In our everyday lives, we are exposed to all different kinds of pollution, stress, unhealthy food and drinks, sleep deprivation, and lack of healthy lifestyle habits. This takes a toll on our health. Toxins from pesticides, air pollutants, food preservative ingredients, chemicals in the water and food supply, cleaning products and heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic (that come from the soil) affect our health. Toxins can also build up due to negative thoughts and emotions.
For instance, the American Institute of Stress (AIS) states that chronic stress stimulates the extensive release of adrenaline and cortisol, leading to eating disorders, increased blood pressure, and many other health conditions.
Therefore, it is important to listen to your body and remove those toxins as soon as possible. But, how do you know when to detox? Not to worry, we have compiled a list of 5 signs your body gives to alert you to get on with that detox diet! However, firstly, we will explain what a detoxification diet is.
What is a detox diet?
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the process of detoxification is “the process that transforms molecules that need to be removed from the body, or “toxins”.” Toxins are excreted from our bodies through urine, feces, respiration, and sweat.
The academy further goes on to explain that toxins are categorized into two types:
- Endotoxins – molecules that are made in the body as byproducts of regular metabolism
- Exotoxins – molecules that come from outside the body and are introduced to the system by eating, drinking, breathing, or are absorbed through the skin
It is important to point out that our body has a natural detoxification system in place. However, it is dependent on the individual’s lifestyle, environment, genes, diet, and current health status. Therefore, you can boost your detoxification by engaging in a short-term dietary change specifically designed to aid toxin removal.
Most of the popular detox diets call for a balanced consumption of nutrients coming from all essential food groups – from natural sources, of course! This is fantastic news, as not only will this make you feel better, but also support your weight loss in Brooksville.
What are toxins? And where do they come from?
Toxins are foreign substances that can harm the body. In large amounts, these toxins can become poisonous, damage vital organs, and disrupt normal body functions. Our online weight loss doctor also warns that toxins can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
Exotoxins can enter the body in several ways:
- Ingestion – by eating contaminated foods as well as processed foods with too many preservatives and additives.
- Inhalation – by breathing polluted air.
- Absorption – by absorbing harmful substances through the eyes and skin.
The body has a natural way of getting rid of toxins. Organs such as the kidneys, liver, skin, and lungs help remove toxins from the body through urination, excretion, sweating, and respiration.
5 Sources of toxins
Emotional toxins
The body’s ability to detoxify can be severely affected by disruptions in the nervous and endocrine systems. These disruptions may occur when you experience a traumatic or stressful event.
Environmental toxins
These are toxins that can be found around you. These include polluted air and water, industrial products like pesticides and herbicides, and cleaning products like detergents and bleach.
Intestinal microorganisms
The yeast and bacteria inside the intestines aid in the normal digestion of food. However, too much bacteria in the gut can turn fiber into fatty acids and lead to toxin build-up. This can increase your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Lifestyle toxins
These toxins are found in the harmful chemicals found in the food and drinks you consume. Examples include alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, cigarettes, prescription drugs, and processed and sugary foods.
Metabolic reactions
The normal metabolic breakdown of the food you eat includes the production of toxic wastes and byproducts. These are eliminated in the form of urine and feces. When the body cannot effectively digest food and eliminate waste, toxins may build up.
8 warning signs that you need a detox
When the body’s digestion and elimination mechanisms fail, autointoxication may occur, wherein the body produces its own toxins (endotoxins). These are often stored in fat tissues and bones and may not show any signs and symptoms up until the body’s regulatory mechanism can no longer cope up. If there is a high level of toxin in the body, you might experience the following warning signs.
1. Constantly experiencing fatigue
Experiencing constant fatigue can affect every aspect of your life, and there are some well-known cures for it. Although, if it’s persistent in the long run, then there is a deeper problem. A condition called adrenal fatigue occurs when your brain and adrenal glands are not functioning well. Often, it is caused by high levels of cortisol from toxins, inflammation, stress, or chemical imbalance.
2. Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells, creating disease – this can affect many body parts. It is commonly triggered when your body has accumulated too many toxins in your tissues.
The symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Inflamed muscles and joints
- Fever
- Skin allergies
If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, you should give yourself a few days of a detoxifying diet. It doesn’t have to be an intense detox, just a simple switch to healthier options. This should be enough for you to observe the results after a week or so.
3. Insatiable cravings
Having insatiable cravings is a sign that something is off. A diet that often involves processed foods elevates your blood sugar and hormone levels. As a result, your body begs for more junk food. Switching to a healthy diet will surely get your hormones back into their normal function and will definitely lead to weight loss!
According to our Spring Hill weight loss experts, a healthy diet should contain substantial daily portions of proteins, carbs, fruit and veg, fiber, and unsaturated oils. It is important to get those nutrients from natural sources. A good combination of those will not only help your detoxification system but will also support your weight loss goals.
4. Bad breath and body odor
Since our body is always working to eliminate toxins, having an unpleasant body odor and bad breath is a sign that toxins have reached peak levels. So, instead of depending on your deodorant stick, it’s better to have some green juice to naturally wash out the chemical build-up.
5. Digestive problems
Experiencing digestive problems is the most obvious signal that you need to improve your diet. The symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, gas and constipation. Going for detox will give your gut a break, allowing it to restore its natural digestion.
6. Sleeping problems
The hormone cortisol is released shortly after you wake up to help relieve stress and prepare you for the day. If you are healthy, your cortisol levels are elevated in the morning and drop gradually as the day progresses. The lowest levels are usually around midnight.
On the other hand, an imbalance in the level of cortisol can make you feel more alert and active at night. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep or insomnia. Chronic insomnia and sleep loss can give rise to health problems and even negatively affect important areas of your life.
If you think your insomnia is caused by cortisol imbalance, consult our nutritionist for a detox program.
7. Recurring headaches
Do you frequently suffer from headaches, but you can’t pinpoint the cause? It might mean high toxin levels in the brain.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, can interfere with brain oxidation and even kill brain cells. MSG acts as an excitotoxin that stimulates brain cells. High levels of MSG can lead to excitotoxicity, which may damage the brain cells.
Preservatives, food colors, and heavy metals such as mercury and lead can also lead to headaches. It is best to cut these food sources from your diet and detoxify your body to get rid of these toxins.
8. Skin breakouts
The skin is one of the organs that eliminate toxins from the body. When the liver, the organ primarily responsible for filtering out and removing toxins and waste products from the blood, can no longer keep up, the skin tries to help.
Unfortunately, some toxins create some chemical reaction with the skin, leading to acne, rashes, boils, and eczema.
If you experience any of these warning signs and think your body has high toxin levels, consult our nutritionist. With the right detoxification program, you can help your organs remove toxins easier and more efficiently. There are many ways to detoxify, and the best approach differs from person to person. Our nutritionist in Spring Hill, Fl can recommend the best program that specifically fits your health needs and goals.
How to detox?
This question is incredibly difficult to answer because this depends on what type of cleansing you need. There are many successful detox-diet programs out there, such as fasting, raw food only, juicing, boiled food only, etc. These programs consist of sub-types suitable for particular requirements and goals. Therefore, reach out to our online weight loss doctor to find out what detox diet you should get started with to achieve maximum results FAST.
Find out more about our
Our highly qualified weight-loss experts at Batista Weight loss and Wellness: Susan West-Opyoke, RDLD; John Batista, M.D.; Stephanie, M.A; and Valerie, Office Staff, together have decades of experience working with weight loss patients. They are passionate about promoting healthy living through their astonishing customized weight loss programs, which are clinically more developed – thanks to Dr. Batista.
We also offer the following services:
- Glutathione injections for weight loss
- Ultra slim shot injections
At Batista Weight loss and Wellness we believe that successful weight loss depends on two factors – the knowledge about how to lose weight and following through on your weight loss plan. Our experts will guide you all throughout the process by providing you with a customized weight loss plan. Regular face-to-face interaction will be a source of additional motivation to achieve your goals!
To create your own customized weight loss plan with us and achieve sustainable weight loss don’t hesitate to contact us.
Call us at (352) 600-3476 or drop us a visit! We are here: 497 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609, USA.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
