It’s a term you’ve read online, heard from your friends, or even researched extensively: detox. A detox can be one of the most beneficial ways to improve overall physical and mental wellbeing, and eliminate harmful toxins from the body while addressing other health matters.
But there are correct ways to carry out detoxification, and there are incorrect ways of going about it.
Here, Luke Clarke explains how functional medicine supports detoxification and cleansing, explaining the science behind these processes:
Boosting nutrient intake
While there are many commercial ‘fad’ detox products available, including teas and supplements, these are not the types of detox that are supported by science. A functional medicine detox, on the other hand, focuses on a healthy diet and removing foods that are toxifying, cleansing the body of toxins.
Part of this lies in boosting nutrient intake through the consumption of healthy, organic whole foods. Nutrients such as vitamins B, C, and E, selenium, zinc, and amino acids like methionine and cysteine are boosted through the consumption of healthy foods.
Improving gut health
A healthy gut can improve the excretion of toxins from the body. Functional medicine supports this by promoting a diet rich in fibre, probiotics and prebiotics to maintain healthy gut function. This provides your gut with a host of good bacteria, which can fight bad bacteria and eliminate toxins from the body.
Providing antioxidants
Antioxidants are a key part of cleansing. These molecules neutralise free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm your health. Functional medicine provides a cleanse of these toxins by promoting the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, apples, cruciferous vegies and green tea.
Increasing hydration
Much of the detoxification process aims to address water-soluble toxins. To achieve this, an increased water intake is necessary for increased hydration. This is vital for kidney function, effectively flushing out harmful water-soluble toxins.
Sweat-inducing activities
Functional medicine also incorporates the notion of sweat-inducing activity to eliminate toxins. Sweating can remove toxins in several different ways. Heavy metals, for example, can be excreted through sweat glands, removing toxic substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium. Sweating also helps to remove metabolic waste products such as urea, ammonia and lactic acid. These toxins are produced during sweat-inducing activities like exercise and sauna therapy, and sweating helps to excrete them effectively.
Detoxification isn’t something that’s achieve through fads – it’s a disciplined, scientific process which starts with a conversation with Luke Clarke: Melbourne’s leading practitioner of functional medicine. Luke Clarke is an experienced detox program manager, helping you eliminate toxins and enjoy a healthier, happier body. Contact Luke Clarke for a 10-minute free consultation today.