Elizabeth Gilley

How many times have your brain felt so sluggish that you can't even think clearly? How many times have you felt so tired that even climbing a single flight of stairs takes a lot from you? Or how about those times when you felt so unpretty that even your best outfit can't lift your mood? You've tried every known trick to stay fit and scoured every shelf in the health and beauty aisle for that wonder product that could revive you but still to no avail. Why not try looking at home and the produce section of your grocery? What am I talking about? I'm talking about detox.

Detoxification is not merely sweating buckets on the gym or starving yourself with a water diet. It is a wholistic approach to health and beauty. It encompasses everything from diet, fitness, and your sense of well-being. Try it for a weekend and start the new week with a renewed and more revived you. Detoxifying your way to health and beauty is possible with a few things which you could conveniently find in your home. With a loofah or brush, scented candles, aromatic oils, herbal tea, and a free, me-time weekend, you're all set to rejuvenate and renew yourself.

Start on a Friday by eating light (think salads and fruits) and drink lots of water the whole day. At night, slowly dry-massage yourself with a loofah or brush with slow and long strokes. Move in one direction: upward and towards your groin. Refresh yourself with tea or water then soak in a bath of warm water and drops of aromatic bath oil. Light some scented candles while gradually adding cool water within a half hour until your bath becomes slightly cold. This is the beginning of your new health and beauty routine. This process is done for the stimulation of the blood vessels. Dry yourself and dress warmly for bed.

Begin the next day by drinking hot lemon water. Go for a walk while breathing deeply. Give yourself a steam bath or go swimming. You could also ask your partner or therapist for a massage. Again, end your health and beauty detox regimen with a dry-massage brush and bath. Spend your Sunday, doing the whole process but add another activity. Make a list of people or things, such as your work, that are toxic to you (read: bad vibes). Assess how you should deal with them to lessen their toxic effect. After this, pamper yourself or do meditation exercises.

Be reminded though that you may experience excessive sweating, slight headaches, and skin rashes. These are signs that your body is releasing toxins and that they are temporary. Detoxifying is effective, safe, and inexpensive enough to be part of your weekly health and beauty routine. Just remember to avoid this during your period, pregnancy, and sickness. Lastly, talk to your doctor if you encounter any problem while detoxifying.

About the Author:

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Judy Thompson

Copyright 2005 Judy Thompson

As we age, our health may diminish or deteriorate. Synonyms to deteriorate include such words as: decline, weaken, spoil, oxidize, rot and rust.

What causes such harm to our health? What, if anything, can be done about it? Over the years we get a build up of toxins in our bodies.

One form of toxicity is by heavy metals and is an excessive build-up of metals in the body. These include mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and many more. Common sources of heavy metals are: dental amalgams, vaccinations, food, water and the environment. While most toxins are excreted from the body through the kidneys and bowel, over time a build-up of these poisons does occur.

Toxic metals and other environmental pollutants are known to be a cause of many serious or chronic health conditions. Even low levels of lead intoxication may cause aggressive behavior and learning disabilities. Accumulation of aluminum and mercury may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Research has pointed to parasites as being a primary cause of cancer. Pesticides and chemicals used in solvents or various household products, may very well contribute to diseases such as Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis. Some researchers even believe that all illness is a result of toxicity brought about by yeast and fungus infections, which are great decomposers of life. And this list could go on and on.

Removing toxins from the body will help a person who is already in pretty good health to be able to continue that good health for a longer period of time. In addition, removing toxins from the body of a diseased person, will allow the body's natural healing processes to work a lot better. Thus, the person will have a better chance to regain optimum health.

Before beginning any program to detoxify, you should discuss it with your physician. This is especially important if you are taking any prescribed medications.

There are many ways to detoxify. Some we may do as a natural part of our everyday activities, or even in the foods we take in daily. Things we do that cause us to perspire, whether it be running or working around the house, will cause our bodies to excrete toxins. Some of the heart-healthy foods we consume that are known as antioxidants will also help us to eliminate toxins. Even if you decide on specific methods to detoxify, you should continue or even increase the good things in your daily living that have a positive effect on your body.

With some methods of detoxifying, you may feel worse before you feel better! As the body begins the process of getting rid of toxins and parasites, you may be very uncomfortable. Realize, however, that this may indicate that your cleansing process is truly working.

Some people like to use saunas for detoxification. Other people may choose to go to a health food store and talk to a knowledgeable clerk about what is available there. When I began my research for this article, I learned that there are really a lot of ways to cleanse the body from the poisons that may cause most of our illnesses and diseases. I have personally used several methods for eliminating toxins.

The method that I have found to be the most satisfying to me is the use of all-natural detoxification pouches. Detox pouches are easy to use, very effective, and are fairly low in cost. They can also be sent to a lab so you can find out what toxins are being removed from your body.

Detoxification pouches look similar to gauze pads. You simply apply them to the bottoms of your feet before you go to bed at night and the poisons are drawn out during the night. As the pouch absorbs fluids it will become moist and change color. This method of detoxification puts nothing into the body. It only takes harmful toxins out of the body.

To briefly sum up this article. (1) It is known that a build-up of toxins in the body is a major cause of disease. (2)When the body gets rid of these toxins it is allowed to be healthier. (3)There are many available ways for a person to eliminate toxins and live a healthier life.

