In the spring of 2014, I decided to change my diet. There was no urgency or specific medical issue: I wasn't sick, and I didn't have any alarming diagnosis. My initiative was guided by curiosity, the desire to discover how my body would react if I changed my diet. The first beneficial effects came very quickly: more stable energy, better digestion, shorter and painless cycles... In short, so many positive signals that encouraged me to continue.
A realization rather than an urgency
I want to emphasize that my approach did not stem from a negative experience or a serious illness. In reality, it was more like an awakening, a questioning of certain beliefs. For example, I had always thought that you had to eat meat to be healthy. As a single mom of two little girls aged 4 and 6, I also discovered new ways to address their minor childhood ailments: fever, cold, etc. Understanding that you can support and strengthen the immunity of children through better hygiene and an adapted diet greatly reassured me.
Over time, I have experimented with many approaches to natural health (naturopathy, dietary supplements, etc.). I love testing new protocols, analyzing ingredients, and seeing how my body reacts. Because to me, natural health is above all about listening to your body and its signals, in addition to traditional medical follow-up when necessary.
"You are what you eat"... or rather "you are what you assimilate"
In natural health circles, you often come across the famous quote: "Let your food be your best medicine."
At first, I translated it as: "You are what you eat". It's true that the quality of what you put on your plate is crucial: eating less processed food, favoring foods rich in essential nutrients, respecting the nutritional value at the time of preparation, etc.
Yet, through observation and experiences, I found that this maxim proves to be incomplete. You can consume the best foods in the world, but if your gastric digestion is disrupted, if your microbiota is unbalanced, or if you are too stressed, some of the nutrients will not be used properly. I then realized that:
"We are not only what we eat: we are especially what we manage to digest, absorb, and assimilate."
From Digestion to Assimilation: An Essential Trio
1. Proper Digestion
- Digestion begins in the mouth, with chewing and salivary enzymes (like amylase which starts the breakdown of carbohydrates).
- In the stomach, hydrochloric acid (HCl) breaks down proteins into amino acids. It is also our first immune barrier, as it destroys many pathogens. Paradoxically, a lack of hydrochloric acid can cause gastric reflux, because the "valve" (cardia) does not close properly if the acidity is insufficient.
- Stress stress can heavily disrupt the secretion of digestive enzymes and the balance of gastric pH.
2. Proper Absorption
- After the stomach, the chyme (partially digested food) passes into the intestine, where bile and pancreatic enzymes play a role. Bile, for example, emulsifies fats, allowing for their proper breakdown.
- The intestinal mucosa must be in good condition to allow the assimilation of nutrients and let amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals pass into the bloodstream and lymphatic system. A leaky intestine allows particles that are too large to penetrate, leading to inflammation and chronic fatigue.
3. Proper Assimilation
- Finally, nutrients must penetrate into our cells. The fluidity of the cell membrane (dependent on essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s) plays a crucial role.
- Heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, and other harmful substances can block or alter the cell's absorption capacity.
- The body needs cofactors (vitamins, trace elements) to make the best use of everything we provide it.
Cleanse and Nourish: Detox, an Overlooked Ally
As I delved into digestion, I quickly understood another crucial factor: detox. In a world where we accumulate toxins (from the environment, medication residues, pesticides, or even our internal stress), our excretory organs (liver, kidneys, intestine, skin, lungs, lymph) can become overloaded.
- A good detox is not just about drinking a "green" juice for three days. It is about continuously supporting the body so that it eliminates waste, rather than letting it accumulate.
- Why detox? Because a "cluttered" body will have more difficulty fully assimilating nutrients. If the entry points (cell membranes) and the "sorting factory" (liver, kidneys, intestines) are clogged, the best food in the world cannot reveal its full potential.
Naturally support your emunctories with suitable products
The body naturally eliminates its toxins through five main emunctories: the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin. Each of them can be supported by specific foods and supplements to optimize their function.
1. The Liver – The key organ of detoxification
The liver transforms and eliminates toxins. It needs to be stimulated and protected to function well.
✅ Recommended products:
- Organic Klamath (powder or tablets) – A microalgae rich in phycocyanin that supports the liver and immune system.
