Do you ever feel like your body is being weighed down by a never-ending cycle of feeling sluggish, low energy, and fatigued? The reality is, the daily hustle and bustle of modern life can easily put our health into disarray. Even if we eat healthily and exercise regularly we sometimes have trouble making lasting progress toward optimal health.*
A simple cleanse can make all the difference in managing weight loss goals, controlling cravings for sugar and processed foods, as well as adding more stamina throughout the day! Let’s look at how cleansing works on a deeper level to get you on a path to improved well-being!*
What is Detoxing?
Detoxing is a great way to give your body a much-needed reset. It helps to cleanse and eliminate toxins that have built up over time, giving you the opportunity to feel refreshed and energized. By reducing your exposure to environmental pollutants, processed foods, and other unhealthy substances, detoxing can help to improve many functions such as: *†
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Inflammatory support *†
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Improve digestion *†
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Assist with improving energy levels *†
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Manage healthy weight *†
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Improved skin complexion *†
Common Toxins and How They Affect the Body
Our bodies are exposed to all kinds of toxins throughout our daily lives – from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the products we use. Some of the more common toxins include:
BPA (Bisphenol A): commonly found in plastic containers and the liners of metal cans, BPA is known to mimic estrogen which can impact normal hormone function. Studies show that other issues like insulin resistance and weight gain are possible side effects of BPA exposure.*†
PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons): These environmental pollutants are not only present outside arising from burning organic materials, but also can be found in our food. Grilling or smoking at high temperatures can cause the fat to drip onto the cooking surface creating PAHs that can absorb into the meat.*†
Cinnamon: Surprisingly, a compound found in cinnamon, known as Coumarin, can become toxic in high doses and has been linked to various serious diseases. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to know how much of this may be in the container of cinnamon sitting in your pantry, so try to look for Ceylon cinnamon (or true cinnamon) which contains lower levels of coumarin.*†
How to Manage Cravings During Detoxing
Detoxing your body is an incredible way to help clear away built-up toxins, but it can also be a difficult process. One of the biggest challenges during a cleanse is managing cravings and sticking to your plan. The good news is that there are some ways you can help manage the urges for unhealthy foods and maintain focus on your goal.*
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, as hydration helps stave off unwanted cravings; you could even add some fruits or herbs like mint or lemon for extra flavor.*
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It’s important to maintain stable blood sugar levels by eating regular healthy meals in between snacks if necessary so you don’t reach an unhealthy point where cravings will become more prominent.*
Foods That Support the Detoxification Process
There are many natural foods, herbs, and drinks that can help support the body during a cleanse. For centuries natural practices like Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have used specific herbs to help support healthy cleansing and detoxing, one of those is called Glucomannan.*
Glucomannan comes from the root of the konjac plant and has been historically used in Asian medicine. It helps by absorbing water to form a bulky fiber that helps with constipation, and also helps to reduce sugar and cholesterol absorption in the gut.*†
Milk Thistle is another great herb to help support detoxing. It’s known to have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties and is traditionally used to protect the liver by preventing damage caused by things like alcohol and other toxins.*†
How Often Should I Detox?
Depending on your lifestyle you may cleanse frequently or you may have never implemented a cleansing routine before in your life. There isn’t a specific time or frequency that one should follow, rather you should base it on how your body feels and the signals it gives off letting you know it could use a nice “refresh”.*
A few signs to look for (or feel) letting you know it might be time for a cleanse include:
- Unexplained Fatigue *†
- Poor gastrointestinal elimination *†
- Blemishes and irritated skin *†
- Allergies *†
- Poor immunity *†
- Bloating *†
- Mood swings *†
- Puffy eyes *†
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