Should I DETOX? (and 3 steps to detoxify safely)

Should I detox? (and 3 steps to detoxify safely)

SHOULD I DETOX?

It is a good and healthy urge to want to "cleanse" or "detox", but that doesn't mean you need to spend a week in the bathroom!

By definition, your body is ALWAYS detoxing (your liver, kidneys, lungs, GI tract, and skin are all detox organs).

Unless you need a major detox protocol (should be guided by a qualified practitioner), these are the best strategies for a general detox:

  1. reduce toxic exposure

  2. support your body's natural detoxification processes

SOURCES OF TOXINS

It is impossible to completely eliminate toxic exposure, but important to reduce when possible:

  • food

  • water

  • cooking pans

  • household products

  • personal care products

  • building materials

  • alcohol

  • medications & supplements

  • relationships

  • media

  • mental habits

*Do not let this list overwhelm you, just focus on swapping one thing at a time.


1. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Gut health should be prioritized first because it is the final path of elimination.

If you are not regular or if your gut lining is compromised, the toxins dumped there may be reabsorbed instead of passed out.


2. LIVER

When people think "detox", they often think of the liver.

It is where your body breaks down drugs & alcohol, centralizes most biochemical detoxification processes, and filters your blood (your kidneys help with this too).


3. SKIN

Your skin is your largest organ and the barrier where many toxins enter the body.

It reflects inner health, especially of your liver & gut.


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References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Dietary Supplements. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/

Jones, D. S., Bland, J. S., & Quinn, S. (2010). Textbook of Functional Medicine. Institute for Functional Medicine.

Hodges, R. E., & Minich, D. M. (2015). Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2015, 760689. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/760689 Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488002/

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