If you have been struggling to lose a few unwanted extra pounds, lack of motivation, and low energy lately, all of these symptoms might be connected. These are all signs of a poorly functioning, overly taxed digestive system. A digestive system detox can not only make you feel better overall, it can also put your body on the path to losing extra pounds you have been battling.

Your Digestive System 

Your gut is the first line of defense against everything you put into your body. When you eat less than ideal food, like many of us in our modern world, your gut has to digest, absorb, and eliminate it. This means that the gut is the first place in your body that is impacted by harmful toxins and unhealthy food ingredients. 

Over time, the digestive system becomes overwhelmed by poor lifestyle choices. What results is a sluggish gut that unable to process food in the correct way. As the gut struggles with the overwhelming toxic overload of our modern lives, it becomes inflamed, which starts sending inflammatory “help” signals to the rest of the body. 

When the body is struggling with inflammation, this makes it even more difficult to let go of excess body weight. It also holds on to excess water, giving you that “bloated” feeling known as edema. Since the body believes it is in survival mode, it doesn’t know when it will need that extra body fat to stay alive, it is only trying to protect itself. In the end, inflammation in the gut results in holding on to excess fat and fluids, as well as a constant feeling of fatigue. 

A poorly functioning gut impacts other systems as well. The liver, kidneys, skin, and gut must all work together to detoxify the body. The liver processes and neutralizes toxins, then they are excreted via the kidneys and gut. 

Detoxification in the liver requires several different vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. If these are not available, due to poor digestion, the liver cannot do its job. This means a nutrient poor diet can be one reason why the toxins start to build up. 

In addition, if one of the detoxification organs, like the digestive system, is not able to properly process or excrete toxins, the entire body is impacted. The toxins continue to build up and the result is the same- fatigue, weight gain, and eventually chronic disease.

How to Detox Your Digestive System for Weight Loss

Even with the popularity of detox diets, the word “toxin” does not have a formal definition. It can be defined as any external substance that causes harm to the body, which can vary from person to person. Generally, it is accepted that toxins might include chemicals, drugs, processed foods, heavy metals, pesticides, alcohol, and environmental pollutants.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to purchase any “special” products to help your body detoxify. The popularity of detoxification is increasing, with our highly toxic world, but most “detox” programs you will see available are just a ploy to get you to purchase unnecessary supplements or to try to survive on juice alone. These programs will generally not give you the long-term results you are looking for. Many may have unwanted side effects, such as extreme diarrhea or weight gain due to lean muscle loss. 

Your body is actually able to detox quite well on its own, if given the correct supportive nutrients from real food. A healthy digestive system detox for weight loss should be focused on a macro- and micronutrient rich diet. The goal of eating nutrient dense foods is to support optimal function of the liver, gut, and kidneys. These organs have an amazing ability to repair themselves and the rest of the body, if given a chance.

Additionally, there must be an anti-inflammatory component of any detox diet to help heal and repair the gut. There are many foods such as sugar, processed foods, alcohol, gluten, and dairy that are inflammatory for many people. These should be eliminated on any detox protocol. 

For some people the list of inflammatory foods is longer. These are foods that you are sensitive to and that trigger the inflammatory process in your body. If you think you might be sensitive to certain foods, it is important to work with a trained practitioner to help you identify problematic foods before randomly eliminating foods (and healthy nutrients) from your diet.

By supporting the gut, liver, and kidneys, the body can begin to regulate its own hormones, fluid balance, and metabolism. Eventually, this results in better metal function, increased energy and easier weight loss.

The Body Revive Digestive System Detox

One of the central pillars of the Body Revive Program is a digestive system detox. I believe that any program to improve health and well-being has to focus on this step first, or you will not see the results you are looking for. 

The 28 days of the program start with a whole food diet and clean eating plan. The program is designed to naturally support the healing and function of the body’s detox organs, including the digestive tract. 

This is not a calorie-restricted elimination diet. The purpose is not for you to suffer or feel deprived. The program focuses on eliminating the inflammatory foods discussed above, while filling your diet with detox-supporting foods. You will be eating more satisfying high fiber, unprocessed foods with a low toxic load. 

A whole health approach must also address other lifestyle aspects that impact digestion beyond diet. This is why the Body Revive program includes support around sleep, physical activity, and stress management. Even if you eat a perfect diet, if your digestive system is not well supported in these other lifestyle areas, your body will not be able to naturally detoxify. 

The goal is a well-supported natural detoxification system that will provide adequate fuel and nutrients, support energy metabolism, and increase your overall well-being. It can be thought of as a program that will help rebuild your foundation towards health. Weight loss is almost always a desirable side effect. 

I created the Body Revive Diet, to help you reset your digestive system and take back control of your body, your health, and your life. You can do this! For more information about the program, head over to this page.