Are you feeling tired? Achy? Low on energy? Can't quite think as clearly? Does it take you a while to get up in the morning? Maybe it's time for a spring detox. A detox will help you lose weight, think more clearly, be more productive, and experience more stamina in athletics and other activities.
In this article you'll learn about symptoms caused by an overload of toxins in your body, common environments and products that cause toxicity, and about the best foods to detoxify your body and get you back to feeling like a superstar.
These days, with our lifestyle and environment, our bodies are loaded with toxins. These include pesticides from non-organic food, chemicals in our skin and body care products, and heavy metals found in tap water and even in the foods we eat. These very harmful substances lead to a variety of ailments that can leave you feeling sluggish, interfere with your immune system and induce accelerated aging (via chronic diseases, arthritis, etc.). It's not easy to avoid these toxins; they are in everything from the air you breathe to the products you use.
Smart Sweden
Recent research shows that heavy metals are harmful to your health. EMF's (electromagnetic frequencies) which emit from cell phones, TV's, computers and other electronics and appliances can weaken your immune system, cause tumors, and impact your physical strength. The Swedish government has established a safety limit for EMF exposure and the U.S. government has labeled EMF's a possible carcinogen. Our bodies have become a home for toxic chemicals. This information may be news to some, but it will also explain why you've experienced some of the symptoms of chemical and EMF toxicity.
Your body is equipped to naturally detoxify through your digestive system, lymphatic system, skin and lungs, but, depending on your lifestyle, your immune system can be easily overloaded and struggle to keep up with the amount of overexposure to these toxins.
Common Symptoms of Toxicity
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Digestive problems (i.e., indigestion, heartburn, bad breath, constipation, IBS.)
- Skin problems (eczema, acne, sensitive skin, rashes, puffy eyes)
- Weak immune system (allergies, sluggishness, colds & flu)
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Irregular periods
- Yeast infections
These symptoms are your body telling you "It's time to detox!"
Starting Your Detox
So where do you begin? The process of detoxification begins in the mind and requires self-discipline. Recognize that you'll experience some symptoms of detoxification; be happy that you're having them and see them as an opportunity to release what is not serving your optimal health. Quality sleep is extremely important, as your serotonin levels replenish themselves between 10pm and 2am. Go to bed early and rise with the sun. This provides the proper foundation from which to detoxify. Also, you should commit to doing at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. Yoga, swimming and brisk walking are ideal.
Try engaging others in doing a group detox with you. You can use each other as support when you're feeling low in energy or experiencing the emotional ups and downs of detoxification that often occur.
Detoxifying can come with highs and lows but it is definitely worth the results. Not only will your body feel better with a lighter, cleaner, fitter disposition, but your whole outlook will be brighter, more optimistic and full of positive possibilities.
Your Detox Checklist
Things to Avoid During a Detox:
- Sugars, including high-sugar fruit (especially dates)
- Non-organic and genetically modified foods
- Caffeine. Try wheatgrass or fresh green juices instead
- People with negative attitudes
- Unhealthy sleep patterns
- Marine Phytoplankton
- Zeolite
- SuperIonic
- Spirulina/Chlorella
- Quantum Probiotics and Organic MSM