Detox treatments have become hugely popular in recent years. Quite a number of celebrities are active participants in this trend and many use their social media profiles to share their progress. You can see stars using cleansing juices to detox their bodies, among many other methods.
How to detox your body, and do so safely? A proper detox requires a bit more than juicing or drinking a special tea. While the body is proficient in removing toxins on its own, there are always steps you can take to help the process along or to target specific issues.
Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take on how to safely conduct this process.
What Exactly Is a Detox?
A detox is a process that removes harmful substances from an individual’s body. A detox refers to a diet or drink used to remove some type of substance or impurity from the system. Also, refraining from harmful dietary and drinking habits can be considered a form of detoxification. The term is also used to describe the process one undergoes when entering drug and alcohol rehab.
Many detox treatments employ juices, cleanses, or special foods. The goal is to remove harmful chemicals or toxins from the body via dietary changes or to force them out via an increased consumption of liquids.
How to Begin a Detox
Before you begin your detox, you must know exactly what you want to remove from your system. Your approach will be different based on what substance you are trying to kick out. A diet to remove sugar will be different from the one that eliminates dairy or carbohydrates. Know what your target is and you will know how to detox your body.
Some plans may have you start with a fasting period. Others do not have that requirement, but you might be required to eat foods and drink liquids that do not contain certain substances. For example, if you are avoiding sugar, you can only consume foods that are sugar-free or in some cases, only contain natural sugars.
Methods of Detoxification
There are many different ways to detox. Here are some of them.
- Dietary detox-this method of detoxification involves altering one’s diet. It is a general consensus that sugars, flavor enhancer, dyes, etc. cause harm to the body and should be kicked out.
- Colon cleansing- this method involves receiving an enema with salt solution. This is thought to remove impurities from the colon.
- Chelation therapy- this treatment is thought to remove heavy metals from the body.
- Detoxification devices- multiple detox devices have been used throughout history to pull toxins out of the body. These do not seem to be scientifically sound, so you might want to avoid them.
If you want to detoxify your body without undergoing any of the steps listed above, here are some more natural detox methods you can try.
- Increase your water intake – Water is a natural detoxifying agent. As you consume more water, it pushes harmful substances out of your body via urination. This strategy is particularly helpful if you are trying to lower your sodium levels. However, don’t go too far with water intake. Too much water in the body can trigger serious side effects like hyponatremia.
- Limit your alcohol intake – Excessive alcohol use impedes the liver’s ability to expel toxins from the body. Cutting back on alcohol allows it to work at its best.
- Reduce your consumption of sugar and processed foods – Sugars and processed foods are linked to a huge list of health conditions. It’s in your best interest to remove them, anyway. Consuming them in excessive amounts can prevent your body from functioning properly. Take sugars out or reduce the amounts you eat and reap long-lasting health benefits.
What Are the Benefits of a Detox?
A detox can provide a variety of health benefits. Let’s examine a few.
- Weight loss – While not permanent, if you need to shed some weight quickly, a detox is an excellent way to do it. Some detoxes only last 3-7 days.
- Improved mental health – People completing a detox report feeling “lighter” and mentally refreshed. This is attributed to the removal of toxins and free radicals from the body.
- Improved circulation – The removal of toxins can improve blood flow and circulation. If your body and bloodstream are loaded with too many toxins, they might have slowed down your circulation.
- Assist in starting a healthier lifestyle – A detox can help you evaluate your relationship with food and other substances like caffeine or alcohol. After completing a detox, you may not want to add those things back to your diet or may do so in minimal quantities.
- Improved skin and hair quality – Human skin and hair always reflect the diet and the overall well-being of the person. After completing a detox, you remove a variety of chemicals from your body that could have a negative impact on your hair and skin. They will radiate this new-found wellness.
Could a Detox Be Harmful?
Doctors are not fond of detoxes. There is a risk involved in reducing your caloric intake or having a solely liquid diet, even for a short period. Some individuals have taken to fasting as a way to detox their body. That method is not healthy if practiced for too long and could be harmful. The human body needs food.
Depriving your body of healthy nutrients doesn’t remove harmful stuff from the body, it only drains energy. A detox can also trigger a drop in insulin levels, causing shock in extreme cases. If you insist on a body detox, try to stick to natural methods.
Wrapping Everything up
Detox treatments are a huge trend right now. However, there are things you need to know to conduct one safely. Make sure you know what you want to remove from your body and learn how to detox your body properly. There could also be things besides a full-blown detox that can help you reach those goals.
While detoxes can have many positive outcomes, there are also some risks involved with the process. Know your body and its health status and make sure to talk to your doctor before undergoing a detox treatment. You want to improve your health, but if done incorrectly, you could cause more harm than good with a detox.
References:
https://bestlifeonline.com/cleanse-detox-differences/
https://www.verywellfit.com/the-one-week-detox-diet-88250
https://www.livestrong.com/article/18969-benefits-detoxing-body/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-detox-your-body
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/better-off-not-doing-a-detox#3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detoxification_(alternative_medicine)
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