Toxin plight
A toxin is anything that has a harmful effect in the body. Internal toxins may include unhealthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract due to factors like stress, unhealthy foods and recurrent antibiotic use.

External or environmental toxins include chemicals and pollutants from plastics, pesticides, heavy metals, cigarette smoke and exhaust. These end up in our air, soil, food and water supplies and, eventually, accumulate in the body.

If there are excess toxins, your system
is slow, or the required detoxification
nutrients such as amino acids or B Vitamins are unavailable, the body becomes overwhelmed and can’t remove them. Often there are no immediate signs of toxicity, but long-term, low-level exposure can disrupt normal function of the kidneys, nervous, immune, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems as well as trigger asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, headaches, joint or muscle pain, acne or dermatitis.

Detox managers
Although most detoxification occurs in the liver, the first step takes place in the gut. Over a lifetime, the gastrointestinal tract processes over 25 tons of food; representing the largest load of toxic exposure. The gut should provide a physical barrier to external toxins: if it’s compromised by malabsorption or leaky gut syndrome, toxins can enter blood circulation. Because intestinal flora can either encourage or inhibit the detoxification process, regular consumption of probiotics help support a healthy gut.

The liver shuttles residual toxins such as pesticides through two phases of detoxification, and in the process converts fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble substances that are excreted from the body. But the liver is a hard-working organ, and detoxification is only one of its jobs. Regularly reducing your toxic load is good for your liver, and for you.




Plan your detox
The word ‘detoxification’ often elicits thoughts of juice fasts, purges and hunger concerns. Fortunately, a gentler form of detoxification based on science uses food and supplemental nutrients to support the body’s natural elimination process. Consult a health care professional before starting a detox program if you are on medication, pregnant or have a pre-existing health condition, and do some prep work:
Mental preparation. Become aware of the daily steps required for your cleanse.  
Get support. Ask family and friends for support. Share your plans with them, especially food-related activities.
Set a start and end date. Allow time to plan meals, grocery shop and ease into the program. Weekends are ideal to start, with extra time to prepare and see how your body responds. Pick weeks light on social events. A minimum of two weeks is required for a wellness-based detoxification; four to six weeks may be recommended to help manage health conditions such as fatigue, digestive concerns and headaches.
Decrease exposure to toxins. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, off-gassing fumes from paint, a new carpet or shower curtain. Switch body care products to less toxic alternatives, and avoid aerosols and strong chemical cleansers. Opt for organic lettuce, strawberries, peaches and carrots as these are some of the most pesticide-laden produce.
Keep waste moving. Before starting your detox, ensure that you have regular bowel movements. Once daily is a minimum, two to three a day is optimal. Increase fibre and water intake to improve regularity.
Drink water. Adequate hydration is essential to eliminate toxins. Gradually increase water intake a few weeks
before starting; aim for 2 litres per day.