Let’s Talk “Detox”

The body function turned buzz word

Every single health product out there nowadays seems to have the word “Detox” on it. It has become a marketing buzz word in the health community, a lot of times falsely used to push products. So – is detoxing necessary for health? What does it really mean?

Let’s get into it…

On the ~Menu~ Today:

• What is detoxing?

• Our body’s detox pathways and processes

• How to know if our body is detoxing properly

• How to support our body’s detox pathways

• Tips on how to feel our best

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. None of this is medical advice. Just a fun discussion and conversation based on my personal experiences and learnings. Pls speak to a medical professional before starting anything new, every body is different.

ALSO — If you enjoy this newsletter, would mean the world to me if you pressed the <3 button, left a comment and shared with a friend! Your support keeps me going!

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What is Detoxing?

and can we really just….detox ourselves?

Detoxing is the process of removing toxins from the body. Our body’s have 6 main detox pathways (simplified):

1. SKIN: A layer of protection on our body to protect us from external toxins. Our skin works to excrete in many ways: through pimples, rashes, irritation and even sweating

2. LYMPHATIC: The lymphatic system helps removes toxins through the fluid it circulates throughout the body, made up of lymph nodes and vessels and can excrete them through sweat, bowel movements, urine and breathing. It is directly connected with the immune system

3. DIGESTION: The GI tracts main way of getting rid of toxins is through healthy bowel movements

4. RESPIRATORY: Everything from our noses to our lungs are filters to external toxins

5. KIDNEYS: Our kidneys work as a filter for excess waste

6. LIVER: Aka the main detox organ. Our liver is huge in breaking down and metabolizing nutrients to power other systems in our body and filtering out toxins from blood to excrete  

All of these systems in our body work harmoniously together to eliminate toxins from our body and keep our body safe and healthy.

The number one argument I see that calls out the word “Detox” is that our body’s detox naturally, so there is no purpose or point to detox. My thoughts on the topic – yes and no.

Yes, our body’s do naturally detox. Our body’s are extremely smart and meticulous. They know what to do, and how to do it. They do it constantly without us even knowing. However, the overexposure to toxins on our body can be detrimental to our health. I go more into what these toxins are later on.

I like to think about that one scene in Drake and Josh LET THE SUSHIII ROLL where they are working as line cooks at a sushi place and the sushi just keeps on coming way faster than they can keep up and they just start throwing it everywhere.

Think of the sushi like an overload of toxins coming into our body and Drake and Josh as our system trying to keep up. Things get messy!

Since the process our body’s go through to properly detoxify is extremely intricate, taking one supplement or doing a juice cleanse is not going to detox your body. BUT, there are incredible methods that can support your body’s natural detox pathways AND ways to prevent the overload of toxins in the first place, so that your body begins to again work harmoniously.

Signs Your Body is NOT Properly Detoxing

• Irregular and irritated digestion (no consistent daily bowel movements)

• Insomnia and poor sleep

• Constant acne, skin irritation or rashes

• Mood swings, irritability, short-tempered or easily frustrated

• Brain fog and inability to focus

• Constant fatigue and sluggishness

• Swelling and feeling puffy

• Constant headaches and migraines

• Bad body odor and/or bad breath

• Rarely sweating or peeing

Soooo what is causing these problems???

The Toxins in Question

Toxins are all over the place, but there is no reason to be fearful of that. Our body’s detox system was built impressively for a reason, to properly deal with these toxins! So we just need to give our body the tools to do that in the best way possible!

Everything from internal waste, harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, air pollution, pesticides and herbicides in food, heavy metals and toxic chemicals in food and water, radiation, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and drugs, etc, are the toxins we typically come into contact with most often.

Toxin Prevention + How to Support Detox Pathways

There is no way to live a totally toxin-free lifestyle, even if there was…. would that even be truly enjoyable?? I mean a girl loves a margarita here and there… ;)

…BUT truly, there are ways to live life in a balanced way to reduce up front toxins so that your body doesn’t have to be majorly overloaded. Ways to support it’s systems as a way of maintenance, and ways to give your body some extra support post exposure to toxins. So let’s get into it…

PREVENTION TIPS