Why Should You Detox?

How you become toxic and ways to help your body's housekeeping
Every day we are bombarded by toxins from many sources. Wastes are a natural by-product of even the healthiest diet and our modern lifestyles expose us to many other impurities. The elimination of these is one of our body's most important tasks and a vital element in reaching and maintaining the best possible health.


These toxins take many forms Food and Drink: Processed convenience foods, caffeinated drinks, sugary snacks Air pollution: Car exhaust, smog, cigarette smoke Radiation: Computers, televisions and mobile phones Stress: Inhibits our body's ability to absorb nutrients, rest and repair itself Our body is wise It does its best to remove or store body toxins away from our vital organs, but as levels increase, our health suffers. These body toxins interfere with digestion and energy production, compromise our immune system and contribute to many degenerative diseases and even cancers. Our body removes toxins via six channels Our liver is our detoxification "control center", processing and directing wastes to different channels for elimination: Lymphatic system: Removes and transports wastes from our cells Colon: Excretes solid wastes as feces Kidneys: Filter and excrete acidic wastes in our urine Lungs: Filter and purify the air we breathe Sinuses: Primary channel for mucous removal Skin: Controls our body temperature and provides backup removal of acids and other wastes if preferred channels become overloaded Our stomach - the last resort Sometimes during detoxification our cells release large amounts of acid wastes, by-products of a diet high in meats, dairy products or refined foods. Our stomach acts as an acid dump as the only organ in our body adapted to manage strong acids. Too much acidity, however, can cause the nausea we experience after a heavy meal or during a hangover. How can we help our body detox? Detoxification demands a lot from our body and the more we can support it the easier it will be. A nutritious diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables provides energy and nutrients and reduce wastes. Drinking plenty of pure water helps kidneys flush excess acids. Deeper breathing and increased circulation during exercise boosts oxygen and nutrient supply to our cells. *Sweating* opens and cleans pores. Deep breathing alone helps remove acid wastes via our lungs. Moving our muscles helps the lymphatic system remove impurities. It also assists the passage of feces through the colon. A sedentary lifestyle impairs waste removal and all aspects of health. When properly supported, our body can eliminate toxins, rest, restore and move toward improved health with high energy levels, mental clarity and emotional stability. A master cleanse detoxification program once or twice a year will provide the environment and tools for building a healthy, productive and rewarding life. Related articles: Exercise Enhances Detox