Detox for Summer

Body Detox & Natural Detox Information

With summer coming up, it’s time to shake off the winter excesses and think about detoxing our bodies so that we can face summer feeling happy and with a healthy glow. So why do we need to detox anyway? Our bodies are continually loaded with toxins and detoxing helps the body to remove those toxins, helping you to lose weight, feel healthier and recover from any lingering health problems.

Some common sources of toxins include pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, alcohol, caffeine, and a diet lacking in nutrients. When toxins build up in the body, problems such as weight gain, poor skin, headaches, fatigue, bloating, lowered immunity and a feeling of general unwellness occur.

The good news is, there are plenty of good detox products and methods out there to help get rid of these toxins.

The Detox Diet

• All forms of sugar except those which are found naturally in fruit
• Dairy products
• Wheat products such as bread, biscuits, cakes and anything else containing wheat
• Grains that contain gluten as some people are sensitive to it
• Caffeine (green tea is a caffeine-free substitute with great health benefits if you can’t bear to go without your daily cup!)

It is also a good idea to avoid yeast, alcohol, chocolates, foods that are high in fat and foods that contain artificial colouring or preservatives.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables (organic if possible)
• Brown or basmati rice
• Grains such as quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat (can find these at health food stores)
• Legumes and beans
• Nuts and seeds – these should be unsalted and unseasoned where possible
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Non-caffeinated herbal tea

The Importance of Water

Why Exercise is Beneficial

During detox, exercise can be extremely beneficial but it is important that you do not overexert yourself, as you are generally eating less than you would otherwise.  During your detox, it is a great time to learn exercises such as yoga, Pilates and meditation.  These focus on stretching and breathing.

Gentle aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming is also fantastic, as it helps get the heart rate up and flush toxins without putting too much stress on the body.  Remember, your body is already working to get rid of the unwanted chemicals and toxins.  You don’t want to overload it with a harsh, new exercise plan.

Other Forms of Detox

As well as a detox diet, drinking lots of water, and getting some gentle exercise, there are some other detox methods that you can try.  These include:

• Skin brushing – the skin is responsible for eliminating many toxins.  Simply brushing the skin with a dry brush can help to stimulate both blood flow and lymphatic circulation, as well as remove dead skin cells.  Always brush towards the heart, as you need to follow the flow of lymphatic fluid.  Small strokes and gentle pressure should be used.
  
• Contrast showers – contrast showers use both hot and cold water in order to increase circulation, strengthen the immune system and promote detoxification.  Start with three minutes of hot water and then one minute of cold water. Repeat the process at least once more but always finish on cold water.
  
• Colonic irrigation – this gently flushes the colon with water and allows toxic waste products to be carried away.  
  
• Foot detox – this method involves simply placing your foot into a basin of salted water that contains ion generators.  The ion generators are then supplied with very low electricity current that causes positive and negative ions to be produced which then attract oppositely charged particles in the body.  The process works by attracting charged toxic substances and then drawing them out into the water.
  
• Saunas – infrared saunas use radiant energy at a lower temperature in order to generate heat within the body.  Radiant energy is able to penetrate more deeply into the skin and underlying layers, causing the body to sweat intensely and thus get rid of waste materials and toxins.
  

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