Your body has an amazing built-in self-cleaning system that does a fantastic job detoxing the body all by itself! Like an internal dishwasher!
That is, your detox system works great when you eat a healthy, nourishing diet and exercise regularly. Just like your dishwasher, you got to use the right detergent capsules, salts, clean it regularly and empty the drain.
But when that doesn’t happen and your habits get off-track, your internal detox system – which is comprised of your liver, kidneys, skin, lungs and intestines – can get clogged up by junk food, stress, alcohol and toxins from the environment.
And, needless to say, a detox system overwhelmed with excess toxins doesn’t functional optimally. In fact, it’ll even send you warning signs.
You will know.
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Sometimes I wish I could reset my body to its factory settings. A clean slate and feeling of purification… like scrubbing your insides until you are shiny and clean.
OK, now that sounded a little OCD, but you know what I mean, right? To feel a sense of deep clean. Even though I eat incredibly clean, healthy food, with only a few exceptions, I do still cleanse regularly, at least with every change of season.
Eating a healthful diet reduces the levels of toxins we absorb into our body; however, we still absorb a lot of crap from our environment. We are exposed to things like tobacco, pesticides food additives, cosmetic and hygiene products, cleaning products, environmental pollution and even negative thoughts. We benefit from a cleanse physiologically, aesthetically and spiritually.
Physiological Benefits
Neutralise and remove toxins from the body that build up and slowly build illness and disease.
Aesthetic Benefits
A health supportive cleansing routine will result in a light weight loss, mainly from the removal of toxins that have been building up and stored in the fat cells of our body
Spiritual Benefits
Cleansing the body of unnecessary waste coincides with ridding the mind of harmful, unnecessary thoughts.
Toxicity
Toxins come in all shapes and all sizes – from pesticides to plastic by-products and everything in between. They are found in our foods, in the water we drink, in the air we breathe, and even within our homes. Some of these toxic compounds have been banned, but the damage has already been done as they continue to bioaccumulate in the food chain and pose long-term challenges to the farming soils throughout America. Our bodies were not designed to process these substances. For a disturbing look at the chemicals that breach the boundaries of our bodies, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. It’s downright terrifying. Scientists at the CDC found that nearly every person they tested was host to a boatload of nasty chemicals. They found flame retardants stored in fatty tissue and bisphenol A, a hormone-like substance found in plastics, excreted in urine. Even babies are contaminated. The average newborn was shown to have 287 chemicals in her umbilical cord blood, 217 of which are neurotoxic – poisonous to nerves or nerve cells. This is serious stuff. Worse yet, these chemicals have not only been building up in our environment and food supply, but they’re also abundant inside of our homes. A study as far back as 1985 revealed that the levels of numerous airborne chemicals were 10 times greater inside the home than outdoors!
What’s the problem with these toxins and chemicals? Can they really harm you and, for the purposes of our conversation here, make you fat?
The answer is yes and yes.
A 2008 study in the prestigious journal Lancet showed that environmental toxins indeed make you fat and cause diabetes. Toxicity is also a key metabolic problem for the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight. These chemicals contribute to weight gain in various ways, including disruption of the hormone-signaling system that regulates your metabolism, damage to and accumulation in your fat tissue, and increased risk for poisoning during weight loss, as these toxins are released back into the circulatory system once that fat starts disappearing.
You probably know that your thyroid gland (and its hormones, especially T3) controls every aspect of your metabolism and thus how your body uses energy (or burns calories). Well, it’s been shown that toxins have an inverse relationship with thyroid hormone function, so as levels of toxins in the blood go up, levels of biologically active thyroid hormone, T3, go down. 26 To make the toxin-fat connection simple, here’s a synopsis of how it all goes down in your body (based on our current understanding): Toxins negatively impact gene signaling within your fat cells and induce new fat cells to form while simultaneously increasing inflammation. Then, since many of these newly formed fat cells are themselves damaged by the toxins, they become metabolically impotent, which means they are unable to make leptin (the hormone that tells your brain that you have enough calories). These damaged fat cells can swell like balloons as they fill up with more fat and toxins, making them unable to efficiently perform their normal functions. This leads directly to increased risk for type 2 diabetes via suppression of the important fat cell hormone known as adiponectin, which normally increases insulin sensitivity and reduces tissue inflammation.
