Ramping Up My Detox Game & How You Can Too

Suppose you’ve been cancer-free for ten years and recently received a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease. Despite leading a mostly healthy lifestyle, you are experiencing symptoms such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, muscle loss, and shortness of breath. During this time, you also discovered you have a post-mastectomy ruptured silicone implant that could be the underlying cause of your health issues, otherwise known as breast implant illness. But you are unable to have the implants removed at this time. What would you do?

I’ve found myself in this unfortunate situation. And though I may not be able to change my current circumstances, I can control how I choose to respond to the toxins from the ruptured implant by proactively ramping up my daily detox routine. This routine will potentially prevent further illness and even reverse some symptoms while I await my surgery.

Because I have the MTHFR gene variation that makes it harder for me to detox, I’ve found it especially important to utilize multiple methods of detoxifying. My past detoxification protocol and healthy lifestyle have helped me remain cancer-free but were no match for a ruptured implant. The past couple of years have become increasingly challenging, and now I know why.

So now I pivot. Continuing to prioritize nutrition, water intake, proper supplementation, remineralization, and a daily detox protocol. I’ve started with a personal trainer to build my strength before surgery and rebuild the muscle I’ve lost over the past year, and I’ve also upped my sauna use to a minimum of five times a week.

While investing in a portable sauna may not be budget-friendly for everyone, there are still numerous affordable ways to detoxify your body. Don’t hesitate to start your detox journey; every small step counts towards a healthier you. Remember, progress is made by doing what you can with your available resources.

Start by examining what you consume

Water! Water! Water!

Stay hydrated by drinking at least half your weight in ounces of water daily. Ensuring you are properly hydrated is crucial for your overall health and helps to eliminate toxins from your body. If drinking half your weight in ounces of water daily seems challenging, you can start by adding 8 ounces daily and gradually increasing your weekly intake. Before you know it, staying hydrated will become second nature to you.

Opt for filtered water instead of tap water. To effectively detoxify, it is essential to consume clean water. Tap water often contains chemicals and toxins that can harm your health. Instead, consider using a water filtration system to ensure pure, filtered water access. If you need more clarification about the quality of your local tap water, you can use a searchable database such as EWG’s Tap Water Database to learn more.

Choose water filters that effectively remove fluoride:

• Clearly Filtered
• Therasage Pitcher
• Berkey
• Aquatru

Eat nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables and avoid processed food and sugar. It’s essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whenever possible, it is advisable to opt for organic produce. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases two lists annually: The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. Foods listed on the Dirty Dozen are known to have high pesticide levels; therefore, consuming them only if they are organic is recommended. On the other hand, the Clean Fifteen contains foods that are lower in pesticides and are generally safe to eat in their conventional form. To assist you in making more informed purchasing decisions, the EWG has also developed the EWG’s Healthy Living app, which allows you to scan and review product ratings.

Minerals play a crucial role in maintaining our health and detoxing. Although it’s impossible to cover the details here, let me share a list of my favorite mineral supplements that I enjoy using.

Support youR detox pathways

Before starting any detox or cleanse, it’s essential to open your detox pathways to help avoid or minimize the occurrence of a Herxheimer reaction, which is a temporary worsening of symptoms that can even feel like the flu.

Milk thistle is a natural supplement that supports detoxification processes in the body. It is known for promoting liver health by restoring liver cells, reducing liver damage, and eliminating toxins processed through the liver.

Castor oil packs can be a great way to focus on detoxifying the liver and supporting the thyroid. It is essential to use organic castor oil for these packs. While they may be messy, they are highly effective in extracting toxins and promoting well-being.

Dry brushing is a cost-effective method and valuable addition to your daily routine. Dry brushing assists in clearing lymphatic congestion. Various types of dry brushes are available for as little as $10. You can refer to this informative video to learn how to dry brush.

Rebounding is one of my personal favorites. It involves bouncing on a mini-trampoline. This enjoyable activity effectively stimulates the lymphatic system and promotes its circulation. Only a few minutes daily is enough to move the lymphatic system.

Now it’s time to Get the Toxins out!

Here is a list of the practices I follow, many of which are affordable and readily accessible:

1. Oil pulling: The Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling consists of swooshing organic coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes to remove toxins and help improve oral health. There are many published studies on this practice. Click the link above to learn how to perform this simple detox method properly.
2. Exercise: Regular physical activity induces sweating and stimulates the lymphatic system, further aiding in eliminating toxins.
3. Sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of detoxing. Seven to eight hours per night allows you
4. r body to heal and restore. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Horary Cycle, each organ has a timeframe in which it heals.
5. Detox baths: Another favorite practice of mine is taking detox baths. Fill your bathtub with the hottest water you can tolerate, and use a bathtub filter. Enhance detoxification by adding Epsom salt, baking soda, and bentonite clay to the water. Don’t have a tub? Do a foot soak.
6. Infrared sauna: This is my favorite detoxification method, and I use it at least five times a week. Before each session, I take niacin to dilate my capillaries, facilitating the release of toxins. To bind the released toxins, I take activated charcoal capsules. Additionally, I replenish the minerals lost through sweating using the mineral spray before and after the sauna session.

How to avoid a Herxheimer reaction

It’s important to start slow when detoxing or cleansing, this will help avoid a Herxheimer reaction which can be unpleasant. To avoid or minimize the occurrence of a Herxheimer reaction, you can follow these tips:

1. Start Slow: Begin with a lower dosage of the substance you use for detoxification, such as milk thistle (liver support), and gradually increase it over time. This allows your body to adjust and reduces the likelihood of a strong reaction.
2. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential to support your body’s natural detoxification processes. Drink plenty of mineralized, clean water throughout the day to help flush out toxins and promote overall well-being.
3. Support Elimination Pathways: Aid your body’s ability to eliminate toxins by supporting various elimination pathways, including the liver, kidneys, and colon. Maintain a balanced fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients diet to promote optimal detoxification.
4. Take Binders such as zeolites, chlorella, activated charcoal, or bentonite clay.
5. Consider Gut Health: Your gut plays a crucial role in detoxification. Support a healthy gut by consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or fermented vegetables. Add prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus to promote a diverse gut microbiome.
6. Seek Professional Guidance: Before starting any detoxification protocol, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified naturopathic doctor. They can provide guidance tailored to your needs and help you safely navigate detoxification.

By diligently following these practices, I am taking proactive steps to support my body’s detoxification process while awaiting surgery. No matter your situation, implementing a safe detox protocol can improve your health and help you feel better. Everyone’s body reacts differently to toxins and detoxing, so listening to your body and making adjustments as needed is essential.

Stay hydrated and help flush toxins by drinking half your weight in ounces of filtered, mineral-rich water daily. Photo by Mariah Hewines on Unsplash.

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Note: I have no affiliation with any of the products or links this blog provides. I have provided them for educational purposes and encourage you to research each option and check with your physician before starting any detox protocol.