5 Tips and 5 Products for Detoxing

Detox is a bit of a buzz word in the health and wellness media world. "In order for our bodies to heal, we must detoxify it," or the all too familiar "after holiday detox" that for some of us may consist of eating nothing but fruits and vegetables for two weeks in January. No matter how expansive your knowledge on detoxification may be, the definition of it is always changing.
Historically, detoxification was used for spiritual enlightenment and transcending in order to connect with a higher being. Today, we often relate a detox with environmental issues, emotional disruptions, and our health. It has become a way to be lighter, brighter, and more vibrant. Most of the time a detox is successful if we "haven't felt this good in years!" In some ways, spiritual enlightenment or religion gives us that same feeling, so the history behind detoxification has followed it to present day. Nonetheless, detoxification can be a very important routine in a healthy lifestyle when it is done correctly and appropriately. You may be asking yourself when you should begin a rejuvenating detox.

Who Needs to Start a Detox?
Are you feeling emotionally burdened? How are your stress levels? Has your weight been increasing and you are not quite sure why? Maybe your weight is creeping up because your stress has risen and so you've eaten poorly: a classic and common chain reaction. Consider a detoxification strategy to jump start or refresh your body and mind. It is the most powerful source of empowerment, because you rely on your own body to heal yourself. In realizing that you possess this capability, magical revelations about yourself and the world can occur.
In some cases, severe symptoms like rashes, swelling, hives, and pain are associated with much more serious health complications that a detox may or may not resolve. Please be considerate of your body and use caution with any new health routine.

Two Types of Detox
Not only are there different reasons for starting a detox, there are multiple types of detoxes to do. Do you prefer to integrate powerful natural herbs to flush out toxins from your body? Look into starting a whole body detoxification to assist your body in healing. Many more serious symptoms benefit from herbal supplementation. Would you like your organs to do the work with additional vitamins and minerals? Introduce a vitamin cleanse and support your body's natural systems.

Whole Body Detoxification
In the most simple explanation, a whole body detox utilizes your organs to push out toxic substances and give you a sense of renewal. Many people begin with a fast. It is important to note that the type of fast is not limited to just abstaining from food: giving up sugar, caffeine, and alcohol are powerful fasts on their own. Especially if you regularly consume them, the benefits of staving off of chemicals and processed foods are a great start to a detox. Your body will begin to repair itself from years of damaging lifestyle habits. Some forms of whole body detox require that meat and dairy be excluded from the diet to normalize digestion. This offers the intestines a break from having to digest complex foods. Making these monumental decisions about your detox approach can completely transform your results.

2 Ways to Ensure a Fast Lasts
During the fasting phase, fatigue and lethargy can set in. This is the point where it is easy to lose focus and let go of the fast entirely. Stay strong, and take a B vitamin supplement to boost your body's natural energy makers. Integrative Therapeutics End Fatigue is a daily B complex that is designed for natural energy production.
You may also benefit from drinking additional green tea for its protective antioxidants and low caffeine amount. However, taking green tea in capsule form may be more beneficial for those who have a busy schedule or cannot drink 6-8 cups of tea. Vitanica's supplement packs 470mg of green tea-- a great sidekick to have during a fast.

Once you have begun your fasting period, the organs in the body can benefit from natural herbal supplementation. They have been used for hundreds of years, and for this reason are one of the best additions to strengthen your results. By targeting the organs that detoxify the body everyday--your kidneys, liver, and intestines-- herbs bolster their activity and lend strength. Especially during a fast, your organs will need the support.
Gaia Herbs Cleanse & Detox Tea contains multiple toxin-flushing herbs like burdock, fennel, and licorice. It's a great way to support your body during a fast and is very flavorful with lemon and peppermint to soothe the intestines.

Vitamin Cleanse
You may be asking, "how does a vitamin cleanse my body? Aren't I just adding more nutrients into it?" And the answer is "yes." However, because you supply your body with larger amounts of vitamins and minerals, the body is able to operate more efficiently and get more done. Consider vitamins and minerals as important as good night's sleep; how much more revitalized and energetic do you feel after a rest? By supplementing with the right vitamins in the right amounts, you can give this same benefit to your body. Your cells will be stronger and live longer with additional nutrients to take in.

Vitamin C is strongly linked to cell repair processes within the body, and can quickly heal any toxic environment that may be in your body. Any physical symptoms related to rashes or blemishes greatly benefit from vitamin C supplements due to its healing power.
The best form of vitamin C supplementation during detox is powdered. Directly consuming the vitamin in this way allows the body to utilize it quickly. Nature's Way produces a high-potency, organic powdered C. Need lower acidity for a sensitive stomach? Try Metabolic Maintenance's powdered C.
Remember that it is not the vitamin that is doing the work, but your cells that are now being fed vitamin C which promotes healthy cell growth.

The True Power of a Multivitamin
Never underestimate the value of taking your multivitamin daily. Do take detoxifying vitamins for an extra benefit, but don't forget about the essentials! Since a detox can be extremely depleting for the body, all other daily vitamins and minerals need to be available for your cells to utilize. Many of the vitamins that assist your organs in removing toxins are also water-soluble. You need to make sure you are consuming these vitamins multiple times daily. Supplement with a liquid multivitamin twice a day to give yourself plenty of additional nutrients. Pharmax makes a fantastic liquid multivitamin for any fast or detox.

The "Glue" of Detox Components
If there is one all important tool that you can use for any detox or fast, it is to drink more water. Water has been a natural way to detoxify the body for hundreds of years. By simply providing your cells with enough moisture, their performance can greatly improve. This means more energetic and healthy days for you. Even a short duration of dehydration can place stress on the kidneys and liver-- your detoxifying organs.
Did you know that sweating is an evolutionary trait we have acquired which expels toxins from the body? Beads of sweat are carriers that flush toxins away. Thus, the more water you have available in your body, the ability you have of naturally detoxifying is greater.

The 5 most important tips when starting a detox are to:

Think mindfully and set intentions: If you are goal-oriented and have an accomplishment to achieve with a detox, you will have more drive and determination to reach it. Secondly, if you have clear reasons for starting a detox make sure you stay inspired by reminding yourself of them.

Vitamins are your friend: Remember the power that vitamins have in supporting your organs. The B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals are the most important to consume often.

Drink more water: When all else fails, supply your cells with instant nourishment! Even a 1% decrease in hydration leads to reduced concentration.

Make time for sleep: Depleting your body of toxins can cause exhaustion. The level of dependence your body had on caffeine, sugar, or any other toxin needs time to establish the new habits you are making without the stimulants.

Establish a support system: It may seem difficult, but many of your friends or family members can readily lend you a supportive hand in any detox you take on. Even making a phone call to a good friend can alleviate stress or fear during the process.

The 5 beneficial detoxification products mentioned in this article are:
Integrative Therapeutics End Fatigue  Vitanica's Green Tea Supplement 
Nature's Way Organic Powdered Vitamin C  (or Metabolic Maintenance's Low Acid Vitamin C)
Gaia Herbs Cleanse & Detox Tea
Pharmax Liquid Multivitamin and Mineral