1. BUY ORGANIC!
Organic foods have significantly fewer synthetic chemicals plus more nutrients! Healthy plants and animals will help you be healthy too.  Avoid refined sugars, processed foods (especially canned foods), and hydrogenated or trans fats (including vegetable oils – even if it says trans-fat-free) because these foods, despite being organic, may still contain toxins.

Broccoli

Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides and insecticides, growth hormones or antibiotics.  Organic food cannot be irradiated, contain genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and cannot be grown using sewage sludge fertilizer.  In the produce section or farmer’s market, look for produce with labels starting with the number 9. (Photographer: Leah White for Naked Food Magazine)

2. EXERCISE!
Sweating stimulates the release of toxins through your skin.  Getting your blood pumping also stimulates your detox organs (liver, kidneys, and lungs).  Don’t forget to drink water before, during, and after your workout, as well as throughout the day.

3. EAT GARLIC AND BROCCOLI EVERY DAY!
Produce in the cruciferous families (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, mustard greens, kale, collard greens, and alliums like garlic, leeks, onions) are very high in nutrients that support healthy detoxification.

Organic Produce

Phytochemicals found in cruciferous vegetables (Sulforaphane) can stimulate enzymes in the body that detoxify carcinogens before they damage cells, says Matthew Wallig, DVM, PhD. Through different mechanisms, two other compounds found in cruciferous vegetables (Indole-3-carbinol and Crambene) are also suspected of activating detoxification enzymes. (Photographer: Leah White for Naked Food Magazine)

4. USE ORGANIC, NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS IN YOUR HOME AND ON YOUR BODY
There are natural, synthetic-chemical-free products to clean your home, do your laundry, and wash dishes.  Don’t forget that your skin is the body’s largest organ, so choose non-toxic, nutritious products for your shampoo, makeup, toothpaste and lotions.

5. FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A TOXIC BODY OR AN IMPAIRED DETOX CONDITION
Sometimes preventative measures are not enough to clear your body of built-up toxins.  The more toxic the body, the more impaired is it’s ability to detoxify.  Seek out a health care professional if you think toxins may be causing your health-related conditions (like headaches, acne, eczema, fatigue, food allergies, environmental sensitivities).

Following these 5 basic guidelines will help decrease your toxin exposure while also supporting healthy detoxification pathways in your body.