All too often, we attribute our pesky health problems and ongoing issues to aging or conditions that are normalized by society. Rarely do we pause to evaluate the root of the cause.
Our bodies are complex systems, and in order to feel and operate at your best, there are some red flags to watch out for.
Check out the five areas below to find out if your body is toxic and in need of a detox. You may be surprised by what you discover about your overall health.
Your Tummy Is Giving You Trouble
Don’t be mistaken: Heartburn, bloating, gas, indigestion, and other unfavorable digestive conditions that are common among U.S. adults are not normal.
When you start to experience issues with digestion, this affects your body’s ability to remove those toxins and may instead promote reabsorption into the body.
To help alleviate nagging digestive issues, consider a nutrient-dense detoxification program that aids both phases of the liver’s detoxification process and promotes more regular bowel movements.
Assessing and tracking these symptoms before, during, and after the detoxification program is essential to analyze changes and improvements, and will help you pinpoint what may be causing your tummy trouble.
Your Skin Is Unhappy and Unhealthy
If you have been fighting a battle with acne, irritations, rashes, or even conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, it could be your body’s way of telling you it’s getting a bit bogged down by toxins.
Many of these skin conditions arise due to internal inflammation in the body and until they’re addressed, they can continue to be issues.
Rarely do most people associate the skin issues they may be experiencing with the internal health of their body. Topical ointments and prescriptions are typical go-to remedies that may help the symptoms of skin irritations, but they’re usually only a Bandaid approach to a larger issue.
Your Weight Loss Is Stubborn at Best
Proper nutrition and daily activity are key to keeping metabolism running, yet to optimize metabolism and your body’s ability to burn fat, hormone levels also need to be balanced.
Many of the toxins we’re exposed to — such as pesticides, food additives, preservatives, pollutants, and other environmental chemicals — are fat-soluble and reside in the body’s fat stores. While they’re stored here as a way to prevent them from entering the bloodstream and affecting organs, this means that those with more body fat tend to have a higher toxin load.
As a result, this may contribute to hormone imbalances and difficulty in losing fat stores. At times, our body may slightly resist losing body fat as a defense mechanism to prevent these toxins from being released into the bloodstream.
Weight loss can be stubborn in these instances, but aiding our body’s ability to run efficiently and decreasing our toxic load can help jump-start metabolism and reset hormone levels.
Your Mood, Energy, and Sleep Need Help
These symptoms are many times consistent with the types of foods you may be consuming as well. Common offenders include sweets, processed and refined carbohydrates, and caffeine.
You may have heard of the gut-brain connection, or that the gut is the “second brain” of the body. We’ve likely all experienced the feeling of getting the “butterflies” in our stomach, or situations that make us feel nauseous.
This intricate connection between our gut and brain may play a role in how we feel emotionally and mentally when our gastrointestinal tract and other detoxification pathways are bogged down by toxins.
Following a detoxification program such as the Life Time D.TOX program — which includes getting adequate quality protein, avoiding inflammatory foods, reducing stress, and minimizing exposure to toxins — may help the body properly release and excrete toxins, and get you on your way to better sleep, energy, mood and cognitive functioning throughout the day.
You’re Sick More Than You’re Healthy
Did you know that approximately 70 percent of your immune system lives in your gut? The bacteria that reside in the gut play a large role in your overall health, including that of your immune system.
When the lining of the gut breaks down, it becomes more susceptible for particles and pathogens to enter, thereby disrupting the bacteria in the gut.
Numerous things can contribute to the breakdown of the gut lining, such as stress, a high-sugar and/or low-fiber diet, alcohol, excess toxins, and overuse of antibiotics and other medications. The leaky gut leaves the body more prone to infections, autoimmune conditions, colds and viruses, etc.
While a nutrient-dense diet and probiotic use are a few ways to aid the immune system, what your body may need most is help eliminating built-up toxins and rebalancing the good gut flora.
What’s Next?
Life Time’s complimentary 14-day virtual D.TOX program has helped thousands of people navigate through a healthy, science-based detoxification program. The weekly podcasts, meal plans, and online coaching support and education help guide you to a healthier you. Check out more details and sign up here for the next class.
Get Started
Access the D.TOX program on the Life Time app. Simply open the app, look for it under Workouts & Programs, and click into it to enroll. |
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