Part I: Introduction
Detox is one of the most popular methods of maintaining women's wellness today. The word “detox” is often thrown around loosely and used casually, but what does detoxification mean?
Detoxification refers to the natural removal of toxins from the body carried out by organs like our liver, kidneys, intestines, and lymphatic systems. You may wonder why there is a need to have an additional step towards detoxification since our bodies are capable of removing toxins naturally.
Here’s why: We are exposed to many chemicals daily, whether it is in our foods, the air we breathe, cosmetic products we use, and even other harmful agents used in cleaning- all of which can cause potential damage to the body. As there is no solution to protect yourself from all the toxins in the environment, your body has to constantly detox itself around the clock.
However, some factors affect whether our bodies can detox naturally on their own, such as heavy alcohol intake, not having enough sleep and not drinking enough water. Hence, to make our organs more efficient as well as to protect them, we can adopt healthier practices to flush the toxins out.
With detoxing made popular by Hollywood celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce for weight loss, some detox methods that many have adopted in Singapore these days include drinking detox drinks, teas, or even going for detox massage and treatments.
Part II: What Is A Detox?
Detox should be a lifestyle change instead of something you do on a whim so that it is more sustainable. Aside from detox diets and teas, you should also focus on eating cleaner as well. Not only does this result in a total cleanse of your body, but it also nourishes and recharges you. However, before you start eating nutritious foods, it is always best to focus on reducing the toxin load in your body.
Having a toxin overload is usually the reason for stalled weight loss despite regular exercise and other weight management methods. As such, knowing what to detox and how to detox can help you boost your health and achieve your body goals. Furthermore, going on a detox cleanse can also make you feel happier and healthier from within since removing waste and toxins accumulated in the body will help you feel lighter and more rejuvenated.
Signs You Need A Detox
Even though we can self-cleanse, when the toxins level exceeds the body’s ability to remove them, we start getting signs that extra help is needed. Here are some signs that our body uses to indicate that we need to detox.
1. Weight Gain
One of the signs of a toxic overload is if you notice a persistent increase in your weight despite counting calories, exercising and other weight loss methods. Most toxins are lipophilic, and this means that they are stored in body fat. Lipophilic toxins also contain pesticides and other compounds known as dioxins which can trigger your body to produce more fat cells to store more toxins in it. As such, your body is stuck in this cycle of being unable to lose weight until you are rid of the toxins in your body. Apart from taking detox drinks to flush out the toxins, you can also go for detox massages in Singapore to detoxify yourself.
2. Constant Fatigue
Are you getting adequate sleep at night (7-9 hours of rest), but still wake up feeling tired all the time? This could be another sign of a toxic overload. Having an excess amount of toxins puts a lot of stress on your adrenal glands. If you do not go on a detox or cleanse, you may suffer from something known as adrenal fatigue in the long run. While caffeinated drinks can make you feel more alert throughout the day, it also disrupts your adrenal functions negatively, resulting in you being unable to flush out toxins.
3. Insomnia
Besides feeling constantly tired, another common sign faced by many is insomnia, and this could be a result of an imbalance in your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone your body releases in the day and progressively reduces throughout - cortisol levels are usually low in the evenings to relieve stress, and prepare you for bedtime. When there is an imbalance, your cortisol levels become heightened in the evening, leading to insomnia.
4. Skin Problems
Our liver is responsible for removing most of the toxins from the body. As mentioned earlier, when the body is overloaded with toxins, the liver may not be able to keep up. Thus, the other organs in our body will try to flush out these toxins through other means, like the skin. When the skin tries to eliminate toxins from the body, it’ll have a negative effect since these toxins are perceived as poison. The outcome of this? Acne, skin rash, eczema, and sometimes even boils.
5. Muscle Aches
Suffering from recurring and unexplainable muscle aches could be a sign of a high toxic load in your body. Unbeknownst to many, toxins can stimulate our pain receptors located in the muscles, leading to muscle spasms, cramps as well as knots. Toxins usually have an immediate effect on the muscles since they come from food that we eat during the day. Our advice for people who often experience unexplained muscles is to keep a journal of when it happened and what they ate during the day to identify the foods that may be causing it.
Healthy Ways To Detox
Contrary to popular belief, going on a detox does not require you to starve yourself, nor do you need to consume detox drinks all day long. Instead, there are healthier and easier ways to detox and recuperate yourself for that radiant glow. In this section, we’ll share five simple ways to detox from the comforts of your home.
1. Cut Back On Sugar
A way to detox healthily is to decrease your sugar intake. And it’s not just sugar, it includes honey, artificial sweeteners, molasses, and syrup. While it is difficult to abstain from sugary foods, especially when we’re craving them, try opting for healthier alternatives such as a piece of fruit or some dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). The natural sugars in these foods will nip the need for sweetness and thus curb your cravings.
