In the mood for lightness? With the warm weather, a “detox” is a must to eliminate toxins from the body and cleanse the liver and kidneys.
The importance of spring detox
The warm season is here and surprises us bloated, heavy, and perhaps even tired with digestive difficulties. However, with the coming summer, there is the desire for “lightness” and – due to the rising temperature – to wear light clothes that leave us more uncovered.
A “back in shape” starting with an effective detox action is therefore urgently needed because, in many cases, the problem is a stagnation of excess fluids and toxins that are difficult to eliminate.
Sometimes, they accumulate on the thighs, buttocks, and legs, also causing unsightly cellulite pads. In other cases, however, the sense of heaviness, tiredness, and digestive difficulties may be due to an accumulation of waste in the liver, making its detoxification necessary, for example. Or it could also be the “weight” of the extra kilos, some of which we want to eliminate in view of the swimsuit test, perhaps with an effective detox method to lose weight.
Water retention: causes and symptoms
It is not easy to recognize the difference between cellulite and water retention.
Water retention is a widespread disorder, especially among women, mainly due to the intake of estrogen or birth control pills, but men are also affected. It is often caused by sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy nutrition, such as excessive salt consumption.
The most evident signs of this subcutaneous and intracellular fluid accumulation are:
- diffuse cellulite panniculus;
- heaviness;
- swelling in the legs, but also hands, feet, and face.
Phytotherapeutics and remedies for water retention
To counteract fluid stagnation, one can resort to phytoextracts from nature as excellent natural remedies for water retention:
- Birch and Hawkweed, thanks to their high flavonoid contents, provide an anti-edematous and draining action, proving to be precious allies for reducing water retention and associated swelling;
- Coumarins and flavonoids, which Ash is rich in, inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and stimulate diuresis;
- The humble – and irritating! – Nettle has diuretic and anti-gout properties;
- Horsetail, thanks to the silicic acid, provides a powerful diuretic and anti-inflammatory action, which is also helpful for the urinary tract.
If, however, the excretory organs, primarily the liver, are those struggling to dispose of all the excess waste accumulated during the winter months, the natural purification of the liver and kidneys should focus on extracts of:
- Dandelion and Milk Thistle that promote the body’s purifying functions;
- Phyllanthus and Boldo that favor the hepatic function;
- Black Horseradish and Fennel that can promote digestive function.
Water retention and heaviness: here are the best precautions
Together with an effective detox treatment, a change in eating habits will be necessary to prevent further stagnation, limiting foods with a high sodium content, often “hidden” (e.g., crackers, rusks, cold cuts, etc.), and favoring fresh foods, rich in fiber and water, such as seasonal vegetables and fruit.
Regular low-intensity aerobic activity, including long walks, swimming, and cycling, will also be important.
Finally, when you feel weighed down because of a few extra pounds, you can resort to meal replacements, foods with all nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals). They help maintain and control body weight and can replace a meal during the day, especially if we do not have time or opportunity to cook a balanced menu because we are not home.
