Archive for category: Detox

There are at least 13 good reasons why you should do a detoxification program now.
So if you are wondering what the term detoxification means, what toxins are and how they get into our bodies in the first place, I explain that to you first. This will then help you to better understand the 13 reasons to detoxify that I mention here.

Detoxification or more popularly referred to as a Detox.

These terms you’ve no doubt heard a lot of on TV, in magazines or in the gym. But why should you ‘detox’? And what are the benefits?
Simply put when you are detoxifying you are cleansing your body.
So here I explain what toxicity is, why you should do a detox /internal cleanse and how you can feel differently with detoxification and how you can do it too.

Let’s refresh our minds on what detox is.

Detoxification is your body’s natural process of changing dietary and environmental toxins into less harmful substances before eliminating them from your body.
And yes, research has shown that we all have detectable levels of environmental toxins in our bodies.
Now I can hear you saying: How can this be? Well, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) an average woman will apply over 168 chemicals daily – this includes makeup, moisturiser, body lotion, deodorant, and perfume. And many of these are toxic to the human body, especially when they accumulate and are not eliminated.

Besides this, there are other Toxins in Daily Life

The term ‘toxin’ refers to any substance with the potential to interfere with normal function in the cells of your body. This may have a poor effect on both your short and long-term health.
You do not have to look very far to find toxins as they may be found in household chemicals, personal care products, (as mentioned above) and also in some foods (e.g. food may be exposed to pesticide residues or toxic metal contaminants).
Then there are our modern diets, which can be a major source of ongoing toxin exposure along with our intake of caffeine and alcohol. And then there is also refined processed foods, which typically contain artificial additives, preservatives, and toxic fats. Not only do these add to your toxin burden but put unnecessary pressure on your organs of detoxification.

These toxins are meant to be removed by the organs of detoxification or ‘channels of elimination’.
These are your liver, kidneys, bowels, and skin.

And so when we detox, we include a liver cleansing diet plan and an overall detoxification diet.
This means these channels of elimination function better and so your overall wellbeing is improved.

In short, supporting natural detoxification processes can help improve digestive function and may facilitate healthy weight loss.
However, the benefits do not stop there as healthy detoxification pathways may also lead to a reduction in other seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as sore joints or painful periods.
Even if you’re fit and well, for many people a regular detox leaves them feeling more energised whilst reducing the toxin load.

So here is the list of 13 Good Reasons for Detoxing

1. You’ll Have More Energy

Do you remember the days when you bounced out of bed in the mornings, excited and energised? Have these been replaced with the desire for a really good sleep in because you are used to feeling sick and fatigued? Because it’s so gradual you can’t remember when this change happened!

After a good detox, you’ll feel renewed, vibrant and awake full of great energy and ready to bounce out of bed once more…

2. You’ll Think Clearer
Your mind clears and if you’ve had a foggy head, that will soon lift. You are then able to think more clearly and focus better. Memory improves and so does job satisfaction and fulfillment as you no longer have a sluggish body or brain.

3. You May Lose Weight

If you are loaded with toxins this can encourage your fat storing hormones to hold onto weight. The body slows down the fat burning because it knows that if fat burning continues, more toxins stuck in your body fat will be released, putting even more stress on your liver. So it stands to reason that the more toxic your body, the harder it is to lose those extra kilos. Starting a good detox process can effectively boost your metabolism and help you lose more body fat.

4. You’ll Feel Lighter and less bloated

Another great benefit of detoxing is a feeling of being lighter. Detoxing reduces bloating and puffiness within the body while curbing cravings.

5. Your Immune System Will Get A Boost

Toxins, poor diet, stress and lack of exercise can all have a negative effect on our immune systems. A proper detox clears away toxins while nourishing our bodies with vital nutrients that activate the cells in our immune system.

6. If you suffer from soreness, stiffness, aches or pains a detox can relieve or lessen those symptoms. And when your muscles feel good you will be more motivated to exercise, be more active and live the life you’re meant to live.

7. You’ll Be More Inclined To Make Healthier Choices

No one is perfect and we all like to treat ourselves now and again. But for some reason when we feel better we’re more inclined to make healthier choices regarding diet, exercise, and lifestyle. If you have addictions to sugar, caffeine or junky foods a detox program can help you eliminate those cravings. And making healthy dietary choices is the cornerstone of true health while improving our minds, moods and overall wellbeing.

8. Digestive complaints improve because you are generally eating low allergenic and low irritant, easy to digest foods. Fresh fruit and vegetables (organic) are included. And the high fibre in these helps to sweep out intestinal debris.

9. Your Skin Will Glow

Skin problems become better because instead of eliminating toxins through the skin, elimination via the digestive system and kidneys is optimised.
Beautiful skin is a sign of good health. And who doesn’t want gorgeous glowing skin?
While protecting us from the environment as well as foreign invaders, your skin works to remove built up toxins and waste from your system. After an effective detox, many people report cleaner brighter complexions. Skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema have been known to greatly improve or disappear completely.

10. Hormonal imbalances are lessened because of the liver’s enhanced ability to detoxify excess hormones or the wrong type as needed.

11. Food intolerances are lessened because of the improved elimination of allergens. Besides this detoxification included low allergenic foods and so allows the body to recuperate without the continued onslaught of unfavourable foods. Nutrients are better absorbed and so allergens are better processed.

12. Allergies lessen because of an improved immune system. There is also greater resistance to bugs like the cold and flu, again because of an improved immune system.

13. Preconception Care

It is highly recommended to do a detox when planning to have a baby because this contributes to a healthy pregnancy.

So what sort of Detox Program will really benefit you?

Walk into any pharmacy or health food store today and you will find a number of over the counter detox products. However, since these packages don’t assess your individual health requirements they are limited in their ability to meet your detoxification needs.
A personalised program based on your specific health history, together with the added benefit of professional support and advice from your qualified Naturopath can have a much greater impact on your detox capacity – helping to promote long-term wellbeing beyond the duration of the program.

Herbal Help to Boost Your Detox

The Practitioner Only Detox Program we recommend incorporates three key herbal and nutritional formulas, based on scientific research, to lay the foundation for effective detoxification. These formulas focus on supporting the three main channels of elimination: the liver, kidneys and optimal digestion.

The first formula helps optimise your liver’s detoxifying capacity. It contains the herb Milk thistle along with Cape jasmine and Green tea to help protect your body from the harmful effects of metabolising toxins. In addition, the amino acids taurine and glutamine support liver detoxification pathways and promote a healthy digestive tract.
The second formula incorporates the greens Spirulina, Coriander, Kelp and Aloe. These herbs assist with the binding of toxins and promote alkalinization since an alkaline pH is required for effective removal of wastes via the kidney.
Finally, a traditional herbal formula containing Dandelion, Gentian, Lemon balm, and Ginger not only helps to minimise any existing symptoms of poor digestion such as burping and bloating but helps stimulate the digestive secretions and bile flow you require for optimal digestive function.

By minimizing certain foods, whilst increasing your intake of plant-based whole foods, you can enhance the effects of the herbal and nutritional formulas and boost your detox capacity. During your personalised detox program, your Detox Naturopath will advise you on the specific dietary and lifestyle measures that will help you get the best results.

The Path to Long-Term Wellness

You can now see how Supporting effective detoxification is a cornerstone of good Natural Medicine practice. A personalised detox program prescribed by our naturopath can not only help you achieve optimal results but offers long-term benefits for your health and wellbeing that cannot be matched by an over the counter package. The Practitioner Only Detox Programs are simple and easy to follow, accompanied by a comprehensive diet and lifestyle plan, and come with the qualified support and advice of your Practitioner