February 27th, 2022 
Chaplain Rebecca 
Times have changed. We share the world with billions of other people and with a multitude of industrialized nations. When you add up all of the manufacturing plants, exhaust pipes and smaller sources of toxins-like cleaning products, cosmetics, prescription drugs, plastic packaging and more-the concept of detoxifying your body has immense merit.
But where do you start? Are you wondering exactly how to detox? Remember, your goal is to create new, healthier eating habits that lighten your toxic load and strengthen your body for better everyday health. These 13 habits will help you do a full body detox and make way for new energy and vitality.
- Avoid Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners. To get the most from your body cleanse, select natural sweeteners like stevia, molasses, maple syrup, honey, etc. Opting for raw honey like Manuka honey could be a better option to replace your sugar content. Swerve sugar is another good substitute.
- Beware the Deadly Whites. White flour (and pasta), rice and bread can interfere with proper digestive flow. Try quinoa, Kamut®, spelt, buckwheat or cornmeal.
- Steer Clear of fried foods, red meat and other processed foods.
- Try to Avoid Wheat/Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Corn. These common food sensitivities can increase gut permeability and allow toxins into the bloodstream, which stalls weight loss.
- Remove Toxic Oils. Stay away from vegetable oil, sunflower oil, canola oil and peanut oil. Avoid trans fats or “partially hydrogenated” foods. Instead choose coconut, flaxseed, extra-virgin olive or hemp oil, which contain more beneficial omega fatty acids.
- Pick Quality Protein. Liver detox pathways require protein. Choose grass-fed or wild-caught options where possible.
- Fiber it Up! Add some good stuff to your natural detox diet, including:
- whole grains and also gluten free if you are gluten intolerant
- fresh, organic, non-starchy veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, and spices such as garlic and turmeric
- fruit (offers antioxidants, fiber and water)
- beans and lentils (provides soluble and insoluble fiber)
- seeds and nuts, like almonds, sunflower, flax, chia and walnuts (help with gut health and liver function)
- Water. Skip the soda. Scrap the spirits. Drink plenty of water. Alcohol overworks the liver and can damage this critical organ. Water (preferably filtered and room temperature) helps your kidneys function properly and flush toxins from the body. Add lemon to support digestion, or try sipping green tea to help with cardio and immune support.
- Drink Fresh Veggie Juice. Juicing is a wonderful way to get powerful nutrients and enzymes into your diet. Add some spinach, kale or other deep greens along with ginger, beets, carrots, turmeric and other colorful veggies and roots.
- Probiotics. Friendly bacteria can do wonders for your detox diet plan. Get them naturally in foods like kombucha, kefir, miso, natural yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Or supplement with a product that contains several strains of friendly flora.
- Slow Down at the Dining Table. Eating quickly usually leads to eating more, which spells bloating and indigestion. Take your time. Savor each bite. You’ll find that you eat smaller portions and feel better, and you may even lose weight!
- Move! Exercise helps you eliminate toxins. Work up a sweat and you’ll improve circulation and burn fat more effectively. Walk, dance, do yoga, just move!
- Get Your Zzzzzs. Adequate rest helps the brain detoxify itself. (See the glymphatic system.) Sleep also helps reduce stress and inflammation, which may help you overcome your toxic burden. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
- Try phasing out things like caffeine, sugar and artificial sweeteners in the days before you really start your detox diet. This helps minimize potential nausea and headache.
- Map out your eating plan and you’re more likely to stick with it.
- Cleanse your kitchen/pantry of any foods or drinks that would sabotage your detox decision.
- By day 4 or 5 of your new diet, you should start feeling more energetic and see improved digestion.
- Massage helps release toxins from the muscles and tissues. Follow with plenty of water.
- Don’t get overwhelmed. If you can only adopt 1 or 2 new, healthier habits, be happy with that. Save some for next time.
- Don’t be afraid to do some research about how beneficial taking specific supplements, like spirulina, can be to the detoxification process, as it will help to further eliminate any harmful substances from your body.
- People with chronic health issues like diabetes, liver disease, cancer or eating disorders should consult their doctor before making dietary changes.
The best way to detoxify is cleansing emotionally as well as physically. Try these tips for a more complete experience.
- Practice deep breathing to quell stress and help release CO2 from deep within the cells.
- Listen to uplifting music.
- Take a slow walk or a hot bath.
- Sometimes toxic people add to our health burden. You probably know at least one Negative Ned or Nellie who brings you down. To maximize your healthy detox, keep your distance emotionally.
What Are the Health Benefits of a Body Detox Program?
Weight Loss. Research shows that environmental toxins are tied to obesity. And detoxification helps remove chemicals stored in the fat cells that can impede weight loss. Eliminating bad food choices that promote weight gain and supporting detox for weight loss just makes sense.
Improved Overall Health. People who detoxify their bodies reduce their toxic load and typically experience greater energy and improved well-being.
Reduced Inflammation. Reducing toxins helps lessen inflammation, which may mean healthier joints, reduced swelling and other benefits.
How Does the Detox Process Work?
Detox begins in the liver. This vital organ converts toxins into unstable metabolites, then it works to excrete these via the kidneys, colon and lungs.
A smoothie with chia seeds or pure juices from colorful fruits and vegetables, including beet, ginger, greens, apple and carrot provides energy and cleansing antioxidants.
