Detoxification
and your skin
Learn to help
your body glow from the inside out. Nourish it with
foods that are pure and natural. Remove harmful substances
from your diet and you will notice a difference in the
way you look and feel.
What is detoxification?
Detoxification is the process of removing toxins or
poisons. We all know that toxins are harmful and cause
damage, potentially even death if taken in certain levels.
Living cells, whether in plants or in the body, are
constantly in the process of bringing nutrients and
fresh substrates in while eliminating by-products and
waste that is not useful to the organism. Therefore,
detoxification is a natural, ongoing process in our
bodies.
Keeping your body healthy requires maintaining all
of its systems in good working order. Minimizing the
amount of toxins you take into your system is one way
that we can detoxify our bodies. Benefits of detoxification
may include increased energy and improved health, better
breath, reduced allergies, and potentially fewer aches
and pains.
Wastes leave the body in the form of gases, solids,
and liquids. Carbon dioxide is the gas that we exhale.
We excrete other waste from the body after it accumulates
in the bladder and in the bowels.
Other organs that play a major role in detoxification
include the:
- skin
- liver
- kidneys
- lungs
Blood also plays a critical role in the detoxification
process. It carries dissolved gases like carbon dioxide
to the lungs, and then it is traded for oxygen through
respiration. Both the liver and kidneys help to detoxify
the blood by removing wastes and sending them to the
urine. In the form of stool, unused solids are carried
away.
Benefits for your skin via detoxification
Your skin is a barrier but it is not impermeable. Just
as products that you use on your skin are able to enter
your body through this physical barrier, toxins are
also able to leave your body through the skin. Free
radicals and UV light in the environment also damage
the skin which over time cause it to show signs of premature
aging.
How can detoxification help your skin? By minimizing
the number of chemicals in your body, you help you body
to function more efficiently. Eating well is one way
to maintain healthy skin with a smooth texture, elasticity,
and a proper level of moisturization. Skin complexions
troubled by acne and imperfections can also benefit
from the inside out with detoxification methods. For
example, vitamin A reduces the amount of sebum produced
by the skin cells and therefore pores are less likely
to become blocked.
Ways to detoxify your body
Some of the best ways to detoxify include:
- eating a balanced diet
- juicing organic fruits and vegetables
- exercising regularly
- exfoliation
- using organic products for personal hygiene
Before trying any detox method always be sure to check
with your doctor. People with serious medical conditions
should also consult a doctor as these methods are not
recommended. Pregnant women should not try these methods.
Eating a balanced diet
Nutrients in foods contain many elements that can help
your body and especially your skin to remain in good
condition. When your body is ‘happy’ and
‘efficient’, through detoxification, it
will show on the outside.
Your skin needs:
- essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found
in oily fish and flax seeds
- antioxidants vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene to retaliate
against the damaging effects of UV light and free-radicals
- minerals zinc and selenium to build tissues and heal
wounds. Find these minerals in foods like seafood, nuts,
grains, and vegetables
- vitamin B6 to balance hormone levels, particularly
for women that have pre-menstrual break-outs
- vitamin A to help reduce sebum levels on the skin
- potassium to help maintain elasticity, water to maintain
hydration and flush toxins from the body
- water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from
the body
Juicing organic fruits and vegetables
Have you ever tried freshly squeezed juice? It is delicious
and nutritious. You get a truckload of vitamins, enzymes,
and minerals. The enzymes contained in vegetables and
fruits help to digest your food so try drinking these
natural cocktails with meals.
One important thing to remember is that you should
always start with organic fruits or vegetables. Because
most fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides,
using non-organic products means that you will be ingesting
harmful pesticides too. Keep these toxic chemicals away
from your cells in order to maintain their proper functioning.
Exercising regularly
Oxygen is vital to life. Incorporating exercise into
your lifestyle brings this element into your body and
skin. Studies at the University of Wisconsin have shown
that oxygen reduces the effects of free radical damage
and premature aging.
Sweating encourages the release of toxins from the
skin. Working up a good sweat during your exercise program
will help in the detoxification process. You could also
try saunas and steambaths to encourage the excretion
of toxins.
If you are not currently exercising choose something
that you enjoy doing. Walking is a great way to increase
your heart rate and pump oxygen through your lungs.
Other ideas include yoga, swimming, cycling, and running.
Whatever you do, choose an activity that you will be
motivated to do on a regular basis.
Exfoliation
Shedding skin cells is a continual process. Dead skin
cells sit on the uppermost level of the epidermis and
they make the skin look dull and less healthy. Our clothes
play a big part in helping to remove cells on a daily
basis. By sloughing off dead skin cells from time to
time, you can stimulate the skin renewal process. Try
any of the following methods once a week to naturally
exfoliate your skin:
- briskly towel off after a shower
- use an organic scrub during your shower
- use a washcloth during your shower
- use a loofah (Important: keep it dry when it’s
not in use to minimize bacterial count)
Using organic products for personal hygiene
Decreasing the number of synthetic chemicals entering
your body through your food and personal products is
yet another way to help detoxify. Modern research at
the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs
up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes
into contact with directly into the bloodstream. This
means that chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens,
are entering your body and potentially causing unnecessary
harm.
The next time you need to stock up on personal hygiene
products, look for alternatives to the chemically items
offered in most stores. Using organic products decreases
the number of preservatives and chemical additives your
skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may
enter your body.
References:
- www.meriam-webster.com, accessed October 26, 2004.
- www.detox.org/skin.aspl, accessed October 26, 2004
- www.saga.co.uk/health_news/article/D2164785-92E3-11D6-B8AC-00508BAEC55C.asp?bhcp=1,
accessed Oct. 26, 2004.
- Farley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous
the natural way. Dorling Kindersley, London, 2001, page
66.
About the Author
Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all
natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering
men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use.
She brings to her research a specialist in human biology
from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional
home economics degree and an education degree from the
University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and
biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences
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