Demystifying Spring Detox
Demystifying Spring Detox
By Lesley D’Souza, ND
Some of the most frequent questions I get at around this time of year are about detox: “What is a detox?”, “Do I need to detox?”, “How will it make me feel?” etc. Well I’m here to answer these burning questions!
Detox…DETOX! The word seems pretty scary, well at least when it’s written in all capitals, but it’s not as scary as it may seem. Detoxification is about cleaning your body of all the “junk” that has accumulated over the years. Just as we do Spring cleaning for the house, it is important to do the same for the body. Everybody’s body is unique, so are the clearing rates at which the detoxification organs (skin, lungs, kidneys, liver, intestines and lymphatic system) remove various toxins that have built up in the body.
Unfortunately we live in a toxic world. We are frequently exposed to environmental toxins such as: industrial pollutants, chemical pesticides, pathogenic bacteria, certain prescription antibiotics and over the counter medications and even excesses of certain foods. If the eliminatory organs are not functioning properly, toxins are left with no place to go and remain inside the body. This in turn can leads to progression or development of disease. That’s where a detox can come in. Think of it as giving your eliminatory organs a much deserved break from the burden that is put on them on a daily basis.
Low energy levels, skin conditions such as eczema, gas and bloating, PMS, irritable moods, sweet cravings can all be symptoms of toxic build up in the body, so if you experience any of these, a little Spring cleaning might be what you need.
So what does a detox consist of? Well for the extreme few individuals, it consists of fasting or colonics. However, for the rest of us, it can be as simple as eating whole foods i.e. foods that don’t come packaged, drinking more water, exercising and perhaps supplementing with specific vitamins or herbs to aid the body in eliminating toxins.
Avoiding processed foods, sugars/artificial sweeteners, saturated fats and substituting those with whole foods is a great way to start your detox. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides much needed nutrients and fiber that helps improve digestion as well as improve elimination through the liver and kidneys. Saunas, hot yoga or anything that works up a sweat will also help your body detox through the skin. Want to help your lymphatic system with removing toxins? Try massage therapy or contrast showers! At the end of your shower, do a few cycles of alternating hot and cold i.e. 1 minute hot, 10 seconds cold, always ending on cold. This is a great way to help with lymphatic circulation through the body.
If you aren’t feeling the absolute best that you can feel, taking some time to improve how your body is eliminating toxins may be worth the effort. In the end, you will feel more energized and rejuvenated, after all, isn’t that what Spring is all about?
General Tips for Detoxification:
- Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses/day)
- Add half a lemon to a warm glass of water and enjoy it first thing in the morning. This is a great way to help stimulate your liver to aid in detoxification.
- Eat your salads and greens – they provide you with lots and lots of live enzymes and minerals and also help detoxify heavy metals from the body
- Exercise regularly, for at least 20 minutes – Partner up with a friend or family member if motivation is a problem. Go for a brisk walk or jog, or try something different like a spinning class or Yoga!
For more information about what naturopathic medicine can do for you, book a free consult with Lesley D’Souza, ND!