WHAT IS A DETOX?

Detox diets and cleanses are popular ways to reset and remove toxins from the body. But what does it really mean to detox? And what’s the safest way to detox naturally?

Are you curious about detoxing or cleanse, but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone!

Thanks to clever marketing and unsubstantiated health claims, “detox” has become a dirty, five-letter word.

Most people think of a detox as a quick way to lose weight. But there’s actually a lot more to it than that.

So what is a detox? How can you detoxify naturally or remove toxins from your body? And if so, what’s the best way to detox?

Before it became a health and wellness buzzword of sorts, most people associate the word “detox” with rehab treatment facilities. A medical detoxification helps those with addictions withdraw from drugs or alcohol safely.

Today, a “detox” takes on many meanings. But for the most part, a detox diet or a cleanse is a healthy way to reset the body’s systems.

What most people don’t know is that detoxification is an internal cleansing process. Your body does this naturally and very efficiently every day.

The body’s detoxification system is made up of six organs.

Skin: The skin is your body’s biggest organ — and it’s the body’s first line of defense in keeping harmful toxins, such as chemicals and heavy metals, out.

Respiratory System: From second hand smoke, to pollen, to pollution — we breathe in a lot of unhealthy things throughout the day. The lungs, which are self-cleaning organs, are the body’s air filtration system. Other members of the respiratory system, such as cilia (the tiny hairs in your nose) and mucus, help prevent harmful substances (e.g. particles, dust and bacteria) from entering the body as well.

Liver: The liver is the body’s main filtration system. It performs some 500 functions, including converting toxins (e.g., ammonia) into waste products, cleansing your blood, and metabolizing nutrients and medications to provide the body with some of its most important proteins. The liver also produces metallothioneins, a type of protein that neutralizes harmful heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury so they can be eliminated from the body.

Kidneys: Ever wonder why you have to provide a urine sample for medical or drug tests? You can thank the kidneys for that! They help the body pass waste from food, medications and toxic substances through urine. The kidneys also help filter the blood.

Gastrointestinal System: If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you’ve experienced first hand how the gastrointestinal system removes toxins from the body either through excrement or vomiting. But even before food gets digested, the gastrointestinal system is hard at work protecting the body from toxins. For example, the enzymes in saliva help kill some bacteria, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach sterilizes food and the good bacteria located in the intestines provide protection from potential invaders.

Lymphatic System: The lymphatic system is a network of organs that include the spleen, tonsils, thymus and lymph nodes. Its primary function is transporting lymph (a clear, colorless fluid containing white blood cells) to remove toxins, waste and other unwanted materials from the body.

In a healthy body, your body’s own detoxification runs smoothly. But when your body is “toxic,” it doesn’t. And when the detoxification gets overloaded, whether it be from heavy metals, food, stress, medications or internal toxins, we start to develop symptoms and get sick.

Here are 4 signs your body may benefit from a detox or cleanse.

You Have Digestive Issues
This is one of the most obvious signs your body needs a detox. Constipation and bloating are not only uncomfortable, but it also means that your gut is overwhelmed with your current diet. Give your stomach a break — your body will thank you for it!

You Crave Sugar — ALL THE TIME
Are you constantly on the prowl for something sweet? If so, it might be time for a detox. By eating whole foods that are rich in nutrients like fiber (which is lacking in most processed foods), can help get you back on track.

You’re Always Tired
A lot of factors can contribute to fatigue, including your diet. If you’re constantly tired of being tired, a detox may be in order!

You’re Having Skin Problem
Toxins can manifest in many different ways — including on your skin. It is your body’s biggest organ, after all! If you’re noticing an increase in acne or breakouts, dry skin, or rashes, this may be your body’s way of telling you something else is going on.

Your body is always detoxing. But when you detoxify your body or follow a detox diet, you’re improving and optimizing the function of your body’s own detoxification systems and supporting your body’s health. You also reduce the amount of harmful substances coming into your body as well.

Think of your body like a car. To make sure your car properly runs, you have to put the right fuel in it. You also have to take it in to the mechanic every once in a while to make sure everything you can’t see (the engine, brakes, etc.) are working so you don’t break down on the side of the road during rush hour.

Detoxing for a short amount of time is a manageable way to clean your system, sleep better, jumpstart your weight loss, improve your skin, clear your mind and boost your energy levels.

You may not realize it, but it takes a lot of work for your body to digest food!

During a detox, you’re trying to give your body a break so it can heal itself. If it’s constantly being occupied with digestion, which takes a lot of energy, your body will put the deep cleaning process on hold.

Common side effects of detoxifying include: headaches, bad moods, get a cold, feel tired or breakout. Don’t worry; this is a sign your body is working and releasing toxins. Make sure you drink enough water to ease the detox symptoms.

What’s the best detox diet? And more importantly, what’s the safest way to remove toxins from the body?

We’ve seen a lot of crazy detox diets out there — drinking a weird “lemonade” concoction for days, eating only baby food and even daily coffee enemas. YIKES.

The good news is, detoxifying and cleansing your body can be done safely and easily (and yes, enema-free).

The best detox diet (and the safest way to detoxify) is one that supports your body with all the nutrients it needs while eliminating the ones that don’t. How do you do that? By saying hello to whole, plant-based foods and goodbye to processed foods that contain harmful dyes, additives and chemicals.

At Your Super, our favorite way to detoxify and cleanse the body is following the 5-Day Detox plan.

Unlike most detox programs that focus on expensive juices or pills, this detox diet plan focuses on real, whole foods and nutrient-dense superfoods.

This detox diet plan is safe to follow.* There’s no starving or depriving yourself. All you have to do is eat — and you eat a lot!

The Detox Plan also eliminates:

• Meat
• Dairy
• Processed foods
• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Salt
• Oils
• Additives & Fillers

Thousands of people have improved their health by following our 5-Day Detox plan.

If you’re looking for an easy and safe way to detoxify your body — and one that will give you results — I can’t recommend it enough!