What Are the Most Effective Ways to Detox for Autoimmune Disease?

6 Simple Ways to Detox for Autoimmune Disease

If you’re dealing with autoimmune disease, you may be aware that toxins can play a big role in triggering symptoms and flare-ups. The good news is that detoxing from these harmful chemicals doesn’t have to be complicated. Many of my patients see significant improvements in their autoimmune health with these easy detox strategies. Here are six simple ways to help detox your body:

1. Stay Regular

Regular bowel movements are crucial for clearing toxins from your body. Ideally, aim for two to three bowel movements a day, though even just one per day is a step in the right direction if you’re used to going less frequently. When constipation occurs, toxins can get reabsorbed back into the body, which can worsen inflammation and health problems. This process is called fecal reabsorption, and it can lead to an increase in harmful substances in the body.

To keep things moving, make sure you’re eating plenty of fiber, taking a good probiotic supplement, and possibly using magnesium supplements. If constipation is a serious issue, work with a functional medicine provider to improve your digestion.

Other tips to reduce constipation include:

• Drink more water.
• Check for microbial imbalances that may be slowing digestion.
• Reduce stress through activities like meditation and exercise.
• Allow your gut enough rest between meals by spacing out eating times.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Your kidneys play a key role in detoxing the body by filtering out toxins through urine. They help remove metabolic waste, hormone by-products, and industrial toxins like heavy metals. As we age, kidney function can decline, so it’s especially important to stay hydrated to support their detoxifying work.

3. Sweat It Out

Sweating is another great way to help your body get rid of toxins. Exercise is one of the best ways to induce sweating, improve circulation, and clear out harmful substances. Studies show that regular exercise can reduce inflammation and promote detoxification.

Other methods like using saunas or taking Epsom salt baths also encourage sweating and help flush out toxins.

4. Get the Right Nutrients

Methylation is a process that plays a vital role in detoxification. If your body isn’t methylating properly, it could be struggling to clear toxins effectively. To support methylation, your body needs a special form of folate called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), but many people have a genetic mutation that prevents them from producing enough of it. To boost methylation, make sure your B-complex or multivitamin contains 5-MTHF instead of folic acid.

5. Minimize Toxin Exposure

The best way to detox is to avoid toxins in the first place. Toxins like BPA (found in plastics) can contribute to autoimmune issues, and exposure to certain chemicals can even increase the risk of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. While it’s not possible to avoid every toxin, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure:

• Choose personal care products, food containers, and cleaning supplies free from parabens, phthalates, and BPA.
• Be mindful of surprising sources of toxins, like cash register receipts, which often contain BPA. Avoid them when possible.
• Improve your home’s air and water quality with good filters to reduce harmful exposure.

Eating organic foods can also help reduce your toxic burden. Organic produce typically has fewer pesticides and heavy metals than conventionally grown foods.

6. Detox with Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body fight off toxins and inflammation. It’s particularly effective at removing heavy metals and other harmful substances from the body. Increasing your glutathione levels can help defend against oxidative stress, which plays a role in many autoimmune diseases.

To boost glutathione, consider taking liposomal glutathione supplements or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which helps the body produce more glutathione. Other herbs like Gotu kola and milk thistle can also support healthy glutathione levels.

By incorporating these simple detox strategies, you can help reduce the load of toxins in your body, support your immune system, and manage autoimmune disease symptoms more effectively.