The Power of a Functional Medicine Detox: Beyond Trendy Teas and Cleanses

In today's fast-paced world, detoxification has become a buzzword synonymous with health and wellness. From fancy teas to juice cleanses, numerous trendy detox methods claim to flush out toxins and restore vitality. However, amidst the noise, a functional medicine detox stands out as a scientifically backed and holistic approach to detoxification.

Unlike fleeting trends, a functional medicine detox focuses on phase 1 and phase 2 nutrients required by the liver, offering a myriad of benefits that extend far beyond short-lived results. While teas and juice have their own benefits, they simply don’t contain the nutrients needed to detoxify the liver.

In this blog, we explore the unique advantages of a functional medicine detox and shed light on how it differs from trendy detox teas and cleanses.

Understanding a Functional Medicine Detox

Functional medicine detoxing is an approach rooted in the principles of functional medicine, which aims to identify and address the underlying imbalances that contribute to toxicity and disease. Instead of solely focusing on symptoms, functional medicine delves deeper, examining factors such as nutrition, gut health, stress levels, environmental toxins, and genetic predispositions. By beginning with a functional medicine detox, the body is able to release unwanted toxins and move towards a state of equilibrium to continue the process of healing.

Your Hardworking Liver

Your liver is an incredible organ responsible for detoxification within your body. On average, the human body contains approximately 10 pints (about 5 liters) of blood. It is the liver's role to filter this blood, ensuring the removal of harmful substances and maintaining overall health. Remarkably, the liver filters the entire blood volume approximately every six minutes. That amounts to more than 87,000 times per year, and by the age of 50, it will have filtered your blood more than 4.3 million times!

Put it into Perspective

To better understand the significance of this process, consider this: your liver filters all 10 pints of your blood more than 22,000 times every 90 days. To put it in relatable terms, think about changing the oil in your car every 5,000 miles when it tells you to. We pay careful attention to the maintenance of our vehicles, but often neglect giving our livers the love and support they deserve.

The Importance of Liver Support

Unfortunately, we tend to overlook the warning signs that our bodies give us, such as low energy, brain fog, poor sleep, and hormonal imbalances, attributing them to the inevitable effects of aging, as some medical professionals may suggest. Conventional medical schools often fail to teach the importance of liver support. However, ancient practices like Ayurvedic medicine, which dates back 6,000 years and is still in use today, recognize the significance of liver health in overall well-being.

The Benefits of a Functional Medicine Detox

A functional medicine detox embraces the wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine and offers a comprehensive approach to support liver health and detoxification. By addressing the root causes of toxicity, such as poor diet, chronic stress, environmental exposures, and impaired detoxification pathways, a functional medicine detox promotes sustainable and effective toxin elimination. This approach can lead to better quality sleep, weight loss, glowing skin, more energy, lowered inflammation, and so much more.

A functional medicine detox goes beyond trendy teas and cleanses by offering a scientifically backed and holistic approach to detoxification. By recognizing the extraordinary work of the liver and providing the support it needs via phase 1 and phase 2 specific nutrients, a functional medicine detox helps individuals optimize their health and vitality. It’s time to prioritize our well-being and give our bodies the attention and care they deserve. Let a functional medicine detox be the oil change your liver needs for a healthier, more vibrant life.

To learn how overburdened your liver may be, click the button below to take our free toxicity assessment!

20 Detox Tips and Common Questions Answered

There are increasing toxins in our diet, lifestyle, and environment. With well over 77,000 artificial chemicals from the food we eat, personal care products, everyday household cleaners, and the water we drink, supporting the body's natural ability to detoxify is no longer just a choice – it's a necessity, even if you're healthy. There are many detox tips and different detoxes depending on your goals, but all are not equal. That's why a functional medicine liver detox is widely recommended to best support our primary detox organ and its essential function, detoxification. It uses extended fasting strategies with scientifically formulated herbal remedies and the key nutrients needed to mobilize the accumulation of harmful stored toxins and eliminate them more efficiently.

Here are 20 detox tips and answers to the most common questions on what you can do to get the most out of your detox and what you may want to avoid. Of course, always use your best judgment based on your individual health and goals. Working with a certified health practitioner can help you understand what is best for you and any appropriate recommendations or adaptations to optimize your detoxification strategy.

