No matter how healthy your diet or lifestyle, toxins still find a way into the body via pollutants in our environment. Environmental toxins of our modern-day life — the pollutants, chemicals, and hormones — are more than the average body can handle. The air we breathe, the foods we eat, and even the common household products we use on a daily basis can be harmful to our bodies. In addition, an inactive lifestyle and stress can greatly affect the efficiency with which our bodies expel toxins. This is why I am a strong proponent of detoxification.
As I mention in my book, Your Vibrant Heart: Restoring Health, Strength and Spirit from the Body’s Core,many of my patients are very wary of detoxification, as they are under the impression that it must involve prohibitive fasts, strange supplements and even stranger procedures. The truth is, detoxification does not have to be torturous or dubious. In fact, there are many ways to detox the body in a completely safe and natural manner.
Exercise
We all know that exercise burns fat and tones the body, but it also helps to get rid of harmful toxins in the body. Exercise gets the heart pumping and the blood flowing, which promotes good circulation and better organ function. In addition, when you exercise you sweat, which helps the lymphatic system to push out waste through the pores. Moreover, exercise encourages your lungs to expand and helps the respiratory system filter out impurities. Detoxification is a way to pump iron!
Internal Cleansing
There are many ways that you can cleanse the body from the inside out, including eating healthy, organic whole foods, drinking plenty of water, cutting out harmful substances like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods and consuming herbs that are known to be good for the liver. All of these methods encourage the body to flush out toxins and waste and give your organs the break they need to recharge.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the method of using water to eliminate impurities and heal the body. The most common form of hydrotherapy is the sauna or steam bath. The heat from the sauna or steam bath causes you to sweat, which pushes out toxins and cleanses the pores. Steam also opens up your breathing passageways, which allows the lungs to expand and take in more oxygen. Colon hydrotherapy is another great way to detoxify as it eliminates harmful bacteria in the digestive tract while at the same time rehydrating your body through the colon.
Dry Brushing
Many people don’t realize that the skin is our largest organ and a key component of the lymphatic system, which means it is incredibly important for the body’s natural detoxification process. Over time, the pores can get clogged with dead skin cells and foreign elements, putting the onus on the liver and kidneys to expel toxins. Dry brushing encourages good circulation and opens up the pores so that impurities have a clear pathway out. Plus it is incredibly easy. Simply use a soft brush with natural bristles to brush the skin starting at the feet and making your way up the body towards the heart.
Massage
Massage not only feels great, but it also relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation and releases blockages in the body. In addition, massage can actually help the blood vessels to expand, which makes it easier for your heart to pump and send oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all of your vital organs.
These are just a few simple things you can do to detoxify the body in a safe and natural way for better heart health and overall well-being. To learn more about detoxification and other methods for achieving and maintaining optimal heart health, read my book, Your Vibrant Heart: Restoring Health, Strength and Spirit from the Body’s Core.
