by Anna R. Dias N.D.
A new time of the year, the weather warms up, the sun sets later and later each day, our moods instantly brightens, and it is the season to recharge.
Cleansing the body is a great way to help eliminate toxins from our organs, including to help repair, revitalize and prevent disease. Therefore, there is a huge emphasis in the naturopathy field for purification of the system. We are what we eat!
As we know there are different means of elimination through the body such as kidney’s, liver, lymphatic system, colon, blood, skin and lungs. And the importance to keep the body tuned up and unclogged, is a major factor to reduce chronic ailments. Since, there are so many new products in the market to cleanse our bodies, choosing the most suitable one can be challenging.
So, I have decided to list some primary items that we should always keep in our pantry or fridge, to ease the cleansing process and create a better-quality life starting now.
Let us go through some of the important sources, which I believe can make a difference in our everyday health.
- The good old table salt, what is salt and what we should look for in a salt.
Facts: Table salt is more heavily processed to eliminate minerals and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping. Sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value, even though sea salt is often promoted as being healthier. Sea salt and table salt contain comparable amounts of sodium by weight.
What about Pink Himalayan salt?
As you can see, table salt may have more sodium, but pink Himalayan salt contains more calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. Nevertheless, the amounts of these minerals in pink Himalayan salt are very, very small. Refined salt lacks minerals and causes acidosis (lowered pH). Our bodies were meant to function optimally with adequate mineral levels and adequate salt intake. Conventional refined table salt (the white salt most of us grew up using) simply doesn’t give your body the minerals it needs to most effectively use sodium. So how do we take pleasure from eating, as well as reap the benefits. There are plenty of alternative salts, low sodium salts, spice herbs. Still, their times we all need to use real salt. I am yet to see, a home that does not carry salt. It is mostly the old fashion regular table salt, sea salt or even iodized salt, some others going through a conscientious path are using a higher quality salt.
What about unrefined salt?
Unrefined sea salt has become increasingly mainstream in the last few years, and its fans rave constantly about it—specifically, about its preferable flavor as well as its health benefits.
Unrefined salts contain several essential mineral electrolytes that improve hydration which is not included in refined salts.
- Raw honey (unpasteurized)
If you are wondering why it is important.
Fact: Sugar is higher on the glycemic index (GI) than honey, meaning it raises blood sugar levels more quickly. This is due to its higher fructose content, and the absence of trace minerals. But honey has slightly more calories than sugar, although it is sweeter, so less may be required. (reference)
Since, most people feel the need for some sugar in their daily lives including those struggling with hypoglycemia and weight problems, that constantly crave for sugar. We must understand, any sweeteners added, might worsen our cravings, increase your insulin level in our blood, body aging and even be detrimental to your immune system.
Everything is a balance, our bodies function optimally with 25g of sugar per day. Be ready to have on your kitchen counter a bottle of raw honey, it is the best substitute if you must have some sugar and is best eaten with large meal, not alone or between meals.
*Important to know, raw honey should not be given to children under 2 years of age.
- Olive oil and Olive leaf
It is no surprise; cold pressed olive oil should be what we are using at home. Although, Cooking oils, olive in particular, are very commonly mislabeled as being higher quality than they are, or adulterated with other, cheaper oils that are not identified, a practice that dates back to ancient Rome. So, it is important to shop around, look at the various products which have proper testing and ensure what is written on the label is really in the bottle. Do the research!! It might take a few hours or days but in the long run, the outcome will be a favorable one.
Facts: Olive oil and olive leaf extract “are both products of the olive plant, but the leaves contain much higher concentrations of the therapeutic substance oleuropein than is found in the fruit where the oil is derived. (Passler, 2018)
Surely there are many other sources equally important in carrying out a healthy body and mind. Nevertheless, it is a start of a solid foundation with a more natural, simple, continuation of self- transformation. Certainly, it can help ease other heights of cleansing.
Wishing Good Health and Good Living Anna R. Dias N.D
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