Detox With One Carrot a Day

One carrot per day- that’s all you need.  

No fancy detox or cleansing diets and supplement programs.  Start with eating one carrot per day. And before you say - “OK crazy lady” - hear me out.

Our bodies are bombarded daily with toxins. Things like plastics, pesticides and other chemicals are toxic and can mimic estrogen in our bodies. Some other sources of xenoestrogens to be mindful of are:

  • Phthalates found in pharmaceuticals, personal care items such as deodorant and perfumes, and synthetic fragrances in products such as air fresheners, aerosols, and scented candles

  • Dioxins from contaminated waterways and feminine hygiene products

  • Phytoestrogens and isoflavones from foods such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, flax seeds and sesame seeds

  • Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the flame retardants found in baby clothes, car seats, mattresses (for my baby I only purchased from manufacturers that do not use those- I followed this list), furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, and electronics.

This creates what is called estrogen dominance. Estrogen is a natural hormone that is responsible for some processes like bone growth, blood clotting, insulin sensitivity and reproduction in men and women, but we have an oversupply of it.  Build up of estrogen has been linked with many conditions including: PMS, mood swings, acne, breast, prostate and testicular cancer, obesity, infertility, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages and diabetes.  Now that’s some serious stuff.

“The carrot salad improves the ratio of progesterone to estrogen and cortisol, and so is as appropriate for epilepsy as for premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, or arthritis.” (Dr. Ray Peat)

Our liver is responsible for eliminating toxins but also breaking down and eliminating hormones like estrogen. When we overburden our detox pathways with other things such as bacterial toxins of the gut, stress, unhealthy diets, the hormone elimination becomes secondary.  

So what do carrots have to do with all this you ask.  It definitely isn’t the vitamin A as you might have heard from your grandma.  In fact carrots don’t actually contain vitamin A that is bio available to our bodies-retinoids, instead they contain carotenoids.  Our bodies’ conversion rate from carotenoids to retinoids is very insignificant and often compromised when we’re not in perfect health, kids or elderly. The mighty orange carrot however contains a special type of indigestible fibers that are able to bind excess estrogen and safely remove it from our body.  The fibers also bind bacterial toxins-endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which are highly inflammatory poisons that can enter our bloodstream and wreak havoc. They are linked with autoimmune disease and other health issues.

“...a grated carrot with salt and vinegar can produce major changes in bowel health, reducing endotoxin absorption, and restoring constructive hormonal functions.” (Dr. Ray Peat)

“Endotoxin or other material absorbed from intestinal bacteria contributes to a variety of autoimmune problems, including thyroiditis (Penhale and Young, 1988). Combining an indigestible fiber, such as raw carrot, with mild germicides, such as vinegar and coconut oil, can improve the hormonal environment, while reducing the immunological burden. “ (Dr. Ray Peat)

Another wonderful superpower of a humble carrot is containing potent natural antibiotics which suppress bacterial growth in our digestive systems.  This action can be especially beneficial for conditions with a bacterial factor, such as IBS and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).


My Daily Detox Simple Carrot Salad

  • 1 medium carrot

  • 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tsp coconut oil, melted

  • Salt to taste

Peel the carrot and shred coarsely. Dress with oil and vinegar and season to taste. Voila!

 

I would love to hear if you’ve been eating carrots daily and what results have you noticed in the comments below!

August 9, 2021

Katarzyna Zapata