Detoxing is the way your body gets rid of potentially harmful chemicals (toxins), and is a continual process carried out by a number of organs including:

	Liver:	Enzymes in the liver breakdown harmful substances so they can be passed through the body via the kidneys, lungs or bowel.
	Kidneys	The kidneys filter out waste products
	Gut:	The gut processes nutrients and toxins and propels indigestible material to the bowl
	Skin:	The skin plays a key role in detoxing, eliminating some toxins via sweat, in skin oils (sebum) and by shedding skin cells.
	Lymphatic circulation	This system carries waste products and toxins which are too large to enter the blood stream from cells to the lymph nodes where they are processed and delivered to the liver.
	Lungs:	The lungs filter out waste gases produced in the body.

Our bodies are faced with toxins everyday, and although its own detoxing systems are usually able to cope, problems can arise when we take in more toxins than our body can process efficiently, overloading our systems and causing symptoms including bloating, lack of energy and dull skin. This is when it might be time to consider giving your body a helping hand.

Toxins are substances which can harm the body. They can either be produced by the body itself, such as carbon dioxide, or they can enter the body from pollutants in the air you breathe, the food and drink you consume, and even absorbed through your skin. In fact toxins are almost everywhere, cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, household cleaning products, in the pesticides used on our fruit and vegetables and in the glass of wine you drink to unwind after a busy day.

There are diet and lifestyle changes which can be made to help limit the number of toxins your body comes into contact with, and also to support your body’s own detoxing systems.

Diet:

Eat the right food to encourage the body’s own cleansing systems The Liver: brightly coloured fruits and vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, apricots), cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage) The Kidneys: drink water, all fruit and vegetables, herbal teas The Gut: Fibre rich foods such as fruit (apples and prunes), vegetables, lentils, and oats. Skin: water, fruit ad vegetables, flaxseeds Lymphatic system: water Lungs: fruit and vegetables (onions, apples ) Cut down on addictive substances such as caffeine and nicotine Cut down on processed foods, refined sugars, salt and saturated fats Eat organic where possible Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water Eat foods as close to their natural state as possible When cooking food steam, boil or stir-fry it.

Exercise:

Encourages more efficient elimination of toxins Helps maintain digestive functioning Reduces stress Increases metabolism

Massage:

All types of massage are beneficial to the circulation but lymphatic massage encourages the removal of toxins

Dry skin brushing:

This keeps the skin’s pores clear and allows the skin to breathe, improving its all round appearance. Skin brushing also stimulates the lymphatic flow.

Supplements:

Supplementing your diet with key vitamins and nutrients can help you in the detoxing process. Key nutrients include: Artichoke: Contains protective flavonoids that stimulate the production of bile which helps digestion. L-Gluthaione: Binds to toxins and transforms them into a form that can be excreted. Grapefruit: An anti fungal agent which neutralises parasites and helps the body produce beneficial bacteria.