Another handy tip is to add cinnamon instead of sugar to your foods, as it helps to control your blood sugar levels and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time. For instance, you can add cinnamon to your oatmeal, or your coffees instead of sugar and honey. This yummy ingredient is found in our coffee, the Ignite Caramel Macchiato.
If a Caramel Macchiato is a perk-me-up that you need every day, then you should try Cheryl W’s Ignite Caramel Macchiato. Formulated with green coffee beans and other active ingredients to reduce water retention and increase metabolism, our Caramel Macchiato also uses cinnamon as an alternative to sugar. Furthermore, this coffee reduces your cravings and is generally good for overall well-being as well as weight loss - the healthier alternative to your regular Caramel Macchiato!
2. Water Is Key
Water is probably the best detox drink you should give to your body. Water plays an important role in the body, with every single cell requiring it to function properly. To start your day strong and proper, drink a tall glass of water with juice from half a lemon instead of your usual cuppa. Water with lemon juice in the morning can help with digestion and also help your liver to flush out build-up toxins.
3. Regular Exercise
Detox is not just about limiting what you eat, it’s also about your lifestyle. Doing regular exercise is a form of healthy detox as it encourages circulation in both your blood and lymphatic system. In addition, exercise also enhances digestion, reduces tension, lubricates joints, tones muscles, and strengthens the body. Hence, people who exercise regularly tend to have fewer toxins in their systems as compared to those that don’t.
If you’re too busy to fit a workout into your daily routine, you can get creative and find other ways to keep your body active. For instance, take the stairs if you can, do squats while talking on the phone, park your car further away from your destination and take a walk instead. After all, it’s always the little things that count.
4. Eat more fruits and vegetables
When it comes to a detox diet, you do not need an extreme plan to feel better instantly. Swap out your processed foods as they lack nutritional value in favour of colourful varieties of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains and small amounts of nuts or seeds.
Bloating is a common problem experienced by many who are overloaded with toxins, and as such, it is important to incorporate probiotics into your diet. Probiotics like yoghurt can help to improve the bacterial environment in your gut, in turn reducing symptoms of gas and bloating.
5. Homemade Detox Drinks/Detox Teas
It is believed that detox drinks can eliminate toxins from your body and promote weight loss. As such, these drinks are often included in diet meal plans. If you’re feeling bloated or lethargic after having a heavy meal the night before, it is best to do a three-day juice cleanse. Others may choose a detox drink like Cheryl W’s Cleanse Clean D Drink to wake up feeling more refreshed and cleaner.
Besides detox drinks, you can also try teas that help with aiding in circulation and digestion. Not only is tea full of antioxidants, but it also hydrates and fills you up. This decreases your chances of overeating or ending up eating the wrong things. Even though there is caffeine in tea, it is gentler on your system as well. For instance, our Ignite Morning Call Tea is packed with the goodness of green tea and Pu-Erh which has been known for its metabolic boosts. Plus, it also contains a blend of warming herbs to improve circulation as well as digestion to give you a pick-me-up minus the jitters.
6. Detox Massages
Some massages relieve muscle tension, and some help you to relax better with aromatherapy oils. However, there’s another kind of spa treatment that is often overlooked detox massage. Unlike normal massages, detox ones aim to stimulate, enhance, as well as speed up your body’s natural waste removal process.
A lymphatic body massage commonly referred to as lymphatic drainage massage in Singapore is one of the common detox treatments. To understand how lymphatic drainage massages work, you need to first know how our lymphatic system works. Our lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels, and lymph nodes that carry lymph fluid. A lymph is a vital mix of water, proteins, as well as other particles to help our bodies remove toxins from the body. Our lymph nodes will swell up if the lymph fluids are not flushed out properly.
A lymphatic massage helps clear out blocked lymph nodes and drain out excess lymph. By using special techniques like cupping, stretching, or gliding, an experienced masseuse can stimulate your lymphatic system without damaging your vessels.
As part of the treatments at our wellness centre, we offer a range of detox massages like our Signature Royal Body Flush Treatment. This massage has detoxification benefits on your body and can also help burn fats to remove unwanted waste in problem areas like your tummy, waist, hip, and limbs. Other physical benefits include smoother and brighter skin with improved functioning of your liver, intestines, and stomach.
Besides water retention and breakouts, did you know that your face may also look duller and more swollen when you are experiencing a toxin overload? As such, Cheryl W’s wellness centre also offers Guasha V Shape Facial to help you keep your skin healthy. Combining Eastern traditional practices and Western lymphatic detoxification, this treatment uses special instruments like the jade horn to stroke a lubricated area of the face. This results in better blood circulation, decreased water retention, and eye bags, whilst lifting your skin for a firmer and toned look.
