DUMP THE JUNK!

DETOXIFICATION IS A HIDDEN GEM IN WEIGHT RELEASE AND IMPROVED OVERALL HEALTH

By Kristy Dotson

IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING.

For most, after a long, hard winter, it is time for spring cleaning! Old household items and clothing (often labeled as “junk”) are tossed out – making room for the new and improved.

Just as annual cleaning is beneficial for your physical space, routine deep cleansing of your physical body is not only beneficial, but imperative for optimal health and weight release. This process is referred to as detoxification (detox).

What is Detox?

Detoxification involves both dietary and lifestyle changes that reduce the intake of toxins, while improving elimination. But, before we get into the nitty gritty of detox, let us first address toxins.

Think of toxins as chemical poisons. They seep into our cells and tissues from the air, water, food, pharmaceuticals, and even cosmetics that we wear. And nowadays, toxin exposure is more prevalent from the electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) to which we are exposed when using cell phones and computers. Because of our environment and lifestyle, no one is immune from toxins. As a result, our cells and tissues are constantly combatting chemical warfare from substances that can undermine our health and stress our biochemical and organ functions.

Toxins Love Fat

Toxins assume residence in our fat cells and can live there for years until they are served a detoxification eviction notice. In fact, toxins can be epigenetic, causing damage to a mother’s DNA and then passed on from one generation to the next long after the original exposure has passed. This reality was supported through research conducted at Washington State University on the effects of pesticides on reproduction which found that “although DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, it can still be detected in the urine of pregnant women in many parts of the country.”

Toxins can land in the bloodstream, which transports them all over the body. While you may not be able to visibly see these chemical poisons, your body will speak to you, voicing its displeasure with the garbage that has piled up within, through common symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, headaches, poor memory, itchy skin, joint pain, sinus problems, abnormal body odor, constipation, insomnia, depression, irritability, and low immunity.

Accumulated toxins often overwhelm the liver which is faced with the arduous task of processing these poisonous substances. When the burden becomes too much for the liver, fat builds up in the liver as well as under the skin, manifesting as a “belly bulge” and cellulite. “A liver overloaded with pollutants and toxins cannot efficiently burn body fat, and thus will sabotage your weight loss efforts.” Professionally, I refrain from preaching “weight-loss” to my clients. Instead, I emphasize “health” and offer a 28-day detoxification program, and the results have been astounding. On average, participants release 12-15 pounds.

The Detox Process

Detoxification is not as scary as it sounds. While it is a process and not a single event, detox does not include starving yourself for several days nor taking chemical laxatives, forbidding one from leaving the house. Detox is much more accommodating than that. A well-structured detoxification plan should last at least three weeks and incorporate:

• Clean foods – Consume organic fruits and vegetables, and clean meat. Avoid sugar, dairy, and gluten-containing foods.

• Clean beverages – Drink water

• Liver support supplements –These are necessary, as the liver is the body’s most important organ and the target of detox.

The liver utilizes a two-phase system which changes toxins into substances that can be safely eliminated through the kidneys and colon. Think of it this way… the liver must detonate or neutralize toxins before the body can release them.

A LIVER OVERLOADED WITH POLLUTANTS AND TOXINS CANNOT EFFICIENTLY BURN BODY FAT, AND THUS WILL SABOTAGE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS.

Phase I is called hydroxylation. During this phase, enzymes break apart the chemical bonds which hold the toxins together, forming a more water soluble intermediate compound. What is required for this to happen are antioxidants. Phase II is conjugation, whereby the intermediate compound is fully converted to a non-toxic, water-soluble substance that can be expelled via your liquid and solid waste. For Phase II to occur the body requires amino acids or protein. This is why an effective detox program is not a fast from food but will suggest that you eat throughout the process.

Detox Support Supplements

An overburdened liver requires backup to better assist it in doing its job. Detoxification supplements serve this purpose and typically include products containing synergistic blends of the following:

• Multi-vitamin/Mineral product –The insufficiency of vitamins A, C, E, B complex, folate, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium can adversely affect the body’s ability to metabolize harmful compounds.

• Antioxidants – Free-radicals are a byproduct of Phase I of the detoxification process; antioxidants help to counteract free-radicals from damaging the cells. Consuming antioxidants through vegetable and fruit juice powers is beneficial during detox. The “master antioxidant” produced by the body is glutathione. Taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC) – which is a precursor to glutathione – can further enhance antioxidant activity.

• Amino acids and Sulfur-Containing Compounds – These play a critical role in Phase II and the sulfation process involved in detoxifying pharmaceuticals. Quality detox support products will include amino acids such as L-glycine, L-taurine, L-glutamine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).

Lastly, a properly functioning colon ensures that toxins have an exit route from the body and are not recirculated. Optimal intestinal support supplements include triphala, a botanical derived from three fruits, and magnesium hydroxide, a mineral which aids in moving water from surrounding tissues into the bowel to soften stool and facilitate healthy elimination.

In summary, detoxification is not only a hidden gem in fostering weight release, but it is also one of the most crucial factors to achieving improved health and should be incorporated into the wellness plans for all adults, regardless of one’s current level of fitness.

About the Author

D, CSCS*D, Speaker, author, and inventor of the patented TymPlates® Nutrition & Detoxification System, Kristy Dotson endeavors to help over-worked and under-nourished women regain their health and vitality. She is a co-author of Fight to Live – Winning the Spiritual and Physical Battle for Your Health, and her 2023 release Connecting the Dots.