Home Remedies for Detoxing the Body

Home Remedies for Detoxing the Body
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In-home detoxification remedies help to eliminate toxins resulting from improper digestion and poor eating habits. The National Cancer Institutes advocated eating items laden with antioxidants as a simple method for detoxification. This helps prevent free radical cellular damage that can result in a variety of health conditions. Proper home detoxification remedies revolve around a balanced diet, ample water and increased physical activity.

Function

The process of detoxification implores the removal of unwanted compounds that linger mainly in the digestive tract, states the Mayo Clinic. Ideally, toxins should move quickly out of the body through bowel movements, urine and sweat facilitated by detoxifying food items and exercise.

Ingredients

Home detox remedies include fruits and vegetables high in essential vitamins and nutrients conducive in removing toxins from the body. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard, arugula and kale provide ample amounts of insoluble and soluble fiber, and vitamins C and E, reports the Center for Young Women’s Health.

Insoluble and soluble fiber help to absorb toxins present in the intestines and colon and quickly flush them out. Alternately, garlic promotes detoxification enzymes in the liver, which filters toxins that exist in the digestive tract, affirms the Global Healing Center. Although popular, garlic’s influence on toxin removal is controversial.

Drinking ample amounts of water also helps in eliminating accumulated toxins and providing the necessary hydration for sweating. Fruits such as apples, oranges, avocados and mangos contain essential amounts of vitamins A, C and E, which are powerful antioxidants that ward off structural damages of cells that can lead to premature aging, heart disease and cancer, according to Medline Plus.

Fatty acids such as omega-3 oils found in fish and nut varieties provide anti-inflammatory qualities that quell inflammation associated with irritation of the colon and kidneys, hindering the body’s natural detoxification process. Omega-3 oils lubricate the intestinal walls to effectively absorb and eliminate toxins, states Bruce Fife in “The Detox Book.”

Benefits

If done properly, home remedies offer simple diet adjustments without the popular novelty of herbal concoctions or restricted eating habits, which actually work against the detoxification process. Natural ingredients usually found within the home allow for more control over the detox process, while also contributing to the overall health of your body.

How to Do it and When

According to the Healing Daily website, a thorough detoxification with cleansing fruits, vegetables and associated items can take up to three or four weeks. Eating only fruits and vegetables for four days out of the week, while adding lean meats and whole-grains for the other three days creates a balanced dietary routine to garner the most benefits of the cleanse. Regularly exercising and drinking plenty of water helps to quickly remove toxins as well. As a preparatory method measure before colonoscopy, you should eat only fruits and vegetables two weeks in advance, the Colon Cancer Resource website says.

Warning

Safely engaging in a detoxification process is generally safe if executed properly. Since the process can take up to three or four weeks, it’s vital to regularly supplement your diet with lean meats, such as fish and poultry. Eating whole-grains as carbohydrates sources also helps facilitate a healthy digestive system. If you fail to effectively balance out your diet, you could potential experience dizziness, nausea, fatigue and dehydration, reports the Mayo Clinic.

References

Article reviewed by Lynda Moultry Belcher Last updated on: Jul 18, 2010

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