C
June 25, 2018,
Information
Cleansing is a lifestyle
The body is in a continual process of detoxification, it never stops. The liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, lymph and skin are constantly working to remove toxins from the cells and out of the body. There are environmental toxins from the world we live in and metabolic toxins that are produced within the body as a byproduct of metabolism. Just like we eat food, process it and release waste, every cell in the body takes in nutrients and releases byproducts. If this cycle didn’t happen there would be no growth, no healing, no life. The human body is masterful at detoxification but our modern lifestyle exposes us to literally hundreds of toxic substances everyday. Helping the body stay on top of toxic stress is one of the most important steps you can take towards good health.
The low-tox lifestyle is not as difficult as you might think. Small changes lead to big results, so here are my top 3 starter tips:
- Eat whole foods – Make it a priority to buy fresh, unprocessed, unpackaged foods, preferably from a market or grocer(farmer’s markets are by far the best). Be wary of buying fresh food from large chain supermarkets.Usually it has been cool stored for long periods of time, is imported, and some produce like broccoli, is covered in a thin plastic spray to keep them looking “fresh”. Increasing fruit and vegetables that are fresh, in season and vary in colour and flavour is a simple way to improve your health.
- Eat plant based – Plant based foods that are high in fibre and water should make up the majority of your diet. That means lots of green leafy vegetables, sprouts, juicy fruits and multicoloured root vegetables. It’s fine to follow a paleo or ketogenic diet, which includes moderate animal protein and fats, but make sure red meat is kept to a minimum and ensure there are enough green vegetables to balance out the acids that are formed through the consumption of heavy protein. If you eat animal products it is essential that they come from reputable, preferably organic sources.
- Don’t overeat – Never eat to the point of feeling really full. You should feel comfortable and satisfied after a meal but still feel like you have room for more. The stomach has a limited capacity, structurally and chemically, and can only properly digest a certain amount of food at any one time. The intestines are not designed to process large amounts of food either and often overeating will result in bloating, gas and indigestion. There are other benefits that come from caloric restriction and reducing portion size, not only for weight loss but for longevity. Research shows improvement in biomarkers associated with anti-aging, specifically in regards to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, as a result reducing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Once you have these 3 steps underway, you can begin to refine even further.
- Invest in a water filter – There are some amazing water filtration products on the market ranging in price and function. From a simple jug to a whole house system, once you try filtered water it’s hard to go back to tap water. Here at the clinic, we have a heavy duty water filter in the back of our colonic irrigation machines that filters water from the external pipes before it enters the body. I see first hand the amount of rust and other residue that comes in through the water pipes. These heavy metals can disrupt the gut microbiome and hormonal system of the body.
- Whole food supplements – Synthetic supplements are a thing of the past. Today we have some incredible supplements sourced from whole foods: sea vegetables, algae, medicinal mushrooms, superfoods, herbs, etc. I’m often asked, “can’t we get all of our nutrition from the food we eat?”. Possibly…but probably not. With the lack of minerals in the soil, the distance food travels and the ever increasing environmental toxin overload we are facing, I believe we need the extra nutrition and antioxidants that only a supplement can provide.
- Regular exercise – We all know how important exercise is for the heart, lungs and muscles but we forget that the movement of skeletal muscle also aids the circulation of lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system is a network of lymph vessels, nodes and fluid that filter out toxic substances from the body. It is also the site where immune cells are produced and most infection are fought. It often gets stagnant from reduced circulation and mucous forming foods like dairy. Regular exercise, both cardio and weight training, keeps the muscles active and helps the lymphatic fluid circulate around the body.
Taking it to the next level, my favourite part of the cleansing lifestyle.
- Colonic irrigation/hydrotherapy – When I say colonics saved my life, I’m not kidding. Years of severe digestive problems dating back to childhood and a diet high in processed sugar, wheat and dairy left me tired, sick and depressed. It’s surprising how much the body can take…until it doesn’t. At 24 years old I had my first colonic irrigation and it was the turning point in my health and life. This treatment works and everyday we see the long term transformations our clients make to their body and mind when they are committed to the cleansing lifestyle.
- Infrared sauna – An infrared sauna is a very different experience to a regular gym sauna. It’s not just about sweating when it comes to an infrared sauna, it’s more about the therapeutic effect of the heat energy on circulation, metabolism, immunity and skin function. It’s also extremely relaxing and rejuvenating.
- Fasting – There are so many ways to reap the benefits of intermittent fasting. Extensive studies have shown the benefits of food restriction on practically every aspect of human health. Finding what feels right for you is the key. There is the 5:2 method of eating only 500 calories on “fasting days”. The Fit For Life method of not eating untill 12pm everyday(which is what I do) or simply fasting for 1-5 days periodically, maybe 1-2 times per year. There are many different approaches and because everyone has a different bio-rhythm and lifestyle, finding what works for you is important. If you can be disciplined, you will get results.