1. Can I work out?

Yes and no. Working out is essential for our health and one of the ways the body eliminates toxins through breath and sweat, but it is also a stressor and can deplete glucose levels, leaving you feeling more tired. You may want to avoid intense exercise on fasting days during a detox. You can still incorporate lower-intensity movement like walking and using a sauna can support further elimination of toxins without overexerting yourself. You can resume your usual workout routine on days when you consume more calories or feel you have adequate energy.

2. Can I drink nut milk?

Yes, unsweetened plant-based milk can be added to your detox shake or in a hot beverage if you choose to.

3. Can I drink coffee and tea?

Yes, if you regularly drink coffee or experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms, you can include it during your detox. Try to limit it to one cup of organic coffee in the morning (black or with unsweetened nut milk). For some, it can slow down the detoxification process, so you may want to avoid caffeine or have an organic decaffeinated coffee. Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, so feel free to include any you enjoy, like ginger, chamomile, mint and turmeric.

4. How much can I eat?

A detox aims to give your body digestive rest through extended fasting, lighter meals and removing common food triggers. That said, it's not just about how much you eat — you should also consider the quality and type of food you're eating. Eat slowly until satiated, focusing on easy-to-digest foods that provide balanced nutrition.

5. What can I eat?

Follow the appropriate food list recommendations. The general focus is fresh, nutrient-dense, high-quality whole foods, organic where possible and non-GMO. Many food lists will eliminate common allergens and sensitivities (dairy, gluten, corn, eggs and red meat), alcohol, processed foods and refined sugars.

6. Does lunch have to be plant-based?

Plant-based protein is easier to digest than animal sources and can also reduce the overall toxic load on the body, which is the ultimate goal of a detox. Incorporating more plant-based meals is recommended.

7. Can I have two shakes instead of four during the shake fast?

While four shakes spread across the day give your body adequate hydration and nutrition every 3,5 hours to keep energy and blood sugar levels balanced, you could have two shakes if this works best for you. Just be sure you are still getting adequate hydration to flush the system and support effective elimination throughout the day.

8. Can I still detox if I'm not trying to lose weight?

Absolutely! A liver detox is designed to support your body's natural detoxification process by replenishing nutrient stores and removing toxic water weight that can lead to unhealthy levels of inflammation and leave you feeling puffy, lowered energy and mood, poor sleep and more. It can facilitate weight loss if that is a goal, and if you don't want to lose weight, appropriate adjustments can be made.

9. How regularly can I detox?

A quarterly (seasonal) detox about every 12 weeks is recommended to best support the body.

10. Can I use herbs and spices?

Yes, herbs and spices can help chelate (or bind) heavy metals, boost metabolism, and kill "gut bugs." They're a great addition to any detox, and add flavor to any dish!

11. When should I not detox?

Children, pregnant or nursing women should not detox. If you have any underlying medical condition or concern, you should also always speak with your primary care doctor before doing any type of detox.

12. Can I eat more than the recommended serving sizes?

Yes, you can eat more if you are still hungry but remember the goal of a detox is to reduce the total toxic load on the body. Take time to eat slowly and allow your body to feel satiated. Make sure you have enough protein and if you are still hungry, opt for extra vegetables that are nutrient and fiber dense but lower in calories.

13. When do I drink a shake during the shake fast?

You can adjust the timing of your shakes based on your schedule. A general guideline is to have the first shake about an hour after waking and then about every three and a half hours apart across the day.

14. Can I keep taking my current supplements and prescribed medicine?

This will depend on the individual and the supplement/medication. It would be best to stay on any medication prescribed by your healthcare practitioner and confirm that there are no contraindications with any ingredients in the detox products. You may want to stop nutritional supplements during the extended fasting days, but most should be safe to continue - use your best judgment.

15. What is the best day to start a detox?

You can begin on any day that works for you. It is not advisable after a night of high alcohol consumption due to its effect on blood sugar levels.

16. Do I have to fast on the first two days?

Completing an extended fast is recommended to optimize the benefits of digestive rest and repair. However, adjustments can be made that may better suit your current health and goals. You can incorporate some low glycemic berries in your shake - especially if weight loss is not a goal or follow the same outline on days where more foods are consumed ie. two meals and two shakes.

