I saw the Benjamin Button movie the other day and it got me thinking about the inevitability of aging. But then I got to thinking about the extent to which some of the visible signs of aging are preventable. Well, maybe not completely, but the process of aging can be slowed or delayed, at least. 

Obviously, exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress all help in the process, but there is another important factor that can play a key role in keeping you from being a Benjamin Button - a young person looking older than she is- and that is toxin elimination.

Inflammation in the body is the number one cause of aging. Toxin buildup can greatly contribute to this and cause damage to cells, which robs you of your vibrant, youthful look. This is one reason why people who abuse their liver (a toxin eliminating organ) through heavy alcohol and drug use through the years, often end up looking ten or more years older than their true age. Two words: Keith Richards.

But regardless of how healthy your lifestyle has been, there are toxins in the food and water we consume, and the air we breathe, and these can get stored in our intestines and fat cells. When you start losing fat on a good exercise program, some of those toxins can be released into your blood stream, so it is not a bad idea to cleanse your system occasionally, even if you are on a healthy diet and exercise program.

Here are a list of items that I believe are essential to an internal body cleanse:

1. Probiotics - These are healthy micro-organisms that keep the bad ones in check. The most common strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus acidophilus for the small intestine and Bifidobacterium bifidum for the large intestine. A good brand will have both in one pill. Each capsule or dose should contain more than 1 billion viable bacteria. Look in the refrigerated section of your health food grocery store. 

2. Charcoal Pills - 500-600 mg three times per day 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and medication. These babies bind your intestinal toxins and remove them from the system. They are sold at most health food stores.

3. Dandelion herb - helps a sluggish liver and gallbladder to perform their elimination duties better. It also cleanses the blood.

4. Echinacea - Drains lymphatic system of toxins and boosts immune system.

5. Goldenseal - Cleanses the blood of toxins. 

6. Red Clover - A blood cleanser known for detoxifying the system.

7. Psyllium - This is a way to get fiber into your diet, to rid your colon of wastes that build up over time. This will help reduce your risk of colon cancer.

8. Water - flushes toxins out of the system daily.

9. Lemons - Can be added to your water - they have an overall positive effect on the digestive system, which processes all of those toxins. A sluggish digestive system means a sluggish elimination system.

10. Garlic - It is an antiviral, antiseptic, blood cleansing wonder food that also comes in a pill. It also keeps arteries free of plaque.

Here’s a great article on imflammation’s influence on aging.