Considering their direct impact on thyroid function; fat cell number, size, and function; and type 2 diabetes, I’m sure you can see that ridding your body of toxins is imperative for successful weight loss and overall good health.
Inside The Warrior Goddess Body programmes, you’ll discover how to purge your body of toxins through food and exercise and some essential self-care practices. As you do so and we reduce the amount that continues to come in, your body will inevitably reset itself back to its factory-installed fat-burning settings.
There’s good news, though: in addition to getting a healthy diet and exercise program in place, you can rev up your detox system using these five techniques that don’t require a single change in your diet.
Detoxing the Body Without Dieting, Potions or Pills
Dry Brushing Cleanses Your Largest Organ
Many people carefully tend to the skin on their face, regularly exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing. But when’s the last time you tended to the skin on the rest of your body?
Your skin is your largest organ, after all, and there is one simple step you can add to your morning routine that can greatly improve its health – dry skin brushing.
I’m not only referring to your skin’s aesthetic appearance, either (although many would agree this is important to). The benefits of dry skin brushing go beyond skin deep, offering whole-body benefits to your health.
Dry Skin Brushing: 7 Key Benefits
Your skin is a complex system made up of nerves, glands, and cell layers that, when healthy, serves as a buffer that helps protect your body from extreme temperatures and chemicals.
It also produces antibacterial substances to protect you from infection and enables your body to produce Vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Your skin even contains densely packed nerve cells that act as messengers to your brain, making your skin a crucial part of your interactions with the world around you.
Another crucial role your skin plays is supporting optimal detoxification. But if your skin is overrun with toxins or dead skin cells, it will not be able to eliminate wastes from your body efficiently.
This is where dry skin brushing can be invaluable, not only in brushing off dead skin cells but also in activating waste removal via your lymph nodes. Beyond this, dry skin brushing offers multiple benefits including:
1. Stimulate Your Lymphatic System
In your body, your lymphatic system is the system responsible for eliminating cellular waste products. Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lymphatic drainage.
When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick. Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. By stimulating your lymphatic system and helping it release toxins, dry skin brushing is a powerful detoxification aid.
2. Exfoliation
Dry skin brushing removes dead dry skin, improving appearance, clearing your clogged pores, and allowing your skin to ‘breathe’.
3. Increase Circulation
When you dry brush your skin, it increases circulation to your skin, which encourages the elimination of metabolic waste.
4. Reduce Cellulite
Dry skin brushing may help to soften hard fat deposits below the skin while distributing fat deposits more evenly. This may help to diminish the appearance of cellulite. Dry brushing is also said to help reduce cellulite by removing toxins that may break down connective tissue, although some believe the effect is temporary (and mostly a result of skin become more plump and swollen after brushing).
The Huffington Post reported[1]:
“When we’d heard dry skin brushing was an effective method for reducing cellulite, we knew we had to include it in our anti-cellulite road test. Sure enough, it was indeed one of the more successful ways to smooth away less-than-perfect spots on your legs.”
5. Stress Relief
The act of dry brushing has been described as meditative (especially if you do it in a quiet space) and may reduce muscle tension, calm your mind, and relieve stress. Many compare it to a light whole-body massage.
6. Improve Digestion and Kidney Function
Dry skin brushing may go even deeper, helping to support your digestion and organ function. According to one skin care and spa expert:
“…many naturopathic doctors use dry brushing to help with bloating because massaging the lymph nodes helps the body shed excess water and toxins. One of the immediate effects of dry brushing is smoother skin, but it can also help improve digestion, kidney function, and more.”
7. It’s Invigorating
Many people become ‘addicted’ to dry skin brushing (in a good way) because it simply feels so good. Along with glowing and tighter skin, regular dry skin brushers report feeling invigorated after a quick session.
Dry Brushing: How to Do It
First you’ll need a high-quality dry brush. Look for one with bristles made from natural materials. They should feel stiff but not overly so. Ideally, choose a brush with a long handle so you can reach your entire back and other hard-to-reach spots.
Dry skin brushing should be done daily for best results, or even twice a day if you like. Try incorporating it into your normal daily routine, such as doing your brushing before your morning shower and then again after work (avoid doing it too close to bedtime, as it may leave you feeling energized).
