Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detoxification \u2014 or detox \u2014 is a popular buzzword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It typically implies following a specific diet or using special products that claim to rid your body of toxins, thereby improving health and promoting weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, your body is well-equipped to eliminate toxins and doesn\u2019t require expensive supplements to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, you can enhance your body\u2019s natural detoxification system<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article explains some common misconceptions about detoxing along with nine evidenced-based ways to rejuvenate your body\u2019s detoxification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common Misconceptions About Detoxing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Detox diets are said to eliminate toxins from your body, improve health, and promote weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They often involve the use of laxatives,\u00a0diuretics<\/a>, vitamins, minerals, teas, and other foods thought to have detoxing properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201ctoxin\u201d in the context of detox diets is loosely defined. It typically includes pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and processed foods \u2014 which all negatively affect health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, popular detox diets rarely identify the specific toxins they aim to remove or the mechanism by which they supposedly eliminate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, no evidence supports the use of these diets for toxin elimination or sustainable weight loss Your body has a sophisticated way of eliminating toxins that involves the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, only when these organs are healthy, can they effectively eliminate unwanted substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, while\u00a0detox diets<\/a>\u00a0don\u2019t do anything that your body can\u2019t naturally do on its own, you can optimize your body\u2019s natural detoxification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0Limit Alcohol<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 90% of alcohol is metabolized in your liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liver enzymes metabolize alcohol to acetaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing acetaldehyde as a toxin, your liver converts it to a harmless substance called acetate, which is later eliminated from your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While observational studies have shown low-to-moderate alcohol consumption beneficial for heart health,\u00a0excessive drinking<\/a>\u00a0can cause a myriad of health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive drinking can severely damage your liver function by causing fat buildup, inflammation, and scarring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When this happens, your liver cannot function adequately and perform its necessary tasks \u2014 including filtering waste and other toxins from your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, limiting or abstaining entirely from alcohol is one of the best ways to keep your body\u2019s detoxification system running strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health authorities recommend limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two for men. If you currently don\u2019t drink, you shouldn\u2019t start for the potential\u00a0heart benefits<\/a>\u00a0associated with light-to-moderate drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus on Sleep<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring adequate and\u00a0quality sleep<\/a>\u00a0each night is a must to support your body\u2019s health and natural detoxification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleeping allows your brain to reorganize and recharge itself, as well as remove toxic waste byproducts that have accumulated throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of those waste products is a protein called beta-amyloid, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With sleep deprivation, your body does not have time to perform those functions, so toxins can build up and affect several aspects of health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor sleep has been linked to short- and long-term health consequences, such as stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should sleep seven to nine hours per night on a regular basis to promote good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have\u00a0difficulties staying or falling asleep<\/a>\u00a0at night, lifestyle changes like sticking to a sleep schedule and limiting blue light \u2014 emitted from mobile devices and computer screens \u2014 prior to bed are useful for improving sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drink More Clean Water<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Water<\/a>\u00a0does so much more than quench your thirst. It regulates your body temperature, lubricates joints, aids digestion and nutrient absorption, and detoxifies your body by removing waste products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your body\u2019s cells must continuously be repaired to function optimally and break down nutrients for your body to use as energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, these processes release wastes \u2014 in the form of urea and carbon dioxide \u2014 which cause harm if allowed to build up in your blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Water transports these waste products, efficiently removing them through urination, breathing, or sweating. So staying properly hydrated is important for detoxification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0adequate daily intake<\/a>\u00a0for water is 125 ounces (3.7 liters) for men and 91 ounces (2.7 liters) for women. You may need more or less depending on your diet, where you live, and your activity level (28<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reduce Your Intake of Sugar and Processed Foods<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sugar and processed foods are thought to be at the root of today\u2019s public health crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High consumption of sugary and highly processed foods has been linked to obesity and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These diseases hinder your body\u2019s ability to naturally detoxify itself by harming organs that play an important role, such as your liver and kidneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, high consumption of\u00a0sugary beverages<\/a>\u00a0can cause fatty liver, a condition that negatively impacts liver function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By consuming less junk food, you can keep your body\u2019s detoxification system healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u00a0limit junk food<\/a>\u00a0by leaving it on the store shelf. Not having it in your kitchen takes away the temptation altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replacing junk food with healthier