Detoxification Fad or Way of Life?
Detoxification: A Fad Diet or a Way of Life?
What comes to mind when you think of detox? Do you picture some awful drink you have to drink for an extended period of time or the next celebrity diet? Maybe you think of getting rid of all the sugar in your diet or giving up alcohol? Or maybe you even think of the recovery from drug addiction?
Detoxification is really the process of taking a substance that loves fat, turning it into something that loves water, so it can leave the body. Researchers investigated the link between Body Mass Index and toxin load and found that the higher the BMI, the more toxins exist in the body. Something to consider when jumping on the weight loss bandwagon is rapid weight loss can release those toxins that hide out in the fat cells and make the body more toxic. Slow and sustained weight loss is the way to go!
It is much easier to avoid toxins than to assist the body in getting rid of the toxins that are already in your system. I know, I know, it is impossible to avoid all toxins unless we live in a bubble, but it is important to implement some strategies in your everyday lives to lessen the toxic load on your body. Some ways to do this are:
· Consider avoiding plastic as much as possible in your storage containers and drinking containers. Take your own bag to the grocery store and use cloth produce bags.
· Read labels and do the research. Download an app like Fooducate to scan different grocery items and get quick information on the quality of the food you are buying
· Check out the Environmental Working Group website (ewg.org) to see which personal care products are safe and which ones you need to replace
These are just a few suggestions, but there are so many more. If you would like to learn more, including ways to detox, check out my Detoxification 101 online course on my website.
Decreasing your everyday toxic load can decrease your chances of developing cognitive or neurological conditions in the future. Many symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and depression are also a result of toxin exposure. Do your part to care for yourself and those in your household. Check out my website and reach out for a nutrition assessment/plan for very specific ways to address your individual health and detoxification strategies.
