Detox the Cal-a-Vie Way

Our bodies are incredibly resilient- on a daily basis, we naturally detoxify from exposure to many harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, toxins in cleaning supplies and personal care products, poor air quality, chemicals in plastics, and hundreds more compounds we do not even realize we are exposed to.

With our daily toxin burden so high, over time we can experience a significant loss of wellbeing. Those who have high toxin levels may experience chronic fatigue, weight gain, muscle loss, inflammation, microbiome disruption, skin conditions, respiratory ailments, sluggish metabolism, loss of focus and memory lapses. It is essential to support the body in its natural detox processes, and ideally identify the root causes that contribute to our toxin burden.

To understand how to support the body in detoxifying, it is important to understand how our main pathway of detoxification takes place. One of our major detox organs is the liver. Detox happens in three phases. Phase one is activation, where the body recognizes a toxin, activates enzymes to process toxins, and makes the toxins water soluble so that they are easier to get rid of. Using food as medicine, support phase one by including more cruciferous vegetables in the diet, such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and arugula.

Phase two is neutralization, where the toxin has actually become even more toxic and must be neutralized in the liver. Focus on getting adequate high-quality protein in the diet, since amino acids that come from protein are essential to facilitate this step. Glutathione, our master antioxidant also directly supports liver detox processes. It is helpful to supplement with glutathione to ensure that one is getting a therapeutic dosage of this protective antioxidant.

The last phase of detox is elimination, which mainly occurs through urination and regular bowel movements. To support daily elimination, aim to get adequate fiber (avocado, berries, beans, chia seeds, and dark leafy greens are some good sources). If you struggle with constipation, you are holding onto more toxins for longer periods of time, so prioritizing regularity is critical. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water per day and utilize magnesium 30 minutes to one hour before bed to support regularity.

Guests at Cal‑a‑Vie can look forward to detoxification from many angles- nourishing foods detoxify the body from the inside out, supporting the liver and optimizing digestion and elimination. We strive to serve organic ingredients whenever possible, which drastically reduces exposure to toxic herbicides and pesticides found in conventionally grown foods.

To dive even deeper into detoxification, attend a lecture that guides you through science-based ways to detoxify and cleanse the body from toxins, or learn tangible ways detoxify your kitchen and home environment. Guests can even take advantage of in-depth toxin screening lab panels, which include a complementary lab review consult with one of our functionally trained dietitians who provide in-depth recommendations on diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes to lower your toxin burden and restore wellbeing.