Article By: Dr. Nadia Kumentas ND
What is Detoxification?
Although you may be familiar with the term “detoxification” do you really know what it entails? Most people link doing a detox with weight loss, and while this isn’t necessarily false, there is a lot more to consider when we want to partake in a full-body detox. To start off, is doing a “detox” even necessary? The short answer is YES. In today’s world, we encounter around 2.5 billion pounds of toxic chemicals (including 6 million pounds of mercury alone) each year. Did you know that the average newborn baby has 287 known toxins in his or her umbilical cord blood? You can only imagine how many toxins you have been exposed to by this point in your life if we started with that level of toxic load!
Here are some, but not all, of the factors that can contribute to your total toxic load (i.e., total amount of accumulated toxins in the body):
- Heavy metal exposure, ex. Mercury, lead, petrochemicals, residues, pesticides, and fertilizers
- Allergies ex. Food allergies, environmental allergies, molds
- Poor diet ex. Eating a standard American diet that includes processed, high fat, high sugar, high salt foods
- Medications ex. Remember that what goes into the body has to get processed; most pharmaceuticals have a toxic load on the body
- Internal toxins ex. bacteria, fungus, and yeast inside our own systems and intestines, as well as hormonal and metabolic toxins that we need to eliminate
- Mental, emotional, and spiritual toxins, ex. Stress, anger, loneliness, irritability, hostility, etc., all have a profound effect on our body chemistry and all of which translate into toxins in our system
A little scary, right? The good news is that our bodies are well equipped to eliminate toxins on a day-to-day basis by urinating, defecating, breathing, and sweating! Issues arise if any one of those processes is not functioning optimally or if our system has become too overburdened with toxins and can’t keep up with elimination. This leads to an overall decreased amount of waste leaving the body, which can leave you feeling “toxic” over time.
Symptoms of Toxin Overload and How Detox Can Help
Symptoms May Include:
- Fatigue
- Poor memory and/or concentration
- Muscle aches/ joint pain
- Sinus congestion or excessive sinus problems
- Headaches
- Gas and Bloating
- Constipation and/or Diarrhea
- Foul-smelling stools (oh yes…it’s not always normal!)
- Bad breath
- Heartburn
- Sleep problems
- Food cravings
- Trouble losing weight
- Water retention
- Skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rashes)
- Canker sores
- Puffy, dark circles under the eyes (don’t you hate those?!)
- PMS
- Other menstrual disorders
5 Key Benefits of Detoxing for Your Health
- Improved Liver Function: Detoxing helps support the liver in removing toxins from the body, promoting better digestion and overall health.
- Weight Management: Detoxification can assist in shedding excess weight by removing harmful toxins, boosting metabolism, and reducing water retention.
- Better Skin Health: A detox regimen can improve skin appearance by clearing up issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis caused by toxin buildup.
- Increased Energy Levels: Detoxing helps eliminate fatigue-causing toxins, resulting in improved energy levels and reduced feelings of sluggishness.
- Boosted Immune System: By removing harmful substances from the body, detoxing improves immune function, helping your body fight off diseases more effectively.
I’d bet that it’s safe to say you have experienced one or more of these symptoms before – and don’t worry, you are not alone. Most people have overloaded systems, especially after years of accumulated stress and toxin buildup. Some people are chronically toxic and don’t even realize it until they seek help from a professional! The bottom line is that detoxification is one of the core physiological systems in the body that must be working well for you to be in optimal health.
There are lots of different ways to support your body’s detoxification pathways; one of the easiest is starting your day with a big glass of lemon water and staying well-hydrated throughout the day.
Ready to begin your detox journey? Contact us today to learn how detoxification can improve your well-being and get personalized support to kickstart a healthier you. Stay tuned for part 2 of Detox Demystified to learn the do’s and don’ts of a good detox program.
