6 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR BODY’S NATURAL DETOXING METHODS

Who needs those commercial ‘detoxes’ when you can support your body in doing it naturally? Understand why a true ‘detox’ has more to do with nourishment than it does with deprivation.

BY: KENDRA TOLBERT, MS, RDN, CDN, CLC

Contrary to popular belief, detoxing isn’t something you need to actively force on to your body. In fact, it’s a process your body naturally carries out all on its own.

The best thing any of us can do to detox is support our bodies’ innate detoxification system. We do that by doing what we can to live an overall healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the ways to help your body do what it does best.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Water plays a role in every process in your body. Without it your liver, kidney, intestines, lymph system, and skin will not work at their optimal level, which means your ability to detox will not be as efficient as it could be.

Water cleans the pipes, so to speak. Staying hydrated is necessary for bowel movements and urination, two ways your body says “bye bye” to byproducts of metabolism and other waste. It’s also important for your liver’s detoxification pathways to neutralize and kick toxins out. Last but not least, water is the fluid part of lymph fluid. Lymph picks up dead cells, waste, bacteria, and viruses as it travels through your body so those little nasties can be filtered out.

2. Eat More Plant-based Foods

This is one of the most important keys to supporting your body’s ability to handle the toxins it encounters daily. Plant-based foods are high in fiber, which keeps things moving along the poop shoot. Proper digestion and elimination are vital for proper detoxification.

Plant-based foods are also loaded with the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients your organs use to neutralize and flush out toxic substances. Aim to eat foods like legumes, whole grains, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, and berries often.

3. Use Plenty of Herbs and Spices

This is an often overlooked key to detoxing and wellness in general. Use herbs and spices in and on everything you can think of, every single day. Not only do they provide additional phytonutrients and fiber, many of them also directly support our detox organs or boost detoxification. A couple of flavor enhancers that double as detox enhancers are onions and garlic.

4. Sleep Well

While you rest, your body is busy repairing, replenishing, and tidying up. It seems our brains are especially busy clearing out toxins while we sleep. Not getting enough sleep? You may not be giving your body enough time to expel waste. Here are a few tips to help you catch up on your shuteye.

5. Get Moving

Regular activity pumps lymph around your body, keeps your bowels moving, makes you sweat, causes you to breathe deeply, and improves circulation. All of this means your body is better able to remove harmful substances. Go for a walk with friends, hike a local trail with your partner, or just dance around the house. Whatever you choose to do to get moving, make sure you’re having fun.

6. Destress

Psychological stress can interfere with normal bowel movements and often leads to shallow breathing.  Which makes it far more difficult for your body to release what it no longer needs. Stress also throws a monkey wrench in our best attempts to eat well, sleep well, and get moving, all things that support natural detoxification.

Managing stress can go a long way in helping your body to rid itself of rubbish not contributing to your wellness. Some of the best ways to destress are incredibly simple and effective:

• Journal
• Go for a walk
• Practice meditation

Remember, your body’s on your team.  There’s no need to trick or coerce it into staying healthy.

Give the above a go to support your body’s built-in cleaning system.

Adapted from the original article.

Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN, CDN, CLC is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified lactation counselor, and certified aromatherapist based in Alexandria, VA. Through her private practice, she helps women and couples prepare for pregnancy and enjoy healthier, happier pregnancies. Learn more about Kendra at Live Fertile.