Is your lack of energy, constant headaches, or stomach issues robbing you of an enjoyable quality of life? Your body may be telling you something, and by knowing when it’s time to detox and how to do it, you can recover your energy and live a happier life.
yourfootpalace.com gathered the following information about the signs that you need to detox, how to detox, and what those signs may also indicate.
Signs You Need To Detox
The signs telling you it’s time to detox can be incredibly subtle, somewhat uncomfortable, or downright painful. Consider the following as signals that it’s time to take action:
Skin Problems – When your body is full of toxins, your liver (the body’s principal detoxing organ) can get overloaded and allow the toxins to build up. Sweating is another way the body eliminates waste and toxins, and as this occurs, acne, rashes, blemishes, eczema flare-ups, etc. can appear on the skin surface.
May Also Indicate – Skin problems may also be caused by the following:
• Athlete’s Foot
• Poison Ivy
• Hives
• Hot or Humid Weather
• Excess Sun
• Food or Medicine Allergies
Besides indicating the need for a detox, skin irregularities should be examined by a dermatologist to rule out any underlying conditions.
Digestive Irregularities – One significant indication that you need to detox, and your existing habits need to change, is when your digestion and bowel movements stop functioning correctly. Symptoms may include:
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Stomach Pain
• Stomach Cramps
• Bloating
• Excessive Gas
May Also Indicate – These symptoms may come and go depending on several factors in your diet. If you experience any or a combination of them frequently, they may also indicate gastrointestinal conditions such as:
• Colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Digestive irregularities may be the result of medication, stress, spoiled food, or infection. Before attempting a detox or special diet, the condition should be examined by a nutritionist and/or your primary care physician to avoid exacerbating a possible underlying condition.
Chronic Inflammation – Your joints and muscles are significantly affected by persistent inflammation. If you suffer from constant joint and muscle pain, and your physical activities do not include strenuous workouts or continuous lifting and bending, you are likely suffering from chronic inflammation.
May Also Indicate – Inflammation is one of the natural reactions our body employs when healing damaged tissue (this swelling dissipate within hours or days). However, chronic inflammation may indicate or lead to:
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Atherosclerosis
• Periodontitis
• Heart Disease
• Some Cancers
If you suspect that you are suffering from chronic inflammation, consider looking beyond a detox and making permanent alterations to your lifestyle and eating habits. While a detox may help relieve symptoms, the moment you return to your old habits, the symptoms will accompany them.
Due to the high risk of developing severe medical conditions from chronic inflammation, it is recommended to seek the advice of your primary care physician.
Weight Trouble – There are many factors involved in healthy and permanent weight loss. One of those factors is a healthy and efficient digestive tract. When you lack “good bacteria,” “bad bacteria” can affect your digestion, lead to bloating, and lead to a slowed metabolism.
Most of the time, we can determine why our weight is increasing or decreasing. Less exercise and eating more will likely result in weight gain. The contrary will likely lead to weight loss.
May Also Indicate – It is when we cannot account for the reason for these gains or losses that we should be concerned about. Erratic weight gain or loss may be an indication of:
• Slowing Metabolism
• Hypothyroidism
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Cardiac Disease (fluid retention)
• Kidney Disease (fluid retention)
• Depression and/or Anxiety
• Reaction to Medication
• Hormone Disorder
For identifiable weight loss or weight gain, a detox is a great starting point. If you plan to stabilize and maintain your weight, the exercise, and eating habits you previously practiced must be permanently altered.
Craving Sugar – The consumption of too many simple carbohydrates (white bread, rice, potatoes, processed cereal, etc.) or too much sugar causes extreme imbalances of insulin and blood glucose.
These eating habits, over time, cause you to crave more and more sugar. As your sugar consumption increases, your brain alters how it registers sugar and causes cravings to induce more consumption.
The harmful results of sugar are primarily related to the weight gain from the sugar-sweetened beverages we drink and added sugar in the food we consume.
May Also Indicate – Habitual heavy consumption of sugar and the “sweet tooth” or insatiable sugar craving may lead to or indicate the occurrence of:
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Weight Gain
Along with a detox, one of the only ways to reduce and eventually end sugar cravings is to remove sugary items from your diet. This includes:
• Fructose
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
• Sweetened Cereal
And limit consumption of:
• Honey
• Brown Rice Syrup
• Molasses
• Corn Syrup
Except for glucose, all sugars have the same effect on your body, stimulating your appetite and causing you to eat more. When embarking on any diet or detox plan, it is essential to read the labels on the food we buy to know the sugar content and make better decisions.
Healthy Detox Methods
Once you determine that it’s time to take action, be cautious of detox plans that promise fast or unbelievable results. In many cases, these plans can do more harm than good in the long run.
The following are small steps that you can make a part of your daily life and significantly contribute to your body’s long-term natural detoxification capabilities.
