Where Do Toxins Come From?
Toxins come from almost everywhere these days. They can be ingested through your food, breathed in through the air, absorbed through your skin and even created within your body as a result of normal metabolic processes. No matter how clean your diet is, toxins are a daily reality.
That’s why your body was designed to detox. You have an organ of elimination for every organ system, and you have two main detox organs which are your liver and your kidneys. Both your liver and kidneys work to filter substances from your blood and body fluids in order to prepare them for excretion.
Why Detox?
So, if the body is set up to detox, then why would you need to do a detox program? There are several reasons you may choose to participate in a detox program but the main one for most people is that you could have a toxic load within your body that it is not currently capable of or even designed to deal with.
Most of the toxins your body has to deal with on a daily basis such as car exhaust, preservatives, additives and hormones in your food, chemicals in your drinking water, chemicals in home cleaning products and self-care products and so on did not even exist less than 100 years ago. Environmental toxins are one thing, and if you were living off the land with no exposure to man made chemicals your body would most likely never need a detox program. But if you are living in the modern world your body could use some help with the toxic load.
A well planned detox program should be one that supports the innate function of your detoxification systems. That is, it should support your liver, your kidneys, your lymphatic and your digestive systems. It is really about giving your body a boost, not so much about getting it to do something it is not already doing.
Take this Quiz: Top 11 Signs That Your Body May Be Asking For A Detox
If you find you have checked off 1 or more of the signs from this list, it means your body is likely asking you to give it a break! Click here when you’re done taking the quiz for a FREE 1 Day Detox.
1. Constant Food Cravings: If you find that you are continually dealing with food cravings and find it difficult to regulate your eating you may need a simple detox to help regulate your system. Many foods are designed to be addictive and one of the easiest ways to get over the addictive effect is to eliminate them from your system for a period of time.
2. Chronic Inflammation: When the tissues of the body are in a chronic and constant state of inflammation it may be a sign that your body is overloaded. If your body is bogged down with toxins your body won’t have the resources to properly deal with inflammation. It could also be a sign that there are substances in your system that are causing inflammation that need to be cleared out.
3. Gas and Bloating: This is one of the most common signs that the body needs a bit of a break. When you are having constant issues with gas and bloating it can be a sign that your colon has some built up waste and requires some extra support to eliminate. When you are not eliminating properly waste can build up in the colon, causing fermentation which will produce excess gas and lead to bloating.
4. Weakened Immune System: If you are finding that you are starting to catch every bug that is going around the reason may be that your body is dealing with an excess of toxins and just doesn’t have the strength to allocate additional resources to fight infection elsewhere. So, being sick frequently is a red flag that your body has become an environment that facilitates the growth of bacteria and viruses.
5. Poor Sleeping Habits: If you are finding that your sleeping habits are all over the place it could be that your body needs a little reset to help it return to a state of health and wellness. The liver is very active during the hours of 1-3 am, so if you are finding that you often wake up during this time of night it could be a sign that your liver is struggling with its toxic load.
6. Mental Fog: Decreased ability to focus, lack of clear thinking, memory loss and other cognitive symptoms can all be linked to a toxic overload in the body. When your body is clean and clear your mind will generally follow suit.
7. Fatigue and Constant Energy Crashes: If you have a hard time getting up in the morning, find you are dragging by 10 am, and need that afternoon cup of coffee to avoid falling asleep at your desk it may be time for a detox. You should feel good and have constant energy throughout the day and if this is not the case you may need a cleanse.
8. Holiday Eating Has Become A Habit: If you are having a hard time getting off of the holiday eating plan, meaning that you are finding that treats, extra snacks, sweets and large portions have become a mainstay in your diet, you may want to consider doing a little reset to help get you back on the healthy eating track. Having an abrupt interruption of your habits can be one of the easiest ways to break a habit that does not serve your health.
9. Skin Breakouts: The skin is the bodies largest detox organ, and if you find that you are dealing with constant breakouts it is possible that the cause is an over abundance of toxins in your body fighting to get out. Skin issues can also be a sign that you have some hormonal imbalances going on, and doing a simple cleanse can help give you more clarity on what the cause is for you.
10. Sluggish Digestion: If you are finding that you are not eliminating 3 times a day, you may need a detox. An efficient digestive system should be releasing waste as many times a day as you eat. Most people are not eliminating this often and that can lead to built up waste in the system which can produce toxins to be re-absorbed into the bloodstream. Also if you are noticing incomplete breakdown of your food in your stools this can be a sign that your digestive system needs a break and a boost.
11. Poor Moods: If you struggle with low level anxiety, depression, mood fluctuations, short temper or just a general lack of emotional wellbeing it could be time for a little detox. We often store our emotions in our bodies and if we are not fully releasing, those emotions can become stagnant and stuck. An overly toxic body can also lead to improper neurotransmitter function which will effect your moods. If your organs of elimination are sluggish, especially your liver, you may be dealing with blood sugar imbalances that can lead to poor moods as well.
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