Your body has an excellent set of systems in place for ridding your body of toxins and waste. Part of good health is maintaining these systems so they work as efficiently as possible. Commercial detox programs aren’t proven by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as effective, and some are downright dangerous. The safest way to cleanse and prepare your body for pregnancy is to practice a healthy lifestyle that you can continue into your pregnancy.
Step 1
Drink an adequate amount of fluid each day. Water helps carry waste and toxins out of your body. Water also carries vital nutrients to your body systems, which allows them cleansing your body effectively. Follow the 8-by-8 rule, recommends MayoClinic.com. Drink eight 8-oz. glasses per day.
Step 2
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals your body needs to break down toxins, flush them away and repair damaged cells and tissues. Opt for fresh produce when possible to avoid chemical food preservatives.
Step 3
Get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day. When you get your heart rate up, your body more actively flushes toxins and lymph fluids. You also flush them through increased respiration and sweat. Exercise helps maintain good health and a healthy weight, which helps keep your lungs, kidneys and liver — three organs important to detox — functioning at a high level.
Step 4
Eat plenty of fiber to move waste products in the colon out of your body. If you don’t eat enough fiber, toxins could remain in your colon and become impacted. Choose fruits, vegetables and whole grains to increase your fiber.
Step 5
Choose organic foods when possible to limit the amount of pesticides and soil additives you take into your body. Eat grass-fed meat with no hormones. Wash all your produce thoroughly before eating, even organic produce.
Step 6
Minimize your exposure to toxins. Quit smoking right away and avoid second-hand smoke. Steer clear of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and home improvement products. Limit the amount of products you use on your body. All of these toxins must be processed by your liver, and as your body works hard to remove them, it’s paying less attention to removing naturally occurring toxins and wastes in your blood stream.