Ultimately, no matter the option you choose, it is best to always understand your own body and be in tune with it, so that you will know what your body needs most.
Part III: Benefits of Detox Drinks
As mentioned earlier, detoxing can help you get rid of the toxins in your body whilst at the same time, developing habits to keep you on track for a healthier life. Though our body uses its natural mechanisms like the liver to get rid of toxins, implementing a detox drink in your routine is a great way to take the pressure off your organs in the long run.
With that being said, there are many different types of detox drinks, with each of them carrying its own set of unique benefits and results. No matter which you choose, here are some of the most common benefits of detox drinks:
- Weight loss and weight management
- Promote better sleep at night
- Clearing up your skin
- Slow the signs of ageing
- Bring out the radiance from within.
As detox drinks have so many benefits and more, in this section we’ll be introducing you to some of the detox drinks available at Cheryl W.
- Cleanse Clean D Drink
Just like blueberries, kale, and acai, plums are also superfoods and are known to be nutritionally dense, thus they are considered to be beneficial for one’s health. Superfoods contain a variety of nutrients like antioxidants, healthy fats, and phytochemicals.
Besides the wealth of nutrients that plums provide, this fruit is also beneficial for cleansing your body. You can choose to eat the fruit on its own by adding it to foods such as pies, oatmeal, yoghurt, or even tea as a detox drink.
However, if you are unsure of how to incorporate plums into your drinks, you can always choose Cheryl W’s Cleanse Clean D Drink. Carefully formulated with natural ingredients like Dark Plum Powder, acai berry powder, and apple pectin, this is perfect after an indulgent meal the night before. Drinking this after a night of bingeing allows you to wake up the next morning feeling lighter and more refreshed. It also eases constipation so you never have to worry about your daily bowel movements.
Antioxidants are known to protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. While free radicals are a result of cellular processes such as digestion, external factors like alcohol, tobacco smoke, and even a poor diet can produce excessive amounts of these harmful molecules.
When the level of free radicals becomes high, it may cause damage to your body’s cells and result in conditions such as dementia, heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer. However, following an antioxidant-rich diet can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by excess free radicals. Choose to get your intake of antioxidants from food and not supplements as they may increase your risk of certain conditions when taken in large amounts.
- Radiant Baby Face Jell-oh!
Our Radiant Baby Face Jell-oh! is formulated with cranberry and elderberry extracts that are high in antioxidants. Pair them with the power of Patent Fish Collagen and Rice-Derived Ceramide and you will get radiant, hydrated and bouncy skin. It also contains Litchi Seed Extract that will inhibit enzymes involved in the degradation of collagen and hyaluronic acid.
- Coffee
Did you know that not only does the caffeine content in coffee keep your energy levels up, but it also boosts your metabolism and has an impact on slimming? On top of all these, coffee is also packed full of nutrients like niacin, potassium, and antioxidants. Altogether, these components have a positive impact on digestive health and support muscle function.
When it comes to embarking on your detox or slimming journey with coffee, it is best to take a balanced approach. For instance, instead of milk coffee, you can make the switch to long black instead. Or, you can also choose Cheryl W’s Ignite Caramel Macchiato as a healthier alternative, if you are not ready to give up on your flavoured coffees just yet.
Using an arabica espresso blend, our Caramel Macchiato contains the perfect blend of green coffee beans as well as pre- and probiotics to boost metabolism.
If flavoured coffee is not for you, then you can opt for an aromatic long black instead Cheryl W’s Ignite Long Black. Unlike the coffees that you purchase from cafes, our weight management coffee uses green coffee beans and ginseng powder to boost your well-being and weight loss. Our coffee is also enriched with probiotics which makes this drink great for gut health. Last but not least, our long black blend also contains active ingredients to reduce excessive appetite and cravings, thus, it is ideal for anyone looking for a coffee to complement their detox journey.
Part IV: Conclusion
When it comes to detox massages or even consuming detox drinks, there’s no denying that it helps you to feel good about your body. However, it is not all about detoxification as well, to be healthy requires you to set appropriate and attainable goals instead of just having a blanket statement of wanting to lose weight. At the end of the day, it is important to understand the needs of your body, and practise self-love.
Going on a detox cleanse should feel like a stepping stone towards a healthier you. Do what’s right for your body and try out Cheryl W’s range of detox massages as well as detox drinks to help you bring out the glow from within.
Reach out to us to find out more or pay a visit to our wellness centre to try out one of our services for yourself today!