choices like fruits and vegetables is also a healthy way to reduce consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Oxidative stress is a condition caused by excessive production of free radicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your body naturally produces these molecules for cellular processes, such as digestion. However, alcohol, tobacco smoke, a poor diet, and exposure to pollutants can produce excessive free radicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By causing damage to your body\u2019s cells, these molecules have been implicated in a number of conditions, such as dementia, heart disease, liver disease, asthma, and certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a\u00a0diet rich in antioxidants<\/a>\u00a0can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by excess free radicals and other toxins that increase your risk of disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus on getting antioxidants from food and not supplements, which may, in fact, increase your risk of certain diseases when taken in large amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Berries, fruits, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, spices, and beverages like\u00a0coffee<\/a>\u00a0and green tea have some of the highest amounts of antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eat Foods High in Prebiotics<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gut health<\/a>\u00a0is important for keeping your detoxification system healthy. Your intestinal cells have a detoxification and excretion system that protects your gut and body from harmful toxins, such as chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good gut health starts with\u00a0prebiotics<\/a>, a type of fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your gut called probiotics. With prebiotics, your good bacteria are able to produce nutrients called short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good bacteria in your gut can become unbalanced with bad bacteria from use of antibiotics, poor dental hygiene, and diet quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consequently, this unhealthy shift in bacteria can weaken your immune and detoxification systems and increase your risk of disease and inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating foods rich in prebiotics can keep your immune and detoxification systems healthy. Good food sources of prebiotics include tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic, and oats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decrease Your Salt Intake<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For some people, detoxing is a means of\u00a0eliminating excess water<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consuming excess salt<\/strong> can cause your body to retain excess fluid, especially if you have a condition that affects your kidneys or liver \u2014 or if you don\u2019t drink enough water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This excess fluid buildup can cause bloating and make clothing uncomfortable. If you find yourself consuming too much salt, you can detox yourself of the extra water weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it may sound counterintuitive, increasing your water intake is one of the best ways to eliminate excess water weight from consuming\u00a0too much salt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s because when you consume too much salt and not enough water, your body releases an antidiuretic hormone that prevents you from urinating \u2014 and therefore detoxifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By increasing your water intake, your body reduces the secretion of the antidiuretic hormone and increases urination, eliminating more water and waste products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods \u2014 which counterbalances some of sodium\u2019s effects \u2014 also helps. Foods rich in potassium include potatoes, squash, kidney beans, bananas, and spinach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting More Active<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular exercise<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 regardless of body weight \u2014 is associated with a longer life and a reduced risk of many conditions and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are several mechanisms behind the health benefits of exercise, reduced inflammation is a key point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While some inflammation is necessary for recovering from infection or healing wounds, too much of it weakens your body\u2019s systems and promotes disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By\u00a0reducing inflammation<\/a>, exercise can help your body\u2019s systems \u2014 including its detoxification system \u2014 function properly and protect against disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s recommended that you do at least 150\u2013300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise \u2014 such as brisk walking \u2014 or 75\u2013150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity \u2014 such as running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other Helpful Detox Tips<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although no current evidence supports the use of detox diets for removing toxins from your body, certain dietary changes and lifestyle practices may help reduce toxin load and support your body\u2019s detoxification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While promising, many of these effects have only been shown in animal studies. Therefore, studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Detox diets are said to eliminate toxins, in turn improving health and\u00a0promoting weight loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But these diets \u2014 while seductive \u2014 aren\u2019t needed as your body has its own, highly efficient detoxification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, you can enhance your body\u2019s natural detoxification system and improve your overall health by staying hydrated, consuming less salt, getting active, and following an antioxidant-rich diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD\u00a0 Detoxification \u2014 or detox \u2014 is a popular buzzword. It typically implies following a specific diet or using special products that claim to rid your body of toxins, thereby improving health and promoting weight loss. Fortunately, your body is well-equipped to eliminate toxins and doesn\u2019t require expensive supplements to ...continue reading \"Full Body Detox: 9 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,13,4,5,30],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-100","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-cleansing-and-detoxing","7":"category-health-enthusiasts","8":"category-health-secrets","9":"category-towards-better-health","10":"category-womens-health","11":"h-entry","12":"hentry","13":"h-as-article"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":390,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions\/390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letscareforhealth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}