words by Caitlin Sammons

6 Simple Ways to Detox Everyday: Daily cleansing habits that can boost your metabolism and promote healthy weight loss

Detoxing involves cleansing the body with certain foods and supplements, whilst also reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. The toxins from our food, beauty products, antibiotics, and medicines can overwhelm our bodies. Taking simple actions and building healthy daily habits can go a long way in helping to cleanse your body from all the toxins it must fight off everyday.

The best way to initially cleanse your body is to avoid the toxic substances you have control over, such as coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, hydrogenated fats, sugars, and chemicals from hygiene products. Reducing the stress in your life will also help your body cleanse itself from toxins.

Here are six other simple ways that can help you detox everyday:

Hot Water & Lemon for Breakfast: Lemon helps your body fight off disease, stimulate digestion, and cleanse your liver. In the 1940’s, naturopath Stanley Burroughs first discovered the detoxification benefits of lemons while searching for a cure for ulcers. Burroughs believed that disease originates from toxic build-up in the colon. He introduced a lemon detox as a way to eliminate toxins in the body and prevent diseases. Going on a full-lemon cleanse can be a bit daunting, but by replacing your morning cup of coffee with the healthier alternative of hot water and lemon, you can reap the detoxification benefits of lemons everyday.

Get a Massage: Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years, and its benefits include better circulation, reduced fatigue, and an improved immune system. Massages physically move the toxins out of your body by pushing them through and out of muscles. Schedule a weekly rubdown to reduce your stress level and assist in ridding your body of toxins. Be sure to drink extra water post-rub to help flush out your system.

Eat More Fibre: Fibre binds to toxins in your gut, helping your body eliminate them. The British Nutrition Foundation estimates that the average adult intakes 14g of fibre per day, but the recommended daily dose is 18g. By increasing your fiber intake, your helping your body rid itself of toxic build-up and flush out waste. However, you should be cautious not to raise your daily fibre intake drastically, as a sudden increase will put distress on your digestive system. Add more fibre to your daily diet by eating 5g extra per day over a period of three to five days, until you reach 18g.

Load Up on Vitamin C: Vitamin C is arguably one of the most important elements of a healthy diet and is crucial to successful detoxification. It acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from damage from free radicals. Vitamin C also helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins. Help your liver function properly and make sure you get a sufficient amount of vitamin C from foods like fresh peppers, broccoli, oranges, kiwis, and strawberries.

Drink Water: Your body is composed of between 60%-70% water. Every day, your body loses fluid and it needs to replenished in order to maintain optimum health Water should be considered a nutrient that your body needs to survive, and it also can literally help flush your system. Staying hydrated helps your body rid itself of waste and toxins. Try to drink between eight to twelve glasses of water per day. There’s no better way to detox than water.

Sweat it Out: Saunas are traditional heat therapy for the Finnish, and studies have shown that they have benefits in treating chronic bronchitis and asthma. A daily visit to the sauna can help you eliminate wastes through perspiration. Hot air helps your blood vessels open up and improves the flow of toxins and wastes through your body.

Caitlin Sammons is passionate about natural health and regularly writes for www.timetocleanse.com, a respected detox and weight loss website. On the website you’ll find a free “time to cleanse” quiz, practical articles, advice from wellness experts and reviews of the Isagenix Cleanse.