If you read my blog, Should You Worry About Heavy Metals, you know heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with a high atomic weight and density at least five times greater than water. The toxicity level of heavy metals depends on several factors, including the dose, route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, injection, etc.), chemical species, and the age, gender, genetics, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. Unfortunately, we’re exposed to them constantly, which is why it’s so important to detox from them regularly.

The mainstream will tell you detoxing isn’t possible. For instance, The Guardian states:

“There’s no such thing as ‘detoxing’. In medical terms, it’s a nonsense. Diet and exercise is the only way to get healthy.”

They go on to say how all detoxes are fads and state:

“Detoxing – the idea that you can flush your system of impurities and leave your organs squeaky clean and raring to go – is a scam (1).”

That’s a bit of an exaggeration regarding the purpose of detoxification. Nonetheless, why do you think patients are expected to cleanse their colon with excessive use of Miralax before a colonoscopy? It’s a form of detoxification, just using toxin-filled pharmaceutical products.

The mainstream acknowledges that enhancing and rejuvenating the body’s natural detoxification system is possible. But wouldn’t improving your detoxification system, in turn, result in detoxing the body?

If your detoxification pathways are clogged or not being supported properly, they can’t detox. Some of these so-called “fads” are enhancing and rejuvenating what your body is naturally supposed to be doing. The thing is, these bodily functions may be hindered due to everyday toxin exposure.

I’m not suggesting taking Miralax, but a regimen intended to remove toxins and impurities from the body – just as the definition of detoxing means (2).

Although many mainstream sources will say detoxing isn’t possible, science proves otherwise.

How to Detox Heavy Metals

Before starting a detox, one must understand that detoxing comes in three parts – opening overburdened detox pathways, removing built-up toxins, and supporting the body. The detoxing process is much more complex than the mainstream’s “squeaky clean” claim. Since the process is complex, let’s discuss each part of detoxing and break them down into manageable steps.

Part 1: Opening Overburdened Detox Pathways & Eliminating Toxins

The first part of detoxing is a two-part process – opening overburdened detox pathways like the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and bowel and eliminating built-up toxins. Our bodies help us detox from all the junk around us. But if we are exposed to many toxins at once, the detox pathways can become sluggish and overworked. The first step is to help them work normally again!

Once the detox pathways are open and functioning, that’s half the battle! The body is working better independently, which is the whole goal. Now you’re ready for the second part of detoxing – removing built-up toxins. Toxins build up throughout the body, usually in fat, muscles, lymphatic fluid, blood, or the brain. It can be dangerous to loosen these toxins if the detox organs aren’t open and working correctly. If detox organs aren’t open, the body can’t eliminate the toxins; they’ll circulate, causing further damage within. Many “detox plans” don’t emphasize this enough.

Opening up overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins can be tricky and may look different for everyone, depending on where you are on your journey. I recommend starting with the beginner steps and working through the intermediate and advanced steps in combination with the steps prior, maximizing your detoxing potential.

Beginner steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

• Increase water consumption to help flush toxins out.
• Ensure you get enough electrolytes (e.g., consider incorporating coconut or electrolyte water).

Intermediate steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

• Encourage sweat production (e.g., exercise and sauna therapy).
• Focus on consuming whole foods.

Advanced steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

• Eliminate liver disruptors (e.g., alcohol and medications like acetaminophen).
• Limit toxin exposure (e.g., consider toxin-free cleaning supplies).

Incorporate herbs that help detox heavy metals (e.g., chlorella, spirulina, and Oregon grape root) or use a product like Heavy Metal & Chemical Binder from Global Healing.

Part 2: Supporting The Body

While detoxing, you should support your entire body – liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, gut, immune system, and adrenals. Not doing this step is often the #1 detox mistake. Like the previous section, I recommend starting with the beginner steps and working through the intermediate and advanced steps to maximize your body’s detoxing potential.

Beginner steps for supporting your body:

• Support liver health (e.g., use 100% pure, cold pressed, and hexane-free castor oil and take liver-supporting herbs like black seeds, milk thistle, and dandelion).
• Support kidney health (e.g., use kidney-supporting herbs like cranberries, astragalus, cleavers, and yellow dock).

Intermediate steps for supporting your body:

• Support lymphatic health (e.g., dry brushing or lymphatic massage techniques and MaryRuth’s Organic Kidney & Bladder Liquid Extract.).
• Support the immune system (e.g., use immune-supporting herbs like echinacea and elderberry, and take supplements like The Brother’s Apothecary’s Super Citrus Capsules).

Advanced steps for supporting your body:

• Support gut health (e.g., drink kombucha, take gut-supporting herbs like peppermint and pumpkin seeds, and use cleanses like The Brother’s Apothecary’s Cosmic Cleanse).
• Support adrenal health (e.g., take adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and Schisandra or supplements like MaryRuth’s Organic Adrenal & Focus Liquid Extract).

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

Aside from the #1 detox mistake of not supporting your body’s natural detox pathways, one must remember to not let their body return to this state again. This can be hard, especially considering we live in a toxin-filled world, which is why I recommend detoxing every few months, especially after vacations (check out my post-vacation detox protocol), to ensure the body doesn’t become overburdened again.

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