Spring Clean Your Body

With each sunrise, we're a little older. As a trade-off for the privilege of waking up, many of us think we need to accept the occasional stiff muscle, forgetfulness, varicose veins or few extra pounds. We reminisce about days gone by when energy was boundless and sleep was the last thing on our minds at bedtime. Yet it's possible the symptoms of 'aging' you're experiencing might have nothing to do with your age. It's possible you just need a good spring-cleaning.

TOXIC WASTE DUMP
Unless you've lived your entire life on top of a mountain, far from factories, eating only organic foods you've grown and prepared, drinking and bathing only in fresh spring-water without commercial shampoos and soaps, have never smoked or been around smoke, or tasted alcohol, your body is not the temple you think it is. Toxins come in many forms, including refined sugar, caffeine and preservatives as well as the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow our food. Body care products like deodorant, make-up along with soaps and shampoos often contain chemicals that enter the body. And we are all affected by smog and polluted water.

HEAVY METAL: NOT MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
We're aware of the heavy metal pollution in our environment caused by industry, but did you know your body likely carries around an unhealthy dose of toxic aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury too? This problem intensifies if you're not getting sufficient nutrients in your diet.

• Lead competes with calcium for absorption into your body. If lead beats calcium to the calcium receptors, it can impact the release of neurotransmitters and impede the regulation of cell metabolism
• Studies suggest that aluminum-induced degenerative diseases might result from a calcium and magnesium deficiency
• Too little selenium can pave the way for mercury and methyl mercury toxicity.

Although the body – particularly the liver – is an amazing machine designed to capture, dismantle and eliminate toxins, it simply isn't capable of dealing with the toxic load dumped into it daily. Adding to the problem, our fast-paced, fast-food lifestyles have us relying on meals deficient in the nutrients our bodies require for proper clean up of these toxins. As a result, many of us experience back-logs, build-ups and eventually system failures. Fortunately, long before serious problems show up on medical tests, we're given clues about toxic overload in the form of skin conditions, arthritis, constipation, muscle aches and pains – often conditions we associate with aging but can be symptoms of toxicity at any age.

STOP GETTING DIRTY
One of the easiest ways to start your body on the road to cleanliness is to reduce your intake of things that make it dirty. It should go without saying it's time to give up cigarette smoking, and you can protect your liver by cutting back on the alcoholic beverages. By eating organic foods whenever possible, you can reduce your intake of antibiotics, chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides. Use a produce-wash to remove traces of chemicals from your foods before eating them. A few drops of antibacterial grapefruit seed extract will also help remove germs from the surface of your food.

Food isn't the only source of our toxins. Every decision you make about products you use at home and on your body impacts your toxic load. Use natural cleansing products whenever possible so you aren't breathing in toxic fumes (and at the same time reduce the flow of toxins into our water-supply and the landfills). Vinegar and baking soda clean nearly every household mess; adding 4 tablespoons of lemon juice per gallon of water will help to whiten linens. Leave a paste of cornstarch and water to sit on an oily stain for 15 minutes, rinse, and then wash in cool water.

Many chemicals used in personal care products are not tested for safety, and by law don't have to be. To avoid being a guinea pig for chemical and goods manufacturers, opt for products containing natural ingredients. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, Castile soap and oatmeal have been used safely for thousands of years to satisfy beauty and hygiene goals.

READY TO DETOXIFY?
While reducing your intake of toxins it's extremely important to rid the body of what's already there. It's essential to get a steady stream of quality nutrients in the body – if for no other reason than to block the absorption of toxic heavy metals. Reduce or eliminate refined sugar from your diet – it causes more harm than good. Focus your diet on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein. Add a multi-vitamin/multi-mineral complex to your daily health regimen to be sure your body has a fighting chance against toxins.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water every day to allow the body to flush out toxins and to prevent constipation. A high-fibre diet will also have toxins moving quickly through your intestines. Your bowels must move at least once daily – preferably two or three times – to reduce the chance of toxins being reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. Oatmeal and apple are excellent sources of fibre, and psyllium husk taken with ample water can help restart a sluggish bowel. Supplements like milk thistle and dandelion help to support the liver to perform its detoxing duties.

If you're serious about detoxifying, there are colon cleanse and liver cleanse kits available to help you. Be sure to carefully follow instructions, keep hydrated and take it easy during any cleansing program. Fasting (avoiding all food for a short time) can also help to move toxins out of your body, but should be done under the care of a health professional.

H&L