8 Tips for better detoxification of the body
Every day, toxins enter our bodies. As these substances accumulate, the risk of developing chronic diseases increases. Effective detoxification is therefore essential for our health. Learn how you can optimally support your body in this process.What is detoxification?
Harmful substances enter our bodies daily through food, drinking water, air, skin contact, or even medications. Additionally, normal metabolic processes within the body constantly produce substances that need to be eliminated, as they can otherwise damage our cells.
Detoxification refers to the removal of toxic substances from the body. The liver is our central detoxification organ. It contains numerous enzymes that can break down various toxins or transform them so they can be more easily excreted. The elimination of these unwanted substances primarily occurs through the kidneys and intestines, but also through the skin and lungs.
Furthermore, detoxification includes various processes within each cell that must occur to eliminate toxins produced in cellular metabolism or to remove harmful substances from the cells.
What toxins burden our environment?
Our environment is contaminated with a multitude of toxins, many of which have accumulated over decades in the ecosystem and food chain.
Some of the toxins we are constantly exposed to include pesticides, heavy metals, aluminium, chemicals from plastics (e.g. phthalates, bisphenols), microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues. The increasing exposure to electromagnetic smog is also a concern. Nowadays, the sheer number of harmful substances makes it nearly impossible to keep track of them all.
Why should we support the body's detoxification?
For detoxification to be effective, the body requires a variety of micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids. These essential substances act as cofactors for enzymes in all metabolic processes, including detoxification. A deficiency in these nutrients can limit the body’s natural detoxification processes from the start.
The major problem today is the growing number of toxins we are "bombarded" with daily, coupled with a decreasing amount of vital nutrients in our diet. The more toxins we take in, the more micronutrients the body needs to eliminate them.
This discrepancy is increasing: our need for micronutrients is rising, but our intake is declining. Other factors of modern life, such as an unhealthy diet, chronic stress, lack of sleep, or insufficient physical activity, further strain the body’s detoxification and regeneration capabilities.
If you want to stay healthy or regain health in the long term, it's important to support your body's detoxification. Below are some essential tips.
Tip 1: Drink enough water
The human body is composed of about 60 % water. To ensure that our cells function properly, that substances are effectively transported through blood and lymph, and that they are eventually excreted through the kidneys, adequate intake of high-quality drinking water is essential.
Water is the most important nutrient, so it is crucial to ensure good drinking water quality. Tap water is typically contaminated with numerous toxins. Only a fraction of these toxins are tested and regulated by maximum levels. Therefore, it’s better to drink filtered water instead of tap water.
Tip 2: Eat a healthy diet
A nutrient-rich and low-toxin diet provides a solid foundation for the effective detoxification of your body. This way, you reduce the toxic burden on your organism while supplying it with many essential substances.
A large portion of your diet should consist of organically grown vegetables and fruits, as well as other unprocessed foods like legumes, high-quality meat, seeds, and nuts. Such a diet is not only rich in micronutrients but also high in fiber, which promotes gut health.
A healthy gut flora and intestinal lining help prevent toxins from entering the body through the gut, thus relieving the liver, our central detoxification organ.
Unhealthy foods like processed products with many additives, sugar-rich foods, gluten-containing grains, trans fats, refined oils, and alcohol should be avoided. These products contain toxins that have various negative effects on the body and disrupt the gut flora, allowing harmful microbes to thrive in the gut and further burdening the body with additional toxins.
Tip 3: Reduce your body’s toxin exposure
Besides unhealthy foods and drinking water, there are many other sources of toxins in our daily lives. These include kitchen utensils and other plastic items, food packaging, cleaning products, clothing, skincare products, polluted air, and electromagnetic smog (E-smog).
You can significantly reduce your toxic burden through conscious purchasing decisions and specific protective measures.
Some examples include:
- Using kitchen utensils made of stainless steel, glass, and wood instead of plastic or aluminium
- Choosing skincare products from brands that avoid microplastics and other questionable ingredients
- Turning off Wi-Fi at night and switching your phone to airplane mode when carrying it on your body
- Wearing clothing made from natural materials (e.g. organic cotton, hemp, linen) instead of synthetic fibers
Tip 4: Reduce your stress levels
Chronic stress can have a severely detrimental effect on the body. When stressed, the body remains in a constant state of alertness, known as high sympathetic tone. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful situations requiring high physical or mental performance. Nowadays, many people find themselves in this stressed state continuously, which is against our natural design.
