A 5 Step Guide to Detoxing, The Youngevity Way

Posted: April 1, 2024 | By: Shanon Peckham

With spring cleaning so recently at the top of our minds (and to-do lists), you may be considering ways to cleanse your body too. Grab your body scrub, TrueDetox Tea^TM, and gather ‘round. Today we’re talking all things detox!

What is a detox and how does it work?

Detox diets and products, which have been around since the 1940s,¹ are a popular go-to for people who are looking to flush their system of harmful toxins or substances. When done properly, a natural cleanse can benefit your overall health and set you up for a healthier lifestyle in the future.

A detox routine can be as gentle or vigorous as you want it to be, and they’re super easy to do! The best part is that before you’ve even started your detox, half the work is already done thanks to your body’s natural self-healing, detoxifying systems. Give your body what it needs to thrive, and it will help you clear out the gunk. The rest is up to you!

While there are many paths to a safe and effective full-body detox, these are the top things to consider when pursuing a full-body, natural cleanse:

1. Things to avoid

Many of us love a good glass of wine from time to time or enjoy “social drinking” with friends, but if you’re serious about detoxing, definitely skip the alcohol during your cleanse. Alcohol acts as an immunosuppressant, which means every time you drink, you’re stopping your body from healing itself and removing toxins (which is the whole point of the detox).² Alcohol can also be dangerous, especially if you’re taking medications, ingesting certain detox products, or following an intermittent fasting diet.

Processed foods are also a big no-no during a detox. They’re less nutrient-dense than whole foods and more likely to contain synthetic ingredients, dyes, chemicals, fillers, preservatives, and other potentially damaging additives. Studies have tied food dyes to carcinogens and tumors,^3,4 additives to cancer and endocrine disruptions,^5,6 and fillers to weight gain.⁷ Definitely not what we want to put in our bodies, especially during a detox.

Likewise, when shopping for supplements or skincare products, be wary of a price that seems too good to be true. Super cheap products may be less likely to be sustainably sourced, professionally reviewed, or quality controlled, potentially leaving you with a product that could create unwanted side effects. Dermatologist Dr. Dan Aires sums it up well:⁸ “Dollar stores are a good place to stock up on party decorations…but for things that go directly into your body, it’s worth spending a little more.”

Lastly, if you plan to fast as part of your detox, head over here to read more about how to pursue intermittent fasting safely.

2. Nurture the good bacteria

Have you heard about the cleaner fish that essentially act like little housekeepers for sharks, following them around and keeping them squeaky clean?⁹ Humans have a similar symbiosis going on, just on a microscopic level. Microorganisms live on and in various parts of our bodies, and they’re actually really good for our health. We call this web of microorganisms our microbiome, and it helps regulate our immune system. It protects us from invading pathogens, supports our metabolic systems, helps prevent chronic diseases, and may even influence our mental health.^10,11,12 This is why overuse of antibiotics can be so risky,^13,14 and why you should do everything you can to nurture your microbiome. We recommend flushing your system with all-natural nutrients like antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, botanicals, juices, and botanicals. After your detox, make sure to prioritize prebiotics and probiotics, which will help replenish and support your microbiome.¹⁵

Here are some of our favorite supplements to help get you started:

LiverPure Detox Kit – Supports a natural liver detox with vitamins, pure lemon juice, and a proprietary blend of botanicals.
TrueZyme – Supports a healthy digestive system and liver with vitamins, probiotics, enzymes, and a targeted nutritional blend.
TrueCleanse – Helps your body cleanse with alkaline ingredients, vitamins, and beneficial antioxidants.

Or buy all 3 in 1 with our 30 Day Detox kit!

