6 Natural Ways to Help Detox Your Body

Detox juice

Written by Sheridan

January 23, 2018

We are faced with countless toxins in the world we live in – things like pesticides, heavy metals, food additives, skin care additives, black mould and more. But did you know that our bodies can also produce toxins?

If there is an imbalance of microbes in your gut, it means you have an overgrowth of one of the microbes, which produces a huge amount of toxins that your body needs to eliminate. An overgrowth like this can be a result of antibiotic exposure, a high sugar diet, stress and more, and a high toxin load can quickly become a problem.

To help rid your body of these toxins, it is important to support detoxification on a daily basis. Some symptoms that may suggest you require detox support include:

  • Skin problems like acne or rashes
  • Digestive issues like bloating, diarrhoea, gas and constipation
  • A foggy mind
  • Anxiety and/or depression
  • Mood issues
  • Bad breath
  • Feeling sluggish
  • Fatigue.

Getting sufficient amounts of sun, eating a real food diet rich in greenery, connecting with nature and drinking plenty of filtered water is enough to achieve detox for most people. However, below are a few more ways you can help support the elimination of toxins:

  1. Give Your Digestive System a Break

We have been taught to eat a big breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between. Our digestive system is where we process and eliminate many toxins, so giving it some time to digest all our food can be highly beneficial. Plus, when we give our digestive system a break through ‘fasting’, after 14-18 hours (will vary with each person) we enter a state called ‘autophagy’. This is a state where your body uses your own cellular waste and turns it into efficient, beautiful, clean energy!

  1. Use Coconut Activated Charcoal

Charcoal is one of the most potent detoxifiers out there. It is used in hospitals when an individual is exposed to highly poisonous substances to quickly remove them from their system. Charcoal is therefore helpful in our day-to-day life when exposed to toxins. However, I recommend only to use it as needed, such as when undergoing a detox regime, gut healing protocol, or if you have been exposed to a food, drink or substance that you know you react to. There is a lot of hype about charcoal at the moment, and people are using it as an ingredient in things like homemade smoothies, breads or ice-cream. I strongly advise against this, as charcoal has the ability to strip us of nutrients while cleaning up other toxins – I suggest leaving at least an hour between using activated charcoal and ingesting any nutritious food, drinks or supplements. It has, however, been shown to be a positive treatment for digestive ailments like gas, pain and diarrhoea. Choose charcoal made from a natural source like coconut. Read more about activated charcoal here.

  1. Try Bentonite Clay

As the name suggests, it’s clay! It has been consumed for thousands of years to assist with detoxification of elements like heavy metals, for digestive issues, skin issues, exposure to toxic elements that cause food poisoning, and more. It is a little less potent that charcoal when it comes to how many toxins it can absorb, though it also contains beneficial minerals that support the body, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. The minerals vary greatly, though, depending on where the clay is sourced. If you are using the clay internally, it is highly recommended to source food grade bentonite clay to ensure there are no contaminants. Similar to charcoal, I recommend leaving some time between using bentonite clay and consuming any food, drinks or supplements as it may also draw out ingested nutrients.

Note: Both bentonite clay and charcoal can also be applied externally, such as via facemasks or baths. This is still highly beneficial as it draws out toxins.

  1. Use Chlorella

Praise thy chlorella! Chlorella has been known to assist in detoxifying from pesticides, heavy metals and other chemicals. It also contains a huge array of nutrients that support your body’s own detoxification system, and give you energy and vitality. The great thing about chlorella is that it will not draw out any nutrients – it simply nourishes you and allows you to detox from what you are being exposed to. The important thing to note, however, is that the cell wall of chlorella is indigestible by humans and cannot be broken down. So, when sourcing a chlorella supplement, you must ensure it has had the cell wall broken down for you to benefit from the vast range of health benefits it has.

  1. Enjoy Green Juices

Something as simple as a green juice can give your body nutrients that support detoxification, particularly when it includes foods such as lemon, celery, parsley, coriander and cucumber. Celery and cucumber contain minerals like potassium, which is beneficial on an empty stomach to support your kidneys and liver, and thus cleanse the blood stream. Read more here

  1. Eat Your Good Fats

Consuming fats like coconut oil, ghee, grass fed and free range animal fats, olive oil, avocado and so on are highly beneficial – so if you are on a low-fat diet then you are in trouble. Fats stimulate the gallbladder to produce new bile which can help flush out toxins from the liver. In addition to this, ghee in particular has been shown to stimulate a group of enzymes known as glutathione S-Transferases that are required for detoxification.

How I Incorporate These Detoxifiers Into My Day

Every morning, I have a Bullet Proof Coffee which is a blend of ghee, coconut oil and black coffee. This is often had on an empty stomach, and breakfast is not consumed until later in the day, which gives my body a rest from food and a chance to detox. I occasionally have bentonite clay and/or activated charcoal if I feel I require extra detox support, and I have chlorella each day for nutritional support and daily detox. A couple of times a week I will enjoy a beautiful green juice.

Although this isn’t by any means a complete list of all detoxification methods and supporting aids, it is certainly a great place to start. Just incorporating one of these things into your daily life is sure to have an impact.

Let me know in the comments below if you try one of the above, or anything else you have found to be beneficial for you!

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14 Comments

  1. Rahul

    Really nice tips to detox the body.

    Reply
  2. julie tomsett

    Great information.

    Reply
  3. Gill

    I have bentonite clay but find it impossible to consume just mixed in water. Makes me gag. Any suggestions how better to ingest this?

    Reply
    • Kerry White

      Hi Gill. Our nutritionist Sheridan says: ‘You may be able to put it in a gelatin capsule, or I allow it to sit in the water just for a few minutes until the clay has been absorbed by the water and then it becomes very drinkable with a very mild to no taste.’

      Reply
  4. Robyn

    Hello
    I’ve just read your article on detoxing with green juice, you mentioned you did this once or twice a week and had the juice for breakfast.

    What did you eat for the remained of the day?

    Regards
    Robyn

    Reply
    • Kerry White

      Hi Robyn. Sheridan says: ‘I eat a beautiful real food diet that contains no inflammatory foods that I choose intuitively. The green juice just becomes a part of my day, and is not a part of a ‘juice fast’.’

      Reply
  5. Clem

    Thank you Sheridan. I have been naturally drawn towards the above for detox support over past few years and often fast to allow my body to heal. I love your advice and knowledge!

    Reply
  6. Nina

    thanks for the info – I agree with it all! Just bought Bentonite Clay (good timing!) and am wondering how much of it you would suggest to start off with? And when…just before bed? How do you chose to take it?
    thanks….

    Reply
    • Kerry White

      Hi Nina. Sheridan says: ‘Last thing at nighttime or first thing in the morning is ideal, an hour away from any foods or supplements. You can just add it to water and drink it after the water has absorbed it. Start with ½ a tsp and you can slowly work up depending on your personal needs.’

      Reply
  7. Joy Griffihs

    Fabulous boost when needed. How often does saying “when the student is ready the teacher will come” present itself!! Great info thanks.

    Reply
  8. Belinda

    Could you please recommend which Chlorella has cell wall broken. I’m opposed to supplements so I really don’t want to buy the wrong one.

    TIA

    Reply
  9. Sarah

    Hi. I’m breastfeeding an almost one year old. Are all or any of these detoxification methods safe to do while breastfeeding? Thank you

    Reply
    • Jordan Pie

      Hi Sarah,
      Yes, the green juices and quality fats would be very beneficial for you. However, if you wish to try the other recommendations, it’s best you talk to your chosen health care practitioner for individualised advice.

      Reply

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