Detoxify your body, naturally

Dr Vinoda Kumary

Our exposure to persistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals has increased. Some chemicals are known to cause several adverse health effects, including reproductive and neurological effects, endocrine disruption, cancers, and other lifestyle diseases.

Considering that several factors cause chronic illnesses, it is essential to identify which environmental toxins interact with the body. Many of the chemicals have a direct effect on different tissues and can cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Inflammation is one of the leading causes of lifestyle diseases. It is also linked to diet, activity and other lifestyle choices. Periodic detoxification can keep the toxin load in our body under check Although the approach varies from person to person, let us take a brief look at some of the most common detoxification approaches.

Dietary modifications

Include more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Fruits and green vegetables increase the water content in your body and help flush out toxins. Reduce your intake of processed foods. Avoid cold beverages, aerated drinks, refined sugar, coffee, ice cream, fast foods and oily foods. It will aid natural detoxification. Add pomegranate, dry grapes, bitter gourd and drumsticks to your diet as they help remove impurities.

Juice cleanse

This is one of the most efficient detoxification processes used by naturopaths. Patients who experience discomfort due to the accumulation of toxins are asked to increase their daily consumption of orange juice, grape juice, and sugarcane juice. These help remove the accumulated toxins through waste. Beetroot, Indian gooseberry and lemon are some of the most commonly used fruits to promote healthy liver function, which, in turn, help flush out toxins. Wheatgrass therapy is recommended for blood purification. It helps cure disorders like anemia, high cholesterol, acne, pimples, and other skin problems.

exercise regularly

Long-term buildup of toxins can lead to a number of disorders. Naturopaths use a combination of herbal teas, extracts, enemas, poultices and probiotics to eliminate toxins from the system. This is usually combined in tandem with an exercise regime. Exercise aids sweating, which facilitates the secretion of waste through the skin. It also improves the overall metabolism and digestive process. Sauna baths and oil massages are also recommended to cleanse the body of impurities.

Colon hydrotherapy

Highly recommended for detoxification, this is one of the most efficient therapies. The treatment mainly consists of cleaning up the colon with the help of warm water. Trained hydrotherapists perform the colon cleanse, and this naturopathic intervention has become a fixture of spas and health resorts across the world. The removal of accumulated toxins from your colon can boost your energy levels and gut health, and ultimately boost the immune function.

While it is impossible to avoid complete exposure to chemicals, pollutants and toxins, a naturopath can help you understand the way your body responds to your environment and habits, and devise treatments to help support it and prevent lifestyle diseases.

— The writer is Deputy CMO, Jindal Naturecure Institute