17. Should I stop the detox if I experience side effects?

It is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms or other Herxheimer reactions.This will always come down to the individual, type and severity of side effects. They are usually short-term, but you should speak to your doctor if you have any major concerns.

18. Can I detox while doing another wellness protocol?

Generally yes, but to keep things simple and avoid overwhelm you may want to go through one protocol at a time. Work with an integrative health practitioner if you need additional support on what is best for you.

19. What should I do once the detox ends?

To support your body for long-term wellness, follow the foundations of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory whole foods to create balanced meals. Incorporate additional starches based on your health goals.

20. How do I maintain my results and health after the detox?

Whether you have a continued weight loss goal or wish to maintain your results,the foundations of following diet and lifestyle principles will stand you in good stead.

Following these detox tips and answers to the most common questions can be a great way to optimize your health and get the most out of it. If you'd like to take your health to the next level, you can work with a certified health practitioner to better understand your current health and goals and work alongside you with a custom wellness plan for long-term success.

If you are ready to take your health to the next level, click here to learn more about a true Functional Medicine detox! (Blog source)

Understanding the Phases of Liver Detoxification

The liver is one of the most important — yet often overlooked — organs in your body. As your body's primary detoxification organ, it helps keep your body healthy and functioning as it should.

There are two key phases of liver detoxification, each of which requires specific nutrients in order to work effectively. Keep reading to learn more about what your liver does and what you can do to help support it.

What Does Your Liver Do?

Your liver is one of your hardest-working organs. It performs over 500 vital functions that are essential for life and good health. One of its main roles is to filter your blood and break down toxins it is exposed to, byproducts and other harmful substances, such as pollutants, medications, drugs, alcohol and caffeine. This helps detoxify your body and support healthy levels of inflammation to keep your body in a balanced state.

There are two key phases involved in the detoxification process by the liver:

• Phase one involves a number of enzymes that help break down harmful fat-soluble toxins and other products that get stored in your fat cells and send the raw materials to phase two

  • This phase requires the help of key nutrients, herbs and powerful antioxidants. This includes vitamin E, C, B3, B6, B12 and folate, as well as glutathione and milk thistle.

• Phase two mobilizes and transforms the byproducts of phase one into new, water-soluble waste products in a process called conjugation. This waste can then safely be removed from your body via urine, stool, sweat and breath.

  • This phase also requires help from key nutrients such as the most powerful antioxidant glutathione, sulfur based compounds and amino acids, as well as minerals, including zinc and selenium.

In addition to detoxification, some other essential functions of the liver include:

• Producing bile to help digest and absorb fats and carry waste away from the liver

• Producing certain proteins for the blood and proteins that transport fat through the body

• A storage site for vitamins and minerals

• Helps support a strong immune system

• Helping regulate blood clotting

• Helps to balance blood sugar levels by converting stored liver glucose (glycogen) back into glucose for energy when needed

How To Naturally Support the Phases of Liver Detoxification

There are many things that can get in the way of your liver's ability to do its job correctly, such as overexposure to toxins from a poor diet or from the environment. This can lead to many health issues and more serious conditions over time. You can take proactive steps in your daily life to naturally support your liver's ability to detox. Here are some tips to get started:

• Eat cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables provide sulfur-rich compounds that are essential to produce glutathione, the master antioxidant that supports detoxification. Try to incorporate a few servings of cruciferous vegetables at every meal that include broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

• Focus on fiber. Fiber is an indigestible type of carbohydrate that has various health benefits. Fiber supports the antioxidant and enzyme activity required for liver detoxification. It also helps bulk up your stool and promote regular passage of bowel movements, which removes toxins from the body. All plant foods are good sources of dietary fiber, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking more water helps cleanse and detoxify the liver. This is because sufficient hydration is required to promote blood circulation and dissolve nutrients. Staying hydrated also helps produce urine, which is another key way the body rids itself of toxins. It is important that you use a water filter or drink mineral water as tap water contains many chemicals and other harmful substances that add to your toxic load.

