Detox is a buzzword that everyone is using right now, and I like to remind my patients that detox is something the body was designed to do on its own. The colon, liver, and kidneys are all powerful detox organs. We each have this beautiful ability to filter out what does not serve our bodies through these organs. When they are not working efficiently, that’s not the time to put an extra load on them by detoxing. I prefer to figure out why there is an issue (usually food, environmental, or emotional toxins), then support these organs with the appropriate solution.
The very first organ I recommend supporting is the colon. The function of the colon is literally to carry waste out of the body. We need to ensure that you’re actually able to get the stuff out. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if you are not having a bowel movement at least three times a day, that is our first step. If you are having regular loose stool, we need to address why. Getting the colon in tip-top shape will help ensure your body can effectively remove its waste. One of the best (and easiest) ways to support the colon is to increase water consumption. We want to ensure the water we are drinking is filtered and free from chemicals. Adding lemon, lime, or grapefruit to our water helps change the flavor and also supports the lymph, liver, and kidneys along the way. I recommend putting a pinch of Redmond’s Real Salt (yes, the brand matters, and this is the only one I recommend) in your water with the citrus. This helps hydrate the colon and supports the colon’s ability to remove any old stuff that may be hanging around.
Next, we need to really support the liver. The liver carries a lot of responsibility! All of the blood from our stomach passes through the liver, and the liver’s job is to remove waste from our blood, regulate our blood sugar, and even create nutrients for us. The liver loves and appreciates green vegetables like kale, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts. Beets also make the liver very happy. Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha are also a great aid to the liver. When looking to support the liver, consider doing a 2-3 day vegetable fast. You can have as many vegetables as you want both steamed and raw, or even in a nice bone broth soup, but sticking with just vegetables for a few days really helps your liver have a break and allows it to naturally detox.
The last detox organ we need to focus on supporting is the kidneys. Our kidneys remove toxic waste from our bodies through our urine. Kidneys also help regulate our salt and other minerals as well as produce hormones that perform key functions like regulating our blood pressure and managing our calcium absorption! One of the greatest gifts we can give to our kidneys is water! Pure water. I recommend doing a careful assessment of your coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption and taking a small break from those, focusing solely on pure water.
We have simple ways to support our vital detox organs…
- Drink plenty of filtered water with a pinch of Redmond’s Real Salt and fresh citrus slices.
- Do a 2-3 day vegetable-only fast and load up on veggies!
- Drink plenty of filtered water! Did we mention how important water is for detox?
When we incorporate these on a daily basis, we find that the body will naturally detox. If you have already done these steps and are ready to step it up a notch, let’s talk and create a plan because March is an ideal time that your body is actually wanting to shed extra junk! I love working on this when the body is ready!
Recent Comments