The role that detoxification plays in our health

The term 'detox' gets thrown around a lot in the wellness space. But what does it actually mean in relation to our health?

Do we just do a detox and we are set? We've undone all of the years of poor food choices and overindulgence with a simple cleanse?

If that was the case the health crisis that the we find ourselves in would not be occuring.

So what does detoxification actually mean and why is it important for our health?

The term detoxification refers to the process of making toxic metabolites in our body less toxic and this occurs through the liver. The liver has a myriad of pathways, all of which are responsible for breaking down these toxic metabolites and making them less harmful to our body.

These pathways all rely on certain nutrients and amino acids to function optimally, as well as having a genetic component to them as well.

Some signs that your bodies detoxification pathways may not be working optimally include:

Hormonal imbalances - PMS, menstrual migraines and altered menstrual cycle lengths can all suggest that the livers detox pathways aren't functioning optimally.
Thyroid conditions
Poor energy levels and mental clarity
Digestive symptoms such as bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea.
Allergies such as hay fever
Skin conditions such as acne
Sensitivities to chemicals and smells- ie perfumes, petrol.

The good news...there is SO much that you can do to support your livers detoxification pathways, and plenty more that you can do to ensure that they remain functioning optimally for the long term!

Ensuring that you have adequate nutrients needed for these detox pathways to be functioning ie. B vitamins, amino acids

Reducing your toxic load overall. This means looking at areas of your diet and lifestyle that are adding negatives to your health...ie multiple coffees a day, to much alcohol, foods with lots of preservatives and additives, using lots of cleaning products around the house with nasty chemicals, using personal care products with parabens and other endocrine disrupting chemicals in them...the list can go on and on. Reducing these aspects that will be having an negative impact on your health and increasing positive health habits into your lifestyle such as regular exercise, a whole food balanced diet and limiting your exposure to chemicals and endocrine disruptor can make the world of difference to your overall health.

Here at the Sana Co we offer an online SANA RESET 28 Day Challenge which is designed to facilitate all of the above points to, allowing you to reset your metabolism and your habits to find renewed energy, better digestion and increased vitality. Sign up for our next round now!