Detoxing has become increasingly popular throughout the years. Several products claim to eliminate toxins from the body and promote weight loss and overall health. However, the body has systems in place to get rid of impurities, and you don’t have to use expensive supplements or specialty diets to get the job done.
There are several ways you can enhance your body’s natural detox system, such as eating healthy foods and taking probiotics for heart health. The more your internal organs are working properly, the more efficiently your body will detoxify itself.
Here are five tips for cleansing and detoxing the body.
1. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
Over 90% of the alcohol you consume is metabolized by your liver. Enzymes in the liver transform the alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is a carcinogen. Since your liver recognizes that acetaldehyde is a poison, it will convert it to acetate, a harmless chemical that your body will later eliminate.
Studies show that moderate or low alcohol consumption is good for the health of your heart. However, drinking too much can cause serious health issues. Excessive drinking damages the liver and causes fat buildup in the body, as well as scarring and inflammation.
Get a head start on your detox journey by significantly reducing alcohol from your diet or eliminating it during the detox process. Even after you’re done detoxing, it’s a good idea to minimize your alcohol consumption at social gatherings.
2. Get Enough Sleep
You should do your best to get adequate sleep every night to support your body’s natural detoxification methods. Sleep is the time that your brain and body renew themselves. While you sleep, unhealthy byproducts that have accumulated in your body throughout the day are removed. Beta-amyloid is one of the waste products your body gets rid of during sleep. This byproduct can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body won’t have time to remove impurities. This causes toxins to accumulate and affect your overall health. Poor sleep has been connected to high-stress levels, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. One of the best things you can do for your body is to have a scheduled bedtime so your body can get rid of as many impurities as possible during the night.
3. Drink More Water
Water does more than eliminate your thirst. Drinking water balanced your body temperature, aids digestion, and makes it easier for your body to absorb nutrients. Water also removes toxins from your body and lubricates your joints.
The cells in your body must be repaired often to function at their best and break down the nutrients that you need for energy. However, the renewal process releases waste products like carbon dioxide and urea which can be harmful if they are allowed to accumulate in the bloodstream. Water will transport the waste through the body so you can release toxins through breathing, urinating, or sweating.
Men should consume around 125 ounces a day and women should drink about 91 ounces daily. You may need to drink more depending on your activity level and the weather where you live.
4. Reduce Processed Foods and Sugar
Sugar and processed food are to blame for most of the public health crises we face in the US. Eating these foods has been connected to obesity and other serious diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
When you’re sick, your body is not able to detoxify itself as efficiently. This causes your internal organs such as the kidneys and liver to function slower. Consuming high amounts of sugar can also lead to a fatty liver which can eventually stop the liver from functioning altogether.
5. Eat Foods High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect the cells from free radical damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many free radicals in the body.
Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Oxidative stress is a condition caused by the excessive production of free radicals.
Your body produces antioxidants naturally for physical processes like digestion. However, smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy foods, and pollutant exposure produce free radicals that can damage your cells. These free radicals can lead to conditions like liver disease, heart disease, asthma, and various forms of cancer.
These are just a few things you can do to keep your body healthy and prepare yourself for the detoxification process. The healthier your body is, the more efficient detoxing will be, and the more you’ll start to see the positive benefits of removing impurities from your body.
