When it comes to overcoming there's a lot more to it than just sheer willpower. Before we can get to the other side of our condition (from poor health, illness and/or addiction) to wellness we need to fully understand how our body processes unwanted toxins and how to release them from our "bank account" within.
First, we must understand where toxins "store" once consumed. Manmade products such as metals, preservatives, food additives, pesticides and chemicals store in our liver, kidneys, brain, blood and fat cells and will remain stored there until we intentionally attempt to remove them through detoxification or healed through natural intervention (i.e. antioxidants). If these toxins are not removed and/or stopped from further invading our body, we will likely become diseased from their remaining in our system. Once diseased, we are most likely only able to choose medical intervention which will not likely ever reverse the damage caused to our body.
Cause and effect: Most of us have never realized the full impact of food, beverage and drugs on our bodies. Whatever we consume our body processes. That process takes a step by step pace through our internal organs, not only breaking down, storing and using for energy, but also absorbing it, as well. Certain products are harder for our bodies to release than others. Poor nutrition also plays a part in how our body will absorb, become addicted to/recall (through our brains engrams - memory cells) and affect our overall wellness through what we consume.
Toxic waste and poor nutrition:
When we overload our body with either unwanted toxins and/or poor nutrition, we automatically deplete our body of doing what it is suppose to do naturally; fuel, replenish, restore and rebuild. Once our body starts the process of breaking down what we've consumed it will do one of two things with what it cannot use; store for later use or infect. That is why it is so important that we not consume empty calories or continuously deplete our bodies of what it naturally requires to live a healthy and balanced life.
Illness and addictions:
Illness occurs when we infect our body through toxic intake and addictions occur when we abuse food/drugs and beverages. Once we continuously ingest or emotionally/physically experience anything, we create a memory cell in our brain where our body stores the response we had to what we consumed/experienced. This response is what will cause either a good or bad addiction (yes, you can have good addictions to the right type of food, beverage and activities).
So where do I begin and what do I need to do to help my body get back to a natural state of wellness? Try adding or implementing the following few suggestions to get started:
*Sweating – A sauna, hot steamy bath/shower, physical exercise or anything that assists/helps your body "sweat" is an excellent and natural way to release deadly toxins from your body.
*Pro-biotic - Yogurt, kefir, miso, kemph and sauerkraut contain "live bacteria" (aka pro-biotic) which are beneficial in assisting the digestive system and contributing to overall good health.
*Antioxidant diet – A daily diet containing 12-15 IU's of vitamin E (nuts, seeds, vegetable/fish oils, whole grains), 60 mg per day of Vitamin C (mostly citrus fruit/kiwi/berries, cabbage/spinach/kale), and beta-carotene related foods (egg yolk, grains, spinach, carrots, broccoli, yams) that assist in the body producing vitamin A. Each of these antioxidants assists our body in releasing, rebuilding and storing what we will need as it fights off the invasion of 10,000+ toxins per day. An easier way to remember how much is the USDA "5 a day" (five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables; usually 1 cup equals a serving). Most supplements will provide the IU per serving size on their label.
*Purified/filtered water – Keeping ourselves "hydrated" is extremely important. Water flushes out our "engine" (aka body) while also revving it up (our metabolism) to naturally release toxins from within. Avoid water that contains "sodium".
*Vitamins and minerals – While most of us will be prone or convinced to believe that we must take supplements to obtain what our body needs, in truth if we adapt a wellness lifestyle the balance we need of vitamins and minerals will take care of themselves. My theory is that we must "eat" our antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in order to experience overall wellness. However…..there are times when our body is so depleted that it needs assistance. The best way to determine what your body needs is through the counsel of a licensed nutritionist or certified dietician. Overtaking vitamins and minerals can be just as harmful as not receiving enough.
*Avoid alcohol, empty calories and processed foods – Alcohol has no health benefits for your body (even red wine has very little health benefits in comparison with the consumption of a whole red grape). Most frozen/canned/fast/junk foods contain preservatives/food additives and should be avoided completely. Convenience store food (i.e. crackers, chips, candy, some "health" bars) usually contain the highest level of preservatives. Never try to consume your health through fast food. Fresh, whole foods are always the best choice.
*Exercise daily – Nothing moves stored fat and toxins like exercise! Get moving and stay moving. Start with 30 minutes of aerobics per day. If you have limited time, run in place and start with 10 minutes. If you can't run or walk, then buy a stationary bike. If you can't sit on a bike, try stationary exercises like Yoga, Pilates. But do something and get moving, today!
Quick tip: Whole versus fast food equals a healthy versus diseased body. Which would I prefer to deal with in my future?