When brushing, always brush toward your heart, which is best for circulation and your lymphatic system. You can brush your entire body (including the soles of your feet). Start at your feet and work your way up your legs to your arms, chest, back, and stomach. Avoid brushing your face (unless you have a special brush designed for this delicate skin), your genitals, or any areas with irritations or abrasions (including varicose veins).
The pressure you apply while brushing your skin should be firm but not painful (avoid ‘scrubbing’). Your skin should be pink after a session (not red or irritated) and you can brush for as long (or as little) as you’d like. An average dry brushing session may last between two and 20 minutes.
Try It… You’ll Probably Get Hooked
The investment in dry skin brushing is small – you can find a high-quality brush for under $20 – but the pay-off is large. If you’ve never tried it, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised. As one new devotee described below:
“I’ve only been at this for about two weeks, but I’ve already experienced many of the benefits listed above. For one thing, dry skin brushing just feels really good. It’s one of those miraculous practices that manages to be both relaxing and energizing all at the same time. For another, it cured my cellulite! …Dry skin brushing also helped heal some ingrown hairs and some innocuous though unsightly bumps on my arms. My skin is softer and no longer dry or flakey. Additionally, though I’m not sure whether or not it’s related to dry skin brushing, I must say that I’ve been sleeping better and experiencing less ‘brain fog’ throughout the day!” Dana Oliver, (2016) Dry Brushing Is The Age-Old Trick Models Swear By For Smoother Skin.
Massage for Lymphatic Clearance
I had a constant and increasing pain in the front of my shoulder near my armpit. After seeking out physio, acupuncture and chiropractic sessions, it did not relieve the pain. Finally, I visited a Kinesiologist, I was finally diagnosed with a blocked lymphatic system.
That had actually happened was due to my vertigo symptoms I had previously, I could only find peace to sleep on my right side successfully which after weeks has resulted in my body not ‘draining’ efficiently.
Now this pain felt like muscular pain and I could have gone on to manage with pain killers or physios until the whole system was looked at.
After I was diagnosed I sought out a massage therapist specializing in Lymphatic drainage massage and after a 60-minute session was completely healed from pain. I slept the best that night than I ever did and from the next day never felt any discomfort. It had gone, after almost a year of feeling pain and discomfort.
The lymphatic system is a vital bodily defense against infection and disease. Lymphatic drainage massage is one of the best things you can do to help your body help itself. Here, we’ll look at what the lymphatic system does and how targeted massage can keep you healthy.
The lymphatic system
The human lymphatic system is, in a sense, the body’s second circulatory system. It is made up of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymph (the interstitial fluid drained through the vessels), and lymphocytes (specialized immune cells). The tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus are all part of the lymph system.
Our lymph nodes are soft, small internal structures located in the armpits, groin, and neck, as well as in the center of the chest and abdomen. The lymph nodes produce immune cells that fight infection while filtering lymph fluid to remove foreign material. When bacteria or other immune threats are present in lymph, lymph nodes increase production of infection-fighting white blood cells, which can cause the nodes to swell.
The lymphatic system has no ‘pump’ of its own to move lymph through the system, as the circulatory system has the heart. Rather, bodily movement and breathing function to move liquid lymph through the vessels and filters of the lymph nodes. For people who get too little exercise and eat too much processed food, the lymphatic system can easily be overtaxed – resulting in a body that is susceptible to infection and disease.
Lymphatic drainage massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is an easy home remedy with profound effects. According to a lymph system article, lymphatic massage can increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times, vastly increasing the system’s ability to remove toxins and infectious materials. Studies have found lymphatic drainage massage to be a medically beneficial form of physical therapy for a range of lymphedema-related problems.
If you’re generally healthy, self-lymphatic drainage can help you heal more quickly from a cold or shake off fatigue. According to Heather Wibbels, you can safely perform lymphatic drainage massage on the lymph nodes around your neck, ears, and throat, on the abdomen, and on the legs.
Using very gentle pressure, first perform lymph drainage for the ears on the neck area, then lymphatic breathing for the abdomen and finally, self-lymphatic drainage on the legs. Starting in the region of the neck helps clear the system for the lymph that is pumped to the lymph nodes as you work on the abdomen and legs.
