Discover your body's natural detox power.

Hidden Toxins hide in various unsuspecting areas of our lives. The presence of microplastics, heavy metals and volatile cancer-causing chemicals. They accumulate over time, eventually causing harmful damage to our cells, and the slight effects of injury build a ticking time bomb for our health.

Why it matters

Simple symptoms like chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances and long term- health issues just touch the surface of toxin exposure, not truly explaining the dangerous consequences lurking in the depths of our cells and body.

For example, the plastic lining in Starbucks cups releases roughly 5 trillion plastic nanoparticles per liter when filled with boiling coffee, which you then consume. In the GI tract, microplastics cause leaky gut and chronic exposure leads to gut inflammation, increasing risk of colon cancer and immune dysregulation. Microplastics also cross the blood-brain barrier, worsening neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.

In 2023, general screening blood work for a couple kids discovered heavy metal lead circulating in their bloodstream at dangerously high levels. Further investigation leads to an unlikely source, contaminated apple sauce pouches. The cinnamon ingredient used to make the applesauce was sourced from Ecuador. Somehow, during the manufacturing process it became contaminated. Toxins lurk everywhere, both known and unknown to us.

Proven pathways you body uses to detox

Liver and Biliary system

The liver is the GOAT detox organ. The processing of toxins distills down to basic enzymatic reactions. Bile acids transport breakdown product of toxins to the intestines, ultimately exiting the body in bowel movements.

The renal system

The kidney deals with water soluble toxins. Each kidney carries 1-2 million tiny filter units called glomeruli. These millions of tiny filters work in unison to ensure we pee out harmful water-soluble toxins.

Skin and sweat

Sweating does aid in toxin secretion, but not as much compared to the renal and liver system. Still, it’s a means of toxin removal.

One of the most common myths is the good old cleanse/detox fads. Some methods to the madness include coffee enemas, super green smoothie cleanse, or some other acclaimed natural nutritional supplement. The truth of the matter is the human body is a magnificent, almost magical machine with built in detox organs. As long as our organs and cells remain healthy, we're perfectly equipped for continuous detoxification. Imagine feeling more energized, balanced, and in tune with your body’s innate ability to cleanse itself. If any of these organs get messed up, a quick cleanse won't fix it.

Boosting Self-Efficacy to Empower Your Detox Journey

A strong psychological principle is self-efficacy: having confidence in your ability to take the steps needed to achieve a specific outcome. It plays a crucial role in how you approach goals, tasks, and challenges. Boosting self-efficacy empowers your body’s natural detoxification.

Detoxification Protocol

SMART Goals:

Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for your detox journey.
Example: “I will drink 64 ounces of water daily and include one detox-supportive meal at lunch, five days a week.” Use a journal or digital tracker to document your progress and celebrate small wins.

Optimize Hydration:

Aim for at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) of filtered water each day to support kidney function and help flush out toxins.
Routine: Start your morning with a glass of water, and set reminders throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Nourish with Detox-Friendly Nutrition

Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Incorporate berries, leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables to bolster liver function and neutralize free radicals.
Fiber: Consume whole grains and legumes to support gastrointestinal elimination of toxins.
Healthy Fats: Include omega-3-rich foods (like fish, flaxseeds, or walnuts) that aid in cellular repair and reduce inflammation.

Regular Physical Activity

Exercise: Commit to at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (walking, cycling, yoga) most days of the week to boost circulation and lymphatic flow.
Sweat It Out: Consider periodic sauna sessions or hot yoga to promote detoxification through sweating. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting new practices.

Prioritize Quality Sleep

Sleep Hygiene: Aim for 7-9 hours of restorative sleep nightly. Create a calming bedtime routine, reduce screen time before bed, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Environment: Keep your sleep space cool, dark, and quiet to enhance recovery and natural detoxification during rest.

Summary

Although detoxification might appear insignificant, it’s actually a crucial, continuous process. We want to prevent damage to the liver, like in cases of fatty or alcoholic related liver disease which may impair its detoxification process. Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure damages the kidney, which further hinders toxin removal. Sedentary lifestyles with lack of exertion during exercise prevent sweating a key tool in toxin removal.

As our modern world continues to grow and develop at an unprecedented rate, we are exposed to an exponentially increasing number of toxins, which poses a significant and growing threat to human health. If we have easy, established defensive strategies, we should use them, so we can bolster our body's natural detoxification systems. In doing so, we not only safeguard our liver and kidneys but also empower ourselves to thrive in an environment where toxins are all too common. What we do today makes tomorrow stronger and healthier.