You have no doubt heard that we don’t really need to “detox” because our body already does this for us.
And, that is absolutely right. Our liver, kidneys, digestive system and even skin are constantly eliminating wastes and getting the nasties out of our body. All day. Every day. It is a natural process. So, when we refer to “detoxing” we are really talking about how we can support our body to carry out its own natural cleansing. Naturopathically, we do this by nourishing the body with whole foods, avoiding processed foods and unnecessary chemicals, and supporting the liver and kidney with strengthening and tonifying herbal medicines and supplements. And taking it easy. Our liver performs more than 500 functions in the body. 500! So doesn’t it make sense to make it a little easier for the liver to do its job by giving it a break from alcohol, coffee, processed foods and unnecessary chemicals. I remember learning at university that when we drink alcohol or coffee, our liver has to, in a sense, stop what it is doing to immediately deal with the constituents of alcohol or coffee (which it identifies as a “poison”) until it can process it into substances which is safer for the body to metabolise. Detoxing, in the naturopathic sense, is about reducing the burden we place on our body so it can really address removing any stored or built up toxins in the body. In many cases, I recommend that clients support their body to detoxify before we can really begin treatment. A detox might be for just two days or up to six weeks, depending on the individual. Not everyone should jump in and start a detox though – for example if you are pregnant or on some medications – so it is important to see a natural healthcare practitioner first. Wondering if a detoxification program might help you? If you answer “yes” to a significant number of these questions, then you might want to consider a professional detoxification program:
If you answer yes to a large number of these questions, then you may want to consider a detoxification program. Learn more about clinical detoxification here. And don't worry - a detox doesn't mean being hungry or feeling deprived. Check out this detox recipe for Caramelised Bananas with Coconut and Macadamia Crumble. References: Liver Anatomy: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/liver-anatomy-and-functions. Detox Questionnaire: www.metagenics.com.au
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