Complete Body Detox

The modern environment is becoming more toxic with every passing year. Pesticides, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals are present in the air you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat. A systematic review of peer reviewed studies conducted by the Canadian Family Physician found pesticide exposure to be directly associated with cancer development, specifically brain, prostate and kidney cancers. Luckily, there are ways to deal with this through lifestyle modification. Over time you can rid your body of toxins.

Detox Your Living Space

The first step in achieving complete detoxification begins with your living space. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. Keep the air fresh in your home with outdoor air. Open the windows. Consider investing in an air purifier if the outside air quality is poor. Also, clean the bed sheets and vacuum weekly.

Unwanted pests should be removed by natural means. Pesticides used to kill mice, roaches and other unwanted "guests" contain harmful chemicals and remain in the air for days. Prevent infestation by maintaining a clean household, seal potential entry points, and use bait traps.

Avoid the use of air fresheners. They often contain paradichlorobenzene, a carcinogen. Besides, they don't actually remove odor; ventilation and frequent cleaning do. If odors persist, choose natural products. Use safe-scented candles or burn pure essential oils. Both are available at health food stores.

Choose natural household cleaning products. Conventional oven cleaner, wood polish, and drain cleaner may contain toxic substances. The American Environmental Health Foundation offers a list of natural products.

Practice Moderation

Next, control your intake of known toxins. Reduce fish consumption. Today's waters are contaminated with mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. Follow the guidelines presented by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch. If you supplement with fish oil, a list of tested products found to be safe can be found at the International Fish Oil Standards website.

Excessive alcohol consumption hinders nutrient absorption and can result in nutritional deficiency. If you drink, stick with red wine. It contains a large amount of beneficial polyphenols, which help with the removal of free radicals. For men, limit daily intake to two 4-oz. glasses per day; women should drink no more than one glass.

Risky Behavior

Third, there are behaviors that you want to avoid. The single most effective way to detoxify your body is to avoid tobacco smoke. It contains more than 4,000 dangerous chemicals and gases. Don't smoke and keep your distance from people with lit tobacco products.

Limit your exposure to sunlight. It is a major source of DNA-damaging free radicals. Before going outside, remember to apply sunscreen and to wear long-sleeved clothing. Also avoid X-rays. Don't request them; only have X-rays done if asked to by your physician. Ensure that your body is shielded during the procedure.

Self-Maintenance

Now, make your body more efficient at removing toxins. One way to do this is to take control of your daily caloric intake. Excessive calories have a direct influence on disease development. Familiarize yourself with portion sizes. High-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains should make up a majority of each meal. When dining out, split the meal with your partner. Learn how to walk away from the table before stuffing yourself. In time, your stomach will eventually shrink, and this will become less difficult.

Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens the immune system, making you more resistant to disease.

Learn how to deal with stress. The body responds to stress by producing chemicals that treat it at first, but prolonged exposure to these chemicals can overload the immune system and reduce the ability to eliminate toxins from the body. Ensure that you get adequate rest. Socialize with other people regularly. Relaxation techniques such as meditation may also help to manage stress.

Detoxify Yourself

Lastly, be mindful of the products you come into direct contact with. Watch what you eat. Avoid foods that contain preservatives. Stick with the fresh products. Also, do not overcook meat. Smoked and charred meats are not recommended. When you overcook meat, the protein in the meat becomes altered and carcinogenic as a result.

Drink, bathe and cook with clean water. Hundreds of chemicals are present in tap water. You can remove most by installing point-of-use filters in your home. The National Safety Foundation, or NSF, provides a list of tested and approved devices.

Finally, be selective when choosing personal care products. They contain chemicals that are absorbed by the skin which actually may be harmful to your health such as methylisothiazoline in shampoo or diazolidinyl urea in lotion. Look for the ones that contain natural ingredients. Get in the habit of reading labels.