Why Is Detoxing Good For You?

Why Is Detoxing Good For You?

I talk a lot about mental health and detoxing the mind in my NLP and self-development articles, yet what of physical health. Here Benjamin Bonetti talks about the virtues of detoxing the body.

The idea of a detox and having the ability to restore your body to good health after a period of bad behaviour or bad choices sounds very enticing. There is a great deal to be said for being able to hit a button entitled “reset” and within seven days, feel brand new and at your best.

It isn’t easy, which is why many people struggle with the detoxification process, but when followed correctly, it provides an opportunity to remove some of the stress placed on the major organs of the body and the body itself.

When most people think about a detox, they are usually focused on their liver, which is the main organ for detoxification. However, it is possible to detox via a number of paths, with the colon, the kidneys and the skin itself ripe for a detoxification process.

The skin is the largest organ to associate with detoxification because it can absorb toxins placed on it and it can eliminate toxins via sweat. Your kidneys are important because this is where blood is filtered and toxins are passed through in your colon. There is also the colon which is deemed to be the final point, as this is where many toxins are sent out as waste.It is important to ensure that all of the traditional exit points of the human body are not blocked and are in good working order. If these points are blocked, there is no opportunity for the toxins to leave your body, so make sure that you have taken sufficient fibre and water before you start a detoxification process to aid the overall process.

You need the right nutrients to ensure your detox works

For the detoxification process to work, there is a need to ensure that the right nutrients are utilised. Many detoxification process are not suitable or effective because they lack the appropriate nutrients needed to complete the three phases of the detoxification process.

In phase I, the liver examines evert molecule and then transforms any harmful molecules into harmless substances. Phase II is based on the binding of some compounds to molecules so that they can be sufficiently removed from the body. This can cause free-radicals, which is a negative thing but if you are taking in enough antioxidants, you will find that these free radicals can be neutralised. After this stage is Phase III, which is the elimination phase of the process where the compounds exit the body.

There are a range of nutrients that help to facilitate all three of the phases, but it is important to find a balance that ensures all phases are benefitted. If you are able to speed up Phase I but cannot assist Phase II, you are going to cause problems as the toxins removed from the Phase I stage will be backed up in your system. If you are looking to improve the Phase I process, the nutrients you need are folate, Calcium, Vitamins A, B3, B6, B12, C and E. With respect to food, this means that you should eat Vegetables, fruit, and soaked whole grains.

To improve the Phase II process, you should be looking to add amino acids, glycine, taurine and cysteine, which can be found in protein. A key part of the process here comes from the importance of protein. This stage needs protein and if you are not providing your body with enough protein, your body will take it from muscle tissue. This is why a number of detoxes see you lose weight quickly while leaving you feeling tired and weaker. It is important to remember though, that if you lack protein in your detoxification process, the weight loss you experience is likely to be muscle tissue and water, not fat. If you’re are thinking about detoxing, fancy a week in the sun, some yoga and massage then why not enrol on one of luxury detox retreats in Portugal.

Click here to see the retreats in Portugal