Dr Ben’s Advice
Spring is right around the corner, which has the health space in a frenzy with cleanses, detoxes, supplements, and diets all touting the same benefits. If you’ve been part of the health space for long, I’m sure you have heard this trendy term or maybe even tried one yourself. In fact, it’s a question we hear almost daily…’Should I do a cleanse?” The truth is, most of these don’t really work. Let’s dive in and take a deeper look at why.
The main reason most people consider a ‘cleanse’ is to help the body detoxify.
We are all exposed to a myriad of chemicals, metals, plastics, and irritants on a daily basis. Even though the level of exposure may not be as much compared to others, our bodies are exposed to more environmental toxins than ever before. Air pollution is one of the major sources, even in our homes. Our body does often need support, specifically the liver, to deal with the number of toxins efficiently. Focusing here is one of the best ways to help support your body’s natural detox pathways.
The truth: Most detox plans aren’t designed to support the liver’s natural detoxification processes and can create even more issues. However, I want you to move away from thinking this is something that needs to be done on a monthly, quarterly, or seasonal basis. So if you are asking, ‘should I do a cleanse?’ – Every day should be a ‘cleanse’. Every day you should be working to support your body’s natural detoxification pathways.
Want to detox? Show your liver some love!
The liver is an essential organ that plays a crucial role in the body’s metabolism, synthesizing proteins, and producing bile that aids in digestion. It is also responsible for storing vitamins and minerals and regulating blood sugar levels.
Popular thinking says it merely filters toxins and waste products from the blood. However, the liver actually changes the chemical structure, creating water-soluble products that the body can excrete safely. You can see why it is so important to keep your liver happy and healthy!
How do you do this? The liver is an amazing organ and capable of regeneration, given the right support. You should be actively working to remove toxic substances from your home and your personal care products in order to lighten the load. Women alone are exposed to over 200 chemicals in their beauty and personal care products…on a daily basis. Read your labels…you’ll be amazed at how many toxins are in the products you are using.
Making small switches each time you run out of a product, is a step in the right direction!
When addressing detoxification, gut health is also important!
There are 3 phases of detoxification. Phase I & II take place in the liver, whereas phase III takes place in the gut. If your microbiome is not great, instead of the gut handling the waste effectively, it can enter the bloodstream and create widespread inflammation. Your gut is just as important in the detoxification process as the liver. To keep your body’s natural detoxification pathways open, you have to address gut health as well.
The truth is, your body is a master at removing toxins…But, over time, those systems can get bogged down and become impaired… If you are dealing with inflammation, weight issues, autoimmune issues, hormone issues, or other imbalances, taking a look at the health of your body’s detox pathways is a great place to start. Is a cleanse right for you? The answer is yes. You should be working every day to support your body’s natural detoxification pathways.
If you have questions about your health, don’t guess.Reach out to our team today and get the answers you need.