Detox Isn’t Just A Diet, It’s a Lifestyle--and Here’s Why

We live in a toxic world my friend—a really toxic world. 

From the pollutants in our air to the chemicals leaching into our soil and drinking water, it’s impossible to move through the world without getting contaminated. Not to mention the plethora of parasites, hormones, and other harmful food additives that find their way into our bodies.

Now I’m not trying to say all this to freak you out, but I do think it’s important to accept the reality of the world we live in. Especially since this reality makes it all the more challenging to stay healthy and survive—let alone thrive.

If you’re reading this you’ve probably heard of detox diets by now. Most popular with holistic wellness practitioners, they’re generally short-term fasting or elimination protocols taken during fall and spring, when our bodies are in transition like the seasons. Spring cleanses feel especially amazing because they help you clear out all the sludge you’ve accumulated during winter.  

But the thing is, if you limit your detoxification efforts to just a few weeks out of the year, you can still easily fall victim to the abundance of nasties finding their way into your powerful but extremely overburdened body.

I can tell you from my own experience that after years of doing seasonal cleanses, I continue to find reasons to extend my detox efforts into my regular day-to-day life. 

Now, I don’t mean you need to stay on a harsh restricted diet for most of the year. Absolutely not. 

What I mean is, by introducing certain foods, herbs, supplements, and exercise, you can lighten a tremendous load on your body’s eliminative organs.

If you want clearer-looking skin, more consistent energy, and to spend less time getting sick and feeling crappy throughout the year, I invite you to welcome detox as your new lifestyle. 

How to Eat Well & Still Detox

Detox is really any practice that removes toxins from the body. Your body is constantly detoxing (cleaning up metabolic waste products, removing cells that are past their prime, recycling hormones, and getting rid of toxins) through its various mechanisms of elimination, i.e. the lymph, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin. The practice of “detoxing” is really just encouraging your body to do more of what it already does.

You can aid your body’s pathways of elimination through a few nutritious (and delicious!) dietary adjustments. 

The secret? Load up on antioxidants and fiber, aka your beloved fruits and vegetables. 

Antioxidants help the body neutralize free radicals—which cause inflammation and disease—produced by pesticides, chemicals, and found in the polluted air we breathe.

Foods high in antioxidants include berries, carrots, and generally any other bright-colored fruits and vegetables—think deep greens, lavish purples, and bright oranges.

A good rule of thumb with antioxidants is to eat the rainbow as much as you can. Not only is a plate full of colors a feast for the eyes, but also for the rest of your body. 

Many of us don’t get enough fiber, so aiming for more in your diet is always a good idea. Most vegetables and hearty grains are high in fiber. Veggies in the brassica family (cauliflower, kale, collards, broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts) are extra potent detoxifiers as well. These cruciferous vegetables are extremely versatile to cook with—cauliflower pizza anyone?—and are laden with fiber as well as other vitamins and minerals to support your colon’s natural detox mechanisms.

And yes, that’s another way of saying poop. I recommend consuming at least 35 grams of fiber per day to keep your bowels moving smoothly and effortlessly.

When choosing which fruits and vegetables to eat, I always recommend what you can get fresh and what grows locally around you. Sometimes though—like in the dead of winter—this is harder to manage. That’s when frozen, fermented, or canned fruits and vegetables come in handy. But chances are, your local grocery store has plenty of fresh fruit and veggie options available year-round.

Best Herbs & Supplements for Detox

Sadly, in this day and age, even the most spectacular diet isn’t enough to mitigate the toxic loads our bodies succumb to on a regular basis. Not to mention most foods aren’t as rich in nutritional content as they once were due to depleted soil from industrial farming practices.

For this reason, I advise including herbs and supplements to fill in the gaps where your food alone won’t cut it. 

Now I’m not saying you need to go out and spend a fortune on supplements. Or take fistfuls of them with each meal.

What I am saying is you can add specific supplements and herbs to your diet that can tremendously improve your body’s elimination efforts.

Magnesium

A good place to start is with the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is necessary for overall health, but it especially helps with removing toxins from your body. Dark leafy greens are an excellent source of magnesium, but you can’t always eat enough of them to get the amount you need. That’s why supplementing is a great way to go.

Magnesium citrate is often the form you’ll find in supplements. If it doesn’t agree with you or causes digestive upset, you can try magnesium malate or magnesium bisglycinate chelate—my favorite for those who also experience menstrual cramps. And of course, don’t forget about the magnesium-rich herbs like nettle leaf, chickweed, horsetail, and oat straw, which you can steep and drink as a nutritive tea. Whether in supplement or plant form, magnesium is safe to consume in moderate amounts. 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are another crucial supplement to have on hand. The following antioxidants will help mitigate your free radical load, as well as encourage clear and beautiful-looking skin. I personally rotate all three into my regimen: 

Vitamin C

This powerful antioxidant helps your liver do its job of detoxification. It also helps your body recycle other antioxidants like vitamin E and glutathione. I like liposomal vitamin C – unlike regular ascorbic acid, you can take large amounts without risking digestive upset. I have had periods of high inflammation where I have taken 2,000 mg a day with no issues. Liposomal might be hard to find, so if you’re taking plain vitamin C, go for high quality, whole food derived vitamin C to get the most bang for your buck (I like the Pure Radiance brand). 

ALA

Unlike vitamin C, your body produces alpha-lipoic-acid, a powerful antioxidant, on its own. Since aging and toxin exposure can compromise our levels, it can be a good one to supplement. ALA plays a crucial role in cellular energy production, supports liver function, and is especially good at detoxing mercury. For this last reason, people with amalgam fillings or otherwise high levels of mercury should avoid using ALA or consult a healthcare provider. 

NAC

N-acetyl cysteine is the supplement form of cysteine, one of three amino acids necessary for the production of glutathione. Consider glutathione the Beyonce of anti-oxidants – it’s the most powerful and influential one in the game. NAC is therefore a really powerful free radical fighter, and for this reason can benefit pretty much every system – cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, etc.

Lymphatic Herbs

Lymphatic herbs like violet leaf and flower, calendula flower, and cleavers are excellent for supporting your lymphatic system, specifically in purifying and moving stagnant blood. This is an essential component of detoxification that shouldn’t be overlooked but often is. Ever experience painful swollen lymph nodes in your throat or armpits? That’s a sign your lymphatic system needs some support. Drinking a tea of violet, calendula, and/or cleavers can be incredibly helpful in this case. 

Milk Thistle

You can think of milk thistle as food for your liver. It is hepatoprotective and actually helps rebuild damaged liver cells. For those who experience dry, atrophic conditions like sluggish digestion, constipation with hard stools, hemorrhoids, or varicose veins, milk thistle seeds are very well indicated. 

As an herb or supplement, milk thistle is essential for detoxification because it helps your liver secrete bile and produce glutathione. It also tones your vascular tissue. Best taken in tincture or capsule form, milk thistle seeds don’t extract well in water, so tea wouldn’t be as effective of a remedy. This is one of the few herbs I take in capsule form, and it’s generally very safe to use.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion is an abundant herb excellent for detoxification because it supports your liver and gallbladder’s production and flow of bile. Bile is your body’s natural laxative - it also helps you digest fats and eliminate waste products. Dandelion root assists your body in the removal of toxins while simultaneously providing nutrients and helping you assimilate those nutrients. The roots contain inulin, which is great food for your gut microbes. 

Dandelion root is lovely in a tea, and the roasted roots make a perfect coffee substitute. The tincture can be used on its own or combined with other herbs to make gut-friendly digestive bitters. Dandelion is very safe, though it’s worth noting that its energy is cooling and drying.

Burdock Root

Burdock root supports your liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system—all organ systems that are essential for detox. Not only does burdock support digestion by promoting bile production in the liver, but it also helps your small intestine and liver assimilate fat. Burdock can help your body distribute fat efficiently so you can stay moisturized inside and out. 

Burdock root is well suited for people who have trouble metabolizing fats and suffer from atrophic conditions like constipation with hard stools, dry skin, and dry mucous membranes. 

The seed and root are fabulous for acne and skin eruptions, especially when the aforementioned symptoms are also present. Burdock is very safe to take, and effective either in a tincture or a tea.

Break a Sweat to Detox

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without an homage to the miraculous benefits of exercise and a good old-fashioned sweat.

Sweating, either in a sauna or via exercise helps us excrete a number of toxins. Beyond staying cool, our bodies sweat to expel toxins and heavy metals.

To get the most out of this natural bodily function, try moving regularly and vigorously, even for just 20-30 minutes a day. 

Regular exercise also improves the efficiency of your lymphatic system, which is another crucial component to a well-rounded detox lifestyle. 

Keep in mind, you don’t need a fancy gym membership or access to a sauna to get your sweat on. 

Try dancing and shaking it out to your favorite music, going for a run, a brisk walk, or a hike. Really, any activity that gets you moving and sweating—and one you enjoy doing on the regular—is the perfect way to go.

Easing into Your Detox Lifestyle & Not Doing it Alone

If all these tips and recommendations seem overwhelming, I FEEL YOU. 

Remember, you don’t have to dive in deep right away, or incorporate everything listed here all at once. In fact you shouldn’t! Overwhelming your body with too many new protocols is never recommended or effective.

It took me years to get to a place where I have my diet, herbs, supplements, and exercise protocols in check. And I still fall off from time to time, and that’s okay!

Especially when it comes to diet, herbs, and supplements, it can be a challenge to figure out exactly what you need on your own, without falling victim to the wellness brands out there trying to convince you to buy their particular products. 

It’s not ever about being perfect, but about taking small, intentional (and consistent) baby steps at a time. 

I advise you to take whatever stands out to you here and start there. And of course, it’s always wise to do more of your own research.

When it comes to living and staying well, we all need support and encouragement to stay on track. Especially while we still live in a world in which we’re largely discouraged to take care of ourselves.

If direct one-on-one support could benefit you to take your detox lifestyle to the next level, you can book a free 15-minute call with me. Here we’ll discuss your health goals, and envision what a supportive regimen tailored to your specific body and its unique needs can look like.