Detoxification is an important step towards a healthy lifestyle. Learn about the 10 Steps Detox Plan to improve your overall health and wellness.
If you are looking to detoxify your body, then you should start by taking a look at what you eat and drink. You may not think that it is possible to detoxify your body from food and drinks, but it is! There are many ways to detoxify your body naturally, and one of them is through diet. Here are 10 steps to detoxify your body.
Detoxing: What Is It And How Does It Work?
If you’re like most people, chances are you’ve heard someone talk about “detox,” — but do you know exactly what they mean when they say this term? In fact, many people have never really thought much about their bodies’ own cleansing systems. But if you want to get rid of toxins, then you’ll want to learn everything you can about your body’s internal cleansing system.
What Is Detox?
When we think of our bodies, we usually imagine an organ inside us called the brain. We picture a big gray mass sitting right behind our eyes, controlling almost everything we do. That’s not quite true, though. Our brains aren’t actually located in our heads. They’re made up of billions of tiny nerve fibers that run throughout our whole bodies. These nerves connect directly to the rest of our organs and tissues. So basically, our brains control everything else in our bodies.
Our brains work hard to make sure that things stay running smoothly. When we eat food, our stomachs break it down so that nutrients can enter our bloodstream. Once those nutrients reach our intestines, our small intestine absorbs them and sends them out to our various organs, where they perform specific functions. The liver breaks down any leftover waste products into smaller molecules that can pass back out of our bloodstream. This process is known as metabolism.
Our kidneys filter all of the chemicals that come through our blood vessels. If there are too many toxic materials floating around in our blood, our kidneys will remove them. After passing through the kidney, the remaining liquid passes through another body part called the bladder. Here, urine collects and eventually exits via urination.
Side Effects of Body Disfunction
All of these processes take place every day without anyone thinking twice about them. However, sometimes our bodies don’t function properly. For example, if we smoke cigarettes regularly, our lungs may become damaged. Or maybe we consume large amounts of alcohol each night. Either way, our bodies won’t absorb certain vitamins and minerals very efficiently. As a result, our cells might begin to malfunction.
This could lead to serious problems later on. Some common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, depression, anxiety, insomnia, memory loss, irritability, mood swings, heart palpitations, high cholesterol levels, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, joint pain, numbness, weakness, ringing in ears, dry mouth, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, and more.
These conditions can also cause long-term damage to our hearts, livers, pancreas, spleens, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries, testicles, prostate, colon, rectum, urinary tract, esophagus, stomach, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, teeth, gums, hair follicles, nails, sweat glands, and even our immune system!
The good news is that detoxification isn’t just for smokers or heavy drinkers. It happens naturally within everyone’s body at different times during life. And while some people need help from doctors to cleanse their bodies, others can follow a few simple steps to start with.
How Does Your Body Cleanse?
Your body has its own natural ways of removing harmful substances from your body. While scientists haven’t yet figured out how it works, they believe that our bodies use something similar to water filtration technology. Basically, our bodies create special enzymes that act as filters. Whenever we ingest foods containing toxins, our digestive juices dissolve these poisons before sending them along to be filtered by the liver. Then, once the liver removes the toxins, it stores them somewhere until they safely exit the body.
10 Steps Detox Plan
If you are looking to detoxify your body and get rid of toxins that build up over time, you need to start by getting rid of the toxins already inside your body. This is where the first step comes into play. You need to remove the toxins from your system before you can begin to eliminate them. Here are 10 steps to help you do just that.
Drink plenty of water
This will flush out any toxins in your digestive tract. If possible, drink at least eight glasses a day. Water also helps keep your skin hydrated, making it easier for your liver to process toxins through your kidneys.
Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
These foods contain high amounts of fiber and nutrients that aid in flushing out toxins from your body. They’re also easy on your stomach, so they won’t cause as much discomfort when you have diarrhea or constipation. Try eating more raw fruit and veggies like apples, oranges, bananas, broccoli, spinach, kale, cucumbers, etc.
Avoid processed food
If you eat too many packaged snacks and fast-food meals, you may be storing extra fat around your midsection because those items don’t provide enough nutrition to fuel your metabolism properly. Instead, opt for whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, coconut milk, butter, cheese, eggs, yogurt, etc. These types of foods give you energy without packing on excess pounds.
Exercise releases endorphins throughout your brain and nervous system. Endorphins make us feel happier and healthier. When we exercise, our bodies release serotonin. It has been proven that people who work out tend to sleep better than others. So, exercising not only gives you an appetite suppressant but also keeps your mind focused during the night.
Get adequate rest
Lack of sleep causes stress hormones to increase within the bloodstream. Stress hormones create inflammation in the body, which leads to weight gain. Sleep deprivation also increases cortisol levels in the bloodstream, which creates insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means there isn’t enough sugar being absorbed into cells after digestion.
The result? Your body stores all the excess calories as fat instead of burning them off. Make sure you go to bed early every single night. Getting seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night allows your body to repair itself while giving you ample opportunity to dream about what could happen tomorrow.
Reduce caffeine intake
Coffee contains caffeine which stimulates adrenaline production in your adrenal glands. Adrenaline triggers hunger pangs. Caffeine also slows down how quickly your body metabolizes carbohydrates. As a result, you consume more carbs than usual. Over time, consuming large quantities of caffeine can lead to obesity. Limit yourself to one cup per day.
Cut back alcohol consumption
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol puts strain on your liver. Alcohol dehydrates your body, causing dehydration in your muscles and organs. Dehydration affects your ability to burn stored fat efficiently. If you drink alcoholic beverages frequently, try cutting back by half. This will help reduce cravings and keep your waistline trim.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining proper health. Water helps flush harmful substances through your digestive tract. A good rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of H20 daily. You should always start with room-temperature tap water. Then add ice until it feels cool. Next, fill up your glass with filtered water. Finally, squeeze lemon juice over the top before sipping slowly. Lemon adds flavor and aids in digestion.
Use natural remedies
Some herbs are great at reducing bloating caused by gas buildup. Ginger root, garlic cloves, dandelion leaves, fennel seed, peppermint leaf, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, chamomile tea, aloe vera gel, and slippery elm bark are just a few examples. All of these ingredients can be found easily online or in local grocery stores. Just remember to use organic versions whenever possible.
Don’t forget to breathe!
Breathing exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and other forms of relaxation techniques can improve overall well-being. Find something that works best for you and stick to it. There’s no need to spend money on expensive classes; even five minutes spent meditating can benefit your entire life.