Detoxing doesn’t always have to mean depriving yourself of foods and replacing them with juices and water, which isn’t necessarily the healthiest way to detox anyway. Here’s an alternative approach to get you feeling energised and healthy for summer.

Firstly, let’s briefly look at why fasting and drinking minimal amounts of fluid might not be the best approach. Our bodies require nutrients to carry out the many functions it is required to do, including eliminating toxins from our body. In order to assist our body to detoxify, we need to provide the organs of the detoxification process the nutrients and energy they require to do their job. Some detox diets involve a very strict intake of nutrients and fluids with the understanding that it gives the digestive organs a rest, enabling cleansing to occur. This can be true, however it is vitally important that during these kinds of detoxes, the body is also allowed to rest with minimal exertion during the entire process and then undergo a rejuvenation procedure once the detox is complete. As an alternative to these more intense detoxes you can simply start by assisting your body’s natural ability to detoxify effectively.

We eliminate toxins through several modes: urination, moving our bowels, sweating, breathing, and functions of the liver. Therefore, our kidneys, bowels, skin, lungs, and liver need to be functioning properly to eliminate toxins from our bodies. Do you suffer from constipation? Perhaps you rarely sweat. These are examples of how stuck systems prevent optimal elimination of toxins.

Assisting your body’s natural detoxification process:

• Cut out the crap

Eliminating soft drinks, processed foods, cutting down on sugar and chemical laden food will make a huge difference to the way you feel and the way your body functions. Eat the way your grandmother would have eaten – organic, wholesome whole foods, mostly plants and fresh home cooked meals.

• Eat well

The liver is highly involved in the detoxification process. A simple trick to stimulate the liver is to have lemon water. This is because the bitterness in the lemon stimulates the vagus nerve, which sends a direct signal to the liver encouraging its detoxification pathways. The following foods can support the liver in performing its detox pathways: Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, collard greens, and broccoli) beetroot, pomegranate, green tea, flax seeds, artichoke, psyllium husk powder. Having adequate phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are also imperative for adequate detoxification. Get your fill of plant-based fruits and vegetables—the richer and more vibrant the color the greater the antioxidant load. Find ways to incorporate all the colors of the rainbow into your diet to ensure you are getting a variety of nutrients and antioxidants. Aim for your plate to contain 50-75% veggies (and some fruit) and the other 25—50% whole grains and/or protein source.

• Breathe

Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and exercise are great ways to promote healthy and normal breathing patterns. Most of us take shallow breaths, instead, we want to optimize the lungs ability to circulate oxygen to aid in toxin removal.

• Hydrate

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush toxins through the kidneys. In general, a good way to know you’re drinking enough fluid is that you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow.

• Move it

The bowels are critical in the detoxification process. A daily, formed bowel movement is important to promote toxin removal. Healthy bowel functioning also promotes the secretion and excretion of bile from the liver and gallbladder, which supports the detoxification process. One way to maintain formed and healthy daily bowel movements is to increase dietary fiber, especially from fruits, vegetables, and ground flax seed.

Often, bowel related problems are bigger than fiber alone. Two strategies to improve digestion are: balancing intestinal flora by building up the ‘good guys’ with probiotics and proper nutrition and identifying food sensitivities through an elimination process or through IgG/IgA blood testing. The most common food sensitivities are dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, and corn – and, not far behind, nuts. Try eliminating one, some, or all of these foods for at least 3 weeks and see what happens with your digestion.

Enjoy the journey…!

In case you long for more professional detoxification advise, please don’t hesitate to contact the Gaia Day Spa for an appointment with out Naturopath or treatment professionals.

Call: (02) 6687 1216 or Email dayspa@gaiaretreat.com.au

More info via: www.gaiaretreat.com.au/day-spa/spa-menu