Our bodies do a good job of detoxifying. They are built to detox. The bowels take toxins out of the body. The kidneys filter and excrete through urine. The liver filters and transforms toxins with complex chemical reactions. The skin excretes toxins through sweat. We even breathe out toxins through our lungs. That’s a very simplistic overview, but it’s the gist.

So what’s the big deal about needing to ‘detox’? Well, there are a couple of things.

One, we live in a pretty toxic environment compared to historically. While our hygiene is improved, our food is grown with pesticides and fungicides and preserved with preservatives. Our air has toxins. There are heavy metals such as mercury and lead everywhere including in our oceans and the food chain. Our cleaning products, detergents and skin products are toxic. Petrol, diesel and plastics are toxic. Chemical perfumes are toxic. Then there is radiation, EMFs. Viruses create toxins in the body. And then there is stress, which is fine in short bursts but not chronically.

The second aspect is: are the detox organs all working well? Or are they clogged up and inefficient because of a poor diet, too many toxins, not enough exercise, poor nutrition, or genetic tendencies? The medical profession claims that the body can manage to detox by itself, but does it do a good job? Do your bowels work efficiently? Are you drinking enough water? Is your diet full of colourful polyphenols and other nutrients? Are you eating enough fibre? Is your liver working well? Does it need some support? Have you been exposed to toxins in your life? Many toxins will settle in the body and not leave easily.

We all have constitutional tendencies. Some have sluggish bowels. Others have skin that gets clogged. Some get a lot of toxins such as heavy metals in the womb or early in life and struggle with all sorts of issues.

All this is to say; we can feel heavy, weighed down, or have various health issues that nag us. Excess weight can be one. Brain fog is another. Supporting the body’s ability to offload what it does not need can help tremendously and is a foundation of a Naturopathic worldview. And it is Spring, so it is a natural time to lighten up, to detox. But each of us needs to start with where we are, and not everyone has the ability, time or inclination to go for a stronger detox, which can need a fair bit of organisation and preparation and rest time. Be assured that everything you do can help, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

So here are some ideas for this transition to warmer weather and to detox from the heavier foods of winter. You can pick and choose what is doable for you.

• A large glass or lemon water first thing in the morning. Just squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water- I prefer mine warm, but it is not necessary. This is hydrating after 8 hours sleep and helps the liver and digestive system.

• Eat just fruit in the mornings. As much as you need to feel full. (This is not forever!)

• Avoid fats early in the day

• Eat a salad every day.

• Bring out the juicer, and do some juicing.

• Eat two apples every day.

• Drink herbal teas.

• Make green smoothies with fruit, leafy greens and green supplements like spirulina.

• Have a break from caffeine.

• Do some cold water therapy.

• Do some skin brushing.

• Avoid heavier foods until later in the day. The morning is when the body naturally detoxes. You could eat fruit and salad until 3 pm, then eat a normal dinner with the family.

• Lighten up on the proteins and fats. Go low fat for a while. Fats are hard work for the liver- by giving the liver a break, it can get busy with other jobs.

• Eat more fruit.

• Do a bowel cleanse with herbs and fibre. Or go and have a colonic irrigation session.

• Get some more sunshine on bare skin.

• Clean out your fridge and cupboard. Declutter and deep clean your home. Chuck out toxic products and keep only that which supports a low toxin lifestyle.
  
  

I do not mean you need to do all these things. The idea is that at this time of year, it may feel more natural to do some of these things. It doesn’t mean forever. It doesn’t mean you need to become vegan. It doesn’t mean you have to avoid your favourite less-than-really-healthy foods forever. It just means to give your body a break and support it’s own natural processes and rhythms for a while.

Detox can be a little uncomfortable at times. We can crave our favourite foods that we have given up. We can feel tired, even a bit grumpy as our liver offloads toxins. It’s a good time to wrap ourselves in cotton wool and take extra care of ourselves. The reward is feeling lighter, less weighed down, and more energetic. Clearer thinking. An increased feeling of being able to cope. And a path toward healing.

If you would like some support with a cleanse or detox, I am available and experienced with a variety of cleanses. I work with where you are at, your available time and commitment, and also your individual constitution. Feel free to get in touch.

A caveat. If you have body dysmorphia, binge eating syndrome, or other food and body issues, I do not encourage you to detox. It can trigger all those sorts of extreme eating or starvation patterns. Also, if you are super busy and stressed, I would only add some more gentle detox suggestions like lemon water. You might need to wait till you have more regularity, calm and space in your life to take on more intense detoxing.

Also….detoxing can be nutritionally insufficient for long-term eating. Often we lower proteins and fats and eat more raw foods. It can feel good but be aware of what our body needs to stay healthy and in balance- most people cannot live on juices, smoothies, fruit and salads long term.