How to Detox from Common Toxins (& Why it’s Important!)
Are you experiencing bloating, weight loss resistance, and anxiety? It may be time to detox your body. Almost every summer and around the holidays, when I’m traveling a lot and eating more treats than usual, I notice my muscles are achy, and my brain is foggy. These signs are always reasonable indications that it’s time to detox from common toxins that surround us every day.
Think of the liver as your detox center. One of the liver’s primary functions is to filter toxins out of your body. Sometimes, when too many toxins overload your liver at once, the detoxification process slows down, and more toxins are present in your body. This overload means you’re prone to inflammation, weight loss resistance, depression, anxiety, blood sugar imbalances, and brain fog.
Toxins are almost impossible to avoid. They’re everywhere, from the food we eat, beauty products we apply to our skin, the air we breathe, and the cleaning products we use around our homes! Everyone can use detox support, which is why I recommend steps to my clients that can help them routinely detox.
The first step is becoming aware of the compounds that we should be looking out for. Some of the common substances that are toxic to our bodies include endocrine disruptors like plastics and factory-farmed meat, pesticides, heavy metals, and processed foods riddled with dyes and flavorings.
Is all this information sounding a little overwhelming? Don’t worry! I recently listened to Dr. Mark Hyman’s podcast on ways to promote detoxification, and it got me thinking about how I detox my body and the tips I recommend to my clients. I’ve come up with five simple ways to quickly detox your body so you can operate at peak performance.
1. Eat asparagus
This green and flavorful vegetable cleanses and supports the liver as it filters out those pesky toxins! Herbal medicine has used asparagus for centuries to reduce alcohol toxicity and increase the enzymes in the liver that help break down harmful substances. Asparagus contains a large amount of chlorophyll, which aids in filtering out heavy metals like mercury and lead. Additionally, asparagus is a diuretic and helps flush waste out of the kidneys. I mean, you can’t go wrong with eating asparagus! Surprisingly, asparagus makes a great addition to a green juice, but I also recommend my easy shaved asparagus salad. Believe it or not, it’s fantastic for a hangover cure, too!
2. Soak in Epsom salt
Epsom salt is well known for soothing sore muscles, but did you know that a bath with Epsom salt can also help you detox your system? Epsom salt is made of magnesium and sulfate. The high magnesium content helps restore a magnesium deficiency and keep blood pressure stable, but the sulfate supports the liver and flushes excess toxins from the body. The sulfate removes heavy metals from the skin, leaving your body cleansed. I usually fill a warm bath with two cups of Epsom salt, which helps me sleep so well! I love to take an Epsom bath before bed whenever possible to unwind and relax.
3. Strike a (yoga) pose
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your digestion, but yoga is a great tool to help relieve stress and enhance detoxification! As stress increases, so does cortisol, which raises blood sugar levels and negatively alters the gut microbiome and digestive system. A high-functioning digestive system is vital for detoxifying your body!
Daily bowel movements are crucial for eliminating toxins and waste from the body. Practicing yoga can reduce bloating and improve digestion. Experiment with simple yoga poses like reclining twist, bridge pose, and seated spinal twist to enhance your digestive system and detoxify your body. I usually practice on an empty stomach in the morning because fasted yoga tends to get the digestive system moving the most effectively.
If this topic interests you, check out my article on bowel movements to learn more about optimizing your digestion!
4. Drink dandelion tea
I could go on and on about the benefits of this miracle plant! Dandelions are so much more than the pesky yellow flowers we’ve come to consider weeds. Dandelion tea is a powerful tool that helps detox the liver and alleviate bloating. This tea can soothe muscle aches, stomach pains, and even constipation.
Dandelion tea is high in vitamins that help the liver break down and eliminate toxins. Additionally, dandelion tea may prevent alcohol damage to the liver. I like to pour dandelion tea over ice and enjoy it slowly as a refreshing afternoon treat.
5. Detox your home
There are so many toxic chemicals in our everyday products. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that toxins aren’t just in the items we consume. I find that lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and salt can have the same effects as store-bought products with a laundry list of ingredients I cannot pronounce. Simpler is always better when it comes to cleaning products for the home.
It’s also essential to avoid mainstream air fresheners. They’re full of Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.s), which are chemical irritants that can cause headaches or even severe illnesses. Aloe vera is my go-to for a natural air purifier that doesn’t compromise my health since it removes harmful V.O.C.s from the air without omitting concerning substances. Also, opt for fragrance-free dryer sheets, detergents, and soaps whenever possible.
***
This content is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your doctor, or licensed healthcare provider, before trying any new supplements as they may interfere with your current medications or be contraindicated for you.
Elissa Goodman is one of LA's premiere Cleanse Experts and Holistic Nutritionists focused on helping fight cancers through transformative lifestyle and diet changes. In this column, Elissa offers wisdom on nutrition, how to support a healthy immune system, and more.