Posts Tagged ‘natural detox’

As the cause of eczema is still not fully understood it makes dealing with the condition a problem as some believe that genetic factors are involved; perhaps in time a definitive answer will become available. This skin condition is easy to recognize with areas of dry, red skin that are very itchy. This dryness can lead to what appears to be a ‘crusty’ surface that may exhibit blistering.

Although there are a number of different types, the most common is atopic eczema; like all the other types, this one is characterized by itching as well. The main problem with the itching, especially with atopic eczema is that scratching brings relief but at a cost of intensifying the condition. A side effect to this condition is how hypersensitive it makes the skin; sufferers usually have reactions to washing detergents, soaps and even makeup.

In many instances when young children have this condition it is only seen as an area under the skins surface. The one consistent factor with eczema is the itchy skin; because the disorder is characterized by itching, if this rash does not itch then it is not a symptom of this condition. However, if the itching has been somehow improved by eczema treatment but the rash has not, then the rash may not be related to the itch.

Another problem to be aware of before this disorder is diagnosed, is that other conditions have itching as a symptom of a medical condition. Eczema itching and rashes go hand in hand but medical science still can’t full explain why the skin itches the way it does. The red skin is often an indication of increased blood in the area of the rash which may be the result of the sufferer scratching themselves.

Apart from making the eczema worse when the sufferer scratches, it might also damage the delicate skin surface; it can also flare up if your skin gets infected by a bacteria. Small blisters are quite common around the affected area and sometimes these blisters are large; an infection or just a genetic trait of the sufferer could be the reasons for this.

Every sufferer is warned about blisters as they can be damaged by scratching or carelessness and whilst some are filled with fluid, others have a pus like substance; further infection is almost assured if the blisters are damaged, this is why scratching can just aggravate an already sensitive condition.

Find out how you can improve your health, lose some weight and even improve your skin tone and complexion with a healthy body detox. You can make it real easy with natural, simple and tasty healthy detox drinks that you can drink anytime.

There’s lots of different detox diets and programs available today, but if you’re getting confused and just want some simple tips on how to detox your body, here’s a list of the top foods that you can use to create many recipes for a detox diet plan. You can eat them as-they-come as part of a raw food detox diet, or why not juice them and create your own detox drinks recipes.

If you can afford it I would recommend you buy organic where possible, but non-organic will be fine if you’re on a tight budget. Either way, these foods are fantastic for a completely natural detox diet – why not create a week long menu plan for a really health 7 day detox program?

1. An Apple A Day Keeps the Doc Away.

Did you know that scientists in the Ukraine used apples to help clean and purify the area of Chernobyl when they had that catastrophic disaster back in 1986? That says something about the detox power of apples. Their power comes from high levels of vitamin C and quercetin, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce levels of bad cholesterol.

Apples also have a compound called pectin, which is a fiber present in citrus fruits and berries. Pectin has chelation properties as it binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, and helps your body excrete them. It is also good for helping your body get rid of various food additives and toxins like tartrazine. This toxin has been shown to be linked to conditions and diseases like asthma, migraine and hyperactivity, especially in children.

2. Avocados

Avocados are a real powerhouse of nutrients – rich in folate, fiber, potassium, vitamin E and the carotenoid lutein, beta-carotene and gluthathione. Lutein may be linked to maintaining healthy eyes and vision. An avo is one of a small minority of fruits that actually contain monounsaturated fat.

The natural levels of gluthathione in our bodies decrease as we get older, which is one reason why hangovers get worse as we age. Studies of “older people” have shown that those who had higher levels of glutathione were healthier than those with lower levels. The higher level group were also less likely to suffer from arthritis, which many experts believe is a condition aggravated by excess toxicity in our bodies.

3. Artichokes – A Natural Liver Detoxer

Artichokes are a great tasting zero-fat, zero-cholesterol veg that provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals and phytochemicals including vitamin A, B6, Niacin, folic acid, chromium, potassium, iron and calcium. One powerful detox benefit of artichokes is its ability to increase bile production in the liver. More bile means the body is able to transport more toxins to the bowel for excretion – so a great food for a natural liver detox.

Artichokes are also packed with powerful antioxidants, and are a great food for liver detox. In some European studies, tests showed that where free radicals have damaged the liver, this damage is greatly reduced with the use of artichoke extracts.

4. Beetroot – The Alternative Vampire Deterrent

Beetroot has been used for millennia (literally) as a blood purifying tonic. Roman civilisations were known to have used it extensively for total body detoxing over 2000 years ago. Beetroot is also believed to chelation properties and may help absorb toxic metals. At a polluted mine in Leadville, Colorado, USA, beets (as well as carrots and bananas) are being used to filter pollutants from the natural water supplies.

The use of beetroot for health benefits dates back several thousand years – it was used in ancient Rome as a blood purifying tonic for a total body detox. It also has some chelation properties by binding with heavy metals.

