5 Ways to Detox Safely
Detox is something that has no small amount of misconceptions, misinformation, and disinformation about it out there. Brands that offer detox teas for weight loss are basically just capitalizing off of people’s body dysmorphia. There is no tea or powder out there that you specifically need to get rid of toxins in your body. No tea will instantly get rid of all the toxins in your body within one digestion cycle and help you lose weight. So basically, all the claims of brands even promoted by famous celebrities are scams for lack of a better word.
This does not mean that nothing can be done, however. Good practices and eating habits are key to detoxifying your body and mind alike. This leaves you to feel much more energetic and fresh.
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Have Good Sleeping Habits
Lack of sleep can literally kill you. However, that only occurs in extreme circumstances. But minimal and irregular sleep can have adverse effects over a long period of time. Not only does lack of sleep leave you feeling lethargic and unproductive, but it also hinders a lot of beneficial physiological processes. Our bodies basically recharge when we sleep. All our energy during that period goes into things like growth (for a growing child) and rejuvenation. Our body removes unwanted compounds from our vital organs while we sleep.
Lack of sleep means your body will not be able to complete these crucial processes properly. This will lead to a build-up of toxins inside your body over time. This can put you at risk from several different, possibly life-threatening diseases. This may also cause you to develop stress and anxiety disorders.
You should be sleeping seven to nine hours a day ideally. Of course, some need less sleep to function and some individuals need more. The important thing is to have a regular cycle. If you suffer from insomnia you should definitely consult a professional physician. If you should just have trouble falling asleep, try limiting your screen-time before sleeping. Do not use your mobile phone, television, or laptop in bed. Instead, try listening to soothing music. That is linked to better sleep and a fresh mood in the morning.
Watch Your Water Intake
Water consumption is essential in the processes carried out by our hypothalamus and our kidneys. Basically, all processes and reactions in our bodies are water-based. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, allowing optimal conditions for all the essential processes in our body. Water is necessary for this phenomenon to take place. Our liver and kidneys break down urea and carbon dioxide and dispose of them. If they are allowed to build up in our bodies, they become toxic and can be extremely harmful. Water aids in this process. The harmful toxins are excreted after dissolving in water through urine and feces. You need an average of 3.2 liters of water per day. This number may vary based on your gender, age, activities, diet, and where you live.
Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
The liver is the organ responsible for detoxifying your body. Excessive drinking damages the liver. In moderate amounts, a healthy liver can break down harmful substances in alcohol into harmless ones, to maintain a healthy detox system. But too much alcohol can cause scarring, fat build-up in arteries, and ultimately liver failure. The only treatment for this outcome is a liver transplant which is extremely expensive and complex. To maintain a healthy detox system, the maximum amount of alcohol consumption is one glass of wine per day.
Control the Intake of Processed Foods and Salt
Processed sugars and trans fats can be very hard for your body to digest, especially if consumed in high amounts. They tend to hinder the functions of your liver and kidneys. Processed sugars cause something called fatty liver which, if left untreated, can cause liver failure. Excessive consumption of these foods also leads to diseases like obesity and heart failure. You can easily replace processed sugars and trans fats with a lot of organic options. Try using natural sweeteners like honey. Add whole wheat and oatmeal to your diet, these help you stay full. Buy fruits and vegetables instead of junk food.
You can also decrease your salt intake to shed those extra pounds. Excessive salt intake causes water retention in your body. Water retention leaves you feeling puffy-faced and bloated in general. Decreasing salt intake and increasing water intake can lower your body’s water retention. This is because doing this will cause your body to urinate more. Eating potassium-rich food like bananas and spinach can help counter the negative effects of excessive salt as well.
Prebiotics and Antioxidants
Our body is capable of producing antioxidants naturally. But inhaling smoke or pollution regularly can slow down or stop their production, causing oxidative stress. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods naturally can help fight this condition. Increase your vitamin intake through different fruits and vegetables.
Prebiotics are a type of fiber that good bacteria in our gut feed on. These bacteria then produce healthy nutrients important for gut health and strong immunity. Consume foods like tomatoes, onions, and oats to increase prebiotic levels.
A useful supplement to detox your body is Zeolite. This substance makes unwanted toxins in your body stick to its surface. They are then flushed out from your body through your digestive system. You can buy zeolite powder in bulk to add to your daily protein shake or smoothie.
Conclusion
You can also try exercising more, this helps you sweat out the toxins. Almost two years of quarantine has left us feeling lazy and has caused many to binge eat. This is understandable due to a lot of mental stress. However, as the pandemic nears its end, it is time to get back on track. We sincerely hope this article helped you do exactly that!
One Comment
Lauryn R
This was such an informative post, thank you so much! I love that there are ways to detox safely, as I think we should all detox our bodies every now and then.