3. Give your liver and kidneys what they need to thrive

Our liver and kidneys are two of the most important filtration systems in our bodies. Our kidneys filter our blood, removing waste, balancing the body’s fluids, and producing hormones that keep a bunch of our other systems running smoothly.¹⁶ Our liver has over 500 documented functions (wow!), including the regulation of chemicals, sugar, blood clotting, and the removal of toxins.¹⁷

When it comes to detoxing the body, it’s essential we take good care of these two systems. Making sure your body gets a steady supply of nutrient-rich foods and plenty of water is a good place to start – this will help your body generate enough glucose and fatty acids to fuel both organs.^18,19 Next, make sure to keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control;²⁰ we recommend Slender FX™ Sweet Eze™ for metabolic support and ProCardio FX™ for cardiovascular support. Lastly, you can supplement to help with the deficiencies associated with liver disease by taking vitamin A and zinc.²¹ Amino acids, the building blocks of life, and omega 3s may also help support your liver and kidneys.^19,22

Aside from limiting alcohol use, you can also protect these systems by avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular check-ups, and doing what you can to avoid chemicals.^23,24

4. Support yourself at the cellular level

As you read this, many cellular cleanup processes are happening in your body. Pretty amazing, right? Here are some of the body’s most important detoxifying mechanisms and how you can better support these processes:

Autophagy is the body’s natural cell cleanup and recycling system. It keeps everything running smoothly by clearing away dead cells (or damaged parts of cells) and reintegrating them back into your system.²⁵ In the long run, this process may help slow cell aging and prevent diseases like cancer, so it’s extremely important for longevity. Autophagy normally happens between meals when your body isn’t processing foods, so pursuing calorie restriction or intermittent fasting can trigger this process more often and help you detox your body faster!^26,27

Free radicals are a natural byproduct of your body’s cell metabolization process.²⁸ If given a chance to build up, they can cause a lot of damage via oxidative stress. Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to the development of chronic degenerative diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Though it’s difficult to know how much oxidative damage each of us has already experienced, changes in behavior and diet together can help us avoid it in the future. Stay away from alcohol, smoking, pollution, and radiation where possible. You can also flush your system with antioxidants, which directly help prevent and repair cells impacted by oxidative damage.²⁹

5. Make the switch to natural cleaner alternatives

Environmental chemicals wreak all kinds of havoc on your system. From the effects you can feel (dizziness, asthma, nausea, burning eyes) to the damage they dole out to your organs and cells (cancer, birth defects, developmental issues), regular exposure to toxic ingredients can impact your health and well-being.³⁰ It’s time to distance yourself from chemicals!

Detoxing your home for better health is pretty simple and well worth it, but it will take a bit of mindfulness to get started. Start by making a list of the products you typically need for cleaning and see if you can find chemical-free household cleaners online or in-store.

You can also choose to mix up some of your own cleaners! You know the baking soda and vinegar you have sitting in your pantry? Ditch the bleach and grab those two for cleaning day instead! The baking soda makes an abrasive, natural scrub, perfect for restoring the shine to your stainless-steel sink or de-griming your stove. The vinegar can be a useful antibacterial spray for surfaces that need a quick wipe down, and is apparently great against hard water stains. You can even mix them if you want to, but the experts say the blend is only effective as long as it’s bubbling!^31,32 Many essential oils also have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic qualities, making them a herbal-scented, plant-based option for refreshing your home.

A note on safety: Be aware that even though some options like this may be chemical-free, it does not mean they are mild, hypoallergenic, or automatically safe to mix. Always make sure to research the safety information of the DIY mixes you want to try ahead of time to make sure it is a safe option for you.

Before You Start Your Detox

While it may seem like the list of essential nutrients your body needs to detox and thrive is impossibly long to keep up with, the truth is that our bodies are extremely complex and do more for us than we can even really conceptualize at the microscopic level. The good news is, with supplements that bundle all the necessary nutrients together, you really only need to worry about purchasing a handful to support your detox journey.

When choosing which supplements to buy, we recommend selecting high-quality blends with more than one key nutrient. Often, ingredients synergize together to support better absorption of the product, so be sure to always read the labels carefully – this will also help you avoid unwanted ingredients, fillers, and ensure the dose will work for your needs. And, as always, make sure you speak to a physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any other potential health concerns before you begin taking a new supplement or detox product for the first time.