Detoxification

Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world — including Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems — detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health through a range of methods including yoga, meditation and more. 

How does detoxification work?

Basically, detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and the body is adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body's natural cleansing process by:

1. Resting the organs through fasting;
2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys, and skin;
4. Improving circulation of the blood; and
5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

"Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life," says Peter Bennett, N.D., co-author of 7-Day Detox Miracle with Stephen Barrie, N.D., and Sara Faye.

How do you know if you need to detoxify?

Bennett suggests that everyone should detox at least once a year. However, Bennett cautions against detoxing for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.

Today, with more toxins in the environment than ever, "it's critical to detox," says Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., the author of Detoxification: Programs to Cleanse, Purify and Renew. Page recommends detoxing for symptoms such as:

• Unexplained fatigue
• Sluggish elimination
• Irritated skin
• Allergies
• Low-grade infection
• Puffy eyes or bags under the eyes
• Bloating
• Menstrual problems
• Mental confusion

How do you start a detox?

First, lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars, and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.

Another hindrance to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the "adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, Qigong and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring. Gaiam carries yoga mats, props and accessories for beginner yogis to advanced practitioners and a meditation seating to help you relieve stress.  

Which detox program is right for you?

There are many detoxification programs and detox recipes, depending on your individual needs. Many programs follow a seven-day schedule because, as Bennett explains, "it takes the body time to clean the blood." His program involves fasting on liquids for two days, followed by a carefully planned five-day detox diet to allow the digestive system to rest. Page recommends a three- to seven-day juice fast (drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water) as an effective way to release toxins.

Here are our five favorite detox diets:

1. Simple Fruit and Veggie Detox
2. Smoothie Cleanse
3. Juice Cleanse
4. Sugar Detox
5. Hypoallergenic Detox

A natural body detox doesn’t have to be complicated. Did you know that you can help your body detoxify on a daily basis in simple ways? Here are easy-to-do actions that will guide you towards a healthier lifestyle.

A word of caution: While each tip on its own is simple, trying to incorporate too many new things into your daily routine all at once is a recipe for none of them to stick.

Review the list and see which of these you’re already doing on a regular basis, and then pick one or two new things to start. Once these become habitual, then pick a couple more items.
If you do this consistently each month, by the end of the year you’ll have a bunch of new natural body detox habits that support your physical (and mental) health!

  Ways to Naturally Detoxify Your Body Every Day

#1. Drink more filtered water. It takes liquid to flush out those unwanted toxins. Try upping your hydration level today by taking your total weight, dividing it in half, and consuming that much in ounces of fresh, filtered, good-for-you water. You’ll be amazed by how great you’ll feel!

#2. Start your day with lemon water. Get the hydration habit going with 8 oz. before you eat or drink anything else. Use real lemon juic.

#3. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is the process of swishing 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil around in your mouth for between 10 and 20 minutes. The chemical reaction between your saliva and the oil literally “pulls” bacterial toxins out from the deepest crevices in your whole oral cavity. According to Dr. F. Karach, oil pulling can also strengthen the stomach, heart, liver, lungs, and reproductive organs. Give it a try − and don’t forget to spit it out afterwards into the garbage can so you don’t clog your sink drain.

#4. Tongue scraping. Besides oil pulling, another effective way to target the oral cavity for detoxification is through the Ayurvedic practice of “tongue scraping.” According to Sheila Patel, MD, medical director at the Chopra Center, “Scraping the tongue daily removes any build-up on the tongue, which, if left untreated, …may house a significant number of bacteria.” Tongue scraping requires an inexpensive tool that can be purchased at most pharmacies. Stainless steel works well, says Patel. The tongue should be scraped very gently from back to front 7 to 14 times.

#5. Eat more organic green leafy veggies. Kale, celery, spinach, parsley, cilantro, and celery… all these greens are your friends. They contain vital nutrients, plenty of fiber, and chlorophyll, which helps to cleanse the blood. Try them in a smoothie or very lightly sautéed in coconut oil if eating them raw is not for you.


#6. Breathe more. Pay attention to your breath. Does your breathing become shallow when you are stressed or upset? Decide to take a deep breath instead. Deep breathing can help cleanse the respiratory system and oxygenate the blood.

#7. Do some aerobic exercise. Get moving! Aerobic exercise pumps life-giving oxygen and feel-good hormones into your body. But did you also know that, according to researchers at the Swedish Karolinska Institute, during a workout the muscles act like the liver and produce an enzyme that clears out depression-causing chemicals.

#8. Stretch and release. Stretching not only keeps muscles and joints flexible, it can also lower inflammation and “fight or flight” responses that can lead to chronic disease. A 2009 study of women with breast cancer found that those who underwent a 75-minute restorative yoga class for 10 weeks had less instances of depression than those who did not. Stay motivated and detox from stress by doing a few stretches throughout the day.

9. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock, and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.

10. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.

11.What’s the most important way to detoxify? "Exercise,"