Demystifying Detox
At the start of every new year, we are faced with a multitude of emails, Instagram posts, and Facebook ads selling detox plans, detox programs, and (ugh!) the dreaded detox tea; all promising fast and effortless weight loss. There was a time in my life I would have spent money on anything with that promise. But not all detox programs are created equally; here’s what you need to know before you decide to try any type of detox program.
What you need to know about detoxification
Your body knows how to detox. We all have internal cleansing processes that are taking place continuously and naturally through six detoxification systems in our body: cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory, and integumentary (a fancy word meaning your skin). Sometimes our bodies may need a little support with detoxification but inherently, it knows what to do. We start to experience issues and unwelcome symptoms when our detoxification systems are overloaded.
Digestion has a direct impact on how well the other detoxification systems work. If we are eating ultra-processed foods that are void of nutrients, or we are not properly digesting our foods, we aren’t getting the nutrients that our body’s need to support other systems. For example, our liver, which does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to detoxification, needs specific amino acids from the protein we eat. If we’re eating refined, processed foods, without adequate protein, we are not giving the liver what it needs to do its job. A good detox program will include nutrient-rich whole foods.
Pay attention to the frequency and quality of your bowel movements. When your digestive system is struggling and backed up, it can cause problems with your other elimination pathways. Changes in your stools can be very informative. When toxins that are filtered out through the digestive system remain in the body for too long, it can make you sick and cause inflammation. If you notice light or clay colored stools it can be an indication that your liver is overloaded.
What you can do to support your detoxification pathways
Eat real food. One of the main ways we can support our body’s natural detoxification processes is to eat whole, nourishing, life-giving foods. Ensure you are eating adequate protein, healthy fats, and unprocessed carbohydrates from vegetables. Some foods you can add to your diet that are great for supporting our detoxification systems include:
Beets
Broccoli sprouts
Leafy, green vegetables
Lemons
Garlic
Watercress
Sesame seeds
Cabbage
Fruit
Green tea
Proceed with caution and pre-detox if needed. If you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages regularly, and/or eat a lot of fast or ultra-processed foods, you should not jump right into a detox program. You will make yourself sick. Instead, take 3-4 weeks to eliminate alcohol, reduce or eliminate caffeine, increase water intake, and make changes to your diet to ensure you are eating whole foods, having regular bowel movements, and taking some stress off of your liver. This pre-detox will set you up for success! (Note: be wary of liver cleanses that promise to flush liver stones; these can be dangerous as the stones can cause duct blockage.)
Choose wisely. Detox programs offer a way to reset your taste buds, give your liver a break, and reduce inflammation. A good detox program will be gentle, and will focus on eliminating inflammatory foods while eating liver supporting foods.
Contact me if you have questions or want to try a detox program and we can discuss your options. I am a big fan of the 21-Day Purification Program by Standard Process. I’ve done it personally and, within 3 days, my sugar cravings were gone, my bloating was gone, and the food noise in my brain was gone. It is a very gentle approach to detoxification and is wonderful!