If you’re like most people, you’re probably planning to spring clean your home in the next few weeks. But have you thought about spring cleaning your body? Toxins found in food, water, the environment, medications, cosmetics, etc., can accumulate in your body in the same way dust builds up in your home. Without period cleansing, the body can become overwhelmed by toxins. This causes the major channels of detoxification and elimination to become congested and overworked, eventually leading to fatigue, weight gain, depressed immunity, and disease. Embarking on a gentle detoxification regimen can alleviate many common ailments and greatly improve your overall health.

A liver cleanse is a great place to start. Your liver is arguable the hardest working organ in the body. One of its primary jobs is to remove the toxic substances you eat, drink, breathe, and put on your skin every day. Therefore, your health and vitality depend to a large extent on the health of your liver. If you have any of the following signs or symptoms, your liver may be congested and in need of detoxification:

  • weight gain
  • chronic fatigue
  • insomnia
  • food or chemical sensitivities
  • headaches
  • skin disorders
  • asthma
  • arthritis
  • digestive problems
  • impaired cognitive function
  • hormone imbalance

There are all kinds of “detox diets” on the market today, including intense 3-day juice fasts, 7-day raw food cleanses, and gentle month-long detox programs in which you eliminate processed foods and add in detoxifying whole foods. (I recommend working with a certified nutrition professional for any of these programs.)

If you choose not to commit to a detox diet this spring, you can still greatly improve your overall health by  adding more organic vegetables and fruits to your diet. They contain myriad essential nutrients that actually promote optimal detoxification and elimination so the body can continually heal and regenerate itself. Aim for half of your plate to be vegetables at every meal, and enjoy 2 to 3 fresh organic fruits every day.

Schedule an appointment to find out more about cleansing and detoxification. One of my most popular nutrition services is creating customized detox programs and leading group and corporate detox workshops.

Until next time, make every bite count!