Detoxification refers to the body’s natural and constant process of eliminating poisons or toxins through the liver, kidneys, colon, lymph and skin. Although our bodies do this naturally every day, we do sometimes need an extra step to flush our systems. Through detoxification, we can successfully assist the body to eliminate dangerous toxins, chemicals, metals, parasites and other unwanted substances. By removing and eliminating toxins, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.

Some basic tenets to help facilitate the normal and healthy release and elimination of toxins while creating new habits for a healthy lifestyle based upon reduced toxicity include:

–A change in diet to exclude: processed and refined fast food, junk food and beverages; factory raised animal fats and proteins; trans fats and oils excessively high in Omega-6

-A change in diet to to include: fresh organic vegetables and low-glycemic fruits; quality protein such as unprocessed, wild and free range meat and fish; small amounts of low-lectin whole grains such as brown/wild rice or quinoa; high quality dietary oils from sources delivering a balance in essential fatty acids.

-Healthy bowel movement (1-3 per day)

-Daily, light exercise such as walking or yoga to stimulate lymphatic drain and sweating

-Adequate rest and hydration with a minimum of 8 hours of sleep

-8 glasses of pure water

-Consider adjunctive therapies such as sauna and mineral salt baths to increase sweat, also dry brushing or massage for lymphatic motility circulation and drainage.

-Colonics have been shown to be helpful (must be professionally supervised)

-Detoxification is also aided by cleansing the mind of negativity and replacing it with gratitude and hope.

While our bodies may be built for the challenge of living in a toxic world, they can use some help from time to time. Finding and completing a cleansing and detoxification program is a great way to help your body’s detox system do its best to keep you healthy and to guard your overall well-being.

At The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine, we have several Detoxification programs to aid in the body’s natural detoxification process. Our 30 Day Gentle program and the 10 Day Cleanse are programs to do on your own with supplement support. We also offer a 10 Day Complete Detox Program that is medically supervised and includes an office visit, supplement support and additional treatments to help the body thoroughly detoxify. For more information on our detox programs call our office at (407) 355-9246.