5. Cruciferous or Brassica Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach and cauliflower. All these vegetables are very powerful detox foods. Brussels sprouts have been shown to inhibit the uptake of a toxin called aflatoxin, which is linked to liver cancer. Cruciferous vegetables have also neutralised nitrosamines, which are produced by cigarette smoke.

These vegetables contain a nutrient called glucosinolates, which help the liver to produce vital enzymes.

Clare Denton manages a detox and cleansing site and shows people how to detox their body with simple tips for natural detox diets. You can easily detox your body using natural foods from your local supermarket. How To Detox

The liver isn’t the most glamorous part of the body, but it is a hard worker. Among its many jobs are detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals needed for digestion. It’s not glamorous, but it’s very important: You can’t live without it. If you want to be healthy, keeping your liver functioning as it should is mandatory.

Most people don’t really pay much attention to the liver in regards to their health. But after doing some research, I came to the conclusion that it does deserve much attention and some care. But what is it exactly you can do for the liver?

I wanted to figure out how to fix this problem and decided to begin a detox. Cleaning and detoxing the body always seems like a great idea.

However, after looking at WebMD, I have been convinced otherwise. Many of the detox diets for natural detoxification doesn’t have enough science to support them. They can also be very restrictive and cause some harm.

Many detox diets can be restrictive and quite impossible to keep up for a short period of time, and if it involves having to fast, that can decrease your bodies metabolism and also deprive your system of it’s necessary nutrients. The process of fasting can also become addictive because there is euphoric feeling. If you have low blood sugar or diabetes, a chronic or heart condition, you won’t be able to do it. Forget about it if you are pregnant, a senior, a teenager or even breastfeeding.

I decided to approach liver care with a more supportive, less aggressive strategy. I decided to find out what my liver needs, not what I need to do to it.

So what’s good for the liver? Foods that fight free radicals and promote natural detoxification:

Apples have pectin that actually attracts itself to different metals that are pushed through the body for excretion.

Artichokes increase the production of bile which helps move toxins through the bowels.

Beets contain folate (an important type of B vitamin that needs to be consumed daily) and, when eaten regularly, help cleanse the liver.

Bitter leafy greens (e.g., chicory, dandelion, endive, etc.) help stimulate bile flow.

Cruciferous vegetables normally are brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. They all contain phytochemicals that help to breakdown toxins and also liver production of enzymes that are needed for detox.

Garlic contains a substance called allicin, which is similar to a sulfur compound that provides the liver assistance with removing mercury and other additives from foods. Garlic pills are great if you don’t like the smell.

Other fruits such as raisins, grapefruits, blueberries, prunes, oranges, pears, cantaloupes, and strawberries all have important antioxidants. It’s good to have at least 3 servings a day.

It is possible to maintain a healthy liver without having to torture yourself. Making a start from the above list of foods can make the process very enjoyable. A win win situation towards a healthy liver.

Natalie MacBride wants to look good as much as you do and is researching the best healthy, natural ways to get there. Visit her at Natural Healing with Food.

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The blogosphere has been buzzing with talk about the the possible dangers of saunas, sweat lodges, and steam rooms. This has led to people doubting whether or not sweating is a valid method to get a good detox. For years saunas have been regarded as a reliable way to detox. Now people are left wondering if something has changed?

A tragic incident last fall involving the death of several people at a retreat in Arizona is largely the source of the recent confusion about sweat lodges and safe detox. In addition to 3 deaths, 18 people were also hospitalized due to the extreme use of the Arizona retreat’s sweat lodge. Heat stroke and dehydration turned out to be the culprit.

The simple way avoid these problems while using an infrared sauna, sweat lodge or steam room is to drink water before and after your15-30 minute heat therapy session. Preventing adverse reactions such as dehydration, one must simply stay hydrated. Hydration is the key factor to safe detox or healthy weight loss in a sauna.

The key to a good detox from a sauna is to understand the effects of a deep healthy sweat. Research has been conducted to find out exactly what toxins are leaving the body when we sweat. The sweat of people using a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97% water while the sweat of those using an Far-infrared thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water portion principally cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals (such as mercury and aluminum), sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric acid. Far-Infrared, Technologies that Harness the Sun, Valerie Free, 2001.

One of the main factors to keep in mind when using an infrared sauna is to stay hydrated. Drinking a glass of water before and after a 15-30 minute session will keep you appropriately hydrated, and thus able to detox.

Using a high quality mineral supplement is the other key factor to remember if you are going to be detoxing in a sauna. By adding mineral drops to your water before and after a portable sauna session, you will be replacing any lost minerals that are sometimes sweated out with the toxins.

There is no need for confusion when it comes to infrared saunas, sweat lodges and detox. The ease of use and effectiveness of a sauna certainly outweighs the sight risk of overuse and dehydration. Hopefully people will better understand that now.

Benjamin Andrews writes, researches and blogs about sweat detox as well as many other issues on natural living. To know more about FIR saunas and sweat detox, go to HEALTHandMEdBlog and read more from Andrews.

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