Most of us have excess sodium and sugar in our body. The question is, how do we eliminate it?
We are acutely aware of the debilitating effects of excess sodium and sugar, which tend to present themselves in the form of disease. Blood flow is compromised, which minimizes the circulation of good nutrients and vitamins throughout the body. Additionally, a tremendous amount of pressure is placed on the internal organs, such as the kidneys, the pancreas and the heart.

These are not the outcomes we are looking for on our wellness journey. To reverse these negative effects, there are a few simple but effective changes to make: Change nutrition—eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and eliminate processed foods; Hydrate—drink plenty of water; Exercise—get the body in motion.

Change in nutrition begins with minimizing or eliminating processed and fast foods. These packaged items contain excess sodium and sugar to preserve the foods and extend the shelf life. To avoid these processed foods, begin to shop and cook your own meals. Meals should consist primarily of living foods such as fruits and vegetables. and eating more natural proteins from beans (black, red, white) and brown rice. The nutrients and vitamins in these foods supply the body with supplements that help the immune system become stronger to help the body ward off disease.

The body system, depending on your size, is between 55 and 78 percent water, or almost two-thirds of your whole body. Of this two-thirds, the muscles consist of 75 percent water, the brain consists of 90 percent water, the bones in your body consist of 22 percent water, and the blood consists of 83 percent water. From head to toe, we are comprised of water. So we know how vitally important it is to take in adequate amounts of water on a regular basis.

Now, drinking water also helps us to detoxify our body system. On a daily basis, water helps to cleanse the sodium and sugar that we have in our systems just from eating poorly. Water is our daily detox. Doing a full-body cleanse is good maybe once or twice a year, however, you cleanse daily just by drinking the required amounts of water.

Once we have lowered the levels of sodium and sugar, and we’re eating more fruits, vegetables, and more natural proteins from beans and brown rice, water will distribute those vital nutrients throughout the body systems, including the bones, muscles, vital organs, etc. This daily detox helps to eliminate disease from your system.

Water also helps thin the blood that sugar tends to thicken and helps to eliminate toxins through perspiration. Now that the metabolism has picked up, your body is working the process, metabolizing the food you’re eating and eliminating the waste.

How much water should we drink? Take our body weight and cut that in half. The number you arrive at, in ounces, is the amount of water you should drink in a 24-hour period. Don’t just guzzle your water. Sip your water throughout your day. You can drink between 8-12 ounces every 30 to 45 minutes. If you do that consistently throughout your day, the body will be hydrated. Guzzling the water causes it to flow directly to your bladder, for elimination, and not into your bloodstream for use.

Exercise must be a major part of each day. Exercise helps increase your blood flow. The heart itself is a muscle that requires exercise to keep it healthy. Exercise it doing aerobics. Exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes a day will help you strengthen this muscle. Exercise also helps move those nutrients, carried by the water, throughout your body and helps you eliminate. Now, the metabolism is increased through exercise, and good cholesterol levels increase while the bad cholesterol levels decrease.

Where sodium and sugar slow the body functions down, exercise increases your heart’s working capacity, and provides more energy. Get out and do something—30 minutes of walking, no matter what. Exercise, three to five times a week minimum, especially if you’re trying to release toxins from your system.

We possess a tremendous amount of power to control ourselves. Use this information to help lower your sodium intake; lower your sugar intake; exercise; drink water; and eat healthier.
It sounds simple. It is simple. We just have to get out and do it.

Let’s all be more conscious of these simple things, and let’s get out and let’s go do it. As you set the healthy example, you will influence the change for a healthier community, a healthier family and a healthier world.

That’s our Ultimate Transformations Moment. Peace and be more.

Erich Nall is the owner and founder of Ultimate Transformations Training in Los Angeles, Calif. The certified trainer, nutritionist, motivational speaker, and dedicated life coach is a regular guest and commentator on KJLH 102.3 FM’s the “Front Page with Dominique DiPrima.” As founder of Collegiate Search Youth Organization, Erich has been assisting youth in the community for more than 20 years.