Time for Some Spring Cleaning?

Why do we need to cleanse? Don’t we have body systems and organs designed to do just that? Is it unnatural or even harmful to induce these bodily processes via the use of herbs and supplements? If we exercise and eat clean, shouldn’t our bodies already be toxin-free?

It’s true that the body naturally eliminates toxins via the liver, kidneys, skin, lymphatic system, etc. And in the pre-industrial world, this was a very efficient system. Today, however, our detoxification organs are working in overdrive round-the-clock, and their workload is accumulating faster than it can process and eliminate. This is because the world we live in is a modern invention. Human beings are not.

Our bodies, which have evolved over thousands of years to withstand a certain level of toxic burden, are simply not designed to handle the 200-plus toxins we are exposed to every day before we even leave the house. Some (but not all) of these include:

• Heavy metals in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the cosmetics we use, etc.

• Pesticides, preservatives and other artificial food additives

• PCB’s

• Chlorine, flouride, and other chemical compounds found in municipal drinking water

• Drugs (this includes prescription medications, recreational drugs, caffeine, alcohol, and the added hormones and antibiotics in meat and dairy foods, all of which add a further strain to our detoxification systems)

• Parabens, phthalates, and other dangerous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products

• Carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins in household cleaning products

• Electromagnetic pollution and radiation from our phones, computers, TV’s, wi-fi, FitBits, etc.

• Stress, which causes a release of hormones, increased acidity and inflammation (more toxicity for our bodies to process)

Left unchecked, this toxic onslaught eventually results in congestion and stagnation of the body’s vital organs, which can cause an array of health issues, from headaches, weight gain, fatigue, and skin issues to chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, dementia, and some forms of cancer. Given the long-term health implications, it’s crucial to give our detoxification systems a helping hand.

Early spring is a great time to do this. Besides being a natural time for cleansing and rejuvenation (think “Spring Cleaning”), spring is when our digestive fires and our life-force energy are waking up, getting ready to rid us of the toxic residues we accumulate during the winter. We may feel like being more physically active (which is important for detoxification), and fresh, local food is becoming more readily available.

You may choose to use a pre-formulated detox kit (the RenewLife brand has an excellent line of cleanses, a few of which I’ve personally used and love), or maybe you prefer to create your own plan. Whichever type of cleanse you choose, here are a few tips to help you achieve maximum benefits:

1) Cleanse your whole self – Don’t forget, you are more than just your physical body. A cleanse is a great time to start a meditation practice, garden, or therapy. Emotionally, detoxing helps to uncover and express fears, resentments, and toxic relationships, cleansing us of negative thought patterns and mental junk, and making space for a clearer, more purposeful future.

2) Engage in some gentle exercise – Don’t overdo it; a cleanse is a time to rest and be gentle with yourself. Your body is going through a lot, and some light walking or yoga is a great way to help it along.

3) Consume plenty of water and fibre – Fibre is nature’s broom, and adding water makes it a mop. Fibre absorbs toxins and, with adequate hydration, acts as a bulking agent, keeping the bowels moving efficiently while at the same time preventing diarrhea. Water is critically important for flushing out the system. Activated charcoal is another supplement you may want to consider, as it acts as a chelating agent, catching toxins as they are released into the bloodstream and preventing unpleasant detox systems like headaches and fatigue.

4) Avoid congesting and inflammatory foods – You can, of course, use a cleanse kit and continue to consume sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and processed, chemical-laden junk, but you’d be undoing the benefits of the cleanse. It’s best to avoid fat for this period of time (which is processed by the liver), and include plenty of light, fresh, nutrient-dense plant foods. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents like turmeric are especially important during a cleanse.

5) Cleanse your environment – Properly preparing your work and living spaces is an important step in achieving a successful cleansing mindset. It’s a great time to clean out your closet or pantry, donate some old clothes, food or habits, making way for a new, healthier lifestyle.

6) Take an Epsom salt bath – A hot bath with Epsom salts and baking soda can be extremely cleansing, as it utilizes your body’s largest detoxification organ: your skin. You can find some great detox bath recipes here: https://wellnessmama.com/8331/detox-bath-recipes/

7) Make sure you are cleansing for the right reasons – If your primary motivation is weight-loss, there are healthier, more sustainable ways to achieve this. Most cleanses will result in some weight loss as a side-effect (we can hold 9-12 lbs of waste in our bodies), but most of this will be water-weight, not actual fat loss, and will likely come back on once the cleanse is complete. Cleansing can certainly serve as a jump-start to a healthier lifestyle, but should never be abused or repeated within a short time frame. Two to four cleanses per year is considered healthy.

During the first three days of any effective cleanse, you may experience some detox symptoms. These will likely resemble the flu and may include headaches, fatigue, inflammation, and nausea. This is nothing to be concerned about, and is a sign that the cleanse is doing its job. A cleanse should never cause diarrhea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea to stop the cleanse and seek medical attention.

After the third day, you should experience a renewed vitality. Many people find they have a heightened mood and return to energy that they haven’t experienced since childhood, and often describe the feeling as “having had 5 cups of coffee” while actually having none.