What is detoxification?

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Detoxing is just another word for cleansing. The aims of a detox program are to increase the efficiency of the digestive system and to stimulate the other parts of the body that are responsible for cleansing and elimination. Detoxing also works to improve underlying health so you are less prone to infection. Used sensibly and occasionally, detox regimes are invaluable in promoting and sustaining good health.

Ways of Detoxing
Detoxing is a relative term. Anything that supports elimination will help you detox. Doing no more than drinking at least 3 pints of water a day will help you flush out toxins. Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables - high water content, cleansing foods - and fewer meats and dairy products will reduce congestion and increase elimination. However, it is important not to go to extremes - fasting, frequent enemas, use of diuretics, and excessive exercise carry the danger of making you lose essential nutrients.

Detoxing involves reducing the intake of toxins and improving their elimination through diet, supplements, and body therapies. You should also try to avoid chemicals, refined foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.

The most important way of strengthening your body's natural defenses and combating the daily onslaught of toxins is to improve your diet. Food can provide a rich source of antioxidants and plant chemicals, which improve the way your body eliminates waste products and increase your body's ability to remove pollutants.

Healing Crises
As detoxification takes effect, your health should improve steadily, possibly with temporary relapses known as healing crises. Minor ailments such as colds, fevers, and skin spots or blemishes should be seen in a positive light because they are signs that the body is trying to throw off an accumulation of toxins. So, don't be surprised if your skin becomes dull or spotty at te beginning of a detox program - it will soon clear.

Who Shouldn't Detox
Children under the age of 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those who are ill or recovering from illness, and those over the age of 65 should not detox. If you have a medical condition or are taking medication, you must seek medical advice before detoxing, as it may not be suitable for you. However, this does not mean that any of the previously mentioned can't improve their diet and consume more cleasing foods.

How Your Body Handles Toxins
Your body is designed to cope with toxins, and neutralizes, transforms, or eliminates them. The liver is the main organ of detoxification, transforming toxins into harmless agents so that they can them be eliminated. The kidneys filter out waste products from your blood into your urine. Your intestines propel material from food into the bowel for excretion. The lungs expel gases such as carbon dioxide, which are produced in the cells, and filter out poisonous gases you breathe in. The skin eliminates toxins via sweat and sebum (skin oil) and be shedding dead skin cells. The lymphatic system carries waste products that are too large to enter the bloodstream to the lymph nodes for processing. They are then returned to the liver via the bloodstream for detoxification. Unfortunately, one or more of these systems can get blocked up or overloaded with toxins, which in turn causes unpleasant symptoms.