Every natural detox plan is slightly different, but many experts recommend a focused program over 2–3 weeks for best results. Many people detox twice a year, for example in the Spring and Fall. But the focus should be on adopting long-term habits that become part of your daily routine as opposed to a short-term period of deprivation.
Wondering How to Detox Your Liver?
The liver is your body’s main organ for processing and getting rid of detrimental toxins. Take care of it so it can take care of you! Avoid alcohol. Try milk thistle extract with silymarin; it has proven benefits for liver health. N-acetyl-cysteine optimizes glutathione production in the liver (a good thing) and supports liver health.
How Can I Identify Toxins and Reduce My Exposure?
Using natural cleaners and avoiding processed foods and plastics is a good start. The Environmental Working Group offers a great guideline to identifying toxins in your environment.
Detox Your Body with Nature’s Sunshine Products
Support detoxification with quality cleansing and detox supplements from Nature’s Sunshine!
- Purify 2.0 Program-combines the power of Rejuvenaid, UltraBiomeDTX, Bacillus Coagulans and protein to remove heavy metals, purify and strengthen the gut, support intestinal permeability and boost energy
- Enviro-Detox-helps remove pollutants and toxins while supporting digestion
- Yeast Fungal Features caprylic acid and oregano leaf to support yeast removal
- UltraBiomeDTX-clinically studied for its ability to remove heavy metals; helps purify the gut
- Super Omega-3 EPA and Krill Oil with K2–important omega-3 fatty acids support the body’s natural inflammatory response
- Bowel Detox–contains charcoal, fiber and more to promote waste elimination and support bowel health
- CleanStart®-our most popular body cleanse; features aloe vera, bentonite clay, LBS II® and Enviro-Detox for powerful cleansing support
- Detox Basics–a 30-day, natural detox program with NAC, milk thistle and Bacillus Coagulans to support liver cleansing and gut health
- Probiotic Eleven-11 strains of beneficial flora in a convenient capsule
Resources
https://www.health.com/weight-loss/how-to-detox
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12713/10-easy-ways-to-detox-your-body-today.html
13 Herbs that Support Respiratory Function, and Why Even Healthy People May Want Them
November is Respiratory Month, and it’s good timing as we head into cold and flu season, which is soon followed by the allergy season.
This time of year can wreak havoc on our immune and respiratory system, whether it’s the sinuses, bronchial tubes, or the lungs. The air we breathe has been heavily polluted by car exhaust, chemical byproducts, industrial emissions, dust mites, mold, mildew, and chemicals.
And even indoors we’re not safe — indoor air has been found to be up to six times as dangerous as outdoor air. One of the most prevalent sources of allergies that can be found within the home is mold. Mold is not only dangerous when ingested, but when inhaled too, especially if you have a mold allergy. You can visit https://www.nyallergy.com/mold-allergy to see if you have symptoms of a mold allergy as well as some prevention and treatment tips.
The American College of Allergies reports that half of all illness today results from indoor, not outdoor, pollution. This can be avoided to some extent by keeping the home HVAC in good condition. Companies like Front Range HVAC can service and clean air ducts for their better efficiency. Installing an indoor air filtration system is also a viable option to protect yourself from allergens and dust mists. Note that your existing air filtration system also requires professional cleaning and servicing occasionally. It is always a good idea to get started now rather than waiting for the perfect time. If you notice any foul odor or dust build-up in your air filtration system, you should probably call an HVAC technician. Other than air quality, surfaces like furniture and carpets should be kept clean thoroughly. One study reports that a baby crawling over a section of an average carpet inhales the toxic equivalent of four cigarettes per day.
The respiratory system is the first line of defense to many diseases and pollutants. However, in today’s day and age, people who should have perfect lungs can suffer from many maladies because they’ve been breathing in toxins since the day they were born. As such, if you take care of the respiratory system, you might have a better chance to ward off various ailments.
And lung cleansing may help.
There are many herbs that have been traditionally used to help the respiratory system’s natural way of cleansing itself, and effectively support its function. Below are 13 of those herbs, which are all contained in Nature’s Sunshine Products’ ALJ and Sinus Support EF ®.:
13 Herbs That Support Healthy Respiratory Function
Herbs in ALJ
ALJ helps soothe irritated tissues and encourages the entire respiratory tract to gently cleanse itself. It also assists the body in neutralizing allergens by nutritional means. The ingredients include:
- Boneset aerial parts: Used by Indians in seasonal times when the body needed extra nutritional support.
- Fennel seeds: Traditionally used as a cleansing herb and is often used after eating.
- Fenugreek seeds: Contains mucilage, which causes the herbs to swell in water and provide a soothing effect.
- Horseradish root: Has a stimulating effect on the respiratory system. Eat a small amount of the herb and you’ll quickly understand.
- Mullein leaves extract: Also contains mucilage, a viscous, fibrous substance that provides a soothing effect.
When airborne particles, viruses or bacteria enter the respiratory system, the body turns on its cleansing mechanisms and the immune system is put into action. Inhaled irritants can challenge how the body tries to rid itself of foreign invaders on its own. The herbal formula in ALJ helps support that function by balancing the natural eliminative functions of the respiratory system.
Herbs in Sinus Support EF ®
Sinus Support EF supports the respiratory system, encourages proper nasal function, helps maintain nasal tissues, and is ephedra-free. Ingredients include:
- Capsicum fruit
- Burdock root
- Goldenseal root
- Parsley herb
- Horehound herb
- Althea root
- Bitter orange fruit
- Yerba santa herb
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