The Deets on Detox: Beyond Fasting, Lemon Juice, and Cayenne Pepper

Billions of pounds of toxins from plastics, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, medications, and other sources are released into our environment every year.  Trace amounts of these toxins find their way into our body through the air, soil, food, and water supply. 

These toxins can pose significant health challenges when we are unable to effectively clear (detoxify) them from our bodies.  Ineffective detoxification may manifest as weight loss resistance, multiple chemical sensitivities, or cancer, to name a few.  

When I hear women say, “I’m really sensitive to medication,” “I can’t walk down the grocery store aisle of cleaning products,” “Perfume makes me nauseous,”or “I had fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and breast cancer,” I think to myself, this is a woman having difficulty detoxifying.  

There are three phases to the detoxification process

Phase I - Known as ‘Functionalization,’ Phase 1 involves converting fat-soluble substances, including toxins, making them more water-soluble,  making it easier to clear them.

Phase II - Known as ‘Conjugation,’ Phase II involves taking the substances from phase I and attaching a glutathione, sulfur, or methyl group, so they are ready for elimination.  

Phase III - Known as ‘Elimination,’ involves transporting the substances from the cell for eventual elimination via urine, stool, and sweat.

YES.  Toxins are eliminated through urine, stool, and sweat.  

There is a lot of information on-line about detoxificiation, particularly using it as a fast track to weight loss.  Detoxification is a complicated process that requires a healthy gut, high levels of nutrients, and frankly, more than lemon juice and cayenne pepper.  

Many of the pharmaceutical-grade supplement companies have 10- and 28- day detoxification programs.  You can access these programs through professional practitioners.  Detoxification programs can be helpful in resetting women’s metabolism, clearing heavy metals, and/or as periodic cleansing.  Some people experience improved bowel function, increased vitality, and better hormone balance after detoxing.

I like to encourage women to think about a lifestyle that supports detoxification - regular cleaning as opposed to trying to clean the whole house in a short period time.  We want to be sure we are having daily bowel movements, sweating on a regular basis, incorporating plants like milk thistle and nettle into our lives, drinking green tea, eating berries, limiting alcohol consumption, using natural personal care and cleaning products, and being mindful of our consumption of both over-the-counter and prescription medication intake.  

I’m including a recipe for a spectacular soup that incorporates foods that support the detoxification pathways.  Happy spring!

Turmeric Detox Broth with Swiss Chard

from Cannelle et Vanille by Aran Goyoga

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 yellow onion, diced

3 tablespoons grated turmeric

2 tablespoons grated ginger

1 dried chile de Arbol (optional)

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken stock

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

4 cups very finely chopped Swiss chard

I drink this invigorating broth in the morning throughout the year, and even in the afternoon as a tea in the colder months. It's relatively easy to make once you have good chicken stock in your fridge or freezer. When I'm planning to make this broth, I try to use chicken stock that had a lot of chicken feet in it because they are full of collagen-the stock sets like gelatin

MAKES & SERVINGS

1 - Heat a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic, and onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the turmeric, ginger, chile de árbol, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and salt. Add the stock and vinegar and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve. The broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

2 - Divide the Swiss chard among soup bowls or large mugs. Pour the hot broth over the chard and let steep for 5 minutes. Drink immediately.

recipe from Cannelle et Vanille by Aran Goyoga