Detoxification, which began as a fad a decade or so ago has now become somewhat mainstream. Today, everyone is talking about the need to detox and how important it is for overall health.
How deep have you gone into detoxification? Have you tried any radical processes or do you stick to the more well-known processes?
Do you remember what it was like during your first detoxification? The anxiety and excitement you experienced as you went through your first detox. Did you like the results?
The discomfort of depriving the body certain items for a specific gain. How you thought it would never come to an end.
And then, suddenly, you started feeling better. Your body felt lighter, and you were enthusiastic about life once more. This just goes to show how powerful detoxification is.
If you have never done a body detox but would like to try one, this article is meant to help you understand the process involved, benefits and what to expect.
Ready? Let’s start at the top.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification is the removal or elimination of toxins from the body. As we go about the day, tons of toxins find their way into our bodies. They may come from:
- the food we eat
- drinks
- the air we breathe
- the environment
- skin products
- female hygiene products
- medications
- farm products
- and even homecare products.
You may be thinking that’s practically everything in the world lumped together in some broad categories. And you’re right.
A lot has changed in terms of lifestyles around the world.
Technology brought plenty of changes that saw us adopting the use of machinery instead of doing things manually, and these may have some types of emissions.
Products for use in different processes have been developed.
Not to mention the development of all kinds of personal care products. From the soaps, shampoos, body lotions, creams, oils, and make up we use to cleaning products like sprays, polishers, sheens and more, each product has an abundance of ingredients that burden the skin, and in turn, the body.
Everytime you eat something that is not natural and wholesome, you introduce more chemicals into your body, which the body needs to process and eliminate.
The body has to work extra to get rid of these items, and as it dedicates more of its resources into toxin elimination, less energy is reserved for normal physiological functions. Your body slows down as a result, and you may begin to experience unexplained bouts of fatigue, headaches, lack of energy and lethargy.
Detoxification accelerates this toxin removal process so that your body can go back to its optimal functioning condition quickly.
What are the Health Benefits of Detoxification
There are lots of amazing health benefits that come with regular detoxification. We discuss some of them below:
- Detoxification improves digestion
When toxins accumulate in the body, one of the first organs to be affected is the gut.
Digestion slows down and due to reactions between the stomach acids and some of the toxins, the environment in the gut often ends up being negatively altered, and some foods may take longer to be digested.
Detoxification improves the digestion process in a number of ways.
- It may increase flow of bile through the stomach, thus speeding digestion.
- Some detoxification products may contain ascorbic acid which aids digestion.
- Detox products act as laxatives which boost digestive function.
- Reduces inflammation in the body
A high number of toxins in the body can cause chronic inflammation, which is the silent causative factor behind many serious illnesses.
The challenge with inflammation is that it may not be instantly recognizable during initial diagnosis. And so, you may end up fighting an illness for long before the doctor identifies that inflammation is to blame.
Detoxification gets rid of the toxins and free radicals responsible for this inflammation, allowing your body to heal and go back to its normal functioning state.
- Detoxification Boosts Liver Function
There are plenty of things we consume that overwork the liver. Things like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, fats, carbonated drinks, artificial flavors and colors, all cause the liver to work extra in order to get rid of all the toxins in these products.
When you detox, you give the liver a break from all this processing. In addition, it flushes toxins from the bloodstream and pushes them to be eliminated from the body.
Since most detox products are also diuretics, they increase rate of urination, the process through which toxins are expelled from the body.
- Detoxification Boosts the Immune System
When you accelerate the removal of toxins from the body, you free the immune system from fighting free radicals non-top. Your body’s immunity is strengthened and you’ll be able to fight illnesses better.
Having excessive toxins in the body compromises the immune system such that it cannot ward off common infections. You end up falling ill often and have a hard time fighting simple infections like colds and the flu. Detoxification rectifies all that.
- Detoxification Increases your Energy Levels
Where toxins sapped your body of all energy, detoxification steps in to supply the body with natural energy boosts from wholesome foods. As a result, you experienced sustained energy levels throughout the day.
- Detoxification Improves Skin
The removal of toxins from your body results in clear and smooth skin. The skin may appear to get worse as you begin the detoxification process, but as the toxins are successfully eliminated, it starts to clear up and smoothen.
- Detoxification keeps you Mentally Alert
When you detox, you get rid of the mental fog that interfered with your focus, and caused fatigue and sleeplessness.
You’ll think more clearly and have better concentration.
- Detoxification Helps in Weight Loss
Often, the stubborn weight we struggle to shed is a result of all the unhealthy things we eat. Detoxification introduces you to a healthier lifestyle, where you’re careful of what you put in your mouth.
Weight loss resulting from this approach tends to be a long-term solution too, as you make these lifestyle changes permanent.
All these benefits are a direct result of detoxification. Who wouldn’t want a few of these? This makes detoxification a health goal to work towards.