When I talk about detoxification, I don't mean making an appointment to get your colon cleansed or going on a fast. Because detoxification is not some part-time gig. Detoxification is a full-time job for your body; a natural, ongoing process that happens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And with all the toxins and stress in the modern world, it is a lot of work.
You know that we are all exposed to toxins in the air we breathe, water we drink and products we use. But are you aware that how well, or how poorly, your body is able to detoxify will in a large part determine how well or sick you feel?
Now scientists have discovered that what we eat could have a major impact on our ability to detoxify. Some of the problems toxins cause .
· Headaches
· Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breathe
· Eye, ear, nose or throat irritation
· Dizziness or vertigo
· Nausea
· Hair loss
· Skin rash
· Infertility in women and men
· Liver disease
· Neurological dysfunction, such as loss of memory or concentration, or confusion
· Weakness or fatigue
· Depression
· and cancer
Common External Sources That Need to Be Detoxified:
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Air pollutants
- Pharmaceuticals
- PCBs, phthalates, bisphenol-A
Common Internal Sources That Need to Be Detoxified:
- Hormones
- Toxins produced by intestinal microbes
- Bile acids
- Metabolic intermediates
Many parts of your body are involved in the process of detoxification. The liver is the most important organ that rids the body of toxins. In addition to the liver, the lungs, intestines, kidney and skin play a big part in detoxification as well.
Still not sure you need to cleanse your body?
Consider the following questions to help you get clear: Do you sleep peacefully and wake up most mornings feeling rested with clear nasal passages? Are you pain and symptom free? Is your digestion smooth and well functioning, allowing you to have a satisfying bowel movement each morning?
OR
Do you wake up stiff, lethargic, congested, disoriented? Do you need coffee, or worse, medication, to even begin thinking? Do you rush out the door, stressed about the upcoming day, without a proper bowel movement or breakfast?
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Do you have plenty of energy throughout the day and evening? Are you drinking at least two litres of pure water everyday? Do you enjoy a healthy lunch, perhaps a fresh green salad and a small serving of quality protein? Do you have fresh food to snack on like fruit, nuts and veggies?
OR
Do you feel tired, dull, sluggish, just going through the motions, needing coffee or other stimulants to stay energized? Do you eat whatever you can grab, using sugar or processed food as your fuel until you can get something truly nourishing (which often does not happen)? Are you stuck inside all day long and afterwards go home and veg-out for the rest of the evening?
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Do you experience vibrant health and well-being? Do you take good care of yourself? Is your body limber, allowing you to enjoy a variety of activities such as walking, yoga or dancing? Do you exercise consistently? Are you happy with your weight? Is your memory clear and your mind sharp? Is your skin blemish freae and fresh looking? Are you able to cope with life's many stresses?
OR
Do you have a health problem that you suspect might be related to your diet or lifestyle choices? Do you expect your doctor to make key decisions regarding your health? Are you putting off exercise? Do you have frequent headaches, body pain, sinus or respiratory problems? Is your cholesterol problematic? Do you have indigestion, constipation, gas or bloating? Are you over or underweight? Do you get frequent colds or flu? Is your skin dull, a far cry from the glow of your younger years? Are you irritable and tired for no apparent reason, making daily coping and relationships more difficult?
If you answered negatively to these questions, don't feel bad. Your situation is not hopeless and you are not helpless. You can and will heal.
Consider some of the many benefits of cleansing:
- Improved digestion, better elimination, less constipation, gas, bloating and indigestion
- Freedom to breathe more deeply
- Less allergic or reactive responses to foods. You will likely experience less mucus and congestion and a clearing of sniffles and coughs.
- More energy, better nutrient absorption, overall improved health
- Balanced pH; improved alkalinity, less acidic
- Weight loss and the realization that you can enjoy a lighter style of eating
- Sense of satisfaction, greater vitality and a desire to choose better foods and develop better eating habits, permanently
- A deeper understanding of how to take care of yourself with these new found skills
