9 of the Best Full Body Detoxes

Blog Post by Coach Julie

NCI Certified Nutrition Coach L1 & Certified Mindset Coach
Specializing in Women's Health and Gut Health

​Detox has become quite the buzz word on social media.  Everyone talks about how life changing detoxes are for your health and fitness.  I’m not sure I buy into all of that.  Usually the word “detox” means diarrhea, and of course you lose weight because there’s no more food in your gut and you’re super dehydrated.  NOT HEALTHY.  Most detoxes, especially those that you’ll find marketed on social media, are not healthy nor are they necessary.  If you want to do a good healthy detox, here’s 9 healthy, full body detoxes.

1. LIMIT ALCOHOL-Drinking too much alcohol reduces your liver’s ability to carry out its normal functions, like detoxing.  You should be limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two per day for men.  Also, alcohol is a Class C carcinogen, so do with that what you will.
   
2. FOCUS ON SLEEP-Adequate sleep allows your brain to reorganize, recharge and eliminate toxins that accumulated throughout the day.
   
3. DRINK MORE WATER-Water allows your body's detoxification system to remove waste products from your blood.
   
4. REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF SUGAR AND PROCESSED FOODS-Excess junk food consumption is linked to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes.  Those conditions cause harm to your detox organs like liver and kidneys.
   
5. EAT ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FOODS-A diet rich in antioxidants helps your body reduce damage caused by free radicals and may lower your risk of diseases that can impact detoxification.  These foods include berries, fruits, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, spices and coffee or green tea.
   
6. EAT FOODS HIGH IN PREBIOTICS-A diet high in prebiotics keeps you digestive system healthy, which is important for proper detoxification and immune health.  These foods include tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic and oats.
   
7. DECREASE YOUR SALT INTAKE-Consuming too much salt can increase water retention.  You can eliminate excess water and waste by increasing your intake of water and potassium-rich foods.  Potassium rich foods help counterbalance some of sodium’s effects.  These foods include potatoes, squash, kidney beans, bananas and spinach.
   
8. STAY ACTIVE-Regular physical activity lowers inflammation and allows your body’s detoxification system to work properly.
   
9. EAT SULFUR-RICH FOODS-Foods high in sulfur enhance the excretion of heavy metals and enhance the function of glutathione which is a major antioxidant produced by your body.  These foods include onions, broccoli, garlic and eggs.
   

Reading those 9 detoxes should have taught you a key factor about your body.  Your body is mostly a self cleaning oven.  Your organs and systems are designed to move toxins out of your body.  You don’t need a detox, you need to optimize your systems, organs and their function.