About the Author

Judy Thompson is a former Health teacher and for many years has been a student of natural nutrition. The detox pouches may be ordered from her website. Go to: http://shopnutronix.com/333015895

Lori Stryker

Learn to help your body glow from the inside out. Nourish it with foods that are pure and natural. Remove harmful substances from your diet and you will notice a difference in the way you look and feel.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is the process of removing toxins or poisons. We all know that toxins are harmful and cause damage, potentially even death if taken in certain levels. Living cells, whether in plants or in the body, are constantly in the process of bringing nutrients and fresh substrates in while eliminating by-products and waste that is not useful to the organism. Therefore, detoxification is a natural, ongoing process in our bodies.

Keeping your body healthy requires maintaining all of its systems in good working order. Minimizing the amount of toxins you take into your system is one way that we can detoxify our bodies. Benefits of detoxification may include increased energy and improved health, better breath, reduced allergies, and potentially fewer aches and pains.

Wastes leave the body in the form of gases, solids, and liquids. Carbon dioxide is the gas that we exhale. We excrete other waste from the body after it accumulates in the bladder and in the bowels.

Other organs that play a major role in detoxification include the:

- skin - liver - kidneys - lungs

Blood also plays a critical role in the detoxification process. It carries dissolved gases like carbon dioxide to the lungs, and then it is traded for oxygen through respiration. Both the liver and kidneys help to detoxify the blood by removing wastes and sending them to the urine. In the form of stool, unused solids are carried away.

Benefits for your skin via detoxification

Your skin is a barrier but it is not impermeable. Just as products that you use on your skin are able to enter your body through this physical barrier, toxins are also able to leave your body through the skin. Free radicals and UV light in the environment also damage the skin which over time cause it to show signs of premature aging.

How can detoxification help your skin? By minimizing the number of chemicals in your body, you help you body to function more efficiently. Eating well is one way to maintain healthy skin with a smooth texture, elasticity, and a proper level of moisturization. Skin complexions troubled by acne and imperfections can also benefit from the inside out with detoxification methods. For example, vitamin A reduces the amount of sebum produced by the skin cells and therefore pores are less likely to become blocked.

Ways to detoxify your body

Some of the best ways to detoxify include:

- eating a balanced diet - juicing organic fruits and vegetables - exercising regularly - exfoliation - using organic products for personal hygiene

Before trying any detox method always be sure to check with your doctor. People with serious medical conditions should also consult a doctor as these methods are not recommended. Pregnant women should not try these methods.

Eating a balanced diet

Nutrients in foods contain many elements that can help your body and especially your skin to remain in good condition. When your body is 'happy' and 'efficient', through detoxification, it will show on the outside.

Your skin needs:

- essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found in oily fish and flax seeds - antioxidants vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene to retaliate against the damaging effects of UV light and free-radicals - minerals zinc and selenium to build tissues and heal wounds. Find these minerals in foods like seafood, nuts, grains, and vegetables - vitamin B6 to balance hormone levels, particularly for women that have pre-menstrual break-outs - vitamin A to help reduce sebum levels on the skin - potassium to help maintain elasticity, water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body - water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body

Juicing organic fruits and vegetables

Have you ever tried freshly squeezed juice? It is delicious and nutritious. You get a truckload of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. The enzymes contained in vegetables and fruits help to digest your food so try drinking these natural cocktails with meals.

One important thing to remember is that you should always start with organic fruits or vegetables. Because most fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides, using non-organic products means that you will be ingesting harmful pesticides too. Keep these toxic chemicals away from your cells in order to maintain their proper functioning.

Exercising regularly

Oxygen is vital to life. Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle brings this element into your body and skin. Studies at the University of Wisconsin have shown that oxygen reduces the effects of free radical damage and premature aging.

Sweating encourages the release of toxins from the skin. Working up a good sweat during your exercise program will help in the detoxification process. You could also try saunas and steambaths to encourage the excretion of toxins.

If you are not currently exercising choose something that you enjoy doing. Walking is a great way to increase your heart rate and pump oxygen through your lungs. Other ideas include yoga, swimming, cycling, and running. Whatever you do, choose an activity that you will be motivated to do on a regular basis.

Exfoliation

Shedding skin cells is a continual process. Dead skin cells sit on the uppermost level of the epidermis and they make the skin look dull and less healthy. Our clothes play a big part in helping to remove cells on a daily basis. By sloughing off dead skin cells from time to time, you can stimulate the skin renewal process. Try any of the following methods once a week to naturally exfoliate your skin:

- briskly towel off after a shower - use an organic scrub during your shower - use a washcloth during your shower - use a loofah (Important: keep it dry when it's not in use to minimize bacterial count)

Using organic products for personal hygiene

Decreasing the number of synthetic chemicals entering your body through your food and personal products is yet another way to help detoxify. Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. This means that chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, are entering your body and potentially causing unnecessary harm.

The next time you need to stock up on personal hygiene products, look for alternatives to the chemically items offered in most stores. Using organic products decreases the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body.

References:

- www.meriam-webster.com, accessed October 26, 2004. - www.detox.org/skin.aspl, accessed October 26, 2004 - www.saga.co.uk/health_news/article/D2164785-92E3-11D6-B8AC-00508BAEC55C.asp?bhcp=1, accessed Oct. 26, 2004. - Farley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley, London, 2001, page 66. - The Organic Makeup Company can be located at http://www.organicmakeupcompany.com

About the Author

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences