Our body follows a natural detoxification process where every organ works to remove unnecessary potentially harmful substances. And there are some things we can do to support this process and address the less healthy foods we put into our bodies, as well as the environmental factors we have little control over.
Start incorporating these small steps to support your body’s natural detoxification:
- Increase your general water consumption and drink warm water with lemon
Boost natural detoxification by drinking a cup of warm lemon water. In fact, little scientific research has been done on the lemon-water combination, however there is research on the benefits of lemon and water separately. It can, however, work as a daily morning laxative to help prevent constipation and improve digestive function, while the flavonoids in citrus fruits, such as lemon, reduce inflammation in the body.
- Drink a fresh cold-pressed juice
Juicing on an empty stomach can allow your body to absorb nutrients more quickly. Our favorite has lemon, kale, spinach, spirulina and ginger and as a general rule, the more green the better!
- Drink a diuretic tea
These tea blends can help support natural detoxification throughout the day. Opt for green tea and look for ingredients like dandelion root, ginger, turmeric, burdock and licorice root.
- Add apple cider vinegar to your meals
Along with a number of other benefits, apple cider vinegar can enhance the liver’s natural detoxification. Just make sure to choose a raw, unfiltered and organic variety.
- Choose foods that support natural detoxification by increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet and especially those with a higher water content
The liver and kidneys serve to compose a filtering system of the body and, therefore, are integral organs of natural detoxification. By incorporating the following foods into your diet, you will help the continued detoxification of the kidneys and liver: parsley, coriander, dandelion root, licorice root, cayenne, turmeric, red pepper, garlic, lemon, lime, grapefruit, artichoke, beets, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, wheatgrass, spirulina, thistle, milk thistle, onion, garlic, chives, leeks, brussels sprouts, kale, celery, cucumber, spinach, lemons, oranges, tangerines, apples, pears, and red forest fruits such as blueberries
- Avoid fish with high mercury content and processed foods with sugar and high salt content
You may also want to limit or avoid fish high in mercury, such as swordfish, tuna, mackerel and grouper (larger fish usually have higher mercury levels). Avoid refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and non-organic fruits and vegetables.
Consume daily probiotics through your diet for the best intestinal function. Probiotic foods are yogurt, sour milk, kefir, trachanas, cheeses such as gouda and Swiss cheese, pickles, olives in brine and yellow pumpkin.
- Do exercise
Sweating is vital for removing harmful compounds that can build up in my body. Increase sweat secretion with physical activity or sauna.
- Get into reverse positions
Inversion positions are scientifically proven to help the cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine and nervous systems. In other words, they can reverse the flow of gravity and stimulate the lymphatic system. Such positions are supports on the head and shoulders or feet on the wall, in a lying position.
- Dry brush
Before you shower, try dry brushing which can activate the lymphatic system, stimulate blood circulation and enhance the elimination of toxins through our body’s largest organ – the skin!
- Get a massage
Massage can increase circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system and reduce the accumulation of toxins. It’s also a great act of self-care.
