Winter, with its rich holiday foods and cold, short, and dark days, has likely left you with a lot less energy than during the warmer months. It’s no wonder your body and mind are craving a detoxifying spring clean in the lead up to Summer.
image via pinterest
Nutritionist and Naturopath, Stephen Eddey shares his three detox staples he advises his clients to incorporate into their health routines.
1. Avoid processed sugar
Processed sugar imbalances hormones, mood, energy, blood sugar and suppresses the immune system.[i],[ii] It is also well known that sugar feeds bad bacteria in the gut and it has even been compared to cocaine1 because it is so addictive! When we eat sugary foods (and salty ones, for that matter), they stimulate the release of dopamine to calm our stress and provide us with a sense of wellbeing, so it’s not surprising our bodies want more and more.
The main aspect to focus on during a sugar detox is keeping the body well fed and hydrated. Hydration means drinking water – not coffee, caffeinated teas or energy drinks. Water itself is a powerful detoxifier because it assists the kidneys and colon to eliminate waste.
Eat meals that contain lots of good protein and fats (nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, meat, fish, poultry and eggs) and focus on eating colourful foods. When you eat vegetables and fruits with a rainbow of colours, you are getting an array of phytonutrients that are essential for keeping the body healthy.[iii]
2. Meditate for mental detox
Our minds are constantly running with thoughts. It usually works like this: Stimulus appears, and then we respond to it. We do this over and over, countless times a day. Outside of a good night’s sleep, we virtually give our minds no breaks. And for some people, the constant mental commentary even interferes with sleep.
Practicing meditation daily can help quiet the mental chatter and allow you to be more mindful and focused during everyday activities. It acts like a mental detox, cleansing your mind of negative, stressful and anxious thoughts and helping connect you to the awareness that you do have control over your own mind. After some regular practice, you’ll likely find that the quality of your sleep improves too.
3. Supplement with Ubiquinol
Ubiquinol is the active form of CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) that has been reduced to make it more easily usable by your body. It is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body and is vital for providing energy to your cells, helping your organs perform at their best and protecting your cells and blood from oxidation – a process that contributes to ageing and illness.[iv]
As we age, our natural Ubiquinol levels slowly decline, leaving us with less antioxidant protection.[v]
I recommend supplementing with Ubiquinol after the age of 30 to boost essential antioxidant protection and to help maintain optimal energy levels.
Speak to your healthcare practitioner to find out if Ubiquinol is suitable for you. Always read the label and use only as directed.
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References:
[i] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201309/4-ways-sugar-could-be-harming-your-mental-health
[ii] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-sugar#section12
[iii] https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/phytonutrients-faq#1
[iv] https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-art-and-science-aging-well/201609/oxygen-and-aging
[v] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0925443995000283
