Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Thursday, February 6, 2014

What Are the Main Causes of Toxins in Your Body?




Toxins affect us all.  They are in our environment and within us.  From the air we breathe to the food we eat, we are exposed to toxins.  Yet we can better protect our health by reducing exposure to these toxins and taking care to cleanse our body of them before they have a chance to do harm.  Of course, it's necessary to understand what types of toxins we are at risk for and how we can avoid them.

Lack of Water

The healthiest diets won't do much good without plenty of water.  Water is essential for life and all the functions of our body.  Water is also important for flushing out our systems of all unwanted materials including toxins.  When there isn't enough water in our systems to generate a healthy flow, the toxins in our system can back up.  Over time, these toxins can affect organs and other parts of our body.  Drinking plenty of water each day can eliminate this toxic back-up and improve the way a person feels.   

The Wrong Food

A poor diet is a source of toxins for our systems.  Low fiber foods and food that has few nutritional qualities can lead to toxin pile-ups.  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, reduces our toxic intake and enhances health.  Try to include as much organic and non-processed food in your diet as you can to avoid excessive exposure to toxins in food.  Also, wash all fruits and vegetables well in case they were exposed to chemical pesticides which our toxic to our bodies.

Air Quality

For allergy sufferers pollen and mold can be toxic to the body.  Pollution, of course, affects everyone--while cities.  While it's not convenient to wear a face mask (available from drug stores) every day, you can wear them on particularly hazy days when the air quality is especially bad.  Use a HEPA filter in your home and leave the air conditioning on to minimize these elements from overly affecting the air quality of your home.

Behavior

The things we do can lead to the presence of increased toxins in our bodies.  Smoking, of course, is a major pollutant for our bodies, but even using paraffin candles instead of soy can negatively impact the air quality of the home.  Allowing stress and conditions like constipation can allow toxins to wreak havoc on the body.  Eating late at night before bed as a habit can induce a toxin pile-up.  Failing to exercise is also associated with increased toxins; exercise stimulates circulation and helps keep our systems going and flowing so that toxins are moved out.

While we can't avoid toxins altogether, we can certainly decrease our exposure to them.  Moreover, by periodically cleansing the body through some form of natural detox, we can remove harmful build-ups before they can trigger health problems.  If you're feeling sluggish for no particular reason, try a detox along.  You can also be more mindful about eliminating toxin exposure.  Chances are your body will feel much better as a result of your efforts!


For more information, check out this infographic on why you should cleanse and detox your body.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Natural Ways To Detoxify Your Body


Detoxing connotes a regimen for those with substance addictions, but detoxifying is a regimen recommended by nutritionists worldwide and for good reason.  As one herbalist put it, detoxification is the process whereby everything from metabolic by-products, preservatives and additives, alcohol and other recreational drugs, free radicals, medications and environmental poisons and pollution are neutralized and excreted.   The body is in a continuous state of detoxing, however, purposeful and periodic detoxing, especially after the especially indulgent holidays, is a fantastic way to kick-start the new year, stave off threats to your immune system, and recondition your body.


In addition to fighting your way through flu season and all the nasty bugs and viruses that come with it, your body is under the additional stressors that can come with trying to catch up on backlogged work, holiday travel or hosting out-of-town guests, and eating too many rich foods coupled with a drop in physical activity.  To get control of the reins again, the following are a few recommendations for naturally detoxifying your body.


Exercise: get your whole body into the act


One general rule of thumb is that the more muscles you get to work (upper- and lower-body muscles and torso), the greater the results.  Classes focusing on cardio workouts (biking, spin classes, and boxercise) are excellent for releasing tension.  While yoga is often touted as an optimal way to relax, for some the pace can be distracting.  If this sounds like you, physical fitness experts recommend something more fast-paced which can shift your focus from your concerns to your body – thus enabling you to reach a more relaxed state more readily.
One exception to this is Bikram Yoga, which is known for its intensity.  Because of the heat (almost 38 degrees Celsius) and the amount of water ingested during a session, participants are believed to accelerate the elimination of toxins through increased sweating.



Brush your skin!


Sounds strange, but brushing the skin (with loofahs, for example) is an excellent way to aid the body in eliminating toxins.  Skin, the largest organ of the body, is in a continual purge – and as we age, the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins (i.e., shed its outer layers) slows down.  Scrubbing or brushing the body regularly stimulates the skin and lymph system, by pumping oxygenating blood to both, and thereby is a powerful way to aid detoxification.




Eat your antioxidants


Free radicals ride roughshod over our systems, continuously damaging cells, and have been linked to serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.  Green tea, blueberries, goji berries and other superfoods are rich in antioxidants.  The molecules in antioxidants are great for detoxifying your system. 




A final word…
  • Avoid celebrity or otherwise short-term diets.
  • Drinking dandelion tea is a boon for liver cleansing.
  • Reintroduce friendly bacteria into your digestive system (i.e., probiotics and fermented foods).
  • Eat unheated vegetable and plant food.
  • Reduce or eliminating dairy.
  • Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly and cultivate a high-fiber diet


By taking up these body-friendly habits, you boost the body‘s ability to get rid of toxins naturally.