Everyone is overloaded with toxins due to the pollution in our world. Not everyone can eliminate these poisons and instead the body insulates the pollutants in fat and stores them until the liver and the body's detox pathways can deal with them. Almost everyone is deficient in one or more vitamins and minerals needed for the body to remove these toxins.
Did you know the key ingredient in Round Up, glyphosate, chelates (removes) magnesium from the soil, making them unavailable to plants and ultimately you when you eat the plants? Did you know that magnesium is one mineral that is instrumental in your body's ability to detox?
Healing means taking the body in the right direction with lifestyle and diet changes. The body wants to eliminate the toxins and once given the support (the proper nutrition) and the right conditions, the body will heal itself. The beginning can be rough as the poisons are removed, so the key is to not go to fast and overwhelm the detoxing system of the body. Remember these toxins will be drawn out of the cells and into the body to be eliminated. As these toxins are on their way out it can be a bit rough. This detoxing is known as the "Herxheimer Reaction".
Before you Detox
I'll share a few things I've learned the hard way. First try a Epsom Salt Bath and start slowly. I would recommend starting with a foot bath first and use a smaller amount of Epsom Salts until you know your tolerance. A foot bath, I would probably start with just a tablespoon of Epsom salts in a small basin and for a full bath, just 1/4 cup to start. I did a full bath and worked up to one cup of Epsom Salts, increasing by 1/4 cup as tolerated. If you experience any Herxheimer Reactions decrease the amount of Epsom Salts to the previous dosage. If it is your first time doing an Epsom Salt bath or foot soak, then decrease the amount the next time you try it. If you have issues with your detoxifying system then you'll need to address them before continuing to detox.
Epsom salts are MgSO4 (Magnesium Sulfate) which is a good source of magnesium and will support the detox pathways. Detoxing to fast can cause a myriad of side effects but must be done to heal the body.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cystine) is a precursor to making glutathione, the main player in the detox pathways, which will help move things out of the body. Initially as I started my detoxing, I supplemented with NAC during the rougher days. Do not rely on NSAIDs, especially Tylenol because these drugs interfere with the detox pathways. Instead drink plenty of water to flush the toxins out via the elimination system (bowels and kidneys). Movement or mild exercise is key to helping the body to do it's job. Just taking a walk, doing 15 minutes of yoga, using a rebounder or jumping rope can help stimulate the lymph system.
Movement is Key
I learned that yoga is an excellent way to keep "things moving" in the digestive sense of the word. Be warned if doing yoga in public, trapped gas will find it's way out. Try following this video instead and sign up for a yoga class once you get past your "second wind".
Yoga is movement and incorporates deep breathing which delivers oxygen to the tissues and cells which is important for the body to heal itself. Blood flow is also increased and I tend to get more energy once I've done a few minutes of yoga.
Home Remedies
I included some home remedies for those times when you need them, which may be during the detoxing. Barbara includes relief for intestinal discomforts, so it's worth including it in this post.
Grace
Remember to go slow with introducing new foods, adding anything new can tip a delicate balance of a healing body. Love yourself and don't forget to pamper yourself as you venture on this journey, down the path of health there are bound to be a few bumps along the way.
Featured Photo for today's post is by Гоар Авдалян on Unsplash