Natural Detoxification

Detox diets and products may not do harm, except, perhaps, to your wallet, but neither do they do you much good. Your natural bodily functions are effective at clearing out harmful substances and there is little you can do to enhance these. Patience and a proper diet are more valuable than detox products and supplements. ~ Dr Paul Illing

In an age where the market is filled with solutions for better health and specially designed diets that claim to lead you to a healthy life, it is indeed refreshing to know that not everyone thinks that an expensive and synthetic solution is the key to good health. Good health includes health of the body as well as the mind and hence when we talk about concepts like detoxification, you should know that the human body as well as the human mind is by all means capable of detoxifying itself. Here we will talk about the ways in which body can detoxify itself, and some dos and donts to facilitate effective functioning of body's natural detoxification.

First of all, what are these toxins that everyone keeps referring to? Basically, toxins can be defined as all the harmful substances and chemicals that can hinder the normal functioning of the body and thus can have an adverse effect on the health. Detoxification is nothing but the process of eliminating all the toxins from the body. Before we think about the mechanism by which the body detoxifies itself, it is important to know about the sources of toxins that pollute the body. The human body can get detoxified due the various external as well as internal sources of toxins. While the external sources include the harmful gases that we inhale, or the harmful substances that we consume daily, the internal sources include harmful toxins released due to the putrefaction or fermentation of ingested foods. Wrong eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to accumulation of toxins or unwanted products in the body.

The respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, excretory system and the lymphatic system collectively share the responsibility for natural detoxification of the body. The respiratory system, starting from the protective hair in our nostrils to the air purification process in our lungs, helps to detoxify the air that we breathe in and lets out the toxins while exhaling. The gastrointestinal system helps to clear the body of the waste products obtained after the ingested food is digested and essential nutrients are absorbed. The excretory system helps to detoxify the body by eliminating the waste products and harmful toxins of the body via excreta, urine and even sweat. The lymph nodes and the entire immune system of the body is a protective mechanism to defend the body against attack by harmful chemicals as well as microorganisms and hence internally help to protect the body. Thus the human body is completely equipped to detoxify and keep itself clean and healthy.

However, in spite of the fact that critics of commercialized detox products warn you against it and frown upon the detox-diets that are a popular fad - it is true that you can aid your body’s natural detoxification by following certain healthy diet practices and refraining from unhealthy habits. Some of the dietary recommendations that can aid your body’s natural detoxification processes are inclusion of high amounts of fiber in addition to the other essential nutrients and the adequate intake of water. A considerable fiber intake will ensure effective bowel movement and help your gastrointestinal system to get rid of the unwanted waste products. Drinking lots of water also helps in excretion of toxins or waste products through urine and sweat and hence is an effective way to enhance natural detoxification of the body.

In addition to this, keeping away from unhealthy habits like smoking, will also help you to keep your body devoid of toxic elements. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can also hinder the body’s natural detoxification process. Regular exercise can help your body to burn the excess calories and release the toxins and unwanted substance by means of sweating. Thus, following a healthy lifestyle can help your body to remain healthy, which in turn would facilitate the dwelling of a healthy mind. In addition to this, practice of yoga or other meditation techniques can also help you to detoxify your mind of all the negativity, helping you to feel healthy and refreshed. An unhealthy lifestyle can definitely harm your body’s natural detoxification process and affect your health. Thus, although there is no need to fall prey to commercialized products touted as ‘detox products’, it is absolutely necessary to aid the body’s natural detoxification with a healthy lifestyle complete with good food and sufficient exercise.