Tis the Season to be TOXIC!

I always smile when I hear people say “I’m going on a massive DETOX in January”

Did you know that there is no such thing as a “detox”?

“What!?” I hear you say… This is almost as mad as my “balloon blowing exercise” right?

Well it’s true! Basically, detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin.

Although the word toxin sounds scary, most people don’t grasp precisely how toxins interact with human physiology and how long this has been a problem for humans. Doctors noticed almost two hundred years ago that toxins like mercury were causing “mad hatter disease.” It was also known that toxicity from leaded water pipes was a major cause of the decline of the Roman Empire. But in the past, these toxins were largely limited to occupational exposure.

Basically, there are seven ways toxins damage our bodies:

1. Toxins poison enzymes so that they don’t work properly – depriving your body of the ability to absorb nutrients.
2. Toxins displace structural minerals, resulting in weaker bones, i.e. When toxins displace the calcium present in bone, there is a twofold effect: weaker skeletal structures and increased toxins, released by bone loss, which circulate throughout the body.
3. Toxins damage the organs. If your digestive tract, liver, and kidneys are so toxic they are unable to detox effectively, your detoxification will backfire and your body will remain, well, toxic.
4. Toxins damage DNA, which increases the rate of aging and degeneration.
5. Toxins damage cell membranes so they don’t respond properly. “Signalling” in the body happens in the cell membranes. Damage to these membranes prevents them from getting important messages—insulin not signalling the cells to absorb more sugar, for example, or muscle cells not responding to the message from magnesium to relax.
6. Toxins interfere with hormones and cause imbalances. Let’s face it, you don’t really want to be extra hormonal over the Christmas period now do you?
7. And last but not least, toxins actually impair your ability to detoxify—and this is the worst problem of all. So, it’s a vicious circle!  These buggers get into the body and will actually prevent the body from getting rid of them!

So, how CAN I detox?

The organ systems involved for detoxification include the lungs, the skin, and the digestive tract, but two organs are especially important: the liver and the kidneys.  Ever felt like your “Liver Light” has come on over the festive period? So whilst this is a great time to “intoxicate”, lets focus on how you can help the body along without feeling like your liver light has come on?
NOTE: Whilst It's impossible to completely avoid chemicals, there are several things you can do to reduce your exposure and the level of toxicity in your body.

• Eat organic
• Read labels
• Hit the gym
• Forget “detoxing”
• Cut the saturated fat. ...
• Use better—and less—cleaning products. ...
• Make your indoor air cleaner. ...
• Avoid plastic and nonstick pans.

Detoxification is handled by the liver and the kidneys, and the waste products are eliminated through pee and poop. People also release some waste products through the skin, by sweating, and some through the lungs, by exhaling. So the good news is … get pooping!

Drinking water flushes toxins from your body. Fact! Though water doesn't necessarily neutralize toxins, the kidneys do use water to get rid of certain waste products so it is important to drink a lot of water over this period, and add some lemon into it, for extra alkalinity benefits!  Alkaline is the opposite of acidity so if you’re putting a lot of food and drink into your body over the festive season that is going to cause acidity, then do whatever you can to balance that out!
At the end of the day, it’s not rocket science, good food, lots of water, plenty of fresh air, less toxic influences like unwelcome family members and lots of being kind to yourself and being in the right “spirit” at Christmas … Remember, its fine to enjoy your chestnuts roasting on an open fire (and the one or three sherries that accompany them). “Everything in moderation” is a great mantra for this time of year.

So, will a massage help you to get rid of toxins?

Whilst there is no medical proof of this, and most doctors agree that it is unlikely, a massage most certainly does help to increase blood flow to all parts of a body, including those that assist with the detoxification process and naturally massage can promote healing to areas affected by injury as a result of a an increase in blood flow … you know right, when you’ve had a massage with us you come off the coach feeling a bit woozy (“why thank you very much”, I always say, because I tend to have that effect on people!) But in all seriousness, it is the increased blood flow that brings the toxins to the surface, hence why we always say drink tons of water before and after you’ve been to see us …

*** Take advantage of our team this festive season. Our colleague Rachel, in particular, has the perfect way to treat yourself… she is now offering HOT STONE massages. Come away feeling completely refreshed and ready to see in the new year with an (almost) new body.

*** DON’T FORGET – we have the perfect gift for your nearest and dearest:

Massage gift vouchers!

Make sure you email to order yours before the big day.

Ho Ho Ho,
Love Intulo