Want to cleanse your body and feel good from the inside out? Detox is the process of eliminating toxins from the body through proper diet, exercise, supplements and healthy living. Face it, we’re exposed to a number of pollutants every day; Free radicals within the air, smog and smoke, pesticides and other toxins on the foods that we eat as well as a number of other hazards are lurking in just about everything that we do. Detox, put simply, makes you feel rejuvenated, healthy and ready to tackle another big day.

What is Detox?

When a person takes steps toward neutralizing free radicals, eliminating environmental toxins and cleansing the body of dietary toxins for overall health they are detoxifying. In the medical world, detox can mean decontamination of poison by ingestion while in the treatment industry, detox stands for the period of time during which a substance abuser returns to homeostasis following the sustained use of an addictive substance.

Toxins, including dietary toxins, pesticides, substances such as alcohol or drugs, and environmental toxins can all cause damage to the body tissue and overall function of the body. Detox can help to eliminate these toxins through fasting, stimulation, elimination, improved circulation and recuperation. A detox allows the body to cleanse itself naturally, effectively eliminating toxins that are stored deep within the tissue and organs for optimal inner and outer health.

Why Detox?

Healthy living is about more than just eating right and getting adequate exercise. Detox can help you feel better physically and emotionally. As you eliminate toxins from the body, you will notice that your digestive system functions better, your skin is clearer, you feel leaner and lighter and overall you just feel better. A detox can help you kick-start a weight loss program, build lean muscle, reduce stress, identify food allergies, identify the foods that are weighing you down or making you feel less energetic, and even transition from one phase in life to another.

Even the most health conscious individual is affected by the dangers of pollutants such as environmental toxins. A detox can help to improve functioning of the liver, lungs, colon and the circulation of blood which also works to improve other areas of the body including the skin and complexion. A body detox can improve energy levels, boost metabolism, eliminate headaches or body pains and have a lasting impact on emotional health and well-being.

Choosing a Detox Program

There are a number of different detox programs and cleansing programs available to help you eliminate toxins from the body and improve your overall quality of life. Choosing a detox program that’s right for you will require you to consider the following factors:

• Your overall health
• How experienced you are with detoxification
• Your current energy level
• Your weight and daily calorie needs
• The length of time you wish to detox
• The results you are looking to achieve (increased energy, weight loss, increased metabolism, etc)

Selecting a detox program that will provide you with a safe and effective cleanse is important. Talk with your doctor about any major cleanses or detox programs that involve starting a new diet. If you have health conditions that may be affected by the foods that you eat, be sure to discuss your decision to take part in a detox program with your doctor before you begin as some health conditions could be adversely affected by the complete elimination of certain foods or extreme and abrupt changes in diet.

Keep in mind that no matter what detox diet or cleanse you choose, the program should be short term. Detoxifying is not a long term dietary plan and should not take the place of sustained healthy eating habits. You can maintain many of the benefits of a detox program by taking part in healthy habits that will help you to keep your body feeling good. Eating healthy foods, using supplements, getting adequate exercise, staying hydrated, reducing stress and having a positive attitude can go a long way at helping you to maintain optimum health and well-being.