People often ask what detox or cleanse product I recommend, and they look bewildered when I say, “None.”

But isn’t detoxing important to my health?

Yes, sure it is!  But relying on fancy cleanses can backfire on you in many ways.

Here’s what you need to know about what goes on in your body during a detox, and the absolute best way to get the job done.

Your # 1 organ of detox

Your liver is your main organ of detoxification.

The liver has 2 levels of detoxification—Phase I and Phase II.   Phase I is where enzymes act on the toxins and break them up into harmless pieces.  (This is how caffeine is metabolized.)

Another Phase I strategy is to alter a toxin so it can be dissolved in water.  Then it can be filtered out by your kidneys and excreted in your urine. 

Also, your liver can attach a toxin to bile and send it to your intestinal tract to be eliminated with your next BM.

Now, Phase I sometimes results in what’s called bioactivation—when the end result of the enzyme action is not harmless but instead creates a substance much MORE toxic than the original one! 

When this happens, Phase II steps in.  

Phase II works by adding molecules to the toxin and “handcuffing” it so it can be escorted out of your body with your urine or feces.  (Heavy metals are detoxed this way.)

The right conditions

For this impressive detox process to work effectively, you must have the right conditions.

For starters, you must be properly hydrated for your kidneys to make urine.

Your liver must be healthy—and that means minimizing medication use, and drinking alcohol in moderation. 

Getting enough fiber crucial.  Fiber binds to toxins in your intestinal tract and helps escort them out.  If they aren’t eliminated, they can be reabsorbed into circulation.

This is especially dangerous when dealing with toxins that have been bioactivated like I described above.  At this point they’re far more toxic the second time around and can really threaten your health.

Last but not least, your digestion must be tip-top.  If it’s not, you simply will not be able to eliminate toxins as well as you should. 

How detox products and cleanses can be dangerous

Here are some popular detox products and the dangers associated with each:

Liquid-only fasts

Many toxins like heavy metals and pesticides are fat-soluble and are stored in your fat cells. 

So when you abstain from food during a liquid fast, your body quickly gets to the point where it needs to get energy by burning fat. 

But when your cells burn fat, they also release the toxins that are stored in that fat, which then seep into your bloodstream.  At this point you are at an increased risk of serious damage to your tissues, organs, and systems--especially your brain and nervous system.

In addition, when you are existing on juice only, you likely aren't getting the nutrients to support your liver’s efforts. 

Plus by drinking liquids and not eating whole foods, chances are you won't be getting the fiber you need to sweep out toxins. 

Detox supplements

Many detox supplements are designed to hunt down and pull toxins out of your body's tissues. 

But as this is taking place, your liver gets bombarded!  It has to work in overdrive to carry out its Phase I and II processes and eventually may not be able to keep up. 

That means the toxins can seep back into your bloodstream or go right back in your fat cells.

Plus even if the liver can keep up with the toxin overload, if you’re lacking fiber or your digestion is poor, you won’t be able to eliminate them all. 

Now, many detox supplements also contain a pill to make Nature call.

But many of these laxative products can induce diarrhea which can irritate the intestinal tract, dehydrate you and impair your nutrient absorption.

In addition, they can be particularly dangerous for people whose intestinal tracts are compromised, such as those with Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis, as well as people who have had gastric surgery, those with gastroparesis (a sluggish stomach) and the elderly.

A TRULY effective detox—1 prep step plus 5 others

Step one in any detox effort MUST be to eliminate the toxins from your environment to begin with!

And most times, the vast majority of your toxins comes from your DIET.

Face the music here--you can't exist on junk, fast food or processed food and not expect to be toxic.  You're only fooling yourself AND harming your body.

And here are 5 safe, natural, effective steps you can take to help make your body squeaky clean on the inside!

1)  Eat nutritious foods & keep digestion efficient

This is vital—your body must have the nutrients and fiber it needs to eliminate toxins. 

And the Great Taste No Pain health system can give you the dietary guidance you need!

Great Taste No Pain teaches you the few simple principles of combining foods to support sound digestion and nutrient absorption. 

Not only will this help encourage regular bowel movements, but it can also help curb other digestive problems like acid reflux, gas and bloating. 

Plus the dishes in the recipe section are so delicious, you will fall in love with healthy, nutritious foods and happily say goodbye to toxic, chemical-loaded processed foods for good.

2) Drink filtered water

Water is essential for creating enough urine and keeping your bowels running smoothly.

Eight glasses a day should be your minimum. 

3) Consider supplementing with Vitamins C and E and alpha lipoic acid

Vitamin C protects your cells from free radicals and binds with toxic metals like lead, mercury and aluminum so your body can eliminate them.

Vitamin E protects your cells when toxins are "freed up" and become more dangerous.

And alpha lipoic acid is especially supportive of your liver. 

And all 3 of these superstar detox nutrients are in our outstanding Super Core multi-vitamin and mineral formula!

Super Core provides a complete blend of essential vitamins and minerals, plus the added benefit of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to support sound health and combat disease.

4) Supplement with probiotics

In order for your body to eliminate toxins through the GI tract, your gut environment MUST be strong and healthy.  Otherwise, you’re prone to constipation and leaky gut, which makes it oh so easy for those toxins to again make a home inside of you.

When it comes to an outstanding full-spectrum probiotic blend, nothing beats Super Shield!

Super Shield’s carefully selected variety of 13 potent, feisty probiotic strains will help support your healthy gut microbiome, as well as promote more regular BMs and enhance your immune system functioning as well!

5) Work up a sweat

Sweating has been shown in studies to eliminate the following toxins:

• Persistent organic pollutants (solvents, fumigants and insecticides, including DDT)
• Phthalates
• Heavy metals including lead, aluminum, nickel and cadmium
• Bisphenol A (BPA)—an endocrine disruptor found in canned foods and plastic water bottles
• PBDEs

Two of the very best ways to get a good sweat going are regular exercise and infrared sauna. 

So put on those sneakers (after getting your doctor’s OK), and pay a visit to a sauna facility too!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia