Our bodies are naturally designed to detoxify (get rid of) toxic substances that can accumulate and cause harm to our bodies. The main organs for detoxification are the liver, kidney and lung.
When we are exposed to serious toxic chemicals, such as poison ingestion, we can use antidotes, an IV therapy called chelation therapy, or dialysis.
Then there is detoxification from serious alcohol or drug abuse, which at high chronic levels are essentially poisons, and these types of detoxifications need to be performed under professional supervision. Withdrawal from alcohol addiction can be fatal.
For detoxification of low level chemicals to which we are exposed to on a daily basis, or are a result of our normal metabolism, we rely on the normal function of our liver, kidneys and lungs .
There are many integrative or functional medicine practitioners who passionately believe that an occasional “Detox Cleanse” is very beneficial. However, there are many traditional practitioners who think Detox Cleanse are nonsense and do not do much and can result in water weight loss, which may not be healthful. Extreme Detox programs can also be harmful by resulting in muscle loss and kidney problems.
In general, our liver, kidneys and lungs are fully capable of detoxing our bodies if we maintain a good diet and lifestyle.
The best thing you can do is avoid toxins, by eating an organic plant rich diet. Avoid added sugar, excess saturated fats, salt, and processed foods. I usually recommend a Mediterranean (omnivore) Diet, rich in plants, fish, olive oil, nuts, seeds, fermented foods low in dairy and low in non-fish animal protein.
Consume detoxifying foods as part of your daily routine and you will augment your body’s natural ability to continuously detoxify.
Great detoxifying foods to be consumed regularly are:
- Fiber
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Brussel Sprouts
- Beets
- Radishes
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Citruses
- Sea Vegetables – hijiki, arame or
- wakame
- Green Tea
- Tumeric
- Walnuts
- Supplements that aid detoxification: (Best to get from Food)
- Silmyarin
- Zinc
- Milk Thistle
- Triphala
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
In summary, although it is controversial if some of the branded “Detox in a Box” are useful, it is not controversial that detoxification is a vital function of the body, and we could not survive without it. All nutritional and health experts agree that the best way to boost our natural detox system is by eating well and living a healthful lifestyle, with quality sleep, quality exercise, ability to deal with stress in a healthful way and staying connected with friends and family.
