The elimination of toxins is a job your body is engaged in all the time. The trouble is we often feel that we are clogged up with the foreign matter we ingest disguised as food. Not to mention the stuff that's in the air. Doctors tell us that if we leave the detoxing process to the organs in our bodies that are made for the job we will be getting rid of these substances just fine. But often we don't FEEL that we are.

So, whether or not we believe that our bodies need help with eliminating toxins, sometimes a detox will make us feel better. Call it the placebo effect if you like but if it works, it works. There are some foods that people say contain properties that help with cleansing the body. Science has found little or no evidence to support this idea but if it appeals to you, why not try it out?

The foods that are supposed to help us get rid of poisons include: parsley, ginger, echinacea, garlic and coriander. They all have a long tradition of belief in their detoxing powers and they certainly won't do you any harm if you use them in moderation.

Don't forget about the benefits of fiber in our diet. Fiber has an important job in changing the way the body treats the food that goes into it. It aids in the relief of constipation and bloating. You will find fiber in lentils, beans, prunes, bran and many other foods. Or you could take one of the many fiber supplements on the market.

Also there are products that contain only natural ingredients. Herbs, fruit, vegetables and, one of the main ingredients of life - water. It might take some effort to stop eating and drinking stuff that is harmful to your body but in the long run you will be doing yourself a big favor. Less pollutants going in means less of a burden on your system.

There are foods that contain antioxidants which are supposed to encourage good health and help fight diseases. Such foods include turkey or chicken breast without the skin, egg whites, sardines, leafy vegetables, rice, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and fresh fruit.

No matter how busy we are there is always time for some form of exercise. You don't need to go to the gym three times a week, just a twenty-minute walk every two or three days is plenty. If you have time to do more serious workouts or aerobics, even better. We need to encourage our bodies to breathe more effectively. If we breathe deeply we are helping to clear our sinuses, lungs and nose. When we exercise we sweat which also promotes the release of toxic substances.

Finally, the foods that we should be eliminating from our diets as much as possible. These include shellfish, beef, veal, sausage, bacon and other processed meats, sugary drinks including juices bought in the store, chocolate, dairy foods and salt added to your food. Oh yes, don't forget alcohol and coffee.