Detox is the modern word for diet. We live in a society of extremes: all or nothing, extreme restriction or wild abandon. Somehow we love the drama of going on and off diets too, despite how ineffective that is in the long term.
I'm generally not a fan of detox programs because they seem to promote re-toxing, that is, bingeing on bad stuff because you think you can "detox" tomorrow...
It's just not a good idea to put your body through that kind of stress.
Instead, avoid as many toxins as possible and pay attention to the accumulating burden by considering symptoms like headaches and fatigue as clues that you're reaching toxic overload.
Our bodies are equipped with magnificent detoxification systems that work 24/7.
Sweating through our skin, exhaling from our lungs, neutralizing by our liver and intestinal elimination constantly shuttle away our body's toxic waste. But with so much exposure to chemicals and/or impairment to these delicate body systems, it's likely that you will need to do some extra maintenance from time to time.
AVOID TOXIC OVERLOAD - MINIMIZE EXPOSURE
Thanks to Thrive Market, my UPS man cheerfully brings dry goods like unscented, biodegradable Seventh Generation laundry soap, bottles of Bragg raw cider vinegar and other heavy items to my front door. The poor guy. Well, at least he won't be out of a job any time soon. And I don't spend much time in unventilated stores looking for the least toxic products to use in my home or on my body.
I've found DIY recipes for deodorant and other basic beauty products online made with coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils that smell great and actually work. Or you can easily find these at Amazon. Thanks again, UPS man.
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DETOX
There are a lot of therapies available to assist the detoxification process. Each person will respond differently to these but there are a few that seem universally effective.
Start by drinking plenty of clean, pure water. If you live in a city, that means filtering it. This is the best countertop filtration unit. Then, eat a lot of green, leafy vegetables. That is simply the best way to "detox" because these fibrous plants sweep through the colon without an extra dollar spent. Aim for 2 cups a day or more.
Next, check out PEMF therapy, a non-invasive but highly effective tool that supports detoxification by providing energy to the cells to enable them to absorb nutrition and eliminate waste.
Chelation therapy is worth investigating if you seem to be "doing everything right" and still feel unwell. It may be that your body doesn't clear toxins* efficiently.
If you've worked in a salon or a trade like painting or mechanics with excessive exposure to chemicals you can bet that you've accumulated more than is healthy.
I've found that regular infrared sauna sessions, coffee enemas and lymphatic massage keep my body running better.
When I'm run down, overtired, under-nourished or otherwise not at the top of my health game (yes, it happens), I can get disoriented and dizzy within minutes in a perfumed store. Yankee candle gets me at 300 feet. I can detect mold in a building from the front door and proximity to someone wearing clothing laundered with fabric softener can ruin my day with heart palpitations, headache and nausea. The key is to keep myself strong with good food, sleep and supplements. Then I'm more resilient and everyday life isn't such a minefield.
Were these suggestions helpful? Let me know in your comments.
*For a deeper dive into methylation and the MTHFR gene SNP, check out this PODCAST with Dr. Ben Lynch.
