The Benefits of Detoxification

Every year around this time, I begin my bi-annual detox program as my body is reeling from the effects of the holiday season.  I feel tired, bloated, irritable and heavy.  My sleeping patterns are off, my clothes are tight and I know that it’s time for a reset.  So I begin my 28 day clean eating and drinking anti-inflammatory detox plan (I hesitate to call this a diet as that sounds restrictive and this is not the mindset that will keep you in the game for 28 days).  The timing is perfect as it’s after the holidays, before the March and summer breaks and with the cold weather, I’m in hibernation mode anyway.  This last point is particularly important as I do feel a little bear’ish especially the first few weeks of the plan as my body and mind are feeling the effects of the lack of sugar from the elimination of process foods, alcohol, and simple carbs….not to mention caffeine. 

Our liver, kidneys and intestines are the body’s natural cleaning team.  They all work together to eliminate toxic compounds from the body.  Over time, the ability for this team, led by the liver, can be compromised by illness, poor nutrition, stress, pollution, and toxic lifestyle habits like drugs, alcohol and smoking.  When the clean up team can’t function as it should, toxic byproducts are reabsorbed and stored in the fatty tissues of the body.  This toxic build up leads to a dramatic increase in long term health risks and in the short term leaves us feeling as I described above.  Headaches, weight gain, skin problems, PMS, infertility, poor memory and joint pain often arise when our detox organs need support. Taking a break from unhealthy lifestyle habits for a period of time, will allow these organs to keep up with the load and get rid of some of that excess toxic storage.  The benefits include the following:

• Cools inflammation in the body (healthy heart and joints)
• Aids appetite control and reduces cravings
• Facilitate nutrient absorption
• Boosts serotonin, the feel good hormone
• Improves sleep and helps with stress
• Supports a healthy immunity
• Gives you radiant skin and hair
• Detoxifies the body and eliminates toxins

In addition, we are able to identify food sensitivities as we start to slowly reintroduce eliminated foods back into the diet.  Food allergy and sensitivity are behind many inflammatory conditions, which become worse over time if they go unaddressed.  The good news for food sensitivities, is that once identified and eliminated for a period of time from the diet, they can often be reintroduced without the symptoms originally experienced.

So, if you are interested in knowing more and participating in a detox plan, click on the link or reach out to me and I can send you the step by step weekly process, meal plan ideas, supplement suggestions, motivational emails that will include sleep and stress reduction tips and more, for a lot less than it’ll cost you to buy that new wardrobe.  After all, your beautiful body is the best accessory you’ll ever wear!