Does a detoxification program assist the organs of elimination to function better and does this improved function allow your health to improve? The answer is yes and this is what the focus should be when you consider doing a detoxification ritual or program. Wellness Expert Sharon Kolkka discusses the benefits of detox and shares a delicious baked beetroot, apple and spinach salad recipe.
Our bodies detox themselves everyday. The organs of elimination, (the liver, kidneys, colon, lymph system, skin and lungs) work together to assist the body to metabolise and excrete elements that are harmful. The liver in particular, provides a stage one and stage two detoxification process as a priority in the deeper cycle of sleep, which is one of the reasons why sleep is so essential.
Taking the liver as an example, its job is to filter every compound that enters the body. Entry can be by ingestion, breath and transdermally via the skin. To support the liver to be efficient and effective, we can focus on reducing what sabotages the liver and work on providing what improves liver function.
The liver faces five big saboteurs in our toxic world. Some are ingested by choice while others are harder to avoid. These five create ‘traffic jams and hinder exits’ in the liver. They are:
– Alcohol
– Caffeine
– Sugar
– Persistent organic pollutants (including smoking)
– Xenoestrogens
Regardless of where you choose to detox, the skin is the largest organ and therefore plays a significant role in elimination. Include some spa treatments or self care such as body brushing, salt scrubs, saunas and steam rooms as these all assist the process.
Other treatments to consider are different styles of massage, which can assist the lymph system stimulation or the wonderful specialty Chi Nei Tsang, an abdominal massage for improving blood flow to the internal organs.
A good naturopath can introduce you to many different herbs and supplements that support the organs of elimination and many herbs have strong research evidence such as milk thistle for liver support.
The colon and kidneys play a key role in the elimination process so a healthy, daily elimination is essential. There are natural remedies that can be used to improve the colon elimination. Some people prefer colon hydrotherapy which claims to increase the peristalsis (muscular contraction) by which the colon naturally moves material, or you can choose a supplement increasing gut bacteria and ingesting a balance of both soluble and in soluble fibre. Either way, the goal is to get the colon moving to eliminate every day as this is essential to the body’s natural detox process.
So much in the world today is toxic that we are unable to control, yet every day choices are made that either support or sabotage our body’s ability to detoxify itself. One day hopefully science will prove what we in the wellness industry all believe – that a clean life ingesting less toxic elements daily improves our cellular health and our ability to navigate life in harmony with nature.
Baked Beetroot, Apple and Spinach Salad with Cashew Dressing
Serves: 6
Nutrition Info: So good for your liver and packed with antioxidants, the vibrant colour of this salad looks as good as it tastes!
Ingredients:
2-3 (800g) beetroots, trimmed
2 (300g) green apples, sliced
100g english spinach
1 medium red onion, cut into slivers
1 tbsp caraway seeds, roasted & crushed
½ cup (100g) cashew nuts
3 sprigs basil
1 litre filtered water
sea salt & pepper
juice of 1 lemon
Method
Boil beetroot with skin in salted water until tender. Allow to cool, peel and cut into wedges. Rinse cashews and boil with 1 litre water until soft. Reducing liquid by half, blend to milky consistency with basil leaves and caraway seeds. Mix all ingredients together, season and sprinkle with extra basil and caraway seeds.
Feature image via pinterest