So, here’s the deal and this isn’t new info. We’ve been exposed to all sorts of environmental toxins since like FOREVER. Lucky for us, we have an internal detox system whose job it is to eliminate them.
That system includes our liver, kidneys, digestive tract, as well as our skin! They work together to excrete these toxins through our urine, stool and, you guessed it! SWEAT!
Now, this detoxification is a challenging job for even a healthy body considering the number of toxins we are exposed to daily. Even the healthiest of bodies are overwhelmed by these toxins and as a result, our health is affected. Sadly, a number of us don’t really fit into that “healthiest of bodies” category. Dare I say, a GREAT NUMBER of us. Herein lies the problem. Our bodies are overloaded with toxins, and they are doing a number on us.
Many people fail to realize when they reach for all those toxic products, that what you put on your body, you put in your body. Dr. Mark Hyman writes in his Longevity Roadmap about a study that found the average person ingests “five grams of plastic weekly!” And we wonder why our hormones are out of whack!
According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, 95% of chemicals used in synthetic fragrances contain toxic ingredients!
I was listening to an episode of Dr. Hyman’s podcast, The Doctor’s Farmacy and heard Dr. Daniel Amen state (Just started reading his NY Times Bestseller “Magnificent Mind at Any Age.” Stay tuned for more.) that 60% of lipsticks contain lead. He referred to it as “The Deadly Kiss.” Something as harmless as lipstick can adversely affect our health.
Now throw in the shampoo, body care productions, the clothing, the air, the carpet, the food, the packaging, and we are screwed! Factor in the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides sprayed on our food. Some of these “cides” have been linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer and even obesity. By now we have all heard about the evidence linking Roundup weed killer (active ingredient, glyphosate) to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. And I’ve written in previous posts about hormone disrupting BPA which is found in plastics.
Toxins, which are attracted to fats, accumulate in our fatty tissue causing inflammation. And inflammation is pretty much at the root of all evil. (Inflammation serves a purpose, until like everything else, there’s too much of it, and it becomes chronic.)
Like that pot of pasta you put on the stove with the lid only to come back and find that it’s spilling over into the burner, we are boiling over (Using that as an example, not a suggestion!) with toxins.
So, other than taking extra care of our detox organs by drinking plenty of water, (not from plastic bottles!) limiting alcohol, (insert big-eyed emoji here!) watching what we eat, (Not as in watching in the mirror, but mirrors help. Hint. Hint.) paying attention to what we put on and, in our bodies, what else can we do?
BUST A SWEAT!
And I know as a black woman, that’s a tall order even if you wear a natural hairstyle. (Which contrary to popular belief is also work to maintain!) The struggle is real. I get it. I live it. We’re trying to maintain our fabulous hairstyles. But we need to figure something out because it is super important to SWEAT! When I suggested this to my hairstylist daughter, she looked at me as if I had two heads. (If I keep ingesting toxins, I might eventually have two damn heads!) So, what about taking a steam shower, hot bath, or sauna (if available!) the day of your hair appointment? In addition to saunas, hot baths and steam showers, there is also an even more beneficial way to sweat……
Resistance and endurance exercises work!!!! Whatever it takes to bust a sweat. Sweating is detoxifying. Sweat helps to remove some of those excess toxins from our bodies.
Studies like the blood, urine, sweat (BUS) study, published in 2012, have shown that sweating is an extremely effective means of detoxification and eliminating toxins, such as heavy metals, BPA’s found in EVERYTHING, (Again, plastic is a big one!) phthalates found in makeup, deodorant and even nail polish. Yup. Those nails look amazing coated in toxins…NOT!
Now if you are lucky enough to have access to a sauna here are some tips:
- Check with your doctor before starting a regular sauna practice. He might look at you cluelessly. If you get the green light, work your way up on heat and time. Start with 5-10 minutes max.
- Drink plenty of water! Preferably those enhanced with electrolytes.
- Work your way up to no more than 20 minutes and be sure to take cool off breaks.
Not only will the sauna help you sweat out toxins, it’s also been shown to help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. But again, make sure you don’t have any health issues that would prohibit the use of a sauna.
Then, go ahead and sweat it!
ONE FINAL MESSAGE! I’M TAKING A MUCH NEEDED VACATION! DID I SAY MUCH? I DID. OKAY. ONE MORE TIME. MUCH NEEDED VACATION. I will be back with more anti-crack in November!