A regular yoga practice can also help you improve the effects of lymphedema. If you already have lymphedema, according to a Yoga Journal article by Michelle Stewardson, you should work with a specialist to build a safe practice that will work for you.
Staying safe
The lymph nodes in the neck are very near the surface, as are some veins in the legs. It’s important to use a very light touch when doing lymphatic drainage. This very gentle massage can have very profound effects on the body. The same is true with yoga – gentle poses and deep breathing techniques can stimulate lymph flow, helping you feel better without the need for a strenuous asana practice.
You can also hire a professional to give you lymph drainage massage. If you choose a knowledgeable practitioner, the result will be a relaxing massage that’s precisely targeted for your needs. If you suffer from long-term lymphedema, or localized swelling related to lymph system blockage, ask a professional’s help first.
3. Saunas Provide a Deep Cleanse
Generally, a sauna or steam room is seen as a way to pamper yourself, something you treat yourself to at a spa day or maybe at the gym after a workout.
Well, aside from the beauty and self-pampering advantage, saunas have some amazing detox benefits.
- Saunas help sweat the toxins away. The heat from the sauna penetrates the skin and stimulates the subcutaneous fat to release more toxins. In a sauna, your skin sweats 7 times more than normal.
- Sweating helps cleanse the skin. When it comes to your skin, the effects of a sauna are comparable to those of a workout. It improves the circulation to the skin and opens up the pores.
- Heat helps with cell rejuvenation. The core body temperature increases in a sauna. This aids cellular function and helps cells fight off infections. Studies show that abnormal and cancerous cells are sensitive to heat and using heat might be effective in destroying abnormal cancerous cells (2).
- Your mood is improved. Saunas reduce cortisol levels, helping you to relax and improve your mood. Studies have found that the hyperthermia caused in a sauna is effective in relieving the symptoms of major depression (3).
4. Liver Detox Tea
The liver is the most important detox organ in a human body, responsible for a wide array of functions.
So, it is important to do everything we can to support it and boost its function. I suggest that you take Milk Thistle either as tincture or as a tea.
Milk thistle benefits work by drawing toxins out of the body that can cause a range of symptoms and diseases — including cancer development, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney stones, gall bladder disorders, negative effects of chemotherapy, alcohol use, skin damage and much more.
As an antioxidant, milk thistle is equally powerful to other important nutrients like vitamin E or vitamin C, which help fight free radical damage and slow the aging process that can lead to disease development. It specifically contains high levels of lipophilic extracts from the seeds of the plant, which act as bioflavanoid antioxidants that increase immunity and slow down oxidative stress.
While it has many different benefits, milk thistle is most well-known for being a natural liver supporter and detoxifier. The liver constantly works hard to help defend us from toxins that are common in our everyday life, acting like a filter and removing harmful substances from the body.
Milk thistle is shown to decrease, or even reverse, damage to the liver that’s been caused by prescription medications, antibiotics, pollution, heavy metals and so on.
The seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant can be consumed either in pill, powder, tincture, extract or tea form.
5. Soak in an Epsom Salt Bath
A detox bath is an easy and safe way to help detox. Plus, it’s very relaxing.
Here’s how to make your own Epsom soak:
- Add two cups of Epsom salts to a hot bath. The water should be hot enough to create a good sweat.
- Soak in the water up to the neck. Soak for at least 20 minutes and maximum up to 30 minutes.
- Come out of the bath slowly, and take a shower under cool water, avoiding harsh soaps or scrubs.
- Dry your body and apply a natural moisturizer.
Building Healthy Habits Into Your Life
Your body has an amazing self-cleaning system in place, and taking action to keep it healthy and strong starts with treating your body well with a nourishing diet and exercise.
Layering in other techniques such as those listed in this post can help support your body so that you can eliminate even more harmful toxins. Plus, most of these techniques require you to slow down and take some time to focus on yourself, which goes a long way with helping beat stress.
Detoxing Your Body, Naturally
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Detoxing Your Body, Naturally
If you’re interested in a body detox to restore energy, bust cravings, drop belly bloat and generally feel great, I have a free 1-Day Detox Plan for you. You can feel great by tomorrow!
