There are so many popular detox diets out there with no substantial evidence showing that these diets increase toxin elimination or supports sustainable weight loss. However, did you know that our body has a remarkable way of detoxing and cleansing on it's very own? It can eliminate toxins in the liver, kidneys, digestive system, lungs, and so forth when our organs are healthy. So although we can't be too sure if a particular detox diet works better than what our body can naturally do, there are ways we can help optimize, or support, our body's natural detox process. Here are eight ways:
The liver will metabolize alcohol into acetaldehyde, a cancer causing chemical. Since the body recognizes that as a toxin, your liver will then convert it into a harmless substance called acetate, which is then later eliminated from the body. So while moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, excessive drinking can be severely damage our liver. It can cause fat buildup or inflammation which in turn makes it harder for the liver to function. When the liver is not functioning up to par, that in turn affects the body's ability to detox and filter out waste.
You can start your day by drinking a glass of warm or cold lemon water. Pectin contained in lemon, helps with digestion, making it a great detoxifying fruit. Drinking water with lemon can also help boost satiety - which in turn may help prevent us from mindlessly snacking and aid weight loss. Also, doesn't seeing a wedge of lemon in our drink look so refreshing?
Are you a night owl? Well, if you want to help your body naturally detox, getting adequate amounts of quality sleep each night is absolutely essential. Why? When we sleep, we are giving our brain time to recharge itself and remove any unwanted toxic wastes that have accumulated during the day. One of those waste products include a protein that contributes to Alzheimer's disease. So when we are sleep deprived, we are also depriving our body of the time it needs to detox, resulting in a build up of toxins that can affect various aspects of our health. The average adult should get about seven to nine hours of sleep a night to help the body detox and to promote a healthy body.
These two components are the leading cause of health problems for both adults and children. When we consume too much sugary and processed foods, it can lead to obesity and other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. These diseases harm our organs and hinders our body's natural ability to detoxify itself. For example, high intake of sugary beverages such as sodas can cause fatty liver, which can severely impact the liver's natural functions to detox. So, the less junk food we consume, the better we can help keep our body's natural detox system healthy! Try to swap out your junk food for healthier alternatives such as fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants help protect our cells against free radical damage. Consuming a rich diet of antioxidants can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by these free radicals and other toxins. Some examples of antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and more. Berries, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, and spices are some foods that contain the highest amounts of antioxidants. By increasing our consumption of antioxidants, we can help our body reduce damages from toxins and lower the risk of diseases that can impact our body's natural ability to detox.
In order to keep our body's detox system healthy, we can't overlook our gut health. Our intestines contain its' own detox and excretion system which can protect the body from harmful toxins. A healthy gut health begins with prebiotic, a fiber that fuels the good bacteria in your gut, also known as probiotic. When the gut becomes unbalanced with an overgrowth of bad bacteria, our gut's detox system is affected, which can increase our risk of disease, inflammation, and weaken our immune system. Foods that are rich in prebiotic include tomatoes, bananas, asparagus, onions, and garlic. At times, our body is unable to absorb enough fiber or good bacteria from foods alone, so supplements such as FarmHaven's Digestive Enzymes, are a great way to improve our body's gut health, since it contains both probiotic and prebiotic as well as digestive enzymes!
Consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain excess fluid which causes bloating. To detox the body of the extra water weight, you should increase your water intake. Sounds kind of counterproductive, however when we are dehydrated, we may find ourselves craving salt or salty foods. That is our body's way of encouraging ourselves to drink or eat more. So instead of snacking on something salty, try to replace it by drinking more water. When we consume too much salt and not enough water, our body releases an antidiuretic hormone that prevents urination and thus impacts detoxification. So an increase of water reduces that hormone, increases urination, and allows our body to eliminate excess water and waste products.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains apple pectin, a natural fiber which can help improve nutrient absorption and help the body flush out toxins. However, not many people appreciate either the smell or taste of apple cider vinegar. A great alternative is to try ACV supplements. FarmHaven's Apple Cider Vinegar contains all the benefits of apple cider vinegar without having to deal with the smell or taste of vinegar. It also contains cayenne pepper which provides Vitamin A & antioxidants that help stimulate blood circulation. So incorporating apple cider vinegar into your daily diet is another great way to help support your body's natural detox.