Drink Water – Drink filtered water, fruit-infused water, and decaffeinated teas frequently throughout the day. When your body is fully hydrated, it naturally increases its capability to flush out toxins.
Tip: When you are fully hydrated, your urine will be clear. The more yellow and darker it is, the more dehydrated you are.
Fruits and Vegetables – The more fruits and vegetables you consume, the better! The following are some of the detoxifying benefits from consuming fruits and vegetables:
• Their high water content works in tandem with your higher water consumption to flush out toxins.
• Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that can help you control inflammation.
• More vegetables equate to more fiber, promoting healthy bacteria in your gut.
At least half of your meal should consist of fruits and vegetables. The other half should consist of foods containing healthy fat and protein, such as fish, organic eggs, nuts, and legumes.
Sleep Pattern – Get at least 8 hours of quality sleep per night, every night. Here’s what you can do to facilitate your restorative sleep:
• Establish a constant bedtime every day.
• Turn off or put down electronic devices 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime.
• Keep your room dark.
• Keep your room cool.
• Establish a constant time to wake up every day.
In the beginning, herbal or natural sleep aids can be used to help you adjust to a new sleep schedule. Tart cherry (contains melatonin), motherwort, and magnesium can also help.
Read more about the benefits of sleeping in a cold room at yourfootpalace.com/5-benefits-sleeping-cold-room/
Exercise – One of the best detoxifiers for your body, exercise provides the following benefits:
• Helps move lymphatic fluid (and the toxins it contains)
• Increases your heart health
• Improves your cardiovascular system
• Improves the quality of your sleep
• Reduces stress
• Makes you sweat
Sweat is an extremely efficient way to remove toxins from your body. The benefits of exercise can be achieved by taking a walk every day, stretching, practicing yoga, and gradually moving up to a more intense workout plan.
Note: Consult your primary care physician when adding an exercise routine to your detox plans. He/she can advise you on the recommended frequency and intensity of your workouts.
Intermittent Fasting – While intermittent fasting is hypothesized to boost immune function and reduce inflammation associated with disease, the medical community is lacking evidence that fasting provides any health benefits beyond those of other weight-loss programs.
Considering intermittent fasting? Be sure to discuss its potential risks with your doctor. Severely limiting calories by skipping meals can be dangerous for people with certain conditions, like diabetes.
People who take prescription medication, over the counter medications for pain, medicines for blood pressure, or heart disease may be more susceptible to electrolyte abnormalities from fasting.
Detox Foot Pads – According to publications by Mayo Clinic, there is no reliable evidence that detox foot pads do what their manufacturers claim.
Detox foot pad manufacturers claim that when the pads are worn at night, toxins are drawn from your body. Some of those manufacturers also claim that their product treats high blood pressure, cellulite, diabetes, headaches, insomnia, and aid in weight loss.
Some claim that their product provides the same types of benefits as reflexology. Reflexology, as a therapeutic practice, requires the actual massaging of the foot by a trained reflexologist. Read more about reflexology foot massages at yourfootpalace.com/7-benefits-reflexology-foot-massage/
Note: There have been no studies published to corroborate these claims or that these foot pads are safe to use.
Self-Care – Your personal hygiene and state of mind are just as crucial as any other factor in a detox program. Make sure the following are added to your detox journey:
• Quit smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco
• Eliminate or limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Bathing or showering regularly (especially after sweating or working out)
• Brush, floss, and rinse after each meal (keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and able to chew food properly)
• De-stress after work
• Have regular massages
• Make time for loved ones and cultivate friendships
Self care is also about making informed decisions about the food you consume, the amount of exercise you do, and the quality of the relationships you maintain. The more conscious effort you invest in yourself, the better your detox experience will be.
Note: Be cautious of “detox scams” that promise fast and incredible results. More often than not, the results you achieve from these programs come from a combination of factors that you are already placing in action.
There is a multitude of detox programs available. All of them may have worked for someone at some point, but not all of them are right for you.
Detox For Health
In this article, you discovered signs that you need to detox, what those signs may also indicate, and how to detox.
By making informed decisions about how to detox your body, you can significantly increase your health and overall well-being.
When you ignore or tolerate discomfort and pain, you invite a multitude of medical conditions to develop and rob you of your quality of life.
Sources:
health.clevelandclinic.org/stomach-trouble-5-steps-help-prevent-digestive-problems-as-you-age/
health.harvard.edu/heart-health/not-so-fast-pros-and-cons-of-the-newest-diet-trend
healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/2008/kinoki.htm
newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/taming-chronic-inflammation
rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/unexplained-weight-changes
health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-break-the-sugar-habit-and-help-your-health-in-the-process
kcms-prod-mcorg.mayo.edu/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/detox-foot-pads/faq-20057807
dermalogica.com/why-do-I-need-to-detox-my-skin%3F/why-do-I-need-to-detox-my-skin,default,pg.html
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