DETOXIFICATION

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Toxins are substances that are harmful or poisonous to the body. They can be naturally occurring like toxins produced from bacterial infections, yeast overgrown, or heavy metals (i.e. mercury or aluminum) that get into our environment, our food supply, or medications. Many toxins are man-made like herbicides, pesticides, preservatives, plastics, chemicals in household products, and air pollution.  Toxins end up in our food supply when pesticides and herbicides are added to food crops, from plastic and aluminum packaging, and from preservatives and food colorings that are added ingredients.

 

Our food supply is not the only way toxins enter our bodies. Toxins can enter our bodies by inhaling them and via absorption through the skin. No matter how toxins enter our bodies, they all interfere with normal bodily functions and cause damage to the body. Toxins disrupt cellular communication and processes, like energy production in mitochondria. Some toxins trigger inflammation in the body. Other toxins cause cells to malfunction and mutate into cancer. These are just a few examples out of a hundred different ways toxins can damage and cause malfunction in the body.

Thank goodness the body has natural systems to eliminate toxins. Organs and organ systems that play key roles in detoxing the body include the liver, kidneys, lymph system, immune system, digestive system, lungs, and skin. The liver does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to processing and eliminating toxins from the body. Because of this, the liver can be damaged when trying to process larger amounts of toxins. You have already learned that the liver plays an important role in energy balance. It is important to take actions to minimize exposure to toxins and support the body’s natural detoxification process.

 

In this section you are going to complete an assessment for toxic exposure, symptoms of toxic build up, and constipation. Anyone who suffers from constipation, suffers from excess retention of toxins. Because of this, it is important to assess for constipation and take action to treat constipation if it is a problem.

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Other Things to Consider… 

 

There are several natural therapies available at health spas or holistic-based clinics. Some popular effective natural detox therapies include saunas, ionic foot baths, and massages.

 

Purposely move throughout the day. Physical movement helps support a healthy functioning digestive tract. It tones the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, increases circulation of nutrients to cells, stimulates removal of waste products from cells, and helps your bowels to move more regularly. The lymphatic system depends on physical movement and contraction of the muscles to move lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system plays an important role in removal of waste products, toxins and dead cells from the body's tissues. 

 

Break up sedentary time by walking around every hour. This is a specific lifestyle approach that helps combat long periods of sitting. By taking movement breaks at least once per hour, you can mitigate the harm of a sedentary lifestyle and significantly improve your overall health and well-being. Use alarms or fitness trackers to remind you to get up and move every hour.

 

 

Taking a break once an hour, from prolonged sitting, provides substantial physical and mental health benefits that help counteract a sedentary lifestyle. Key advantages include all of the following:

 

  1. Regular short walks can significantly lower blood sugar (glucose) spikes after meals, decrease blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. One study found that walking for five minutes every 30 minutes was the only regimen that significantly lowered both blood sugar and blood pressure compared to sitting all day.

 

  1. Incorporating movement breaks throughout the day can significantly increase energy levels and reduce feelings of fatigue.

 

  1. Even light activity burns calories and boosts your metabolism. Moving regularly helps burn calories and boosts your metabolism. Replacing sitting with walking can help manage weight and reduce the risk of obesity.

 

  1. Physical activity helps stimulate melatonin production, which helps to regulate sleep patterns and can lead to falling asleep faster and experiencing deeper, higher-quality sleep. 

 

  1. Walking stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters, which can help manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants in studies reported being in a better mood on days when they took movement breaks.

 

  1. As a weight-bearing exercise, walking helps to maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Movement also lubricates the joints, easing stiffness and pain associated with prolonged sitting.

 

  1. Increases blood flow to the brain which improves focus, memory, and cognitive performance, while also potentially lowering the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

 

  1. Studies consistently link regular walking to a lower risk of chronic diseases (like type 2 diabetes and certain cancers) and lower mortality rates, helping you live a healthier, longer life. 

 

Incorporating short walks into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes every hour, adds up to substantial health gains and helps counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting.