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.
Tips for Personal Program Success
Permission to nurture yourself: Granted. Stress can help create hormonal imbalance. Nurturing self-care can help restore that balance. If, like many women, you spend a lot of your time taking care of everyone else, it’s more important than ever to make time for yourself. Do something to care for your body, your mind and your soul — like getting a massage, a reiki treatment, even taking a nap or hot bath.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Our Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
Original Publication Date: 02/21/2006
Last Modified:
11/17/2009
Principal Author:Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP