Get Your Detox Daily
Hidden toxins are everywhere. Every day our bodies work to remove pollution, radiation, chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals plus stress hormones, poorly digested food, metabolism wastes, parasites, fungi and bacteria. Longevity is based in part on your body’s ability to detox naturally. Here's how to help your body clear toxins on a daily basis!
1. Hydration
Humans are mostly water and an H2O deficit in your body leads to toxic congestion. How much is enough? Your body weight divided in half equals the number of ounces to drink daily. Why? H2O keeps:
Sweat glands perspiring toxins through skin
Kidneys and bowels moving to dump toxins
Lungs moist to release carbon dioxide
Blood and lymph flowing to deliver toxins to the liver for breakdown and elimination.
2. Digestion & Elimination
Poorly digested food clogs detox pathways. Digestion starts in the brain so a calm atmosphere at meals supports healthy digestion. Pause before meals and between bites for a relaxing breath. Chew each bite for 20-30 counts so your stomach doesn't need to work so hard. Avoid water with meals so salivary enzymes and stomach acids can do their job at full strength.
3. Blood Sugar Regulation
Out of balance blood sugar stresses your liver – the essential epicenter of detoxification. Plus, it depletes B vitamins and other nutrients which can leave you tired and toxic. What's the simple way to regulate blood sugar? Balance macro nutrients – Protein, Carbohydrates and Healthy Fats -- on your plate at every meal. Protein is essential for detoxing and slows the uptake of carbs to prevent a sugar high.
4. Healthy Fats
One way your body prevents toxins from circulating is to store them in adipose tissue (aka body fat). It's important to keep your liver de-stressed so it can shuttle toxins out. Healthy fats, like olive, coconut, sesame and avocado oils, are easier to digest which prevents clogs in the lymph and liver. Plus, they make food taste good and leave you satisfied. Good fats also make strong cell membranes that can remove waste from cells.
5. Mineral Balance
Toxins deplete minerals your liver needs for Phase I & II detoxification. Keep these in your food plan for healthy daily detox:
Magnesium: Nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains
Zinc: Oysters, shitakes, dried parsley, pumpkin seeds
Copper: 100% grass fed beef, lamb, duck, cocoa
Selenium: Pork, turkey, chicken, eggs, brazil nuts
Manganese: Cloves, cardamon, ginger, cinnamon
Molybdenum: Leafy veggies, 100% grass fed beef liver, cereals, milk
6. Nutrient Dense Whole Food
Detoxification is a normal process of your parasympathic nervous system – the rest and digest mode which frees cells and organs to work efficiently. Eating whole foods and ensuring plenty of sleep are two important foundations for healthy daily detoxing.
Interested in a long-term strategy to make good nutritional choices for your body as it ages? Ask about my RESTART Program, a 5-week class that combines up-to-date nutrition education, a guided 3-week sugar detox (aka Real Food Challenge), with small group support. Kickstart or boost a healthy aging lifestyle. Learn more
References:
Nutritional Therapy Association. Detoxification: Function Slides. Nutritional Therapy Association.
Bennett, P. & Barrie, S. (2001) 7-Day Detox Miracle, Revised 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press
Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. (May 10, 2021) “Molybdenum Fact Sheet for Health Professionals” retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Molybdenum-HealthProfessional/
Nutrient Search Tool (May 11, 2021). Retrieved from https://nutritiondata.self.com/tools/nutrient-search
Zimniak P. (2008). Detoxification reactions: relevance to aging. Ageing research reviews, 7(4), 281–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2008.04.001