Whatever negative association you may have with the word “detox” set it aside and consider this:
They are absolutely crucial for vitality, fat loss, and everything in between.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification is a transformation process wherein the body identifies harmful substances, transforms them into a less toxic form, and safely excretes them. The human body is fantastically engineered with its own natural detoxification system: the liver, colon, kidneys, skin, and respiratory system.
How do harmful substances and toxins enter the body?
- Inhalation (the air you breathe)
- Ingestion (the things you eat and drink)
- Absorption (the things your skin comes into contact with)
Your Body’s Detox Plan
Once toxins are in the blood, the body sends them to the liver and kidneys to be broken down into something less harmful that can later be excreted. If you have a nutrient dense, high fibre diet, this process is steadily performed without too much strain. However, if your diet is poor, you smoke, you consume large amounts of alcohol or your skin is in contact with chemicals every day, then your detox load is high, and liver function becomes poor.
Luckily, your body has a backup plan. Fat cells are the body’s next safest option for dealing with toxins. Your fat cells function as a storage house for toxins and other harmful substances, removing them from your blood until more resources (usually nutrients) are available for them to detoxify fully.
When the Backup Plan Fails…
Your backup plan will not work if you continue eating a poor diet and don’t support your liver health because your fat cells can’t excrete their toxins. As a result, more fat cells are used to house the next load of toxins your liver is unable to process, creating a downward spiral. The higher the number of fat cells you have, the more potential you have to hold on to these toxins, and fat loss becomes increasingly difficult.
This is why detoxification is essential—it helps your body remove the unwanted toxins from your fat cells and decreases the strain on your liver. And it can be done with a few simple changes to your lifestyle:
- Focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Choose natural cleaning products
- Keep active
These simple changes offer your body the opportunity to reboot itself and can help you lose weight. They can also energise you and improve your mood! Give your body a chance and consider a detox! We run them in every 8 Week Challenge.