08/23/2018
Wellness Wednesday!! A day late!😉
It's recommended you detox 2 times per year, generally spring and fall. Hit me up if you'd like more info. Here's some reasons why:
4 Signs You Need to Detox
So how do you know when your toxic load has gone too far? The signs and symptoms are many, but here are some common ones to watch out for:
#1 – Brain Fog: Perhaps the most unknown yet most common indication that a detox is in order is cognitive impairment. This can be anything from simply not thinking clearly (also known as “brain fog”) to a lack of motivation that persists for more than a day or two to severe anxiety and/or depression.
Why would what we digest and what we do or do not expel from our body affect our brain? “The more we research neurotransmitters… the more we discover that most of them are manufactured in the digestive system and then transported to the brain to be used,” says Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of The GAPS Diet.
#2 – Fatigue: Besides cognitive effects, the other common warning side that you may have an overburdened detoxification system is fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain. Again, this can be felt as anything from general malaise and lack of energy, to severe pain and even chronic fatigue syndrome-like symptoms. In fact, a 2013 joint investigation found that the presence of mycotoxins (stemming from water-based mold) was a factor in over 90% of chronic fatigue cases they studied.
#3 – Body Odor: Another not-so-pleasant side effect of toxic build-up (especially in the liver), is increased body odor, increased f***l odor, and bad breath. The main way that toxins get excreted from inside your body is through the bowels and through urination. When these pathways become “clogged” by too many toxins or they are not working properly for other reasons, your sweat (as well as your urine and f***s) can take on an acidic smell.
Another indication that your liver may need a detox is a furry coating on the tongue, which can also be the cause of bad breath. Eating too much red meat can often leave bacterial residue in the gut which can then “ferment,” leading to bad breath, body odor, and extra pungent-smelling bowel movements as well.
#4 – Chemical Sensitivities: Chemical sensitivities are becoming increasingly common in our modern world, so much so that the National Institutes of Health have a word for it: multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). The cause of MCS may be toxic build-up. This just makes sense since sensitivity to a chemical toxin may simply be your body’s way of saying “I’ve had enough.”
Auto exhaust, pesticides, to***co smoke, synthetic perfumes, and other artificially-scented products are just a few of the categories that may contain harmful toxins. They are also the most common contaminants individuals have a sensitivity to (between 11 and 31% of Americans say some surveys). Remember that many manufacturers of products that contain fragrance, such as laundry detergents and hand soaps, do not need to list the majority of their chemical ingredients. If they did, you would find that many of these substances have not been tested for safety.
