Opening Your Detox Pathways
Your body's ability to cleanse itself relies on the smooth operation of your drainage pathways. You can envision these pathways as your body’s detox highways - moving the waste/toxins and eliminating them. Ensuring your detox pathways are functioning optimally is imperative to maintaining your health and well-being along with important for completing any form of detox, cleanse, protocol, etc. If the pathways are blocked or sluggish, toxins can recirculate and accumulate, potentially triggering something called a Herxheimer reaction (aka die-off symptoms)— which is a temporary increase in symptoms due to the release and elimination of toxins. You could end up feeling worse before you feel better due to a Herxheimer reaction. My goal is to provide you with education on how to support and help your detox pathways be efficient so that 1. you don’t continue to increase your toxic burden that could cause a vast array of symptoms and 2. you will have a more effective (and pleasurable) detox when you go to complete one!
Your 7 detox pathways: Colon, Kidneys, Lymphatic system, Skin, Liver/Bile ducts, Lungs, Glymphatic System
Signs you might have sluggish detox pathways: Constipation, you don’t sweat, fluid retention, bloating, brain fog, enlarged lymph nodes, joint/muscle pain, sinus issues, fatigue, breast swelling, cellulite, and others.
Tips/Tools for opening up your drainage pathways:
Colon - you want to be having 1-3 bowel movements per day!
Ensure you’re getting enough fiber
Exercise/stay active - this helps gut motility
Try incorporating probiotics or fermented foods into your diet
Stay hydrated to keep your bowels moving
Acupuncture
Foods/Drinks that can help bowel movements: dates, celery juice, aloe, prunes, sweet potatoes
Supplement/herb support: Magnesium citrate, Bowel Mover (use my patient direct code: s9ZVgCYU), Constipation Support Protocol
Kidneys
Ensure you’re getting enough hydration throughout your day with water, fruit juice, teas, etc.
Add in high quality sea salt to provide electrolytes for improved hydration
Cranberry juice (be wary of added ingredients and added sugars - read your labels!)
Supplement/herb support: Marshmallow root, Slippery Elm, KL Support (use my patient direct code: s9ZVgCYU)
Lymphatic system
Exercise/move your body
Lymphatic massage
Gua Sha tool
Red Light Therapy - I love my red light panel that also heats up - super relaxing :)
Supplement/herb support: Calendula tea
Skin
Sauna - here’s a portable at-home sauna you can purchase if you don’t have access to one!
Exercise to break a sweat
Steam rooms
Epsom salt baths
Hot yoga
Skin exfoliation
Liver/Bile ducts
Drink warm lemon water
Liver cleansing foods: beets, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, berries, artichokes, apple, lemon, carrots, grapes, and avocados
Acupuncture
Supplement/herb support: Milk Thistle Tea, Livaplex (use my patient direct code: U4KZ3Q), Advanced TUDCA (use my patient direct code: s9ZVgCYU), KL Support (use my patient direct code: s9ZVgCYU)
Lungs
Deep breathing exercises
Exercise/moving your body
Steam rooms
Glymphatic System
Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
Soak up the sunlight (especially in the morning if you can!)
Breathe in fresh air daily
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
A lot of people will actually start to see an improvement in their health just by addressing detox pathways! Unfortunately our Standard American Diet, more sedentary lifestyle, and constant exposure to toxins through our food, water, air, etc is filling up our toxin burden and sometimes our detox pathways needs some extra love and support! Addressing your detox pathways is an important part of your health and wellness journey - especially if you plan to do any form of protocol to get rid of pathogens/toxins (e.g. parasites, heavy metals, etc). Working with a health coach (like me!) can help you address your detox pathways and address all of your other health goals!
**Please note, as a health coach I cannot prevent, cure, diagnose, or treat disease. This information is meant for educational purposes only. You should be consulting your health care practitioner to answer any medical questions and for any contraindications. The supplements/herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Check with your healthcare provider if you are under 18, taking medications, or following a doctor-prescribed protocol. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new dietary/wellness regimens, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are currently taking medications.
**This post contains some affiliate links in which I make a small commission on. I only recommend products that I trust and that align with my values. Thank you for supporting my small business!
