Cleanse and Detox the Right Way – with Nature’s Nutritionist Bahar Mahmoudi!
Get the information you need to Cleanse & Detox the right way, with Nature’s Nutritionist, Registered Iridologist, Weight Loss Coach and International Pharmacy Graduate Bahar Mahmoudi!
By Bahar Mahmodui
Most people spend so much time and effort cleaning their external environment, i.e., their bodies, clothes, houses, cars, etc. But does not spend enough or any time cleansing their internal environment: blood, intestines, kidneys, lungs, liver, etc. With the arrival of modern society, the internal body is being stressed even more than ever before and can be overloaded with toxic chemical compounds found in our environment, including air pollution and radiation.
Beyond those, there are many toxins that we ingest through our mouths, including herbicides, pesticides, food colourings, preservatives. These agents can cause excessive stress on the entire physiology of our bodies, weakening our immune systems, digestive systems and eliminative organs. Once these systems are weakened, the other glands and organs become weakened and stressed, which can exacerbate chronic and degenerative diseases.
Eighty thousand toxic chemicals have been released into our environment since the dawn of the industrial revolution and very few have been tested for their long-term impact on human health.
According to the nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group, the average newborn baby has 287 known toxins in his or her umbilical cord blood. If a newborn is exposed to that many toxins, imagine how many you have been exposed to in your lifetime.
The simple truth is that we are living in a veritable sea of toxins and it is detrimental to our bodies and minds. The two most important things you need to know to eliminate disease, create health, and lose weight are:
- The role of nutrition in health and disease.
- The role of toxins and the importance of detoxification in health and disease.
What are the most common sources of toxins found in human body?
- Free radical toxins- Free radicals are toxic to the body because they oxidize vital compounds damaging the body’s cells and DNA. Examples of oxidation are all around us. A piece of fruit, like an apple for instance, left exposed to air (oxygen) will begin to turn brown in a few minutes.In the body, damage due to oxidation is a major contributor to cancer and, to a lesser degree, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. To make matters worse, these toxins apparently accumulate in the body over time and may also convert stable compounds in the body into free radicals. This means that as a person ages he/she may have higher levels of toxins related to chronic disease in his/her body. This may be one reason why cancer and other diseases are more prevalent with age.
- Tap water- Water quality regulations are imposed to ensure that tap water is safe to drink. However, there is an increasing concern about the level of pollutants that may be present and their possible effect on our health, including nitrates from fertilizers, weed killers, industrial chemicals, poisonous metals (such as lead and mercury) and estrogen-mimicking chemicals.
- Food additives- Additives are put into food for a number of reasons. They can help prolong shelf life, add color, and provide added flavouring to pre-packaged and processed food. According to Food Matters, the average household diet is made of about 90 percent of processed foods. This means that completely avoiding additives might be nearly impossible unless you buy products raw and cook them yourself. When buying foods with additives, you might want to avoid some of the most concerning additives, especially if you have food sensitivities or allergies. Examples of potentially detrimental food additives are: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Food Coloring, Aspartame, Sodium Nitrate/Sodium Nitrite, Potassium Bromate, BHA and BHT
- Pesticides- consuming traces of pesticides is common when you buy vegetables and fruits from the supermarket. Opt for organic food, since these are restricted from using synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Also always wash your fruits and vegetables well before easting or cooking.
- Fluoride toxicity – Chronic exposure to fluoride is detrimental and can cause serious repercussions. Children who easily swallow toothpaste (fluoride is a common ingredient in traces in toothpaste) have gastro intestinal (GI) disturbances. It is also known to cause weakening of the muscular-skeletal system, thus increasing chances and risks of fracture, ill effects on the kidney, liver damage and beyond.
- Aluminum toxicity- Aluminum is commonly used in a number of items that we use daily. Whether it is food packaging or foil paper wrapping, medicines, soaps and other hygiene products, all may have a small quantity of aluminum – particularly processed food. Many are not aware of how aluminum can be adding toxins to your body.Aluminum is found in cake mixes, baking powder, self-rising flour, some pickles, and processed cheese. Aluminum is also found in shampoos, and antiperspirants. Many people cook in aluminum vessels. Food reacts and absorbs the aluminum easily, thus intake of aluminum is increased. Aluminum toxicity causes GI problems, rickets, headaches, decrease in kidney and liver functions, speech and memory loss, muscular aches and wasting, etc.
- OTC Drugs- When it comes to toxic build-up in our bodies, one of the worst offenders is the slew of over-the-counter medications we take. Be it for headaches, stomach ailments, sore muscles or whatever, our bodies are chalked full of unnecessary and powerful medications. In fact, even if you don’t load up on OTCs yourself, so many people do that large traces of all sorts of over the counters and prescription medications have found their way into our water sources. This means they are in our drinking water, our soil and our foods.
- Nicotine and Alcohol- When it comes to toxic build-up, nothing beats the ones we so willingly ingest. Alcohol, and tobacco are some of the worst offenders. These can be classified as poisons for our bodies and yet many of us ingest one or more of these in greater or lesser quantities.
One of the most direct ways to decrease toxic build-up in your body is to let go of these addictions.
What are The Roles of Toxins in Health and Disease?
The following is a list of the common symptoms of chronic toxicity. If you suffer from any of the following, detoxifying might be critical for you to get healthy and feel good again:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Sinus congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Excessive sinus problems
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Foul-smelling stools
- Heartburn
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Food cravings
- Water retention
- Trouble losing weight
- Rashes
- Skin problems
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Canker sores
- Acne
- Puffy, dark circles under the eyes
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Other menstrual disorders
- Bad breath
What are the benefits of detox?
Physical Benefits:
The most noticeable benefits from detoxification are the physical ones. Since the toxins get stored in major organs, detoxification will help these areas the most. The organs which are affected, such as the liver and stomach, will begin to work more effectively. After the detox is completed, you may feel “lighter” and have more energy. Also, since a detox is used to clear away free radicals, your body’s immune system will be stronger and you will have a lower risk of getting cancer. Finally, a detoxification regimen will clear your blood; helping it circulate better.
Mental Benefits:
Toxins and free radicals that accumulate in the body can also affect brain functions. Before a detox, you may have trouble sleeping, chronic fatigue, and trouble with your concentration. Once you work through this process, many of these issues will gradually disappear. You will be able to sleep better and concentrate more.
Lifestyle Changes:
A benefit which most people don’t think of can be the change to your lifestyle. As you progress through the body detox, you will begin to feel better physically and mentally. This feeling can be addictive and lead to changing your lifestyle to cut out bad elements which give your body those toxins. Quitting smoking, eating better, and getting more exercise are all actions which help protect the body. The perfect time to adopt such habits is after finishing a detox.
Better Health:
A detox helps to relieve bothersome ailments like headaches and bloating as well reduce cellulite.
Weight loss:
Everyone needs a little stored energy, and fat is one of the ways you fulfil that need. Unfortunately, many of us are storing more than enough energy in the form of fat. In addition to the strain obesity puts on your cardiovascular system, there is a toxic element of obesity that many people don’t understand. Fat-soluble toxins are stored in your fat cells and these cells release toxins into your bloodstream on a regular basis. You have to get the toxins out of the fat cells before you can reduce the fat. Then, with less fat, the toxins have fewer places to hide.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nature’s Emporium, its employees, its partners or its representatives. The opinions expressed in this article are intended to be used solely for educational purposes and are not intended to be used for the diagnosis, or treatment, of any disease or health condition. Please consult your primary health care practitioner at the first sign of illness!