Detox, an essential step before pregnancy?

If magazine headlines are to be believed, detox cures seem to be the new trendy concept. Recommended by naturopaths, it is said to be one of the essential conditions before pregnancy to give birth to a healthy baby. So, true or false? We'll help you find out!

The central role of the liver in our body

Detox or drainage is actually a concept developed by our ancestors, according to which there must be a balance between the body's assimilation and elimination functions. The body needs to eliminate waste and toxic residues to ensure proper bodily function. This natural detoxification work is performed by one of our most important organs: the liver.

The liver performs a multitude of vital functions, including blood sugar control, fat storage, and blood filtering. It sorts everything that reaches it, whether it's food, the waste we produce, or the pollutants we ingest. It also captures toxins that end up in our body when we smoke, take medication, or oral contraceptives, among other things.

Concerning studies

For several years, studies have been multiplying on the alarming level of pollutants or toxins that we ingest, and the conception period is not exempt. We won't hide it from you, the results are far from reassuring…

A 2005 study notably detected 287 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of babies. Among these chemicals, 180 are notable carcinogens, 217 are neurotoxins, and 208 are known to cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities.

The benefits of a detox cure

While the natural work of the liver is undeniable, it sometimes needs support, especially after excesses. The detox cure, often recommended in spring, helps to improve and strengthen our body's natural detoxifying capacities while limiting the amount of toxins ingested and providing the body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.

Before pregnancy, the detox cure is particularly recommended because it also helps to eliminate synthetic hormones after taking contraceptives and promotes good gut flora quality, which is essential for fertility and the baby's health.

As naturopath Aurélie Canzoneri explains: "It is often said that being pregnant is like doing a detox because your baby will absorb and feed on everything your body has to offer and will take everything it can to develop, the good and the bad… So doing a detox before getting pregnant will allow you to give only the good to your baby during pregnancy, because you will have gotten rid of all the bad beforehand."

Some basic tips

Be careful, it's not about doing a detox cure constantly. According to natural health experts, it is ideally recommended to follow a cure 2 to 3 months before getting pregnant. (Of course, this depends on your health condition, and it is, as always, preferable to consult your doctor beforehand. They may recommend preceding and/or following your detox cure with a revitalization phase to restore energy to your body, which might be weakened. (Our detox food supplement is also a perfect complement to eliminate toxins, pollutants, and chemical substances and start on a healthier basis.)

It has been proven that in just a few days, significant amounts of toxins can be eliminated from our bodies, especially herbicides and pesticides that we consume with our food.

However, a detox cure is strongly discouraged during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But don't panic, good habits can already be enough to limit toxins.

Good daily habits

- Opt for organic food as much as possible;
- Also prioritize organic or natural cosmetics and household cleaners;
- Sort through your surroundings and limit contact with plastic, which is now recognized to contain endocrine disruptors;
- Support the body's natural detoxification processes by consuming fiber for regular bowel movements (daily), staying sufficiently hydrated, and exercising regularly;
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use high-quality supplements, such as a prenatal multivitamin with pre-methylated folate (i.e., methylfolate and not folic acid).