Millions of people experience such annoying symptoms as body aches, fatigue, allergies, brain fog, headaches, bloating, and the more serious issues of asthma, migraine headaches, acid reflux and autoimmune conditions. Medical literature now supports the association between the growing exposure to toxins and the increasing incidence of diseases that range from attention deficit disorder to autism, infertility and fibromyalgia.

In addition to avoiding toxins as often as possible, one solution lies in doing a cleanse or detoxification program. While “detox” has traditionally implied overcoming a drinking or drug problem, or a process that involves liquid meals and deprivation, a medical detoxification can help with the removal of everyday toxins from the body. This opens the way for healing.

The Benefits of Detoxification

• Feel better. There is a real connection between what we eat and how we feel, and making some simple changes for a short period will help boost energy. It can assist with waking up feeling vibrant and, if symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, achiness and allergies exist, a detoxification can help with healing.

• Lose weight. Some of the food toxins we are exposed to trigger food addictions and cause overeating. This increases inflammation in the body and prevents its natural ability to lose weight.

• Eliminate food sensitivities. A scientifically based detoxification process includes eliminating foods that trigger symptoms and cause inflammation.

• Reboot your life. Most of us do not get enough sleep or exercise, eat too much unhealthy food, and tolerate stress. Doing a detoxification can jumpstart a healthier lifestyle, and selfnurturance will improve the detoxification process.

• Get to the roots of motivation. A detoxification encourages introspection. As you start to feel better, thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle are examined to create new habits that support optimal well-being.

Five Ways to Detoxify Now

• Remove toxins. Identify and remove toxins from the home and environment. Finding and eliminating toxins are imperative to healing.

• Heal the gut. Imbalances in digestive enzymes and bacteria in the digestive system can help promote toxins and prevent healing.

• Get moving. Exercise a minimum of three times a week to promote lymphatic drainage and blood flow. This helps the immune system to naturally eliminate toxins.

• Detoxify the diet. The foundation of one’s diet should be high-quality protein, fats and non-starchy vegetables that don’t spike blood sugar or insulin. These are the types of foods that detoxify the body but also reignite metabolism, calm body-wide inflammation, crush cravings and fill us up. • Detoxify the mind. Eliminate stressful thought patterns and replace them with healthier thoughts, beliefs and perceptions. Stress not only causes inflammation, but can also impair digestive function. Those who experience chronic stress have a difficult time maintaining a positive outlook on life and are at greater risk for disease and premature death. Try a breathing meditation, writing in a journal, creative play, calling a friend, singing, dancing or listening to music to de-stress.

Following these steps to detoxify can take some time. In addition, certain symptoms, genetic predispositions and environmental exposures may require additional nutrients and treatments for healing. In the meantime, getting rid of toxins and steering clear of as many as possible is essential for creating optimal health.

Le Santha Naidoo, DO, ABIHM, is a doctor of osteopathic medicine at Groton Wellness and specializes in family medicine. To schedule an appointment or a free phone consultation, visit GrotonWellness.com, or call 978-449- 9919.