Chances are you’ve likely heard of detoxing. This wellness trend has really blown up over the past few years. Not only has detoxing become a habit amongst health and wellness enthusiasts, but it has also become a part of pop-culture. This is likely because of celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston raving about their recent juice cleanse or other cleansing diet.
But what actually is a detox or cleanse? Does it really work? And what are the benefits of detoxing? These are all really good questions you should ask yourself before you start drinking 5 exotic juices for every meal of the day.
The Benefits of Detoxing Regularly
First off, there are other ways to detox besides doing a juice cleanse (more practical and enjoyable ways, too). For example, regularly going to the sauna, working out, or playing a sport are technically a form of detox. Even drinking more water throughout the day can help your body cleanse away toxins.
It is also beneficial to detoxify your body on a regular basis. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the benefits of detoxing, what it does to your body, and some different ways to detox. Before we do, you should probably know what toxins actually are!
What Are Toxins and Why Do I Need to Detox?
Toxins can be anything from pollutants, metals, chemicals, synthetics, or even processed foods. These have no health purpose for our body and often lead to harm. Some have even said that they can cause diseases such as cancer. In all actuality, detoxes aren’t necessary; our body is fully capable of eliminating toxins. This is done through the digestive system, in the liver, kidneys, and other parts of the body.
However, that doesn’t mean that detoxes aren’t helpful. When we do a detox, it is able to aid the body and make it easier for it to remove unwanted chemicals.
Before people start a detox, they usually ask themselves “why do I need to detox?” There are usually physical signs or ailments that lead a person to start a detox, though some people are just looking for another way to live a healthier, well-balanced life.
One sign that you might need to detox is if you are constantly tired or fatigued. This is because the body’s process of removing waste (especially high amounts of it) requires a lot of energy. This need for energy also weakens the immune system, causing you to become sick more easily and more often. The inability to focus or depressive and sad moods may be another reason why you need to detox.
Despite the fact that this may be due to other reasons, an excess of certain toxins can cause a chemical and hormonal balance in the brain. Regardless of how you feel, you should always consult with a doctor before starting a detox, especially if it involves your diet.
What Kinds of Detoxes Are There?
There are a number of ways detox your body and each of them have slightly different effects on the body. These can be: - Juice cleanse - Food restriction - Sauna and sweating
Juice Cleanse
A juice cleanse is probably something you have heard about. Maybe one of your friends or someone in your family has done one before. It essentially involves only consuming juices made up of fruits and vegetables. Though many people swear by juice cleanses and their benefits, there still remains a lot of skepticism about this trend.
These cleanses are supposed to be done for 3 to 10 days and the idea behind it is that the high amount of vitamins and minerals can flush toxins from the body. It is also believed to help reduce weight. If you do commit to a juice cleanse, we hope you enjoy the taste of fruits and vegetables. Some of the most common juices used in a cleanse can be spinach juice, kale juice, beet juice, and more.
Not only do you have to drink these juices, but you cannot eat during a cleanse. Instead, the juices are supposed to replace your meals and provide the nutrients your body needs. All in all, a juice cleanse, especially since there are no proven benefits, is not practical and definitely not the best approach if you are trying to detoxify your body.
There also may be potential risks, so you should always consult with your doctor or a medical professional if you are considering this kind of detox.
Food Restriction
A restrictive diet is a much better way to detox than a juice cleanse. This entails limiting the amount of toxins that enter your body. Toxins can be in many kinds of food. For example, sugars and fattening food usually are carriers of toxins that can cause harm to your body. This doesn’t mean that you have to completely cut these foods out of your diet, as long as you reduce their intake to a healthy level you will achieve improved wellness.
It’s also important to reduce, if not completely cut out, unhealthy habits. Alcohol is a toxin that can cause inflammation, damage your organs, and lead to cancer. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that smoking cigarettes has many negative effects on your body. That’s why quitting both these habits is one of the best ways to get rid of harmful toxins!
Sauna and Sweating
Sweating, as you likely are aware, is a healthy way to eliminate toxins from the body, and saunas are one of the best ways to sweat. One study found that sweating can effectively remove BPA, or bisphenol A, from the body. This industrial chemical is known to have health effects on the brain and can also lead to higher blood pressure.
Sweating has also been known to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls from the body, too. You don’t have to use a sauna to sweat out toxins from the body. Even working out, playing a sport, or any high intensity activity can make you sweat enough to provide health benefits.
You can also use heated pemf therapy mats or chairs, like the ones we have here at HealthyLine, to generate enough sweat to get rid of toxins and other chemicals. Our mats use far infrared rays to penetrate heat deeper in the body, allowing you to cleanse toxins a lot better than normal heating pads.
What Does a Detox Do?
So, how does a detox actually clean your body? And what are the health benefits of detoxing? As the name suggests, a detox removes toxins from the body. There are actually quite a few ways this can happen which depend on the kind of detox you are doing.
Some of these can include: - Improved energy and mood - Weight loss - Improved organ function - Healthier immune system - Better skin So, let’s take a closer look at these benefits!
Improved Energy and Mood
A detox can be great for your mental and emotional health. When you experience stress, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone affects your mood, immune system, and other organ functions. Luckily, a detox is capable of regulating this hormonal imbalance, reducing your overall stress levels.
Detoxing also gives your body more energy. When your organs work to remove toxins from your body, they require a lot of energy (especially when there is a high amount of toxins). So, when you remove toxins through detox, your organs don’t need to use as much energy. This helps you feel less tired and fatigued as you go about your day.
Weight Loss
Because some detoxes or cleanses prevent you from eating solid food, detox is often used by those who want to shed a few pounds. These diets require you to gain all of the nutrients your body needs through water, tea, juices, and other liquids. Some diets even require you to take supplements or enemas.
While many claim that these kinds of weight loss plans really work, many are uncertain about their effectiveness. Some believe that they actually may be dangerous. That’s why we recommend that if you consider doing a juice cleanse or detox of any kind that you should first consult with a doctor.
Improved Organ Function
As stated before, the body is naturally able to detox itself and cleanse away pollutants. But when you regularly detox, your body doesn’t have to spend as much energy doing this.
This helps your organs become healthier and function at a more optimal level. For example, when your digestive system is overloaded, it has been known to lead to malnutrition and a weakened immune system; detox can prevent this from happening!
Healthier Immune System
Speaking of the immune system, a detox leads to better immune health. The immune system is the network of cells that work to fight against harmful foreign agents. So, when your immune system is in better shape, you are less likely to become sick.
Improved immune function also makes it easier for your body to heal after you have fallen ill. All in all, your immune system is an essential aspect of your overall health and wellness, so take care of it!
Better Skin
Skin is the largest organ of the body, so it’s important to make sure it stays healthy. One of the best ways to do that is with a detox. There are even specific cleanses aimed at skin health.
One way to do this is to regularly use a sauna or do any kind of activity that helps you sweat out pollutants and chemicals that clog your skin. Another benefit of skin detoxing is that you will have a glowing, radiant glow!
The Importance of Detoxing Regularly
The importance of detoxing has to do with the benefits of detoxing, of which there are many. From better skin to improved organ health, detoxing and cleansing your body is a great way to improve your health and wellness. At HealthyLine, we truly believe that detoxing is so important, and one of the best ways to do that is with one of our far-infrared heated mats. Our 360 Wrap series is specifically designed to give users an immersive sauna-like experience that helps them sweat out a large amount of toxins. Regardless of the means in which you detox, you will definitely experience some degree of health and wellness benefits!