• Move your Body. Daily movement and incorporating formal physical activity is also key for a healthy liver and body. Exercise can facilitate weight loss or support maintaining a healthy body weight by increasing the breakdown of fatty acids and reducing toxins stored in fat cells. Exercise helps increase the breakdown of Doing physical activity can increase sweat production, promote circulation and increase breathing - all detoxification routes that expel toxins. Like fiber, exercise can also help keep your bowel movements regular, supporting the elimination of toxins via the stool.

• Consider using supportive supplements. Milk thistle and turmeric are two herbs with anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant properties they can support the liver and more effective detoxification. Completing a functional medicine liver detox seasonally is also a great way to restore any nutrient deficiencies and effectively remove excess toxicities that accumulate in the body and increase the toxic load on the liver.

• Incorporate self-care activities into your wellness routine.This can include daily dry brushing, coffee enemas and massage. These actions can help by improving circulation, promoting lymph flow and drainage and promoting more efficient elimination of toxins overall.

Your liver is your body's essential built-in detoxification organ. Completing a Functional Medicine detox provides all the nutrients and herbs your body needs to support and upregulate both phases of liver detoxification as well as promote the effective and safe elimination of stored toxins. It is a science-backed powerful weight loss, wellness and anti-aging solution that can rebalance the body at a deeper level by restoring nutrient deficiencies and removing accumulated toxicities. (Blog source)

Want to learn more? Book a complimentary consultation now!

Understanding Toxins and Detox

In our increasingly industrialized world, chemicals are everywhere. We have relied upon these chemicals to help us grow our food, provide our water supply, build our homes, and cure our diseases.

In many ways, these chemicals have been crucial to our development and growth in modern society. But many doctors and researchers have also recognized that some of these chemicals can be toxic and cause serious health problems for those who are exposed to them over time.

The good news is that by understanding the effect of these toxic chemicals, you take steps to avoid an abundance of toxins in your system so that you can feel balanced and well.

Our Body's Response to Toxicity

When many are first introduced to the idea of toxicity as a health issue, they often wonder why their body can't process the chemicals they encounter. After all, if we are all being exposed to the same chemicals, why isn't everyone sick? Doesn't our body filter out toxins?

The short answer is yes. In fact, keeping toxins out of the blood is one of the primary roles your kidneys and liver play in your body. Detoxifying the body is an essential function, and when you are properly nourished, well-rested, and have access vitality in your cells, your body can keep the toxins at bay.

However, when there is a toxicity overload, symptoms can include fatigue, skin issues and unusual body odors.

Identifying Toxicity In Your Environment

Below are some sources of toxicity that may be contributing to your symptoms.

1. Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are an often overlooked source of toxicity, especially because some amount of these metals is present in everyone's body. Toxicity is a matter of the body becoming overloaded by these heavy metals. The biggest culprits are arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury.

While regulators have caught on to the dangers of many of these heavy metals and have taken some steps to reduce our exposure, all of these compounds were used for decades in everything from lead pipes carrying our drinking water to mercury fillings inside our teeth.

2. Synthetic Foods

The foods we eat on a daily basis can be another source of toxicity. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are developed in a lab in order to tolerate pesticide use and are prominently used in the production of staple crops like soy and corn, ultimately finding their way into almost all processed foods.

Other toxins in our foods include hormones, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. In general, if you are ingesting a diet high in processed foods, fast foods, and industrially raised meat or dairy products, there's a good chance that the food you're eating is making you feel unwell.

3. Occupational Risks and Home Environment

Millions of workers in the United States are exposed to chemicals that can cause system toxicity, including those in food services, cosmetology, health care, mechanics, and construction.

And it's not just at work. Our home environment is rife with toxic exposure from the synthetic carpets we walk on to the metal fixtures in our showers. Compounded with the fact that we spend the majority of our time at home indoors, the result is increased exposure to toxic chemicals.

4. Electrosmog (EMFs)

The level of exposure to electromagnetic frequencies in our world today — from computers to cell phones to television sets — is unprecedented in the history of humanity. However, researchers are only just beginning to understand how this exposure can cause increased toxicity in the body.

Toxicity and Your Gut

All of this toxic exposure can cause ongoing damage inside of your gut, which is inextricably linked to your immune system, with about 80% of the cells in your immune system residing in your gut.