The other part of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic system. When the parasympathetic system is active, processes like digestion, nutrient absorption, regeneration, and detoxification can occur effectively. Chronic stress severely limits these processes.
There are various ways to escape chronic stress. Simple tools include breathing exercises, meditation, and physical activity. Depending on your personal situation, consulting a coach or therapist may also be helpful to address psychological issues that cause chronic stress.
Tip 5: Get enough sleep
Many of the body’s regeneration and detoxification processes occur during sleep. A restful and sufficiently long sleep is therefore fundamental to good health. Improving sleep hygiene should be one of the first steps if you want to enhance your well-being.
It can be helpful to wind down in the one to two hours before bedtime. Instead of watching stimulating videos on social media or exposing yourself to blue light from screens, it’s more beneficial to read a book under warm, reddish light for a restful sleep. Other improvements might include making your sleeping environment quieter, darker, and cooler. Simple solutions include using a sleep mask and earplugs.
Tip 6: Exercise daily
Physical activity not only reduces stress levels and promotes healthy sleep but also stimulates the cardiovascular system. During exercise, circulation and lymphatic flow improve, both of which are crucial for effective detoxification.
From a health perspective, it’s ideal to combine different types of physical activity. A basic daily routine might involve walking 8,000 to 10,000 steps. Additionally, you should incorporate strength training, cardio workouts, and flexibility exercises (e.g. yoga, stretching) several times a week.
Ultimately, any movement is better than no movement. So, find a sport or activity that you enjoy and are likely to continue in the long run.
Tip 7: Become a biohacker
In addition to the basic strategies for a healthy life, there are several advanced measures that can help you achieve more effective detoxification. Here are some examples:
- Sauna: Regular sauna sessions improve circulation and promote the elimination of toxins through the skin.
- Cold and hot water therapy: Cold showers, ice baths, or alternating between hot and cold water in the shower are excellent ways to improve circulation and stimulate the immune system.
- Dry brushing: Massaging dry skin with a brush supports the lymphatic system and enhances toxin elimination.
- Oil pulling: This practice involves swishing oil (such as coconut oil) in your mouth for about 15 minutes each morning. It can help bind toxins and bacteria in the oral cavity. Afterward, you should brush your teeth and clean your tongue.
- Foam rolling and massages: These techniques improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and can help relieve fascia adhesions and muscle tension.
Tip 8: Support your detoxification with supplements
It’s essential to provide your body with all the necessary substances it needs for countless ongoing biochemical processes. The emphasis here is on “all substances” because even if just one essential micronutrient is missing, it can limit many processes in the body, even if other vital nutrients are available in sufficient quantities.
For this reason, a high-dose complex supplement, such as Multivitamin Booster, should form the basis of your nutritional support. This preparation contains vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, plant extracts, and other vital substances.
For optimal detoxification, we also recommend the following supplements:
- L-Glutathione: L-Glutathione is one of the most potent antioxidants in the body and is present in every cell, with particularly high concentrations in the liver and immune cells. It plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is an organic sulfur source that provides the body with this important mineral. Sulfur is a key component of various enzymes in the body and is involved in detoxification processes and connective tissue formation.
- Plant-based antioxidants: Our Curcumin Plus supplement combines various plant extracts, offering a rich array of powerful phytochemicals. These not only have antioxidant properties but also support the body in numerous other ways.
- Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is essential for the body’s energy production in the mitochondria. Without functional mitochondria, efficient detoxification is not possible. Our Coenzyme Q10 Plus Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement includes Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and various plant extracts to comprehensively strengthen the mitochondria.
- Toxin-binding substances: As detoxification ramps up, more toxins are released. Substances like zeolite, humic and fulvic acids, and chlorella can bind these toxins, allowing them to be safely excreted. Chlorella is found in Astaxanthin Plus, while humic and fulvic acids are in BioHumin.
- Additionally recommended: Vitamin C Complex, Vitamin B Complex, DHA plus EPA
To determine the ideal combination and dosage of micronutrients for your specific needs, it’s advisable to undergo appropriate lab diagnostics and have a treatment plan created by an experienced practitioner.
Conclusion: A holistic approach to detoxifying the body
Our bodies are constantly working to eliminate toxins. The process of natural detoxification is highly complex and can only be effectively supported through a holistic approach that encompasses all the points mentioned.