The best method for complete detoxification
One of the most common questions I receive is about the “best detox.” It usually goes a little something like this: “Kate, I’m tired, overweight and my skin looks older by the day, I need a major detox, what type do you recommend?”
In a way, it’s almost similar to asking for the best method of breathing. Just as we breathe without having to think about it, we also detoxify no matter what we are eating. Green juice or no green juice, our liver and kidneys are working constantly to detoxify the body. The simple fact is that some foods aid in the effectiveness of detoxification and others merely contribute more toxins to our toxic load. The toxicity becomes severe when it manifests in gastrointestinal issues, brain fog, depression, inability to lose weight, and skin disorders.
Obvious causes of toxic overload
The information at this point is nearly impossible to avoid: our crops are genetically modified with the Roundup Ready method, which allows the plant to withstand the most popularly used herbicide Roundup. If you haven’t heard of the company that’s essentially responsible for this, Monsanto, then I strongly advise a solid 30 minute research session for a bit of perhaps shocking enlightenment. So that’s just one of the issues we have, the chemicals used in and on our food. Our bodies are simply not designed to deal with the modification of the food itself, not to mention the chemicals sprayed on the food, and that creates some serious toxic buildup that is in fact difficult to get away from, especially if we are eating chemically sprayed, genetically modified foods on a daily basis.
Speaking of chemicals–did you know that what we put on our skin is actually absorbed into the bloodstream? That means if you’re not using nature-based lotion, skincare, shampoo, hand soap, dish soap, and makeup, then you are undoubtedly absorbing dangerous chemicals into your bloodstream and completely overwhelming your kidneys and liver. It unfortunately is incredibly common, even for those who eat an organic-based diet, to continue to use these products with little thought of the effects on the body. Luckily, the damage can be undone, but it takes time and consistency.
Less obvious causes of toxic buildup
One of the most potent toxic issues is the easiest to ignore and leave on the back burner, and that is stress. Myself included, when it comes to taking the time for a yoga session, massage, or meditation, it’s so incredibly easy to say, “I don’t have the time for this right now.”
However, stress reduction is absolutely key in creating a toxin-free environment. Any time the body is stressed, physically or emotionally, we immediately produce chemicals called cortisol and adrenaline. When these hormones are produced, our entire body produces a reaction.
Hundreds of thousands of years ago when our stress was caused by being chased by a large animal, it was beneficial to produce cortisol and adrenaline that would indicate the need to run quickly from the beast chasing us. Fast forward to 2015 and the human body still has not adapted to be able to tell the difference between stress caused by running from a tiger and stress caused by everyday life events. So we become overwhelmed. We stress out and produce stress hormones that not only create feelings of anxiety, but also alter gene expression, reduce our mental capacity, and increase inflammation.
Another not so prevalently known cause of health issues is heavy metal toxicity. Tap water and dental fillings are two of the most common culprits.
Solutions
As with any problem, there is a solution. In this instance, detoxification does not come in a set of pre-portioned packages in a box labeled “Liver Detox,” or even from a fast, but from total cellular regeneration. When it comes to diet, we need to stop eating genetically modified foods. If conventional produce needs to be consumed, be sure to wash it thoroughly with organic veggie wash or apple cider vinegar. Regarding our skin and cleaning products, I understand the financial burden of completely switching over from your current products. Ladies, start with your makeup and of course your lotions and skincare. Over time, make the switch from the chemical-laden products to the less harmful chem-free alternatives.
Heavy metals can be eliminated more easily with regular consumption of a single-cell green algae called chlorella, which can be purchased in powder form and easily added to smoothies and fresh pressed juices. Removal and replacement of dental fillings with non-metal fillings is of course an ideal solution. One of the cheapest but most effective investments you can make in your efforts to eliminate heavy metals is a water filter.
Stress is likely the most difficult of the above contributors to toxic buildup and it’s because we are required to re-program the ways we perceive, live, and react to life situations. I cannot stress enough (pun intended) the importance of stress reduction in order to attain complete cell rejuvenation. Whether you prefer to head to the spa, light candles and write, hike in the woods, or take a few runs down the mountain, it’s incredibly essential that we not only remove the exterior toxins, but the interior, self-inflicted toxins as well.
