Many people engage in spring cleaning around this time of year. It is a time to get rid of those things we don’t want or need anymore and leave us feeling lighter and cleaner. So why not also do the same for your body? Ridding your body of harmful toxins leaves you feeling refreshed and healthy, and summer is the perfect time for a cleanse.
Cleansing can aid in weight loss, a healthy sleeping pattern, and can improve arthritis by decreasing aches and pains. Toxins, for the most part, are unavoidable. They are in the air we breathe and the food we consume. While our body naturally rids itself of toxins, they often remain in the digestive system and need to be removed through a cleansing process.
Colonic irrigation is one way to rid the body of toxins. This is a process where warm water is used to cleanse the colon during a hydrotherapy session that usually lasts less than an hour. The water may also be combined with enzymes, herbs, coffee, or probiotics. A colonic cleanses the colon, but does not support the liver or the lymph function.
Full body cleansing systems are a great all-in-one approach. These contain a super milk thistle supplement that stimulates the toxin-clearing flow of bile, the fluid produced by the gall bladder to aid in digestion. They also contain fiber capsules, which bind to toxins to prevent re-absorption in the body, and a laxative designed to produce a gentle purge to complete the process. They are designed to support overall wellness and digestive health.
Healthy eating and drinking is another way to cleanse your body systems. Eating all organically grown fruits and vegetables and organically produced meat and dairy products reduce your exposure to growth hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Increasing your water intake to at least eight glasses of water a day helps cleanse your body. Water flushes toxins out of your system and also keeps your skin looking healthy and young. Many herbal teas also have a range of health benefits and can help boost your immune system.
Now is the perfect time for a cleanse. It will leave your body feeling renewed and fresh for summer. Use it as an opportunity to continue down a healthy lifestyle path. After a cleanse, continue to increase water consumption, eat organic foods, and take a probiotic supplement to aid in digestion. Aim to work out for about 30 minutes a day. Sweating opens your pores and eliminates toxins and debris from your body through the skin.
Staying on a path of wellness takes will-power and conscious decision-making. Although it is not always easy, it is well worth the health benefits.
Steve Bernardi, R.Ph., is a compounding pharmacist and co-owner of Johnson Compounding and Wellness in Waltham.
