If youve ever thought the only way to detox your body was via the painful juicing procedure, there is good news; you dont have to. The truth is that juicing isnt effective at detoxing the body of anything. The true detoxification of your body is via the concerted efforts of your kidneys, liver, and respiratory system.

Of course, this ace team can only do its job if you are maintaining a healthy diet. If youve fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track, you may wish to think about the following five initiatives, as they all reduce any existing inflammation in the body as well as prevent future inflammation.

1. Hydrate

Did you know that our bodies use water in the same way that a car uses fuel? When there is not enough hydration, our bodies cant function at their optimum capacity. When the hydration tank gets low, everything in the body starts to run slower, from our mental clarity to our mood and physiological systems. All of these begin to suffer even when we are moderately hydrated. And even though the hydration needs of each person largely depend on five factors - temperature, activity level, weight, height, and sodium intake its the monitoring of your urine that will instantly tell you how hydrated you really are.

Urine should always be a pale, lemony yellow in color. If it is medium yellow, this indicates that you need to start hydrating immediately, or risk serious dehydration. If urine is dark yellow to brown in color and is accompanied by a strong, concentrated odor, this indicates the high possibility of severe dehydration. Urine this color combined with any unusual symptoms warrants medical attention.

Too many of us fail to consume adequate amounts of water throughout the day, mostly because we simply forget to do so. Another common reason is that the intake of other beverages like juice, soda, coffee or energy drinks displace our water intake. The best thing for your body is pure water, as it is a basic building block of life. Although excluding all non-water beverages from your diet isnt necessary, it is important to ensure that the majority of your fluid consumption comes from water. If the thought of drinking water isnt an inspiring one, adding a few drops of lemon to your water can help. Other great options for fulfilling daily water intake are carbonated water or zero-calorie seltzer water. Make a habit of bringing a water bottle to work and keeping it on your desk so there is a constant reminder to hydrate.

2. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Its true that moderate alcohol intake has been shown to benefit heart health. However, most people do not drink moderately. This is due to our incorrect perceptions of serving size as well as oversized restaurant pours. By the numbers, a single serving is of beer measures 12 fl oz, which is 1can, 1 bottle, or 1.5 cups. A single serving of wine measures 5 fl oz, which is just over cup. Hard alcohol or spirits measure 1.5 fl oz, which is 1 small shot glass or 3 tbsp. It is suggested that men consume fewer than 15 drinks per week. For women, intake should be limited to 8 drinks per week. When you look at the numbers, it becomes easy to see how our alcohol consumption can be exceeded.

But what happens when alcohol enters the body? The body actually views alcohol as a toxin in the metabolic process. And so, when alcohol is consumed, the body stops metabolizing any other food thats been consumed, albeit temporarily. This halt in the processing of carbohydrates, fat and protein allows the alcohol to be metabolized and removed from our systems. Meanwhile, any calories that were being previously digested by the body get stored in the body as fat. And so even if your weekly alcohol consumption tops out at 5 drinks, eliminating them entirely could actually help you lose as many as seven pounds in a year. Thats seven pounds of fat containing harmful, inflammation-inducing compounds all over your body.

3 and 4. Sweet and Salty In Moderation

One common lament of many is that they cant stay away from sugar and salt. This may be because both sugar and salt have become ubiquitous in our diets. Not understanding how much salt and sugar we consume is leading to major health issues. Not only can salt and sugar affect hydration levels, but it can also affect the circulatory system and heart health. While eliminating all sugar and salt from the diet is impossible, it is possible to reduce our sugar intake by turning to the natural variety found in fruit and dairy products. As well, avoiding processed foods that are high in sodium can help the skin to rehydrate as well as reduce bloating and prevent high blood pressure. Reducing sodium can also eliminate hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

5. Celebrate Veggies

Many of us tend to consume adequate amounts of fruit, but not nearly enough vegetables. This lack of adequate dietary fiber can lead to a sluggish digestive system. The average daily amount of vegetables you consume should be equal to 5 cups, whether fresh, frozen, or canned. This will aid elimination as well as help waste to move through the digestive tract.

Detoxification Is a Lifestyle

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing these changes, youll be happy to know that change can occur gradually. Ideally, all of the tips above should be turned into habits that you will maintain for the rest of your life. While the occasional cookie isnt likely to hurt you, two cookies each day may. One of the most effective ways to ease into a new and healthy detoxified lifestyle is to try and implement one change each week. By the fifth week, youll have developed the confidence you need to leave behind old and toxic habits for the long term.

This post is contributed by Ron McDiarmid, who is the founder of My Healthy Living Coach. Having had health challenges along the way Ron was keen to share the research and learning he gathered. Through MHLC this continued into a current presentation of healthy lifestyle choices and how to implement them. Check out his website at www.myhealthylivingcoach.com