Spring has sprung and this is the perfect time to not only clean the house, but also clean the body. So, let’s get ready to detox!
First, what is detoxification?
Detoxification is a natural process your body uses to eliminate toxins every day. These include environmental toxins, such as pesticides, food additives, drugs and chemicals that are found in our food, body products, air and even in the water we drink. Toxins can also be generated internally by ‘bad’ bacteria, yeasts and parasites in our digestive system, which can be absorbed into our bloodstream, affecting our health and vitality.
Some of the signs and symptoms of toxicity include:
- Tiredness
- Aches and pains
- Recurrent infections
- Poor short-term memory and concentration
- Low energy, fatigue, sluggishness and lethargy
- Digestive problems, food intolerances
- Mood swings
- Hormone imbalances
- Recurrent headaches
- Skin problems
- Difficulty losing weight
How do we detox?
Detoxing doesn’t necessarily require you to adopt an extremely strict diet, since our bodies are designed to flush out toxins naturally anyway. Sometimes it’s as simple as starting the process by eating healthy, nutritious foods that help filter gunk out of your gut. Remember to stay well hydrated and drink enough water in the process. This will keep your digestion in check, hence aids in the release of unwanted toxic leftovers from your system.
Some great foods to incorporate for a Spring detox include:
- Celery: This humble herb contains a plethora of salts that effectively support liver detoxification and destroy un-beneficial strains of bacteria and dormant viral cells.
- Lemon: Stimulates the vagal nerve that directly signals the liver to stimulate detoxification processes.
- Cucumber: A natural diuretic, aiding in the excretion of wastes through the kidneys and helping to dissolve uric acid accumulations such as kidney and bladder stones.
- Radish: Great blood cleansing agent, as it acts as a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and even diuretic support.
- Asparagus: Strengthens the functioning of the liver and contains aspartic acid, which neutralizes excess amounts of ammonia in the body that is often the cause of exhaustion, headaches, and poor digestion.
- Brussels Sprouts: Are known to help stabilize the DNA within white blood cells, which creates a stronger, more resilient immune system, capable of removing toxic loads.
Keep it simple, keep it clean and always choose organic where possible… Happy detoxing!
Shelea – Gaia Head Naturopath
Disclaimer: The above content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, relieve, cure, or prevent any medical or health conditions, nor guarantee any particular outcome or results. Always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before adopting any new dietary regime. Never disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider, because of something you have read on our website.