How Body Detox Works
Due to technological advances, our lifestyles are enmeshed in various types of pollutants – toxins in the food we eat, in the air we breathe, and even stress at work. The latter is also considered a form of pollutant because stress gives rise to chemical imbalances in the body, causing us to experience all sorts of ailments such as headaches, ulcers, and dizziness.
We are also misled by advertising into thinking that everything that’s new is good for our health. Take for instance the new flavored drinks coming out on the market today. These liquids can be laced with artificial flavor and sweeteners which only cause more harm than good. Diet sodas, likewise, are still sodas. Throughout the years, no nutritive value has ever been found in them.
Body detox becomes necessary when we are already saturated with food products that are loaded with flavors and preservatives. As we take on more hectic lifestyles, we have less time to cook using fresh ingredients; instead, we resort to canned goods or ready-to-eat processed foods which we just pop in the microwave oven to heat.
The time will come when our bodies’ immune systems can no longer take all the foreign substances entering our body, and we fall ill. At this point, the body is already taking in more toxins than it can flush out, causing a breakdown in our system.
The objective of body detoxification, or body detox, is to flush out the poisonous substances that have accumulated in our bodies for years. In simple terms, it involves a “cleansing” of our systems with the use of organic and healthful foodstuff. Primarily, a person on body detox should avoid food products that are heavy on salt, sugar, preservatives, additives, food color, stabilizers, and other chemicals.
Similarly, processed and refined foods and flavoring, caffeine, processed wheat and dairy foodstuff, and cured meats should be avoided. Instead, the diet should revolve around organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, non-animal fat, and lots of water.
Water is excellent and plays a large part in body detox, because:
a. It enhances fat loss – when you’re exercising, as well you should when you’re undergoing body detox, fat won’t be lost unless water is taken in to flush out the unwanted by-products of breaking down fat. If you scrimp on water intake, you have a higher chance of getting kidney stones because the amount of water in your body is inadequate to flush the toxins out.
b. It guards against illnesses – water is the all-time panacea for aches. Headaches are especially treated with consuming water frequently. Even muscle spasms have been linked to inadequate water intake.
c. It makes your skin glow – this, you’re doubtful of, aren’t you? But studies have clearly shown that when you’re properly hydrated, your skin looks plump and glowing. When you have enough water intake, you perspire as you cool your body off, eliminating toxins through the skin’s pores.
During body detox, 8 glasses a day is not enough – aim for about 12 glasses. A good side effect to water therapy is that it helps you reduce hunger. Often, you may experience hunger pangs when they are actually only cravings for water.
Don’t take coffee, juice, or soda into account when determining fluid intake. Sweet beverages require water to dilute them, and caffeine is a diuretic which makes you lose water even more.