Did you know that our skin has been referred to as the third kidney?
We often just think of skin as something we want tanned, wrinkle free and cellulite free! But our skin is so much more than that.
As the largest organ of the body, our skin keeps outside invaders from entering the body while it aids the blood in clearing toxins from the inside. Sometimes, the skin helps the blood by storing the toxins until the blood can handle them once again. It also tries to push the toxins out of the body via acne, boils and eczema. The skin is also able to sweat. While this activity may be annoying it is a underrated yet God-designed miracle! It's one of the ways toxic waste is removed from the body! And that's a good thing!
Years ago, I went to an iridologist and was told I had a dark, thick ring around the outside of my irises. This dark ring, according to the iridologist, indicated that I had a build up of toxins on my skin. He said that the more blocked my skin was, the harder the rest of my organs had to work. Unfortunately so many of us have overworked livers, bowels, kidneys and lungs already so the body is constantly working overtime.
Because we live in a toxic world and are constantly being exposed to more and more toxins unfortunately there isn't a one-time simple solution to cleaning out the system. It's about lifestyle choices but those choices start to add up in a good way over time.
Here are 2 practical things we can do each day to keep the load off our internal organs and give them a break!
1. Drink more water. Of course we all know that, but sadly, not many of us heed the advice to actually do it. Coffee, soda, and tea taste good but aren't so good for the skin because they're diuretics. And diuretics cause dehydration. That's going in the wrong direction.
I have a friend that always said the same thing whenever there was a mild health complaint. "I have a headache." Answer from friend, "Drink some water." "I have a head cold." Answer, "Drink some water." I have a stomach ache. "Drink some water." This friend was constantly telling everyone to drink more water and their problem would be solved! I never asked her but I wonder if she had read the book "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" written by F. Batmanghelidj M.D. The caption on the title says, "You're not sick, you're thirsty. Don't treat thirst with medication." Batmanghelidj claims many symptoms we feel and many health issues we're facing in our society today are actually caused from dehydration. In his book he says he's helped thousands overcome high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, pain, stress, depression, high blood cholesterol, excess body weight, asthma and allergies, edema, diabetes and many other symptoms, simply by adding enough water into their day.
Whether water is the answer to ALL of life's health ailments or not, we know that adding water more in daily can help our overburdened kidneys and internal organs.
2. Sweat. Certain cultures encourage the body to do what it was designed to do. Perspire. They use saunas to encourage this action if they're inside a lot or their cultures allow them plenty of time outdoors to work and play thus keeping their sweat glands active! These cultures seem to be OK with body odor and since everyone smells the same it doesn't seem to be a problem.
We in the west don't want to stink so we have resorted to some very toxic practices in order to stop it. Antiperspirants. Unfortunately the ingredients used to block the sweat also gravitate to fatty tissue - aka breast tissue. Could antiperspirants be one of the causes of rising breast cancer? I think there may be some proof to that thought.
So what can we do? We could go for "no deodorant days". I don't mean going to work a la natural I just mean when we're at home working in the yard, exercising or doing yard work maybe choosing not to wear deodorant on those days, kind of like the no-makeup days, will give the body a break to naturally perspire. Of course this isn't always a refined practice and your coworkers may object....your husband might too so make sure you opt for natural deodorants. Read labels! Find the cleanest source you can and NEVER ever wear antiperspirants!
As you start to ease the burden on your internal organs your skin will start to respond. And small changes reap big results!
(The A'del Blog and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on The A'del Blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.)