When your body is inundated with toxins, your immune system unsuccessfully tries to manage the onslaught. This can lead to an overgrowth of the bacteria and fungi that naturally populate your gut and aid digestion. Eventually, your body must deal with two levels of invasion: clearing toxins from external sources and then managing the overgrowth of bacteria or Candida in your gut.

Ultimately, your digestive system can stop functioning properly and you end up without the nutrients you need to properly energize your cells — making it even more difficult for your body to maintain a healthy balance.

Getting on the Path to Wellness

If you think you're suffering from a toxin overload, you may want to perform a Functional Medicine detox, which can decrease inflammation and toxins in your body. It does so by temporarily removing problematic foods while simultaneously improving the detoxifying power of your liver.

Another option is an at-home toxicity test. Take Casey, for example. Casey was a 45-year-old accountant who had to walk on crutches, was barely able to eat solid foods, and had no answers in terms of what could be making him sick. Before his career in accounting, he had spent several years in his youth working as a firefighter. The amount of toxic exposure firefighters experience can be extremely high, especially since when homes burn, and a wide variety of toxic chemicals are released.

When he completed his toxicity test, it became clear that toxic exposure was wreaking havoc on his body.

Casey was then given a personalized protocol to help him rid his body of these chemicals and fortify it with the missing minerals and vitamins he needed to rebuild. In a few months, he was back on his feet and feeling better than he had in years.

Through our understanding of toxicity in our environment and how toxic exposure happens, we can mitigate and manage how much toxicity we subject our bodies to, find ways to detoxify and finally feel well. (Blog source)

If you’re the type of person who values their health and wellbeing, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

What is a TRUE detox?

When you hear “detox” you probably think of the ads you’ve seen for those gimmicky “detox” teas/smoothies, or even diet pills. These products couldn’t be any further from a true Functional Medicine Detox. A lot of people ask, “Why do you need to do a liver detox? Doesn’t your liver do that on its own?” Well, yes… BUT it’s not that simple.

Fat soluble toxins enter the liver including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, food additives, alcohol, heavy metals, and more. The 1st phase of detoxification requires nutrients like B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic acid, and Glutathione, just to name a few. The 2nd phase requires amino acids like NAC, Glycine, Taurine, Glutamine, Cysteine, and Methionine. This turns toxins into water-soluble waste that can then be excreted via urine, sweat, breath, bile, and stool.

This is an oversimplification of the detox process but helps to understand what the body NEEDS to complete this essential process. You won’t get these crucial nutrients in those gimmicky products mentioned above.

Ideally, you’re eating a plenty of fruits and vegetables to support the liver’s function. Unfortunately this isn’t the case if you’re used to eating the Standard American Diet, so these toxins start to pile up into what I call the “Toxin Tank.” With over 200,000 man-made chemicals in the world today, and about half of those being listed as possible carcinogens, and even some approved for consumption, it’s no wonder our bodies are having more and more difficulty staying healthy.

When our "toxin tank" fills so much that it begins to overflow, that's when we start to see disease. It’s a common misconception that genetics determine our fate, however there’s a saying that says, “Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger.” Essentially, your environment determines whether you’re in a state of health or dis-ease, and genetics determine how that dis-ease presents itself — whether it’s heart disease, Alzheimers, arthritis, or something else that runs in your family.

Additionally, even if you ARE eating a whole foods diet that contains phase 1 & 2 nutrients, our soil has become so depleted through mono-cropping and mistreatment of our earth, that our crops just don’t contain the same amount of nutrients that they once did.

By now, you’re probably realizing that our livers are overloaded and need support. This is why quarterly Functional Medicine Liver Detoxes are NECESSARY. Only a true Functional Medicine Detox will contain the Phase 1 and 2 nutrients mentioned above to support the liver in its natural processes.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to do them alone. Every quarter, the Love Energy Wellness community completes a detox together. When you join our private Facebook group, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get access to live videos each day of the detox, and connect with others on the same journey to make lasting connections. Also within the group, you’ll find a FREE detox course — so if you’re ready to learn more be sure to join today.

If you want to stay in the know of when our community comes to together to detox, be sure to join our email list below.

If you’re curious about how else Integrative Health can help you sleep deeper, find your ideal weight, slow the aging process, and increase your energy levels, click below to sign up for your complimentary consultation!