Detoxification

Detoxification often brings the thought of a few days at a spa or a cleansing diet. Yet that is not only when our bodies detoxify, the process of detoxification is occurring constantly. The liver is a huge player in detoxification so it does behave one to support liver function. Our livers are vital in so many functions to keep us operational, alive. Going to a spa does support detoxification as massages promote lymphatic circulation. The lymphatic flow enhances offloading of toxins from organs. The lymphatic flow can be seen as the garbage trucks. If it didn’t come around regularly we would be left with our piles of rubbish bags rotting and polluting our surroundings.

Herbs can be taken to support our lymphatic flow. Even simple physical exercise enhances lymphatic flow. The lymph system has numerous vessels and nodes to carry off and filter our garbage. Lymph tissue can be seen as part of our immune system and even the liver has immune functions to protect us. Our bodies are not stupid and they know that dumping the toxins or “garbage bags” at another site in the body will be harmful. It would pile up and begin to affect surrounding tissues and pollute the body. We become sick and there will be chronic disease development.

Since we have such complex functioning bodies they sought through the garbage bags so to speak. Maybe glass can be recycled, big boxes pounded down for easier transport to outside the body. Of course this is figurative talk, not literal, but it does describe in a way that detoxification involves chemical alterations/interactions with toxins. Plant foods provide important tools for detoxification of carcinogens (cancer causing toxins) and they can give toxins as well. The process of detoxification is not restricted to certain sites in our body but our liver is a huge site of detoxification. Drinking alcohol, smoking and taking drugs requires detoxification. The body creates metabolic wastes and even food requires detoxification. The point is that detoxification is not occurring now and again. It is part of a healthy functioning body. What is unhealthy is when we over-work our liver and body by taking in too many toxins and poisons. Some toxins and poisons will kill us instantly, they overwhelm our detoxification processes. There are different types.

Taking a dose of arsenic is poisonous. Just a little few grams of one substance can be fatal while the same dose of another substance is not. We can not avoid everyday toxins but we can reduce the level of avoidable toxins such as cigarette smoke. Exhaust fumes are noxious and the less we inhale the better for our health. Living or working near busy roads with heavy traffic especially gas exhaust fumes from bigger vehicles such as trucks does pollute the ambience. Depending on each circumstance this form of pollution can be unavoidable. In time, hopefully, fuels will become more eco-friendly preferably utilizing our natural abundant omnipresent sources such as solar power. Every little step counts, so when possible avoid unnecessary exposure. Yet also be aware that toxin exposure is normal so support your body in detoxification by eating healthy foods and being healthy physically. Remember what works for your friend may not work for you. If you enjoy running, run away! If you get a thrill out of kick boxing, well punch and kick away. Basically exert your energy on an exercise routine that is not viewed as a chore but more as a fun activity.

Overdoing the exercise is not commendable as it will produce a stress response that can dampen immune capability and increase susceptibility to infections such as colds. Walking is so simple so if you are not a gym fan, step up your pace when taking a stroll in the park or some place safe. Exercise stimulates endorphin release; those “feel good hormones”. Mental well-being encourages productive positive thoughts, which has a knock on effect on our immune systems. Good immune functions support detoxification. This may explain why beauty or health spas are sought out for times of special detoxification. The mental relaxation, happiness boosts the detoxification by supporting the immune system! Drink up! Not alcohol! We need water to flush out toxins. Our kidneys require water to eliminate toxins from our body.

Realise if your diet has more vegetables and fruit you need less water. Meals of soups and beverages all add up to water intake. Do not forget the skin expels toxins too. Let it “breath” every so often. Facial packs such as mud masks and lotions with sun screen protection all play uplifting beatifying effects. Allowing your skin pores to “breath” to be free of camouflage, permits greater toxin removal. If detoxification is your aim then slop on a mud pack occasionally and allow your skin to be free every now and then of heavy make up.

Give yourself a holiday, imagine all the time you can save on those breaks to just let your skin perform its natural role more easily. Unfortunately some of us have genes that leave us less equipped to be more efficient in detoxification. This explains partly why some can “huff and puff” the cig and still laugh aloud in old age while others quiz over why him/her and not me. Try to be safe rather than sorry. Every time you do grocery shopping, you are in charge to a large degree on what fuels you feed your body and what you expose it to.

Take control, it is your health after all. Just support your body by providing better “tools” to cope in our stressful lifestyles.