Detoxing is something we tend to hear about a couple of times a year – after the summer season of celebrations, and then again coming into spring. But a detox can be beneficial any time of year, depending on how you’re feeling.
A detox is typically a period of time (1 – 2 weeks) where we pay extra attention to a clean healthy diet loaded with vegetables, water, and nutrient rich foods. We might take herbs and nutrients that support the liver’s natural detoxification processes and increase fibre in order to give our bowels additional support for healthy elimination.
So, how can we help our bodies through this dynamic time? There are many ways to do this in a gentle, non-invasive way. By looking at our diet, how we exercise, using yoga and meditation, watching our stress levels, rest and self-care, and getting additional support from herbal supplementation we can find ways to help our minds and bodies as we move through detox.
We suggest putting aside one month to work through these things, which could give you enough time to see some improvements.
Why should we detox?
In day-to-day life we are unknowingly exposed to increasing amounts of toxins from food, water, cosmetics and skincare products, household chemicals and from the air we breathe. Many of these compounds are now being identified as health threats.
Detoxification has always been a part of naturopathic theory as emunctorology – where the health of the organs of detoxification is prioritised in order to help achieve improved health outcomes, because of the importance of waste elimination to the body.
Traditional naturopathic practice suggests that illness may result from the accumulation of waste within the body if these organs aren’t working optimally. The primary organs of detoxification include the bowel, kidneys, lungs, and skin.
The main secondary emunctory organs which are used if the primary organs aren’t functioning optimally are the stomach, liver, pancreas, lymphatic system, and mucosal surfaces.
Detoxification is an essential function of the human body, in fact it’s vital for every cell. When undertaking a ‘detox’, the purpose is to support your emunctory organs so that your health and wellbeing are the focus.
What are the benefits of a detox?
Supporting your body’s innate detoxification processes has many health benefits including:
- balanced energy
- strong robust digestion
- healthy immune system
- circulatory and lymphatic flow
- sleep and mood health
- healthy hormones
- clear skin
- reduced toxic load
How to tell if it’s time to detox
When the emunctory organs are not functioning as well as they should be there are a number of signs and symptoms that the body shows, including:
Skin
- Blemishes
- Acne
- Dullness
Bowel
- Unsatisfactory bowel motions
- Undigested food in bowel motions
- Bloating or discomfort after eating
- Lack of appetite
- Queasiness
- Cravings
Metabolic
- Low energy
- Body odour
- Blood sugar imbalance
- Unwanted weight
Nervous system
- Hormonal imbalance
- Mental brain fog has increased
- Disrupted sleep
- Head tension
Why is the liver so important for detox?
The liver needs a lot of the energy and oxygen delivered by the blood in order to carry out its very important role in the body. First of all, the liver provides a variety of vital functions. It manufactures all of your body’s protein.
When the liver is working smoothly and efficiently, 99% of unwanted materials are removed from the blood before it is directed back into the rest of the body. The liver also makes bile, a substance which helps with removal of these unwanted compounds. Bile is secreted into the digestive system and removed from the body via the bowel.
The liver also un-packages toxins and chemicals and re-packages them for excretion. All of these functions can become compromised by an environment and diet full of extra synthetic chemicals, low fibre diets, too much alcohol, heavy metals, nutrient deficiencies, and more. When the liver gets sluggish, all manner of ill-health can develop.
Supporting healthy liver function and detoxification processes through quality natural supplements, diet and lifestyle modifications is a smart health practice for many to offset the negative effects of modern living and to help maintain a balanced body weight and on-going health. After all, there is only limited benefit in improving toxin removal if you are not going to make any modifications.
How does the bowel support a healthy detox?
The colon plays a major role in helping your body get rid of the leftovers it no longer needs from the food you have eaten. Healthy bacteria within the colon break down the material that passes through it before moving this waste into the rectum.
However, when your colon isn’t working as well as it should be, this can cause a variety of problems in your body, ranging from bloating and stomach discomfort to weight gain from insufficient nutrient absorption.
As well as this, you might be surprised at how much toxic waste your body carries within its bowels. The body is subject to both exogenous (chemicals made outside of the body) and endogenous (those produced inside your body) toxins which have the potential to harm your cells.
The colon naturally plays a major part in eliminating the toxins that can build up from normal metabolic activities and other sources but undertaking a colon cleanse could help to boost your colon’s ability to eliminate these toxins from your body and leave your insides even healthier and more purified than before.
Start your detox with BioBalance Liver Cleanse & Detox and Bowel Balance
For well-rounded digestive and detox support, BioBalance has formulated Liver Cleanse & Detox, and Bowel Balance.
Liver Cleanse & Detox is a comprehensive whole-body focussed formula that can be taken for daily maintenance or for an intensive detox. The herbs and nutrients will support the body to detoxify naturally.
Bowel Balance offers soothing support for the digestive tract lining and ingredients that support the healthy microbial balance of the large intestine.
These products can be taken together during an intensive detox program along with a healthy diet for ultimate organ support.
There are many things we can do within our diet and lifestyle to support our health, and regular daily activities that can support your body’s natural detoxification processes.
Read part 2 where we share our favourite ways to detox naturally.