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Detox, or detoxification is the process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body.

Toxins are chemicals that we take into our bodies such as oral contraceptives, perfume and after shave, cigarette smoke and alcohol, food additives, pesticides, cleaning agents and Mercury. Our bodies naturally detoxify these chemicals and excrete them via our stools or urine.

So why the need to aid detoxification?

Experts believe that the sheer amount of toxins that we take into our bodies every day via water food and the environment can accumulate. The build up of toxins can be so great that our bodies cannot detoxify efficiently which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, an inefficient metabolism and hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms can be lethargy, dull skin, allergies and occasionally pain. Over time, toxic build up is believed to lead to disease.

A detox diet, using herbs and supplements or a special diet, is believed to help strengthen the organs used for detoxification and promote the excretion of stored toxins through the skin, liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines and lymphatic system.

Detox diets are thought to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. People using detox diets report that it relieves symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue, joint pain and headaches, pmt and irritability, constipation and gas and also improves their skin.

Toxicity symptoms can be similar to other illnesses so before you embark on a detox diet it is best to discuss your symptoms with your health care provider.

Whilst you are on a detox diet, it is quite normal for your symptoms to get worse for a short period, for instance you may experience more headaches and other pains and drier or oilier skin, and this is due to the toxins all passing through your body in large quantities. Generally these symptoms pass within a few days.