Nutrition & Our Metabolic Pathways Part 3

How we can optimise our nutrition to better support the pathway of detoxification in our body.

Our body naturally detoxifies. It has all the bells and whistles for this process to run effectively. We detoxify waste products, toxins, pathogens and other unwanted substances mainly through our skin, lungs, kidneys, liver and digestive system.

“Signs and symptoms of needing to detox range from bloating and digestive issues, hair loss, brain fog, aches and pains, inflammation, nausea, indigestion, headaches, waking up between 1 to 3am at night, weight gain, sluggishness, fatigue, anxiety, hormonal issues and more.”

We live in an incredibly toxic world. The accumulation of pollution and chemicals in our surroundings is increasing exponentially. Normally the body tries to adapt to its environment and make the necessary evolutionary changes over time to better cope with the changing load of assaults. However, the modern world is developing so fast that there just has not been enough time for our biology to fully adapt to dealing with all the new combinations of toxins and pollutants. They are in our food, in our water, in our air, in our skincare products, in our homes and in the very clothes we wear. This is the drive behind the 'natural movement', the 'back to nature' quest that has us seeking 'clean' household and personal care products, organic food and natural fibre textiles etc.

On top of these challenges, our body also produces endo-toxins, they are the result of cellular respiration and combustion, digestion and a myriad of our bodily processes. All the organs involved with taking care of and eliminating these unwanted substances are working around the clock.

The best way to help and support these organs in today's modern world, is first and foremost by eliminating from our external environments, as many chemicals, pollutants and toxic substances as possible; purchase an air purifier for the home, use biodegradable cleaning products, don't smoke, buy organic produce where possible, drink only filtered water and minimise plastics etc. We can also help our body's natural detoxification by consuming certain herbal formulations known for their supportive properties or each organ. We have to make sure our body is getting all the nutrients it requires for proper function. Every vitamin and mineral plays a role in this process.

The liver deals with most of these toxic assaults and needs the most help. Signs and symptoms of needing to detox range from bloating and digestive issues, hair loss, brain fog, aches and pains, inflammation, nausea, indigestion, headaches, waking up between 1 to 3am at night, weight gain, sluggishness, fatigue, anxiety, hormonal issues and more.

Starting the day with a fat free breakfast, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking lemon water, staying hydrated, cutting out processed foods, avoiding refined sugar and fried foods are just some of the steps you can take to help your body detoxify. There are several herbal teas that can become part of your daily routine and will aid detoxification of various organs throughout the day. Incorporating plenty of greens in your diet and using fresh herbs en mass also help 'clean up' organs and systems. Getting plenty of fresh air and doing moderate exercise is also paramount to supporting your body, as is flushing the lymph and improving the circulation of blood and therefore the elimination of unwanted toxins.