Detoxification — clear and cleanse your body

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP and Dixie Mills, MD

Many people think of detoxification as something we only need to do to get rid of unusual or excess toxins in the body, but the truth is, we do it all the time. Every time you exhale, every time you urinate or move your bowels, you’re detoxing — because the wastes you eliminate and the air you exhale include many of those molecules that your body is trying to get rid of. The liver, kidneys, spleen, and lymphatic system all target the waste and toxins that otherwise would build up in our tissues. Even when we cry we’re detoxing, because emotions, too, can be toxic! We take these forms of detox for granted, never realizing how important they are to our well-being.

When patients tell me how tired they are, or how bloated, achy or spaced-out they’ve been feeling, I wonder if their bodies are being overwhelmed by retained wastes or toxic burden. It’s not surprising that this should be the case, when we live in a world where heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental chemicals, and antibiotics leach into our food and water supply. With all that going on, it’s no wonder our bodies are fighting to keep clean! This toxic sludge can build up in your system faster than you think, clogging your primary detox systems in the liver and lymphatic system. And when the body’s natural detoxification pathways are disrupted, your hormonal balance and overall feeling of wellness can be quickly degraded.

The good news is, you can boost your body’s natural detox functions and support its inbuilt ability to heal itself. In our experience, detoxifying can refresh, rejuvenate and energize women. It helps you regain your mental focus, promotes clearer skin, improves your digestion, and much more — and with a little time and attention, these benefits aren’t difficult to achieve. In fact, a periodic detox is one of the easiest ways to see a dramatic improvement in how you feel — quickly!

Our resources on detoxification will give you an in-depth look at the lymphatic system, guide you through a quick, two-week detox program, and provide many other insights into how we can prevent toxicity from compromising our health. Tune in to the rhythms and natural capacity of your body to detoxify and cleanse itself — and you will find that being inside your skin is a wonderful place to be!

Our most popular resources on detoxification:

To access an article, just choose from the list of excerpts below. To find more articles, use the search function below. Don’t see a topic that’s important to you? Let us know.

• Purging the poisons: how to support natural detoxification
  The best natural detox system is the one you already have — your body’s detoxification system! Learn about how to support detox from Women to Women.
• The lymph system and your health
  It may surprise you that the lymphatic system is essential to immunity and overall health. It isn’t discussed much in conventional medical settings, and many women may not even have heard of it or know what it is! Here’s an up-close look at this crucial system and the many cleansing benefits it provides for our bodies.
• Endocrine disruptors — tipping the hormonal scales
  Did you ever think a plastic water bottle or a new wall-to-wall carpet could affect your hormones? As manmade chemicals become increasingly ubiquitous, they are having some surprising effects on our bodies. Here’s a look at how the aspects of our modern environment can throw off the endocrine system, and what you can do to help yourself.
• Dependency and withdrawal — detoxing from caffeine
  If you want to quit caffeine but are afraid of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience, Women to Women has suggestions to help you.
• Women to Women’s Quick-Cleanse
  Your body has amazing capabilities when it comes to detoxing, but constant exposure to stress, allergens and toxins can overburden the system and leave you feeling off. Feel like yourself again after trying our two-week elimination diet. Includes links to our detailed shopping guide.
• One day on the Quick-Cleanse
  You may be curious about what it’s like to try our two-week Quick-Cleanse, or not sure you can incorporate a detox diet into your own life. Take a glimpse at one sample day on the plan and make an informed decision.
• Quick-Cleanse shopping list
  Not sure how to begin our two-week Quick-Cleanse? We’ve made it easier for you by putting together a comprehensive shopping list. By pre-stocking your shelves and fridge with the items you need, our detox diet will be all that much easier and more effective.
• Your liver — the detoxification specialist. Supporting your liver is an important step in natural detoxification.
• Dependency and withdrawal — detoxing from caffeine
  If you want to quit caffeine but are afraid of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience, Women to Women has suggestions to help you.
• Household chemical cleaners can add to your toxic burden. Women to Women’s suggestions for inexpensive “green” cleaning solutions can help.
• Your toxic burden: demands on the detox system Your body can be burdened in more ways than you may realize! Here’s a list of the many toxic sources our bodies face on a daily basis — some of which may surprise you.
• The best cellulite treatment — a holistic approach We know women are bombarded by the media with ads for new cellulite treatments every day — but what really works? Here’s a closer look at what cellulite is, what causes it, and what you can do to help get rid of it from the inside out.
• Lymphoma and lymphedema
  The lymphatic system is a mystery to many women — and their practitioners. Here are brief explanations for two disorders that can affect this important system, and how they differ from each other. Includes links to additional resources.
• Table of female endocrine system glands and hormones
  Every day we are learning more about new hormones never previously understood or described, what their various roles are, and the intricate connections the endocrine system has to every other system in our bodies. Here’s a table of major endocrine organs and just some of their corresponding hormones.

 

Original Publication Date: 02/21/2006
Last Modified: 02/16/2010
Principal Author:Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP