The Basics of Cleansing and Detoxification

Posted on November 09, 2010 by Paul Bishop, One of Thousands of Health and Fitness Coaches on Noomii.

Most of us have heard the terms ‘Cleansing’ or ‘Detoxing’, but what do they mean and what can they do for our health? In simple terms, cleansing and detoxing refer to the methods used to clear the body of accumulated wastes and toxins. Our bodies are constantly detoxifying every single moment of every day. We are all exposed to toxins on a daily basis, both internally and externally. Our organs of elimination are constantly trying to dispose of chemicals in our food, water, medications, and personal care products, exhaust fumes and second-hand smoke, pesticides and industrial pollution, viruses, bacteria, and parasites too name a few. Our bodies also create toxins through normal cellular functions like respiration, digestion, metabolism and other cellular activities.
When our bodies are healthy and functioning properly, our organs do a wonderful job of eliminating these toxins and wastes. When we take in more toxins than our organs can eliminate we become overloaded with these toxic substances and our bodies face a state of ‘dis-ease’. For example, these toxins can create hormone imbalances and affect the absorption of nutrients in our bodies. Certain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum can displace other minerals important for normal bodily functions. Some Doctors and health experts feel that toxins get stored in our fat cells as a way to protect the organs from being overburdened, leading to water retention and contributing to obesity.
So what steps can you take to protect yourself and ease the toxic load on your body? Simply eating more fruits and vegetables, especially raw and preferably organic, and limiting the amount of processed foods we consume will have cleansing affect on our bodies. Using personal care products and cleaning supplies without harsh chemicals will also make a difference. Exercising is an excellent form of detoxification, especially when we work up a sweat. People have long used saunas as a form of heat therapy to sweat our accumulated toxins. Juice fasting, using herbals, oxygen therapy, and colon hydrotherapy are other methods used by some people to clean out the body. If you suffer from a chronic health condition and would like to explore natural solutions to assist you, contact a natural health care provider with experience in these areas.