The Perfect Time For A Detox

Should I Detox?

We have all heard about detoxing, but when did it become such a big craze? The truth is, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have implemented the practice of detoxing for centuries. Society is now catching up to this practice as we are starting to realize the number of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Our body has its own natural detoxifying system. The liver is the main detox organ of the body. Here, impurities and toxins are removed from the blood and processed for elimination. The body also gets rid of toxins through the kidneys, lungs, intestines, and skin. However, today we are overloaded with toxins which can completely overwhelm our body’s natural cleansing system. We can find toxins in almost everything – pesticides on our fruit and vegetables, chemicals in our cosmetics. We are exposed to chemicals and toxins through the air we breathe and the food and water we eat and drink; even through our skin. The typical American diet and environment expose us to around 80,000 chemicals and research has found up to 300 man-made chemicals existing in humans. We are exposed to so many chemicals and toxins daily and we probably don’t even realize it.

Signs You Need A Detox

Imagine leaving food to accumulate in your sink after washing your dishes. Think about the sludge and smell that will build up. Now imagine that inside your body. Over time, waste builds up in our digestive system and becomes toxic. The fact that today we have so many chemicals and toxins in our food and environment means that this is happening at a faster rate. When the waste and toxins start to build up, particularly in our colon, it can affect the way these organs function. We will not absorb nutrients as well as we should. Our liver will not be able to clear toxins as well as it should. And this can affect our functioning as a whole. Signs you need a detox include:

• Feeling tired and sluggish
• Trouble losing weight
• Feeling bloated
• Headaches
• Skin problems
• Bad breath

The Detox Diet

A seasonal detox is a great way to get rid of toxins which will also speed up your metabolism and boost your overall health. Reducing stress and slowing down is probably the most important element of a detox plan.

• Drink plenty of water. Adding a slice of lemon to the water can help improve digestion and rehydrate the system. Drinking a tall glass of water and lemon is a great way to start your day.
• Cut out sugar. A diet packed with sugar can leave you feeling fatigued as it puts extra strain on the pancreas to create more insulin.
• Eat whole foods. Focus your diet on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Processed foods lack nutrients.
• Take a cleansing supplement. There are supplements you can take that can help you out with your detox such as Research Verified 7 Day Detox. This product provides nutrients to clean out your system over a period of 7 days and improve your energy levels.

Ayurvedic Practice

Ayurvedic practices recommend internal cleansing at a time when the seasons are changing. The reason for this is that it is believed that the seasonal change enhances the health of the organs we are cleansing. Each season delivers its own stressors to our body. Summer is all about chlorinated pools and sunblock, winter is central heating and heavier foods, so Ayurveda’s ideal times to detox are in the fall and spring. A spring detox is about shaking off the weight from winter and a fall detox is about slowing down and restoring our body.

According to Ayurvedic theory, we are governed by three basic energies which are referred to as the three doshas:

• Vata (air/space)
• Pitta (fire/water)
• Kapha (earth/water)

However, we each have a dominant dosha present in us. The seasons are also associated with these three doshas. The Pitta season comes during summer, spring is the Kapha season, and fall and winter are the Vata season. Ayurvedic practice is all about keeping these doshas in balance, both internally and externally with our environment. By the time fall comes around, we have accumulated a lot of Pitta from the summer and now Vata is taking over. Fall is a season of transition and probably a perfect time to reset your mind and body. The reason to perform a cleanse at the beginning of each season is to balance the doshas that may have become exaggerated from the previous season and to also prepare for the next season’s challenges.

There are many benefits to detoxing such as weight loss, improved liver function, improved bowel function, renewed energy and improved immune function. With our busy lifestyles and the number of chemicals and toxins we are surrounded by, it is clear we should all find the time to detox. The change of each season is the perfect time!