Detox Series: part 2
Does detox always have to feel like detox? Not necessarily so. A new approach to detoxification offers a different experience.
For some people, a detoxification program is like a much-needed vacation—they sleep better, their energy is high, blood sugar balanced, and they almost feel like they’re dancing on rainbows. For others, brain fog settles in like bad weather, they are weak and hungry, moody and irritable, and may feel like they have the flu. And for the seeming unluckiest among us, sensitivity runs so high that it can be truly challenging to implement a detox program, especially one that includes herbal supports.
What’s the distinction? Why are some of us so lucky, and others not? It depends a great deal on our own defenses and ability to eliminate toxins. For a starter, your detox pathways might be blocked.
How do you open detox pathways?
First off: what are detox pathways?
Detox pathways are the natural ways your body rids itself of foreign objects, pathogens, or toxins. These include:
exhaling
sweating
pooping/urinating
How do you open detox pathways before detoxing:
1. Frequent the gym - When a client tells me they can’t sweat, I know that detox path has been blocked somehow. Cardio & working out is essential, but if you can’t tolerate it or unable, an IR sauna is great too.
2. Sweat it out in a sauna - You can trigger the detox pathways to open by sitting in a sauna every day for 10 min & slowly increasing the time as tolerated.
Can’t tolerate heat? Cold like cryotherapy activates heat shock proteins/immunity too! Dry brushing, myofascial release, lymph massage, & rebounding are great ways to detox lymph/skin.
3. Pay attention to the bathroom trips - Not pooping? Pooping too much? If you ain’t going when you get up and at least once again, you’re blocked that way. If you’re going multiple times a day, it’s loose or you see undigested food, then again, that path is still blocked. Your bile is sluggish or stagnant. It emulsifies fats, helps absorbs nutrients & regulates BMs.
Try bitters, digestive enzymes, chew well your food before swallowing, & don’t eat when distracted or upset. Enemas & colonies are also effective (even though I would be really careful to suggest these practices, and always speak with your doctor first).
Make sure your body has the ability to release the byproducts of whatever you’re eliminating through the elimination organs like the skin, liver, bile, bowels, & lungs (see Detox Series: part 1 blog post). If toxins can't get out, they will re-circulate throughout your body potentially causing further harm or more severe herxheimer reactions (symptoms can include exhaustion, irritability, achiness, flulike symptoms, diarrhea, rashes, sweats, chills, crying jags, insomnia, and more).
Take really good care of yourself!
Until next post on the Detox Series
Much Love,
Manuela