If a few unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits have snuck into your routine (and we’ve all been there) you may be feeling the urge to detox – but how? It’s important to know that your body does an excellent job of ridding itself of waste and toxins via your liver, kidneys and colon, among other elimination pathways. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a helping hand, particularly when you’re feeling less than your best. Here are a few simple ways to support your body’s detoxification process and put yourself on the path to better energy levels, improved digestive health, and much more.
Love your liver
Did you know that your liver is your heaviest internal organ? It’s both a gland and a vital organ and plays an important role in hundreds of bodily processes – including filtering the blood. As InformedHealth.org explains, “It converts nutrients in our diets into substances that the body can use, stores these substances, and supplies cells with them when needed. It also takes up toxic substances and converts them into harmless substances or makes sure they are released from the body.”
How to support your liver
- Eat nourishing whole foods like good quality proteins, fresh vegetables, and healthy, natural fats.
- Ditch sugar, refined carbohydrates, and junk food.
- Drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol intake.
- Consider a milk thistle supplement – this medicinal herb helps to regenerate, cleanse, detoxify and strengthen the liver.
Care for your colon
Your colon, or large intestine as its also known, forms part of your digestive system and works to “absorb water and salts from the material that has not been digested as food, and get rid of any waste products left over.” (chp.edu) You don’t want this waste staying in your colon longer than it should – chronic constipation can cause a range of health issues – so it’s important to maintain your overall digestive health and keep things moving.
How to support your digestive health
- Up your intake of fibrous veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage to feed your healthy gut bacteria.
- Drink enough water throughout the day.
- Include some fermented foods in your diet like yoghurt, kombucha, kefir, and sauerkraut to boost and diversify your healthy gut bacteria.
- Consider prebiotic and probiotic supplements to promote good gut health.
- Psyllium fibre is great for constipation and general intestinal health.
Keep your kidneys healthy
The kidneys are amazing organs that filter your blood, removing waste products and extra water, which then leave your body as urine. They also perform many other important functions – including regulating pH, salt and potassium levels in your body and producing hormones that control blood pressure and the production of red blood cells (healthline.com).
How to support your kidneys
- Protect your kidneys by eating healthy, whole foods.
- Steer clear of tobacco, alcohol, and fast foods.
- Stay hydrated but avoid drinking too much water – your urine should ideally be a light-yellow colour.
- If you’re low on magnesium, add a supplement to your routine – crucial organs like your heart, brain and kidneys depend on this versatile mineral.
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