Detox 101: Everything you need for a healthy body
Guest Author: Crystal Felice, PharmD, AFMC
Crystal Felice is a registered pharmacist turned certified functional medicine practitioner and wellness coach, specializing in gut health and hormone support for women. Through her practice, Phunctional Health, Crystal works with women over 35 to help them heal from within, reclaim their health, and thrive without relying on medications.
Feel like everywhere you turn someone’s doing a detox?
I know, I know, did you just cringe at that word?
Let me guess... when you think of detox, you picture going on some crazy juice cleanse or removing whole food groups from your diet for a week.
But that's not quite right...
Detoxification is a natural process that happens inside your body!
Believe it or not, your body is constantly detoxing itself!
It naturally removes toxins using six main organs:
Skin
Gut
Liver and bile ducts
Lungs
Lymphatic system
Kidneys
These organs work together to trap, filter, and eliminate toxins from your body. The main paths out are urine, poop, sweat, and breathing!
While our bodies have this incredible detox process, we can't expect it to work perfectly without a little support.
Instead of diving into mold or heavy metal detoxes, we're here to focus on how to support your body in dealing with everyday toxins and maintaining overall wellness.
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about some telltale signs your body needs support:
Acne or skin issues
White or yellow-coated tongue
Brain fog
Headaches
Poor appetite
Blurry vision
Constipation/diarrhea
Bloating/gas
Anxiety
Depression
Sleeping issues
Mood swings
Achy muscles and joints
Poor immune function
Feeling awful after one alcoholic beverage
Alright, let’s get down to some goodies!
There is SO much talk online about how you need some fancy sauna, red light, or other biohacking product some influencer is making a commission on, but I’m here to say you can absolutely live a healthy life without all of the gadgets!
If you have access to a sauna, that’s awesome, but there are so many ways to support the body on a budget.
I dive into a list of 18 in my free guide so be sure to check that out, but let’s get my top 5:
1. Epsom salt baths
Baths are a great time to focus on you and finally relax! The heat from the bath boosts blood flow, helps remove waste from the body, and supports detoxification. Not to mention, it triggers sweating which helps detox even more! Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is also a great way to get some magnesium absorption in the body. My favorite brand is Epsoak.
Add 2 cups of Epsom salt and if you have them, high-quality essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or bergamot for extra benefits.
2. Hydrate with filtered water
Is she really telling us to drink water? YES! Our bodies need it, crave it, and wayyyy too many people aren’t drinking enough! Ditch that tap water. It’s not too easy to detox your body when you’re adding more from the tap!
While there are several high-end filters on the market, start with what you can - like a filter from PUR. Be sure to keep your tumbler full so you can sip throughout the day. I like to put hair ties or rubber bands on the bottle and remove one every time I drink the whole thing. My goal is three 40 oz fills a day.
3. Eat plenty of fiber
Remember one of those detox pathways was through bowel movements? Well, meet your new best friend: fiber! Less than 5% of Americans consume enough fiber. At least 2 servings a day of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, swiss chard, lentils, chickpeas, chia seeds, etc! Track what your intake is currently at with the Cronometer app, then slowly increase intake until you’re at about 35-45g a day.
Download this great resource if you’re curious about how to get more fiber into your diet.
4. Dry brushing or manual lymph flow
Lymph is the only system in our body that doesn’t have a pump to move it along. That means it requires us to get it moving! Exercise is a great way to do that but I also highly suggest an extra boost. You can find a good brush on Amazon, or follow the Big 6 method of manual lymph movement. Check out the Big 6 video here, check out my fave IG page: Lymph Love Club, or this article for more info.
5. Sleep
Are you tired of people telling you to get more sleep? Well, it’s for good reason! This is when your body does its deepest detoxification, including the liver’s most extensive detox work. Sleep is a major aspect of my Revive & Thrive program because, without good quality sleep, it’s extremely challenging to help heal the body. So if you’re struggling, schedule a call!
Supporting your body's natural detox process doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.
Remember, your body already has an amazing detox system in place; these practices are just ways to give it a little extra help.
Always approach detoxing mindfully, and if you’re considering a more intense detox, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s done safely.
Check out Dr. Crystal’s other budget-friendly detox support practices in her free guide: Detox on a Budget!
About the author:
Crystal Felice is a registered pharmacist turned certified functional medicine practitioner and wellness coach, specializing in gut health and hormone support for women. After overcoming her own struggles with chronic symptoms like bloating, fatigue, acne, PMS, and digestive issues, Crystal discovered the power of healing through natural methods—focusing on diet, lifestyle, gut repair, and targeted supplementation. Now, she helps women navigate their own health journey by addressing the root causes of their symptoms and restoring balance, vitality, and confidence.
Through her practice, Phunctional Health, Crystal works with women over 35 to help them heal from within, reclaim their health, and thrive without relying on medications. Interested in transforming your health? Book a free consult call today!
Connect with Crystal on Instagram for more great health and wellness tips.