With the holidays coming to an end, many companies have begun marketing different cleanses and detoxes. They advertise that people need to flush out their bodies of all the nasty chemicals that have built up while partying and bingeing on food and drinks. The products claim to help reduce the bloating and intestinal distress that these toxins are causing. Many people who seek out a Rochester nutritionist will ask if these products actually work? Let’s talk about detoxes, what is in them, and why you may be better off choosing a different way to support your body after the holidays.
Detox is a marketing term that means to clear your body of all the nasty chemicals that you may have ingested that cause the body harm. This definition is fundamentally flawed. The body doesn’t store nasty chemicals that need to be removed. Humans have a liver and kidneys that do an excellent job at removing any toxins ingested by the body. The detoxing kits that are being sold today are mostly made up of fiber, vitamins, and a few varying herbs. These three combined will help get the digestive system moving which can reduce bloating, but no “toxins” are being removed from the body.
Instead of detoxing, try using targeted methods to support the specific organs that are designed to detox your body, your liver, and kidneys. Make sure you are getting plenty of B vitamins to help the liver process toxins at optimal efficiency. Drink plenty of water to help the kidneys filter toxins and their byproducts out of the bloodstream. Consume foods that are rich in antioxidants to help reduce the oxidative stress generated by breaking down and filtering toxins. Grapefruit, blueberries, and cranberries contain both B vitamins and antioxidants. These are quick snacks that can greatly improve the health and efficiency of your detoxing organs.
Excessive bloating may not be due to toxins, but instead an imbalance between the good and bad gut bacteria in the intestines. Simply increasing fiber intake along with a good probiotic can help shift the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Fixing the gut flora can reduce systemic inflammation, water retention, bloating, and gas. More extreme dietary changes may be implemented if gut health is too severe.
If you want to learn more about supporting your body's detoxification system, or you want help implementing some of these changes into your current diet, schedule a free nutrition consultation at Rush-Henrietta Family Chiropractic. Your nutritionist in Rochester has helped many people in the Rochester, NY area who suffer from abdominal bloating and other IBS symptoms. Give us a call to learn more about our nutrition program.
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