Detox for Fat Los: 6 Simple Tips

Jan 20, 2017 | Nutrition & Wellness

A woman stretching at the gym

By Beth Gillespie, NC, MS

In this day and age, exposure to numerous toxins including chemicals and heavy metals is inevitable. Over 80,000 chemicals are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for use, and over 3,800 of those are high-use chemicals. These chemicals are found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.

The impact of exposure to toxins on our health is far-reaching, affecting our immune, neurological, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. Many of these chemicals and heavy metals act as “obesogens,” which affect the size and number of our fat cells and make us gain weight. These toxins also affect the hormones that regulate our appetite, feelings of fullness, food preferences, and energy metabolism. In a nutshell, these chemicals decrease our ability to burn fat and slow down the time it takes to feel full.

Luckily, there are six simple steps we can take today to reduce exposure to these obesogenic toxins and safely excrete them from our bodies.

Try a Safe Detox Program Like The Detox Box

In this ever-increasingly toxic world, it’s important to participate in a guided detox program at least a few times a year. The Detox Box is a safe and simple one-week cleanse that supports optimal detoxification of fat-promoting toxins. Best of all, it’s a program that you can do while carrying on with your normal activities and won’t leave you feeling deprived. The most reported benefits include increased energy, better sleep, improved mental focus, reduction of joint pain and allergies, healthier skin and hair, and loss of bloat, especially around the midsection.

Reduce Exposure to Chemicals Found In Your Home

Take your shoes off before you enter your home, avoid kitchen and bathroom deodorizers like Glade (use alternatives like natural sprays with essential oils), leave dry-cleaning in the garage for at least 48 hours before bringing it into the home, and replace air filters every 3-6 months are simple yet effective ways to keep toxins at bay.

Assess Your Skincare Products

Your skin is your largest organ of absorption and elimination. Unfortunately, most skin care products are largely unregulated. Shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, shaving creams, and make-up contain chemicals like parabens and phthalates that have been linked to increased risk of cancer, thyroid dysfunction, and obesity. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to rate the skin care products that you use. Switch out the products that rate in the high-hazard category.

Minimize Pesticides In Your Foods

Use the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Pesticides (“Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists) to assess which fruits and veggies are and aren’t heavily sprayed with pesticides. Be sure to buy organic produce listed in the “Dirty Dozen,” especially peaches, strawberries, and apples, which show up on the list year after year.

Support Your Detoxification Pathways with Superstar Foods

Foods that support the detoxification of chemicals and hormonal metabolites include foods rich in sulforaphane, such as broccoli sprouts, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, arugula, and cabbage. You get the most sulforaphane from these foods by eating them raw or lightly steamed — just don’t overcook them! Fiber is extremely important in the detoxification process. Foods rich in fiber like veggies, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds, not only bind to toxins in the gut, they also promote regularity, which in turn prevents a back-up of toxins.

Reduce Your Exposure to BPA, a Known Obesogen

BPA is found in a lot of plastic containers, so instead of drinking out of a plastic water bottle, use a glass or stainless steel bottle. Store your foods, including leftovers, in glass containers; many foods purchased at the grocery store already come in glass containers, so simply reuse them.

Also, avoid handling receipts as much as possible, especially after using hand sanitizer. A study showed that absorption of BPA from receipts was increased a hundredfold after using hand sanitizer. Consider having your receipts texted or emailed to you instead.

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