You go on a diet, replacing junk food with a balanced array of fresh whole foods, cutting out at least 1000 calories a day and finally feel like you are on your way to dropping those extra pounds. Everything goes well for a while: you lose a few pounds and your confidence is up but then you plateau, and you realize there must be more to losing weight than just eating healthy foods. You not only stop losing weight but in no time at all, you start putting the weight on again. You are once again riding the roller coaster with those same pounds. Completing a detox program to remove toxins from your body may be a good idea to help jump-start your weight loss goals.
Everyone Has Toxins
In today’s environment, there is no escaping from toxic exposures. Everyone without exception is exposed to a wide variety of fat-soluble toxins that tend to accumulate in body fat, especially as we get older. Managing your detoxification systems properly as you lose weight is an important determining factor for how much progress you will make in not only reaching your goal weight but also keeping the pounds off for life.
Toxins Are Everywhere
This problem appears to be getting much worse as pollution around the world continues to grow; some say it is paralleling the rapid global obesity epidemic. Chemicals primarily accumulate in the animals, dairy products, and fish we eat but the spectrum is broader than that. We don’t know how bad the exposure is, but studies show that PCBs – polychlorinated biphenyls which are industrial products or chemicals are in our farm soils, can last hundreds of years and decompose to even higher toxicity levels.
Toxins in Our Body Fat
There’s actual scientific evidence that certain chemicals, called persistent organic pollutants, accumulate in fat cells and get released into the bloodstream and other organs when a person loses large amounts of fat. There’s also evidence that this might have measurable effects on metabolic and liver health.
Studies have also shown that when you lose weight those PCBs and related compounds are released from stored fat in higher levels in your blood and can lower thyroid function. The more weight you lose, the more exposure there is. Women are particularly at risk due to a naturally higher percentage of body fat.
A similar problem occurs with fat-soluble toxins that come from air pollution (formaldehyde), food (mold toxins and PCBs), pesticides on food, alcohol excess, digestive/sinus toxicity issues from overgrowth of Candidiasis or bacteria (acetaldehyde), and several others. Fat soluble toxins at low levels can disturb thyroid function, reproduction, liver function, and general cell health.
Toxins are a Hidden Culprit Behind Weight Gain
Obesity is a continually growing trend as we follow the traditional Western diets and lifestyles. But what if this spike in weight gain can’t be entirely blamed on sugary or fatty foods and a lack of exercise? Turns out toxins contribute to fat storage and make it more difficult to lose those extra pounds too.
A very common reason some of us experience rapid weight gain is excessive systemic toxins that when unmanaged can mean putting on 25 – 50 pounds in a year if the situation becomes acute.
The “catch 22” is toxins can readily disrupt metabolism, causing weight gain BUT as you lose weight they go back into your system and unless managed effectively you can feel fatigued, irritable, and/or simply not lose any more weight.
How to Reduce Toxins in your Life
10 simple strategies to help reduce your toxic exposure:
1. Forgo canned foods (even if it’s organic).
Most cans are lined with BPA (Bisphenol A) which can cause the production of free radicals, which in turn deplete the antioxidant reserves of your body. Not to mention the added toxins they put in your fat cells.
2. Avoid plastic water bottles.
Drinking water all day long is great for your health. However, don’t drink it out of plastic bottles as they contain BPA which can negate your good intentions and add toxins to your body. Also, consider replacing any plastic containers used to store your food. I highly suggest using glass containers to store food whenever possible.
3. Look for ‘make-up’ ingredients on food labels.
Most makeup products (even the high-end, brand name ones) contain phthalates and Triclosan, which are endocrine disruptors and hormone mimickers. According to a study, even ingredients such as artificial sweeteners used in “so-called” diet foods have adverse effects on health and obesity. They are often ingredients on food labels that are difficult to pronounce and not recognized as real foods. My recommendation is to stick to whole foods that are the least processed.
4. Use only natural household cleaners.
Synthetic cleaning chemicals produce a byproduct called dioxin, an endocrine disruptor, immune modulator, and carcinogen which can lead to increased production of the “bad” estrogen associated with cancer development such as breast and prostate cancer. I often opt to use natural cleaning agents such as vinegar or baking soda mixed with water to get the job done.
5. Stop eating toxic, denatured, pesticide-laden, genetically modified (GMO) and processed foods.
Consume grapefruit, onions, garlic, cruciferous veggies, cilantro, parsley, all of which help the liver in its detoxification role. Eat organic whenever you can or wash nonorganic produce thoroughly to remove some of the residual chemicals. Consume a good quality protein at each meal as both the detoxification phases need amino acids to function optimally. Also, consider a good quality multi-vitamin or complete mineral supplement.
6. Drastically reduce your stress levels.
Stress is a toxin, especially when chronic. Our body cannot differentiate between emotional and physical stress, and reacts similarly to both, by producing generous amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. When elevated for long periods of time, cortisol can lead to undesirable chronic diseases and symptoms like high blood pressure, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, IBS, sleep issues, and it even increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes.
7. Get tested for food allergies.
Food allergies and poor gut health are inflammatory and excess inflammatory markers chronically circulating in the blood behave like toxins and can slow down detoxification mechanisms.
8. Prevent emotional toxins from building up.
Practice journaling, meditation, forgiveness, mindfulness, and emotional release techniques on a regular basis. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed.
9. Get enough sleep.
It’s the best way to rejuvenate the body’s detoxification capacity both on a mental and physical level. Assess whether you wake up refreshed every morning and if not, find out why. It could be the most important thing you did for yourself!
10. Get Off the Toxin Rollercoaster
Toxins will make you feel irritable and even ill on your weight loss journey. For the most part, you can readily lose some weight initially but then you might reach what I like to call a “toxic plateau” which is why it is so important to be on a supported detoxification plan where strategies can be adjusted.
Is Your Body Telling You It’s Time to Detox?
An effective detoxification program that balances your hormones and reduces the effects of dietary allergens can help get you off the excessive systemic toxin roller coaster.
Contact me for a look at a life-changing 14-Day Detoxification Program that can help you begin to get rid of the toxic buildup that has been accumulating in your body for years. With conscious guidance and support, after just two weeks, I can show you the path to regaining your energy, feeling less bloated and even be a few pounds lighter.
Everyone can benefit from a 14-Day Detoxification Program in today’s toxic world for good reasons. Forward to someone who needs to improve their health and lose some weight too.
