3 Natural Ways to Detox

Early in the year, many of us made a resolution to be healthier. But it’s easy to let those efforts slip away from us as the time passes. But with summer quickly approaching, our mind starts to wander back to those commitments we promised we would make, wondering how we can slim down in a healthy way. As a Certified Nutritionist & Wellness Consultant, I have learned that if better health is your goal, one of the most efficient ways to hit the reset button is to detoxify. Here are my top 3 natural ways to do so:

1) WATER

Because it’s pH is neutral, water allows the body to not only hydrate efficiently, but also helps get rid of stagnant toxins. Don’t be fooled, the so-called “recommended” 64 oz/day you read about was based on a 130 Lbs person, and is not nearly enough water for the majority of us. Think about it this way, if you’re built like Mother Theresa vs. Shaquille O’Neal, your needs are different. The accurate amount is 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day. so, if you’re 200 lbs, you need to drink 100 oz of water/day.  Don’t worry, although you may urinate more at first, your kidneys & body will eventually catch on. It is easier & more efficient to drink through the day and outside of meals o reach these optimum levels.

2) SWEAT

Skin is our largest organ, and thus our most powerful tool for detoxifying.  Once you drink your recommended amount of water, sweating it out will allow you to get rid of those stagnant toxins even faster.  My top 3 favorite “break a sweat” activities are: power yoga, riding my bike, and dry heat sauna (when I just feel like reading a book or magazine!). Pick the activity of your choice, but just do it.  Thirty minutes of sweating profusely is all you need.

3) JUICING

The process of juicing allows the antioxidants, minerals & vitamins to be absorbed faster by the body because there is no bulk to break down.  Store bought juices, on the other hand, are full of processed sugars, so, not the same thing. While it is advised that you consult with a cleansing consultant, especially if you have never tried one before, there are some natural ways to go about a juice cleanse yourself. My favorite easy-does-it home made recipe for a quick detox (liver + GI + blood) combines the following ingredients:

• 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 large sprigs thyme
• 1/2—inch (12-mm) piece fresh ginger sliced
• 1 cup (8 fl 0z/250 ml) boiling water
• 1 teaspoon honey juice of 1 large orange

In a cup, combine the herbs and ginger. Add the boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Stir in the honey then the orange juice. Serve warm.

Basil is antibacterial and a blood purifier, and thyme is also antibacterial, particularly for the gastro-intestinal tract. Ginger stimulates circulation and liver detoxification, and orange provides the antioxidant vitamin C.

If you are looking to speak with a professional about your detox, give me a call to schedule an appointment in my Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg office, or a phone consultation to learn about different detox and cleansing programs and how they can help you rejuvenate your health!