Detoxification is a vital body function that is happening constantly in your cells. We are exposed to multiple environmental and infectious toxins every day — and your body has built-in mechanisms to adapt.
"We are commonly asked about detox in our integrative medicine, and whether or not it's an important health consideration, as well what the best approach is to this method," explained Dawn Flickema, MD, a physician of integrative medicine at Avera Functional & Integrative Medicine in Sioux Falls.
Significant weight loss or unrealistic health benefits may be promised with a detox, but beware. In some aggressive detox programs, along with the good can come undesirable effects like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, dehydration, or even colon damage. "We suggest that everyone be cautious about programs that promise results that seem too good to be true," Flickema said.
Getting Toxins Out, Keeping Them Away
The best approach is to think of detox as a daily practice: try to limit toxic exposures and incorporate daily routines to support your body’s detoxification. Limiting toxic exposure will help lessen the detoxification burden on your body. Start with a few simple changes:
- Drink out of glass containers instead of plastic.
- Eat foods that are chemical and hormone free.
- Take a personal inventory of chemicals you are applying to your skin and utilizing around your home.
Essential oils have significant value as applications for skin care, and they can replace toxic household cleaning agents and pesticides.
Nutrition's Role in Detox
Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting your body’s cellular detoxification mechanisms.
A Mediterranean food plan provides the needed whole foods and healthy fats. Eating a rainbow of colors in fruits and vegetables ensures all of the essential vitamins and minerals for the cellular detoxification.
"We encourage nine servings of vegetables and fruits per day: three cups of colors, three cups of greens and three cups of cruciferous vegetables," Flickema said. "This mixture ensures optimal nutrition as well as supporting a healthy gastrointestinal flora.
The good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract provide many of the important chemical components your cells need for detoxification, as well as 70% of your body’s total immune function.
Remember, food is medicine. Plenty of vegetables in your diet ensure regular daily elimination of toxins in the stool. If you're looking for new ways to consume veggies, try juicing. For example, celery juice is one popular method for reaching nutritional goals while also detoxing.
Methods of Movement to Help
- Activities such as sauna and exercise will promote sweating to assist the body eliminating toxins. Regular exercise is an effective stress management tool. Stress creates higher toxic load in the body robbing away the essential nutrients needed for the cells detoxification processes to make the acutely needed stress hormones.
- Spending time in nature every day is another effective way to destress. Studies abound about the benefits of nature for the body. Science has coined the term “nature bath” and it's a good rule to live by: Eat green and see green every day!
Our functional and integrative medicine services include practices for detoxing in a healthy way as part of your holistic treatment plan.
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