Natural ways to cleanse body and mind: Take toxins out of your life

Our bodies can detox themselves from environmental and food toxins. However, sometimes the frequency of the toxic load is so high that the body finds it difficult to rid itself of it; in such cases, outside assistance is required.

While food toxins are commonly found in processed foods, junk foods, sugar, and fried foods, other toxins present in our daily lives are the chemicals found in cosmetics products, materials such as plastic, billing receipts, and air pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, etc. It is important to be mindful of our exposure to such toxic elements to allow ourselves to heal and feel better.

The following are some methods for reducing toxic load:

• Fasting activates the natural detox process inside the body, which leads to apoptosis, or the death of toxic cells. It is recommended to fast for 16–18 hours daily or for a 24 hour water fast at least 2-3 times a month.

• Consume fresh, healthy vegetables and salads. They engulf the toxic cells present in the body and eliminate them through excretion.

• Excrete daily. It is one method to remove toxic waste from the body.

• Keep yourself hydrated. Plain water consumption can control our weight and reduce our intakes of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. It also helps to flush out waste from the body through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.

• Exercise regularly. It helps your body detox by maintaining good liver and kidney health.

• Use metal or glass water bottles. Both of them can keep your drinks free from chemicals as they are non-corrosive, BPA-free, and leach-proof.

• Avoid plastic water bottles for drinking especially if they have been exposed to sunlight for a longer period as they can release toxins and chemical substances into the water which can harm our health in long run.

• Cook food in cast iron or steel utensils only, and avoid non-stick pans with Teflon coating as high temperature can break down the coating which may release toxic chemicals in the air and can lead to various medical conditions.

• Mental cleansing is also important: Meditate daily. It will help you keep negative thoughts at bay.

Stop putting yourself in a flight or fight mode all the time which means your sympathetic nervous system is overactive, get into a parasympathetic mode, relax, and take Epsom salt Baths and massages regularly.

The author is MBBS, MD, and CMD–LiveNutriFit.

‘Meditation will help you keep negative thoughts at bay. Stop putting yourself in a flight or fight mode all the time which means your sympathetic nervous system is overactive; get into a parasympathetic mode, relax, and take Epsom salt baths and massages regularly’.