Himalayan salt flushes: a detox based on testimonials rather than science
In the past few years, detoxing and cleansing have become increasingly trending in circles of fitness and health. Their legitimacy is often questioned and the science behind them as well, but many who do cleanses report feeling much better after doing so, indicating that there may be something to them after all. Two common cleanses that have grown out of the increased attention are salt cleanses and juice cleanses. Today we’re talking about salt cleanses and Himalayan salt cleanse benefits specifically.
The two main types of salt that are commonly used for salt cleanses are light grey Celtic sea salt and pink Himalayan salt. Although both of these salts work similar effects, we’ll be focusing on the results and what you can expect when participating in a Himalayan salt cleanse. You’ve likely seen Himalayan salt used in many forms, so let’s learn a little more about what Himalayan salt is exactly, and why it seems to be everywhere you look.
What is Himalayan salt and how is it good for you?
While you might think that Himalayan salt and table salt share similar properties, they’re actually very different. Pink Himalayan salt contains up to 98% sodium chloride. The remainder of pink Himalayan salt is made of minerals, including potassium, calcium and magnesium. It’s these minerals that make Himalayan salt pink in color. Himalayan salt has an incredible range of uses, including cutting boards, dishes, bath salts, lamps, and of course salt cleanses or “flushes.”
An entire article could be written on the benefits of Himalayan salt lamps and you probably know someone who has one in their house or apartment. The benefits of these lamps include putting you in a better mood, lessening the impact of allergies and asthma, increasing circulation, energizing you, and equalizing electromagnetic radiation among other benefits. So, you’re probably realizing right now that Himalayan salt is one of those materials provided by the Earth that seems to have boundless applications and benefits, indicating that there’s something special to it.
In addition to these many uses, it can also be used in place of table salt to give your body the sodium supply that it needs. This of course doesn’t mean that Himalayan salt is necessarily “healthy” for you and that you should eat as much of it as you can. It’s still salt, and we all know that excess sodium is not good for you, although your body does require a daily intake of sodium to help it function. Sodium helps our muscles to work without cramping, it helps keep you hydrated, it maintains your nervous system and helps to keep your blood pressure from bottoming out.
The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2300 mg of sodium per day, with the ideal range being under 1500 mg daily. If you exceed these limits, you can start to see negative side effects and health impacts such as high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, and more. So, be careful with your salt intake, but make sure to get some each day to keep your body running smoothly.
What is a detox and is it worth it?
Now to the detoxes and cleanses and the science, or lack thereof, behind them. Detoxing, short for detoxification, is ridding your body of toxins and harmful bacteria. The basis for detoxing is that these negative substances in your body can cause cancer and disease, according to those who buy into the detox theory.
Advocates for cleansing state that the benefits include feeling better, more energetic, having better skin health, losing weight, and maintaining a healthy gut. But the reality is that none of this is based in science and there are little to no studies that back up these claims behind cleanses and detoxing. Doctors cite better alternatives to cleansing that offer many more benefits, including drinking more water or eating more whole grains and vegetables.
One confirmed useful application of cleansing is for those rehabbing from substance and drug use, as cleansing can help to flush drugs from your body to cope during withdrawal periods. It’s true that your body does take in a lot of toxins. Toxins come in many forms, from air pollution to mercury and arsenic in your water supply, to chemicals in your food, and more. But flushing out your colon really doesn’t do anything in terms of ridding your body of these toxins.
The elimination of toxic substances is one of the functions of the liver and kidneys
Alternatively, it’s usually your kidneys and liver that handle the task of getting rid of toxins. Those who have liver disease are the only ones who should be concerned about their liver not being able to handle the toxins that their body is throwing at it. But even in those circumstances, no studies back up claims that detoxing helps those who suffer from liver disease. And some medical professionals have even gone as far as to say that flushing your colon does more harm for your body than it does good.
Flushing can disturb microbes that help to remove bad bacteria from your colon, and it can put stress on the organs that actually do the real detoxing, your liver and kidneys. So, if you’re considering a salt cleanse, keep these things in mind.
However, in spite of all of these forewarnings, many people still engage in saltwater flushes, and it’s because those who do it often report feeling better afterward. So, who’s right, science or those who have experienced it? They’re likely both right, saltwater cleanses can help you to feel better, lighter and feel more energetic, but it can come at a cost.
What is a saltwater flush and what are Himalayan salt cleanse benefits?
The main idea behind saltwater flushes is that you drink a homemade saltwater mixture in a specified period of time to force a bowel movement. This is said to help your digestive process by regulating it and helping you to feel less bloated and lazy.
Proponents of flushes say that those people who don’t have regular bowel movements can have a build-up of toxins and heavy metals that can inflame your colon, weigh you down, and even lead to disease. These people who don’t have bowel movements frequently enough are said to make up one-fifth of the population.
It is also cited as a quick way to lose weight, although keep in mind that you’re not losing any fat from flushes, you’re simply losing weight by removing the slow-moving food in your digestive system. So, don’t expect the weight you lose from a flush to stay off, as once you eat again you’ll likely gain that weight right back, similar to sweating out “water weight.”
If you’re experiencing frequent constipation, the cause of that most likely isn’t toxins in your colon, but rather a nutritional deficiency, for example, a lack of fiber or water. Other benefits of saltwater flushes are regulating your body’s pH levels, getting rid of water trapped in your body, regulating hormone spikes, boosting your metabolism, and all of the benefits of consuming your daily sodium, which were mentioned earlier.
There are levels to detoxing and laxative supplements, and when it comes down to it, saltwater flushes are one of the more healthy options, but that doesn’t mean that they’re good for you, just kind of a lesser evil.
How to do a saltwater flush
If you’re still interested in a saltwater flush after two paragraphs of listing their long list of negatives and short list of positives (some causes require sacrifice, I suppose), here is how a salt water flush is carried out. We hope you will experience as many Himalayan salt cleanse benefits as possible.
- It’s best to do the cleanse on an empty stomach in the morning before you eat breakfast. Make sure that you have two hours to spare, since you’ll be experiencing a very large and urgent bowel movement within that timeframe, so you don’t want to be stuck in traffic or in a meeting. Your flush will likely require more than one bowel movement, but in total it will take about two hours.
- Those who do saltwater flushes recommend 2 teaspoons of Himalayan salt in one liter of hot water, mixed thoroughly, with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. You can do this in a jar with a lid to make it easier to mix by shaking.
- Drink the mixture within a five-minute time frame, and lay on your side and massage your stomach, alternating sides, and hold the salt in your system for a half an hour if possible. After that, your bowel movement should begin.
- Even those who do saltwater flushes don’t do them often, only once every few weeks. Listen to feedback your body is giving you and adjust how you feel best.
Final thoughts: Himalayan salt cleanse benefits
Although there is a lot of hype around Himalayan salt and flushes, both are based on testimonials more than they’re based on science. However, it can’t be denied that testimonials go a long way, so if you plan on doing a salt water flush, do them in moderation and keep an eye out for symptoms or complications. You’re probably better off adjusting your diet and drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables to regulate your digestion.