BY Anastiscia Lang, BCTN, ND, CHNP, CHN
And when that happens, those toxins have to go somewhere.
They flood your body – and you begin to suffer the negative consequences.
Things like:
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Allergic reactions and sensitivities
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Weight gain
- Rashes, breakouts, skin issues
- Sleep problems
Here’s the good news: you actually have control over your toxic load.
This means you can take steps to avoid that bucket overflow and effectively release those toxins.
There are 4 toxic factors that are incredibly simple to shift – and getting ahead of them now means your bucket won’t overflow.
- Food.
If you’re eating processed grains, convenience-prepared foods, or non-organic food containing pesticides, then you’re literally eating toxins.
When I run functional lab tests on clients, we see firsthand the havoc these foods bring to people’s digestive systems.
Thankfully, eating more foods without labels is an easy way to address this toxin source.
You can make simple food swaps to avoid toxins and still enjoy what you eat! (Trust me on this—I’m a huge foodie.)
- Nutrient deficiencies.
This one goes hand-in-hand with your food choices. The more pre-prepared and restaurant / take-out food you eat, the more your body becomes deficient in crucial nutrients.
On the flip side, when you eat a diet rich in unprocessed fruit, veggies, good quality meat, healthy whole grains, nuts, legumes, and dairy from goats and sheep…
You help fuel your mitochondria – which is how you produce energy at a cellular level.
- Chronic stress.
These days, stress is the norm. From getting cut off on the freeway to having a next-day work deadline thrown at you…
These seemingly “normal” daily occurrences actually trigger our “fight-or-flight” response – throwing our bodies into stress mode.
One of the best antidotes to our modern stressors is mindfulness practices. Incorporate a daily routine into your life: scripture reading, meditation, morning gratitude journaling, or something else you find calming… and see what shifts!
- Poor sleep.
It’s not uncommon for chronic sleep deprivation to be a factor in reduced mitochondrial function.
In fact, it actually shows up on lab tests as elevated cortisol levels or markers for brain inflammation and dysregulated neurotransmitters.
I highly recommend at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
Use these tips to help your bedroom feel inviting and peaceful, like a massage room at a spa:
- Make your room cold and dark
- Eliminate clutter
- Surround yourself with soothing colors (white, cream, soft blue or green)
- Change your sheets often
- Use a weighted blanket to release stress
Of course, you don’t need to make all these changes at once.
If you feel a little overwhelmed, A) it’s totally normal. And B) My professional advice is to start with food.
Think about it… you probably eat at least 3 times a day. Reducing how many toxins you introduce to your body will help your internal “scrubber” organs process the backlog of chemicals in your cells.
Over time, your energy will return, your skin will clear and brighten, and your brain power will reboot!
Let’s stop your bucket from overflowing. Make your Naturopathic Consult Today!