With the arrival of spring, it’s so nice to be able to open up the windows again and let the warm fresh air fill our home. How rejuvenating it is to begin spring-cleaning both inside and outside of our home and once again experience the many joys springtime has to offer. There are also many great articles and advertisements about the importance of detoxification and spring-cleaning our body.
Well, I was originally going to join with the ranks and write an article about the importance of spring-cleaning our body, when it occurred to me that we should actually be supporting our elimination system on a daily basis through diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Not just every spring.
Detoxification is a natural process the body uses to remove impurities and potentially harmful substances from our systems. An accumulation of toxins and other waste products can hamper the proper functioning of our tissues, glands, and organs. Considering all the contaminants that exist in our food and the environment nowadays, our elimination systems are often overwhelmed, and this toxic overload can lead to chronic ailments, degenerative diseases and a whole lot of discomfort.
Fortunately, our body has a system in place for detoxifying and eliminating harmful toxic waste. Our skin, lungs, lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, and colon all work around the clock filtering and eliminating toxins, so it’s really vital to support these mechanisms which are keeping us healthy.
Under normal circumstances the body is able to eliminate toxins through urine, feces, perspiration and exhalation. We can either support, or hinder, our natural detoxification process by the kinds of foods we eat, the dietary supplements we take, the medications we use, and the lifestyle choices we make.
Poor dietary choices are one of the most important reasons why the body does not eliminate toxins and harmful substances effectively. A diet low in fibre, for instance, can reduce transit time, lead to constipation, and hold back toxins that need to be eliminated. A diet high in sugar and processed foods can also impede the body’s detoxifying process, making it difficult for proper elimination of toxins. So what can we do to help our body detoxify itself?
For starters, a diet that includes a variety of fresh colorful vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, unprocessed oils and fats, organic and free-range eggs, sufficient lean protein, organic-low-fat dairy products, and plenty of water will provide us with the nutrients we need to help promote the optimal performance of our elimination systems.
Whole grain and grain products, fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes are all good sources of dietary fibre. Studies have found a diet high in fibre reduces the incidences of many of today’s health conditions including colon cancer and diverticulosis. As fibre moves through our intestines, it scours the linings and pushes accumulated fats, cholesterol, sugars and chemical toxins out through the colon. As a matter of fact, it’s often said that a bowel movement is considered to be the ultimate detox, so it’s important to get enough fibre on a daily basis in our diet.
Exercise and a healthy lifestyle are also important for a healthy elimination system. When we exercise, it helps to keep things ‘moving’ (no pun intended), and we also eliminate many toxins through sweating and exhalation. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to enjoy exercise. Simply going for a walk will help the body’s natural processes. Smoking, excessive amounts of alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs can hamper the body’s detoxification systems as well. Limiting these or giving them up all together will definitely improve the body’s ability to detoxify.
Good old-fashioned H2O is also prudent in helping our body eliminate toxins, but many people aren’t drinking enough of this great stuff. Water is needed to carry nutrients to our cells, and waste products away from them. Adequate water consumption is vital to our day-to-day health. Consuming sufficient water has been associated with a decreased risk of kidney stone formation and a decreased risk of bladder, breast, and colon cancer.
Dietary and nutritional supplements can also be very beneficial in supporting our elimination system, and AIM has many excellent products to help our body detoxify, cleanse, nourish and energize itself.
It doesn’t need to be spring to spring-clean our body. By making wise choices in our diet, getting some regular exercise, drinking sufficient water, having a healthy lifestyle, and including dietary supplements to aid our digestive system and enhance detoxification, we can support and maintain our natural elimination process and feel revitalized everyday. Have a Happy Spring!
A Member of The AIM Companies for over twenty-three years, Joanne Jackson takes pride in sharing her knowledge of nutrition and the AIM products with others. As an advocate of healthy eating and proper nutrition, Joanne understands that the choices we make, and choosing them wisely, is the key to wellness. Joanne holds a certificate in Nutrition: Studies and Applications and a certificate in Natural Health Fundamentals. She is currently studying for her diploma as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. http://www.followthegreen.com
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