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How to detoxify your body. If you’re here, you’ve probably already thought about the importance of ridding your body of anything that could compromise your health in the coming years, months… or days.
Our body is equipped with its own detoxification tools (liver, kidneys, skin, etc.), but age, compromised health, lack of rest, an unbalanced diet or stress can affect our ability to cleanse the body. Where to start?
HOW TO DETOXIFY THE BODY IN A SINGLE DAY?
Every day we are exposed to pollutants that we inhale ingest or touch: air toxins, heavy metals, trans fats, traces of medicines and other chemicals in food and/or food packaging.
24 hours is not enough to change what we have been doing for weeks, months, perhaps years. But decisions can be made in a day. The first step to detoxify the body and de-inflate the organism would be to avoid the most harmful substances. This list can be of great help:
1 HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury or lead are a group of chemical elements that are toxic to humans. They can derive from mining or industrial activity and, once released, can accumulate for hundreds of years in soil, plants and animals… They are neither chemically nor biologically degradable, accumulate in the food chain and have been shown to seriously affect health, especially the gastrointestinal, neurological, haematic and renal systems.
NATURAL CHELATORS
What to do? Avoid contact with heavy metals as much as possible and consume food and chelating substances.
Studies indicate that the Maitake mushroom has a great capacity to absorb heavy metals: the rate of mercury elimination in vitro is 56% and in vivo is higher than that of another drug specially developed as a chelator (DMPS).
As an expert laboratory in medicinal mushrooms at Hifas da Terra, we have conducted clinical studies based on previous evidence. The combination of the extract of our Maitake and Polyporus strains has corroborated the detoxifying capacity of lead and mercury in blood and hair tests, both in healthy people and in others with associated pathologies.
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Natural detox supplement with organic extracts of Maitake and Polyporus to aid detoxification and natural drainage. 60 vegetable capsules.
2 TRANS FATS OR HYDROGENATED FATS
If you inject hydrogen into unsaturated fats such as soybean or corn oil, you get solid fats that we also call trans fats or hydrogenated fats. These have no health benefits and have been shown to raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower good cholesterol (HDL). Despite this, current legislation does not make it compulsory for these fats to appear on food labelling.
3 BISPHENOL A AND SIMILAR COMPOUNDS
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that used to be found in plastic containers and the inner lining of metal cans. Studies have shown that BPA can be transferred to food and beverages containing BPA. Although there is still a lack of human evidence to corroborate these preliminary results, it is possible: to avoid using plastic utensils (this includes the consumption of bottled water) and give preference to other materials such as glass.
4 ADDED SUGARS
We are talking about simple and added sugars (including sweeteners), which can be found in juices, sweets, sugary drinks, industrial bakery products, etc. In the long term, these types of sugars have been associated with metabolic disorders and the development of chronic diseases and cancer.
5 POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
According to Food Science, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of more than 100 different chemicals that are formed by burning organic matter such as coal, oil, petrol, gasoline and waste, but are also found in grilled foods.
PAHs in food can come from environmental pollution (industrial activities, heating, forest fires, etc.) and from processes including smoking, drying or even heating of food.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE ELIMINATING TOXINS?
In general, detoxifying the body can lead to weight loss, increased diuresis and improved colon transit. What does this mean? The feeling of wellbeing derived from the detox plan translates into:
- adequate energy levels.
- increased serenity
- skin radiance
- intestinal transit
- better rest
WHAT HELPS TO CLEANSE THE INTESTINES?
Through the gastrointestinal system we process nutrients and water, but we also eliminate waste substances. In this respect, it is important to remember that fibre helps to ensure that this elimination is regular and that the intestinal microbiota (gut flora) is kept in balance.
WHY DO WE TALK ABOUT PREBIOTICS?
We could say that prebiotics are the food for the gut bacteria with which each individual grows and develops. As we have already explained in this article, the microbiota works like a fingerprint, it is unique and identifies us.
It has also been shown to function as a biomarker: its alterations reflect disorders and are even associated with the development, progression and remission of some pathologies.
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO DETOXIFY THE BODY?
Every detox process should be considered as part of our daily routine and, like almost every relevant change, it has an immediate impact but is part of a process with even more visible effects in the long term.
No one knows better than ourselves that when we do things right we feel better.
FOODS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES THAT DETOXIFY THE BODY
In this section, we will focus on those foods that are recommended for containing substances that help to take care of the organs responsible for eliminating toxins from the body.
- Natural diuretics: ergone and ergosterol are natural diuretics, found, for example, in medicinal mushrooms such as Maitake and Polyporus. Diuretics help to generate more urine to eliminate excess fluid and toxins.
- Natural antioxidants: antioxidants protect our cells from damage (oxidation, cellular ageing) caused by toxins and excess free radicals. Cruciferous vegetables, nuts, red fruits and mushrooms provide a large quantity of quality antioxidants.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: These have been shown to help lower triglyceride levels, which has a direct impact on the liver and kidneys.
- Vitamin B6: Adequate levels of vitamin B6 can help prevent excess oxalates leading to kidney stones. In addition, a lack of vitamins B, B6 and C have been associated with increased toxicity and worse.
- Pectins: these soluble fibres can be found in apples, carrots, grapes, chestnuts, etc. and help regulate blood sugar levels. Too much sugar can damage kidney health.
ADVERSE EFFECTS: CAN HEADACHES OCCUR WHEN DETOXIFYING THE BODY?
You may find information about the adverse effects of restrictive diets or detox plans, but as we have seen, detoxing the body is about good daily practices, choosing the right foods, exercising, getting adequate rest and being aware of everything we do on a daily basis and avoiding excesses.
GUIDE TO PURIFY TOXINS IN 7 DAYS
And if excesses occur – we are human – we can have these four rules to help us get back on track more quickly.
- Keep the body well hydrated every day: this improves the appearance of our skin and the elimination of toxins through urine. If you need ideas to increase your water intake, we suggest adding lemon, ginger or turmeric slices. And, of course, avoid alcohol and nicotine.
- Reduce salt intake and reduce sugar consumption even further. Salt favours fluid retention. If you find it hard to cut salt from your meals, limit your consumption of processed foods and remember: too much salt is associated with high blood pressure.
- Choose fresh foods rich in antioxidants and fibre.
- Exercise. Sweating is a great way to eliminate toxins through the skin.
Summary Pill
Food contains both naturally occurring toxic substances and pesticide residues. In addition: preservatives, colourings, antioxidants and other additives added to processed foods can be toxic to some people. Similarly, pre-cooked meals in plastic containers and heated in the microwave release plastic residues, which are transferred to the food.
Our unhealthy habits also contribute to the accumulation of more toxins in the body so adopting a shift towards detoxifying foods and practices can help you feel better very easily. Start with your diet: review what you consume and choose those substances that can best help you balance your body.
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