Want to detoxify your body preconception?
- Toxins can be found virtually everywhere: in the food and water we consume; in the chemicals used to prepare or grow food; and even from the air.
- Toxins are easily passed on to your baby in utero.
- You can safely detox with a combination of key nutrients, organic foods and filtered water.
Now that you are preparing to conceive, it is time to prepare your home for your child. No need to start painting the nursery just yet. Instead, focus on the home your unborn child will have for its first nine months of development. That’s right: It is time to prepare your own body for pregnancy.
One of the best ways to prepare your body for the arrival of its new resident is to detoxify. That is, to limit oneself from exposure to toxins, and to rid the body of the toxic substances it has accumulated.
Toxic dangers lurking in your body
Many toxins act as endocrine disruptors, meaning that they interfere with your body’s natural hormonal activities. This can make it difficult for women to conceive, and it can also lead to semen-producing issues in men. This alone is probably enough reason to start that detox process; however, there is more. Even if you can conceive, those nasty chemicals can cross the placental barrier and have an impact on your growing baby. In fact, research has found that babies are born with dangerous toxic substances already in their systems.
How can you know if you have toxins?
Unfortunately, we are all walking around with toxic invaders. Some people have more than others, and some have more harmful types of toxins in their bodies. It is highly impractical to walk into your doctor’s office and ask her to test for every known toxin. Still, because chemicals are present virtually everywhere, it is safe to assume that your body is exposed to some level of toxicity. The toxins that your doctor can test for include metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead. Significant accumulations of any of these can cause serious health problems for you and your child, so you may want to test before and after a detox to ensure you have effectively removed them.
Ways to detoxify naturally
- Eliminate known toxins from your daily routine – Do not smoke or drink alcohol. Avoid all processed foods and beverages. Avoid coffee and other sources of caffeine. Avoid using chemical cleaning products and other household chemicals if possible.
- Fill your diet with organic fruits, vegetables and herbs – Add as many of the following foods to your diet as possible during a detox. Organic varieties will not add toxins to your body, and these powerful foods will aid your body’s natural detoxification system.
- Leafy greens – These are high in chlorophyll, which naturally absorbs environmental toxins, increases bile production, and neutralises heavy metals.
- Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage – These veggies help the liver turn toxins into something your body can eliminate with ease.
- Basil – This herb is filled with antioxidants to help protect the liver
- Pineapple – Pineapple contains a unique substance called bromelain, which helps improve digestion and cleanse the colon
- Citrus fruits – The vitamin C in citrus fruits help the liver turn toxins into water-soluble substances that can be easily eliminated by the body.
- Eat organic meat and dairy or none at all – The most effective detox diets are simple and allow the body to focus on eliminating toxins. Meat and dairy require more effort for the body to eliminate than fruits and vegetables, which can divert resources away from the detoxification process. If you feel you must consume meat and dairy during a detox, be sure it is organic and antibiotic-free.
- Drink filtered water – Sodas and commercially made juices are likely to contain excessive amounts of sugar and chemical preservatives. Instead, opt for filtered water. To jazz things up, you may add a splash of lemon or lime (also great detoxifiers). Try to drink at least 8 8-ounce glasses each day to help flush toxins from your system.
Author: Dr Zeenobiyah McGowan, PhD, an expert on women’s health and helping couples conceive naturally. Dr McGowan is a mother of one beautiful girl. She is the editor-in-chief of OvulationCalendar.com and also founded Impact Humanity, a charity that helps underprivileged children access basic necessities, such as food and education, in Kenya.
Love to pin? Share the love…