- Radish seeds for sprouting – Contain sulfur compounds beneficial for the liver.
- Metabolic enzyme complex – Helps in the transformation of nutrients and supports liver functions.
- Hypertonic seawater – Rich in minerals and trace elements, it promotes optimal electrolyte balance for the liver.
2. The Kidneys – Elimination through water
The kidneys filter the blood and expel waste through urine. Good hydration and certain diuretic foods support them.
✅ Recommended products:
- Alfalfa seeds for sprouting – Detoxifying and remineralizing, they facilitate renal elimination.
- Wheatgrass juice – Alkalizing, it supports kidney function.
3. The Intestines – The center of elimination
Good intestinal transit allows for effective elimination of toxins and a balanced intestinal flora.
✅ Recommended products:
- Organic fresh seaweed (sea beans, dulse, etc.) – Rich in fiber and minerals, they nourish the microbiota and promote digestion.
- Fenugreek seeds for sprouting – Soothe the digestive system and stimulate the liver and intestines.
- Digestive enzyme complex – Promotes optimal digestion and limits intestinal fermentation.
- Fresh organic pollen – Provides natural enzymes, probiotics, and nutrients that strengthen the intestinal microbiota.
4. The Lungs – Elimination through breathing
The lungs expel volatile toxins through exhalation. Expectorant plants and foods rich in chlorophyll support them.
✅ Recommended products:
- Mustard seeds for sprouting – Expectorant and stimulating for the respiratory tract.
- Organic fresh seaweed – Provide minerals and antioxidants that support cellular respiration.
- Hypertonic seawater – Helps with cellular oxygenation and acid-base balance.
5. The Skin – The secondary emunctory
The skin eliminates toxins through sweat and sebum. It benefits from remineralizing and purifying foods.
- Organic green clay (as a mask or internally) – Absorbs toxins and remineralizes.
- Organic chlorella (powder or tablets) – Powerful detoxifier, promotes the elimination of heavy metals.
- Metabolic enzyme complex – Aids in cellular oxygenation and energy metabolism.
- Fresh organic pollen – Rich in antioxidants, it nourishes the skin from within and enhances its radiance.
The role of superfoods: the example of a quality brand
To deeply nourish a body already lightened by detox, I discovered that superfoods are powerful allies. They are generally distinguished by:
- Their high concentration in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids…
- Their ease of integration into daily diet (powders of spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, chia seeds, etc.).
- The support they can provide to the intestinal flora (prebiotics) and to detox processes (chlorophyll, fibers…).
Of course, every superfood must be chosen with care: quality of origin, cultivation method, absence of contaminants. A specialized brand committed to naturalness will often offer tested and certified products, with rigorous sourcing. Thus, one can truly benefit from their potential without worsening the toxic overload.
Complementarity between natural and allopathic medicine
In my journey, I gradually realized that natural medicine should not oppose allopathic medicine. Both have their place, their specificities, and can complement each other in a holistic approach to health. I am the first to consult a "classic" healthcare professional whenever the situation requires it, while continuing to explore gentler or preventive avenues daily.
Conclusion: cleanse to better nourish, and nourish to better live
In summary, here is what I retain after these years of discoveries and experiments:
1. We are not only what we eat, we are especially what we assimilate.
• Eating healthy is useless if our digestion and our microbiota are in distress.
2. Detox is not a luxury, it is an essential support.
• Helping your emunctory organs means giving yourself every chance to better absorb nutrients.
3. Superfoods can be valuable allies.
Provided that :
- Check their quality,
- Integrate them into a holistic approach (good hydration, stress management, etc.),
- And understand that they are not miracle solutions, but tools among others.
In the end, I am still on this path, with the same spirit of openness and curiosity that motivated me in 2014. If you too wish to optimize your vitality, don't hesitate to:
- Conduct an assessment (nutrients, intestinal flora, possible intolerances),
- Consult a competent professional (naturopath, integrative doctor, nutritionist),
- Adapt your dietary choices to your lifestyle, your tastes, and the real needs of your body.
Because taking care of yourself means both cleansing and nourishing. And it is this subtle alliance that allows you to live serenely, enjoying the energy and well-being that our body is capable of offering us.