March brings us the official transition of Winter into Spring.  In Chinese Medicine terms, this transition brings greater movement, new growth, new possibilities, and greater support for clarifying intentions and goal-oriented aspirations.  As the warming sun tends to activate us from winter’s slump, Spring is the perfect time to detoxify your body and mind! It is the perfect opportunity to start fresh and get rid of any toxins that have built up over the winter months.

Detoxification is a process of removing toxins from your body.

The body naturally detoxifies itself through the liver, kidneys, skin, and lungs.

• The liver helps to filter out toxins from the blood and convert them into harmless substances that can be eliminated from the body through the kidneys or bowel. Since detoxification is a 2-step process that includes the production of free radicals (which can have negative health impact when they are over-abundant), good nutrition that includes anti-oxidants is important. Healthy gut biota and daily bowel movements are also key.
• The kidneys help to filter out toxins from the blood and excrete them in urine. Thus, the need for electrolytes and good hydration.
• The lungs help to eliminate toxins through breathing. Deep breathing will both relax your body and facilitate this.
• The skin helps to eliminate toxins through sweat. Infrared sauna, loofa skin brushing, and exercise are some options to facilitate this.

There are many ways to help detoxify your body, including eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is important for detoxifying your body. Fruits and vegetables are packed with the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed.

Some of the best antioxidant-rich foods to include in your diet are organic blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, spinach, kale, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. These foods are packed with vitamins and minerals that help to flush out toxins from your body.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, there are other activities that can help with detoxification. Movement makes a huge difference, and is essential for health overall.  Yoga, for example, is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. It helps to increase circulation and flush out toxins from the body. Other activities such as walking, swimming, and biking will also help to detoxify your body.

Remember to pace the increase in your activity to start, especially if you are beginning to do something you have not been doing (like gardening or running) for a while.  We tend to forget how sedentary we have been and run the risk of injuring ourselves if we are too gung-ho.  Be honest with yourself, and build your activity tolerance over days to weeks.

More to come with next month’s newsletter!

Wishing you well!

Mary Jo Fishburn MD