Vinegar makes a great rinse.
Perfumes
Anything with synthetic fragrance contains harmful chemicals are not good for hormones. Instead, try plant-based essential oils. Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil in a tsp of coconut oil, and add it to your bathwater. Essential oils have added benefits as they do not just mask the body odor; they remove the bacteria responsible for it. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils also improves personal hygiene and prevents the risk of fungal infections, vaginal yeast infection, eczema, body acne, and other skin problems.
A huge step we can all take is in detoxing our kitchens and implimenting and creating new food habits.
4. Detox your kitchen
Conventionally grown produce basically means “SPRAYED WITH HARMFUL CHEMICALS!” If you can afford to, go organic. If you can’t afford to, go organic anyway and buy one less pair of designer shoes.
According to Suzanne Somers research from her book, “A New Way to Age” as well as my own, “The USFDA (Food & Drug Administration) permits more than 84,000 chemicals to be used in household products, cosmetics, food and food packaging and a majority of these have never been tested for safety.”
“Toxin expert, Joseph Pizzorno, ND, says that 70 percent of your toxin load comes from food — specifically Standard American Diet (SAD) foods and food additives, as well as how we (PURCHASE) cook, store and reheat food.
Try to choose those foods that are sold in paper packaging, or better yet, no packaging! Buy from bulk bins and choose beverages sold in glass bottles. Shop farmers markets whenever possible. Get rid of that damn plastic bottled water!!!!!
I just brought this stainless water bottle off of Amazon for $18 called Hydrocell! Can I tell you! I love my beverages really cold. I filled it with ice water and eight hours later, I still had ice! (Now I just need a water filter on my faucets!)
Choose stainless, cast iron or ceramic cookware. Studies have shown that nonstick pans contain chemicals that have been shown to harm your immune system and liver. (Need that liver for detoxing, so go ahead and scrub that stainless steel pan and put that non-stick crap in the trash! Need that immune system too! More than ever right now!)
Use glass for food storage as plastic leaches chemicals into our food! That BPA (a chemical found in plastic that disrupts hormones among other things, and banned in 2012 by FDA from baby bottles citing potential harm to brains etc) free label you see on water bottles and containers was only replaced with BPS which is just as bad! Read labels!
Suzanne Somers Book “A New Way to Age” also explains that unexplained weight gain can often be attributed to our toxic burden. In other words, all of the toxins in our body that have entered through our skin, the air and the food we consume. Eventually the build up of toxins in our body wreak havoc on our health. “The brain understands that our organs and glands need protections from the environmental assault, so to protect us, it stores the toxins in our fat cells. The more toxins we are exposed to, the more fat cells are required for storage.”
When you recognize the number of toxins your body comes into contact with every day, you should be motivated to make a few simple lifestyle modifications. Start today!
Stayed tuned. In Part Three, I will dig deeper into detoxing your body complete with recipes and product suggestions.