As well as reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy (as outlined in this article), another way to minimise the harmful effects of chemicals is to enhance your body’s natural ability to detoxify.

But: a full-blown “detox” is absolutely not recommended during pregnancy.

The process of “detoxing” frees toxins that are stored in your body and releases them into your bloodstream to be processed by your liver and kidneys. Since your blood supply is also your baby’s blood supply, and because many toxins cross the placenta, a “detox” could actually increase your baby’s exposure to toxins.

Many of the popular “detox” methods are not safe in pregnancy. For example, going on a juice fast, which deprives your body of countless essential nutrients, or loading up your body with a bunch of herbal laxatives, is entirely contraindicated while pregnant.

Having said that, there are simple things you can do every day to assist with the gentle and safe elimination of toxins from your body.

Providing optimal nutrition and prioritising certain foods and key nutrients can help promote normal liver function. A healthy, functioning liver is more efficient at transforming chemicals to less toxic substances that can then be excreted through your digestive system (stool) and kidneys (urine). 

Do these simple things to gently and safely enhance your body’s innate detoxification systems:

• Drink plenty of filtered water

  Your body naturally eliminates chemicals through urine, sweat, and bowel movements. Consume adequate water to help these systems operate efficiently. While “8 glasses of water a day” is a good start, water needs vary from person to person and according to level of activity, exercise, temperature, humidity, age, and overall health. A widely accepted calculation of basic water need is 40 millilitres of water per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 60 kilograms, your body needs 2.4 litres of water per day. As well as getting fluids from filtered water, whole foods and caffeine-free teas will help you reach your daily target.

• Eat more vegetables, especially greens

  Studies show eating green vegetables enhances your body’s ability to excrete various persistent organic pollutants. This is likely due to a combination of the high levels of fibre, chlorophyll, vitamin C, magnesium, and antioxidants found in fresh greens. In addition, eat more cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Cruciferous vegetables have been shown to boost the liver’s ability to detoxify. Garlic and cilantro/coriander have also been shown to aid in detoxification. 

  Take a look at this easy Sautéed Greens with Lemon and Garlic side dish or try our Rainbow Kale Salad.

• Consider taking a supplement of chlorella or spirulina

  These two edible algaes are an extremely rich source of the green pigment found in all plants called chlorophyll, as well as iodine, selenium, iron and other micronutrients. In rat studies, chlorophyll has been shown to prevent absorption of a common pollutant, called dioxin, from the digestive tract.

  This effect has also been shown in humans. Pregnant women given chlorella supplements (6g per day, taken in split doses of 2g after each meal) during their second and third trimesters end up with significantly lower dioxin levels in their breast milk (40% lower), suggesting that chlorella helped them gradually detoxify during pregnancy. In the above study, no adverse effects of chlorella supplementation were noted in mothers or their infants. Chlorella may also help reduce mercury levels in the body. Consider having chlorella (or chlorophyll-rich green veggies) alongside foods that are commonly contaminated with dioxins and mercury (such as fish) to get the “best of both worlds”, allowing you to benefit from the nutrients in the fish with less risk of toxin exposure. 

  Do you live in an area with high fluoride levels in the water? Studies suggest taking spirulina (a form of algae) as a prenatal supplement may minimise the risks of neurodevelopment disorders in offspring. Spirulina is beneficial in protecting against fluoride toxicity.

  In a study of pregnant rats exposed to fluoride with or without spirulina supplementation, offspring in the fluoride-only group had brain damage, thyroid dysfunction, and behaviour problems. The group that received spirulina had offspring who were protected from these effects and did not experience fluoride-induced depletion of thyroid hormones.

  Spirulina may also protect against lead poisoning and inhibit the transfer of lead from mother to baby in utero.

  If you’re curious about taking spirulina, know that spirulina supplementation of 1500mg per day has been shown to be safe in pregnant women (and also reduces the rates of anemia).

• Get plenty of selenium

  Selenium is required for optimal function of your liver and thyroid and is also known to help your body bind and safely eliminate heavy metals, including mercury, cadmium and thallium.

  Selenium-rich foods include brazil nuts, fish (opt for wild-caught) and seafood (especially oysters), liver and organ meats (always choose organic), pork, beef, lamb, poultry, mushrooms and eggs. Check that your prenatal supplement contains selenium—a minimum of 60mcg and up to 200mcg. If it doesn’t, consider a seperate supplement.

  For a delicious way to get more selenium in your diet, along with healthy essential fatty-acids, make this slice and keep it in the freezer for an easy go-to snack.

  These salmon dishes are also rich in selenium: Super Salmon Salad and Caramelised Lime Salmon.

• Consume enough glycine

  Glycine is required for the production of your liver’s major detoxification enzyme, glutathione. Your body’s need for glycine increases expiontentilaly during pregnancy, meaning you may have to go out of your way to consume enough. Foods rich in glycine include bone broth (make your own using this recipe), slow-cooked meats/stews (especially tough cuts of meat that have a lot of connective tissue), chicken skin and pork rinds (or any animal skin), and collagen or gelatin supplements.

  These glycine-rich tart cherry gummies and these Chia Berry Squares are great for adding more glycine to your diet.

• Include more fibre-rich foods

  Fibre helps alleviate the harmful effects of chemicals in several ways: by binding to toxins so they can be excreted in your stool; by encouraging regular bowel movements, so waste products don’t have a chance to be reabsorbed in y our intestines; and by feeding beneficial bacteria in your gut, which play a role in detoxifying harmful chemicals all on their own. The best sources of fibre are chia seeds or flaxseeds, non-starchy vegetables, berries, shredded coconut, legumes and nuts/seeds.

  Chia seed pudding for breakfast topped with berries anyone?

• Eat more vitamin C

  This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent damage from numerous chemicals. For example, vitamin C is protective against the harmful effects of fluoride, PCBs, and mercury. Foods rich in vitamin C include capsicum/bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, pineapple, oranges and other citrus fruits, kiwi and kale.

  This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Garlic recipe is amazing.

• Move your body

  Exercise and stretching not only improve blood flow, but also help stimulate your lymphatic drainage system—which plays a key role in the removal of toxins and waste products from your body. The more you move, the more efficiently your body can detoxify. Make it a habit to exercise regularly, even its only for short periods of time. Refer to this article for advice on prenatal exercise.

N.B. This information is designed to be used in conjunction with, and is not a substitute for, the advice of your doctor or health care practitioner.