Support Your Body's Natural Ability to Detoxify

A body that’s healthy, nourished and functioning optimally, naturally detoxifies all the time. Although many organs and every cell are involved, your liver is the major contributor. In your liver, detoxification happens in two phases via a variety of pathways. Like most bodily functions, nutrients are required for these processes to occur.

Today, toxins are everywhere and our bodies are overburdened with the volume of substances we need to detoxify. It’s really sad and depressing to think about too much. My approach is to do the best I can to avoid toxins, make sure I’m eating plenty of foods that support detoxification and not worry or stress about what I can’t control.

 Here’s a few things you can do to avoid toxins and support your body’s natural detoxification processes...

Eat foods that influence detoxification pathways (1)

cruciferous vegetables- cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and watercress, kale, collard greens, arugula, radishes

alliums- onion, garlic, green onions, shallots, leeks and chives

apiaceae- carrots, celery, parsley, cilantro, and parsnips

resveratrol foods- grapes, pistachios, blueberries, cranberries, dark chocolate

fish oil

quercetin foods- arugula, fresh dill, cilantro, raw banana peppers, cooked yellow onion, raw red onion, radicchio, red leaf lettuce, cooked asparagus, raw kale

lycopene foods- guavas, watermelon, cooked tomatoes, papaya, grapefruit, red bell peppers, cooked asparagus, purple cabbage, mango, carrots

Avoid processed foods

Processing removes or destroys many nutrients and phytonutrients. Keeping foods preserved and shelf stable often requires toxic additives. Plus, cans and plastic bottles and containers often contain toxic chemicals that leach into food.

Eat organic as much as possible

If you can’t eat 100% organic, choose conventional produce from the Clean 15 list and avoid foods from the Dirty Dozen list.

If you have to prioritize what to purchase organic, organic meats and healthy fats should be at the top of the list.

Educate yourself about toxins in cosmetics, cleaning products and skin care products and make better choices.

The Environmental Working Group has great guides. I recommend making changes slowly to avoid being overwhelmed. Replacing products with better options as you run out can be a good way to go.

I hope this post helps you support your body's natural ability to detoxify!