Alarming Signs of Toxin Buildup + 4 Ways to Cleanse Your Body Naturally
Our bodies are constantly detoxing. Detoxification is the main job of many powerful organs like your liver, kidneys, and even your skin. So what do health and wellness gurus mean when they want you to go on a 7-day cleanse or detox? And how do you know if you need one? Read on to get the details on the power of a good detox and how you know if you need one.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a detox?
- Signs it’s time for a detox
- Ways to detox and cleanse your body naturally
- Are you ready for a detox?
What is a Detox?
The word “detox” is used liberally in the health and wellness space, but different health experts have different definitions for the word.
Since your body is always detoxifying, when we say “detox” or “cleanse”, it’s much more about giving your body a break. Either a break away from processed foods and sugar or a break from digestion altogether.
That means there’s a few different ways you can support your natural detoxification pathways and “cleanse” your body of excess hormones and environmental toxins.
6 Signs It’s Time for a Detox
- Digestive issues (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea)
- Fatigue or energy dips and spikes
- Brain fog
- Skin issues (acne, rashes, dry skin, etc.)
- Constant cravings
- Stubborn fat loss
4 Ways to Detox & Cleanse Your Body Naturally
1. Eliminate Processed Foods and Sugar
The first way to gently support your detox pathways is simply by eliminating processed foods and sugar. Try this for a longer period – 21-30 days – and notice the results on your entire system, from weight loss, to a sharper mind, to better sleep. For a detailed approach to eliminating processed foods, check out this article.
2. Try an Elimination Diet
An elimination diet is a more targeted approach, removing foods that are the most likely to cause reactions in your body. Most elimination diets ask you to avoid the “Big 8” allergenic foods, which account for about 90% of all food allergies in the U.S., plus other inflammatory foods like corn and processed sugar. The Big 8 include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nits, peanuts, wheat, and soy. Elimination diets are usually done for 28-31 days, followed by a reintroduction of foods.
3. Water and Juice Fasts
These are among the more controversial “cleanses” because most of these ask that you cut calories so dramatically. Juice fasts will provide glucose for energy and some essential nutrients, but are void of fat, fiber, and protein, which can be tough on your system.
Water fasts are even more intense and shouldn’t be done for more than a day or so without a doctor’s supervision. In both cases, these fasts are meant to give your digestive system a little break, while cleansing your system of the ill effects of processed foods.
4. Try a Bone Broth Fast
A bone broth fast is like the other liquid fasts, but without the sugar of a juice fast. Plus, bone broth is full of gut-healing nutrients, from types I, II, and III collagen protein to naturally occurring glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. All of these can help to support gut health, elevate your mood, improve sleep quality, and strengthen immune function.
Are You Ready for A Detox?
If you're experiencing one or more of the signs above, then it might be time to give your body a break with one of these four holistic detox methods. But where should you start?
First, always consult your doctor before embarking on a new diet or exercise plan. Then, we recommend some good old fashioned trial and error. Everybody is different so start with the detox that resonates with you most, stick with it for three or more days, and then if you don't notice any results try another method!
Have you tried a detox or bone broth cleanse? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story in the comments below!
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