Need A Detox? What You Need To Know To Reset.
Feeling sluggish or experiencing digestive problems? Suffering from allergies, headaches, sinus problems, or skin issues? Dealing with insomnia or hormonal imbalances? Achy joints or muscles, brain fog or acne? Oh boy, I could go on and on!
Our bodies are equipped to deal with low levels of toxins. However, in recent years, the amount of toxins we're exposed to in the air, food, and water supply has increased dramatically and it's overtaxing our systems in a BIG way.
What’s the solution you ask? I highly recommend a detox at least once if not twice a year. The primary reason for a detox is to remove the potentially harmful and dangerous waste from your organs and systems so that they can perform their vital functions properly. As toxins are flushed from the body, the benefits of detoxification will be evident in the way you feel and function, depending on the level of toxin overload and the detox approach taken.
Benefits Of A Detox.
I can think of hundreds of benefits of detoxification but this is a great starter list.
- Feel rejuvenated
- Better health
- Increased energy levels
- Better sleep
- Improved digestion
- Better skin
- Lower stress
- Better mood
- Stronger immune system
- Clearer thinking & concentration
- Decrease in allergy symptoms
- Weight loss
- Reduction in food cravings
Detoxification Definition
While different health goals may drive us to detox (or cleanse), the overriding definition of detoxification is the same: removing toxins from the body. Our body’s frontline for detoxification is the liver, which can be thought of as a filter for the blood by weeding out toxins and neutralizing or eliminating them from the body. Environmental or internally produced toxins can inhibit the liver from functionally properly. By incorporating detoxifying regimens into our lifestyle, we can help support our liver and other organs that help to cleanse the body and operate at its best.
Step 1: Remove The Bad Stuff.
When you’re experiencing symptoms of toxic overload, an elimination diet (sometimes called the hypoallergenic diet), dictates dropping the top common food sensitivities from your diet for about a month. A doctor or nutritionist will recommend you lose gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and eggs as well as sugar, alcohol and caffeine for the reasons cited below.
Removing certain foods from your diet that are going to trigger inflammation in the body like sugar, grains, factory-farmed meats and anything containing GMOs is essential. You’ll also need to remove irritants like alcohol and caffeine. And finally, you’ll need to remove the bad bacteria from your gut that cause toxicity.
Step 2: Add In The Good Stuff.
This starts with your gut. You may need digestive aids like hydrochloric acid or digestive enzymes as well as probiotics to help balance your microbiome. You may also need fiber to scrub the gut and to feed the good bacteria. And consider quality supplements daily.
If you’re looking for a simple cleanse to follow, consider trying our Blendtopia green smoothie cleanse. You can use our 7-day cleanse to ease yourself into the detoxification process. Our cleanse is different from a tradition juice cleanse in that we focus on slowing the digestion process rather than stopping it completely. Our smoothies are packed with fiber which is key to keeping you satiated and in aiding proper digestion by carrying the waste and toxins out of the body.
Fight Sugar With Fat.
Fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar does. Fat makes you full, balances your blood sugar, and is necessary for fueling your cells. Along with protein, having healthy fats at every meal (and snack), including nuts and seeds, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or butter, avocados, and omega-3 fats from fish or flax fuels your body.
There are a lot of high-quality keto products on the market today that can help play a key role in the fight against sugar by providing healthy fats while keeping net carbs and sugar low. Blendtopia’s keto superfood smoothies are a perfect example. Not only are they low in carbs and sugar, but they’re also certified organic and incorporate fats from avocados, milled chia seeds and flax seeds, coconut oil and mct oil.
Load Up On Cruciferous Vegetables & Leafy Greens.
Cruciferous veggies are very high in sulforaphane, which is needed to convert toxins into non-toxic waste for elimination. Think broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, arugula, cabbage, bok choy, etc. And Leafy greens are essential too. They provide abundant fiber, alkalize the body and help to reduce inflammation. Think spinach, kale, collards, microgreens, etc.
Drink Up.
Plan to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. We suggest starting each morning with a lemon water to kickstart the system. This will help cleanse the liver, aid in toxin removal and help to flush fat from the body. Drink it on an empty stomach thirty minutes prior to consuming breakfast. In winter, try heating up your morning lemon water and adding a dash of cayenne pepper. In summer, ice it down and consider adding cooling ingredients like fresh mint and cucumber to encourage consumption, aid in digestion and increase hydration.
More Detox Aids.
Detox Bath
A detox bath is one of the easiest healing therapies we can do to assist our body's natural detoxification system. A good detox soak will help draw out unwanted toxins during your cleanse while also leaving your skin healthy, vibrant and rejuvenated.
Dry Brush
Dry brushing the body daily helps to eliminate toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system and increasing circulation that invites oxygen to your skin and muscles. The massaging of your connective tissue will keep your skin looking tight and toned and will remove dead skin cells. Always remember to brush towards the heart with a good quality, natural bristle body brush.
Massage/Sauna/Steam Room
Consider a massage or spend 15-30 minutes in a sauna or steam room if possible. All are top notch aids in helping to cleanse the body.
Sleep
Getting plenty of rest will aid your body’s repairing process. Aim for at least 8 hours a night.
Take a Probiotic
A daily probiotic will be highly beneficial during your cleanse to replenish and rebuild the good flora in your intestines. Consider a raw probiotic supplement such as Garden of Life.
Have you tried a detox? How did you feel afterwords? Be sure to come follow Blendtopia on Facebook to stay connected, and follow us on Pinterest to get even more ideas for maintaining your mental, physical, and emotional wellness.
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