Whether mental, physical, or emotional, wellness is at the heart of our core existence. Sometimes though, due to our individual body’s unique constitution and years of accumulated effects from unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices, drastic action is needed to get back to a life of ease and happiness.
Often this comes in the form of some sort of detox method to rid the body of toxic substances that has collected over time. The aim of detox strategies is often based on the desire to ‘cleanse’ the body so that its able to perform better, some people even go on to a ‘detox program’ to lose weight. We should however keep in mind that our body is built with a sophisticated internal system of organs such as the liver, kidney, stomach, skin, and lungs, effectively its own pathway for the body to eliminate toxins naturally. How well these organs work will depend on the health of these organs, hence ‘prevention of harm’ is better than remedy when it comes to wellness.
‘Detox’ doesn’t necessarily always mean expensive products or methods to enhance our bodily system of wellness.
Below are some of the more simple and highly accessible ways to facilitate this:
Reduce Alcohol
Did you know that over 90% of alcohol intake is metabolized within the body through enzymes in the liver? The liver metabolizes alcohol to acetaldehyde, a known carcinogenic, which is further broken down into a harmless substance called acetate before its even able to be eliminated from our body. Excessive drinking has been linked to a host of health problems, including inflammation, reducing the efficacy of the liver by creating fatty deposits, and over time this can also cause scarring, even as far as causing chronic liver injury. Once this happens, the liver is put into a state of stress, where it is difficult for the liver to filter and eliminate bodily waste and toxins.
Reduce Processed Foods
Processed foods like white bread, sugar, pizza, and various junk food has been linked to heart disease, cancer obesity and other serious diseases. Sugar and processed foods hamper our body’s detoxification processes, it can create a fatty liver- a condition that negatively impacts liver function over time. Instead eat foods that are high in prebiotics, a sort of fiber that feeds the good microbes in your gut known as probiotics. Gut health is certainly at the heart of keeping our body’s natural detoxification processes at peak performance, so its wellbeing is paramount.
Get Adequate Sleep
Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per day. This is because sleep assists the brain’s ability to reorganize, recharge and eliminate accumulated toxins. Adopting good sleeping habits, for instance avoiding screen time before bed will facilitate better sleep. The blue light emitted from devices is not conducive to restful sleep. If you're needing a little help, our flagship Mt Romance Australian Sandalwood Oil is ideal for relaxing and improving quality of sleep when used prior to bed.
Diet & Hydration
Eating plenty of fresh organic vegetables, specifically high antioxidant foods will protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Essentially these free radicles are a natural byproduct of the metabolism process, where its unable to be fully eliminated from the body. They can also be generated via external factors such as drinking, smoking and environmental pollutants. So, eating highly nutritious and antioxidant rich foods will assist the body to reduce damage caused by free radicals, whilst lowering chances for risk of diseases which can negatively impact the body’s natural detoxification processes. The body’s cells are continually repairing itself and breaking down nutrients to power the body as energy. All these processes release some sort of wastes, such as urea and carbon dioxide, which can cause harm if excessively high. Thereafter water transports these waste byproducts, which facilitates their efficient removal via urination, sweating and even breathing. So, staying sufficiently hydrated is certainly key for detoxification.
Regular Exercise
Working out can kick start our body’s natural detox process by flushing out the lungs, whilst cleansing the skin when we work up a sweat. It’ll also enhance blood flow which further promotes better circulation, allowing white blood cells within the body to assist the function of the various organs to cleanse themselves. Physical movement is intrinsic to good health, try light aerobics, yoga, qigong or even kickboxing depending on your preference, all will help the natural detoxification process.
Supplement your Body's Natural Detoxification Processes
An easy but effective method is through the practice of salt bath detox, which allows for the minerals to ‘draw out’ impurities from the body. Significantly ‘magnesium’ a key component of Epsom salt, “…performs more functions in more systems of the human body than virtually any other mineral, including regulating the activity of more than 325 enzymes”. Besides helping to ease muscular tensions, studies have even shown that magnesium is able to assist in preventing “…heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths”. Universal Health Institute, 2015 p1-2. Magnesium, an alkaline earth mineral is also particularly effective post-workout as it may assist in lowering lactic acid accumulation. Why not consider our Mt Romance Bath Salts for this purpose.
Directions: Simply add 2-3 cups of Bath salt to a warm bath, then relax for up to 30 minutes.
Use proven supplements such as Cracked Cell Chlorella to support your cleanse. Chlorella is an amazing single-celled organism, nature’s richest source of cleansing chlorophyll and cell building ribonucleic acid (RNA). As a supplement, cracked cell chlorella is good for detoxing after exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals, chemicals, radiation and even for those with chronic gut issues. For those seeking something to support the liver, supplementing with Milk Thistle is excellent- a flowering herb traditionally used in folk medicine. Recent research suggests that Silymarin, the active constituent within the herb, can support liver health and healthy detoxification processes.
Detoxification of harmful substances and wastes is an ongoing process in the body. The ability to detoxify and eliminate toxins as discussed largely depends on the individual’s health status. Toxins (such as heavy metals, solvents, pesticides) are well known to be the underlying cause for many health problems, so it pays to reduce exposure and make positive but simple lifestyle changes to support our body’s natural detox processes. As some may say, true wealth is health! We hope this article creates a spark within you, perhaps even empowering you to make some positive lifestyle changes.
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