The Detox Basics: Detoxification in Focus
In a world increasingly characterized by stress, environmental toxins and unhealthy diets, the idea of detoxification – or detox – is becoming increasingly important for maintaining health and vitality. But what actually is detox and why is it so important to cleanse the body from the inside, especially today? In this article we go into the basics and also present the most important detox methods.
What is Detox?
The term detox comes from the English word detoxification, which means detoxification (or purification). The principle of detoxifying the body to maintain health is not new, but has a long tradition, especially in Indian and Chinese medicine. In the Western Hemisphere, detox didn’t become popular until the 1970s. With the resurgence of alternative healing methods, the idea of detoxification has become an important part of Western medicine. Detox measures are intended to help the body eliminate toxins and pollutants and strengthen its natural detoxification mechanisms.
Why is detox so important today?
The human organism has always been exposed to external pollutants and stresses. This used to not be a problem because our detoxification organs (liver, kidneys, intestines, skin and lungs) have always ensured that our body can rid itself of environmental toxins.
Nowadays the situation has changed drastically. The burden of pollutants on our bodies has increased exponentially. In the air, in the food, in the groundwater, at home, in our clothing – we are increasingly exposed to pollutants and toxins everywhere. This means that our detoxification organs are overwhelmed in the long term. They are no longer able to remove pollutants as effectively as they should. The remaining toxins are stored in the body and gradually weaken the immune system and the entire organism. This can lead to a wide variety of illnesses. An example of this is the sudden increase in allergies, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, neurological disorders and fatigue syndromes.
Detox – cleansing from the inside
Detox means intensively cleansing the body from the inside out. The elimination of toxins is intended to strengthen the organism, activate the body’s own defenses and sustainably promote our health. There are many different detox measures, we will present the most important methods next.
Detox through diet
Ideally, the first detox steps begin with changing your diet – away from an agro-industrial and acidic diet towards fresh and alkaline foods. They are intended to bring the acid-base balance back into balance. Reducing calories through alkaline fasting, interval fasting and all forms of complete fasting can also have a positive effect. Every form of fasting also triggers cell renewal, autophagy.
Detox by cleansing the detoxification organs
Cleansing the overloaded detoxification organs is another effective detox measure. However, it requires more time, more intensive preparation and careful follow-up. In other posts we will go into more detail about liver cleansing, kidney cleansing and colon cleansing. We also explain how effective detox on the skin can be – thanks to alkaline baths.
Exercise supports detox
All detox measures benefit from a balanced exercise program. However, training should always be well-dosed, because excessive anaerobic exercise makes the organism acidic and is therefore counterproductive.
Any kind of movement stimulates blood circulation and metabolism and can thus accelerate elimination processes. Moderate endurance exercise also increases the exhalation of acids through the lungs.
Detox in Ayurveda
Ayurveda has the longest tradition of cleansing treatments: the famous Panchakarma was practiced in the Indus culture 5,000 years ago. Authentic Ayurveda resorts, such as the Ayurveda Resort Port Salvi, also offer this effective detox treatment in Europe. But it is also very easy to carry out detox according to Ayurveda in your own home. For example, with a tongue cleaning, an Ayurvedic oil massage (Abyanga) or a hot water treatment. We explain how this works in our other blog articles.
