Natural Body Detox Methods

With the explosion in health-related products in the market over the past decade, it's become increasingly difficult to sort out the effective products from the complete wastes of money. In terms of detox products, there's no shortage of "miracle" beverages, pills and patches that promise customers an easy way to eliminate body toxins without having to change what may be an otherwise unhealthy lifestyle. But for those willing to make a few lifestyle changes, detoxing can actually be quite a low-cost process.

Water Intake

• By now you've probably already heard--again and again and again--that adults should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (a total of 64 ounces, or 2 quarts). While there's no conclusive evidence to prove 64 ounces a day is some sort of magic number, it is nevertheless important to have at least a few glasses of clean, purified water every day to flush out body toxins via the kidneys. Proper hydration leads to more frequent urination, and more frequent urination will lead to more toxins being expelled from the body. If your urine is a dark yellow, your system is in need of more water (it should be light yellow to transparent).

Sweat It Out

• Sweating toxins out through the pores is an important method of excreting body toxins. Your body will do this naturally in high temperatures and when you are exerting yourself physically (sweating is the body's way of keeping cool). One healthy way to kick-start the perspiration process is to exercise regularly. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, "regular exercise" for an adult in decent health would mean a routine of 30 minutes of moderately intense cardio work five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorously intense cardio work three days a week, and 8-10 weight-training exercises twice a week.

  Using a sauna is also a solid, effective way to sweat out toxins. Many health clubs offer sauna services--usually located within the locker-room area. Joining a health club offers the dual benefit of access to the cardio and weight equipment needed to work up a sweat, and the sauna needed to finish off the sweat. For true sauna lovers willing to go the extra mile (and spend many extra bucks), indoor sauna kits cost anywhere between $2,000-$7,000.

Diet: Fiber and Medicinal Herbs

• Gaiam, an organization that extols the virtues of yoga, healthy diets and green living, recommends a diet high in fiber (aim for approximately 20-25 grams of fiber per day). Such a diet would include lots of brown rice and organic fruits and vegetables. The organization also makes note of the advanced detoxifying properties of foods such as radishes, broccoli, artichokes, beets, cabbage, spirulina, seaweed, and chlorella. Burdock, milk thistle and dandelion root, which can be purchased in tea form as well a in supplemental pill form, are excellent at cleansing the liver.