There’s a cleaning process going on in your body everyday. The
intestines, liver, and kidneys are all involved, whisking away
toxins from the environment, stress, and the food you eat-waste
products that, if left in the body, can build up and cause
problems-and flushing them out where they can no longer pose a
threat.
If you’ve been going through chemotherapy or radiation treatments,
however, most likely you’re system is overloaded with waste
products. Excess toxins are known to cause fatigue, stomach bloat,
headaches, muscle aches, poor memory, a suppressed immune system,
even bad breath. Chemotherapy drugs are quite powerful and fill the
body with toxins; radiation can damage healthy cells and create
toxic buildup; even cancer cells themselves become toxins as they
wither up and die.
“In addition to eliminating chemical toxins and heavy metals from
the body,” says the New Hope Medical Center in Arizona, “cancer
patients need further detoxification support in order to remove the
toxic load that comes from the death of cancer cells.”
Protect Yourself From Radiation Exposure
Of course there are products out there you can buy, and you can try
colonics (read our post about those here). But for those of you who
want to detox in the comfort of your own homes, we’ve gathered a few
suggestions. Try them out, and see if they help you feel better.
Detox Baths: Your grandma may have told you about the benefits of an
Epsom Salts bath. Hot water opens the pores, allowing perspiration
to take toxins away, as well as increasing absorption of nutrients
such as magnesium and sulfate (in the salts), which help generate
enzymes that clean up the body. According to Jordann Rawls, writing
in the Yoga Examiner, adding ginger to your Epsom salt bath will
open pores of the skin and further aid in eliminating pain. Baking
soda helps neutralize the effects of radiation, sesame is great for
de-stressing, and vinegar helps soothe joints and tendonitis. (Find
recipes here.)
Water: It’s the most natural way to flush toxins out of your body.
Drink at least 7-8 glasses a day, preferably purified.
Live Juices: According to detoxification.ws, live juices can
rejuvenate, heal, and help flush away toxins. “Fruit and vegetable
juices are the cleansers, energizers, builders, and regenerators of
the human system,” they say. Try a combination of kale, spinach,
carrot, cucumber and a bit or ginger and parsley.
Radiation Health Effects
Exercise: It gets the heart pumping, which circulates blood, moving
toxins out of the body. It also encourages perspiration, which
decreases toxins, and makes you thirsty, so you’ll drink more water.
Fiber:It “sweeps” the digestive tract clean, and speeds up
elimination, which means waste products are in your body for a
shorter amount of time. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and
whole-grains.
Dandelion: Many herbs are known to stimulate detoxification in the
body. Dandelion is one, used in traditional Chinese medicine as a
powerful liver tonic. Try a daily cup of dandelion tea, some
dandelion greens (full of nutrients), or this smoothie recipe.
You’ll find other liver-cleansing recipes here. Other foods that
support healthy liver function include lemons, apples, beets, and
carrots.
Contrast Therapy Shower: Dr. Nancy Steely, a licensed Naturopathic
Physician, recommends this shower to increase circulation and
detoxify the body: Take a hot shower for 1-2 minutes, then turn the
hot water down (or off) and stand under the cold water for 10-20
seconds. Follow this with 1-2 minutes of hot water, then another
10-20 seconds of cold water. Repeat once more, ending with cold
water, and step out and dry vigorously. (Be sure to wait until
treatment is finished for this detox therapy, when your skin is
stronger.)
Remember to always check with your primary physician before you
start any detox regime.
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