You know, I was convinced that moving to Bermuda was a very glamorous step. ?Where d?you live?? ?Bermuda!? It?s just so much more exciting than Swindon or Crouch End. Sunny days, palm trees, weekends on the water with friends? Glowing from the sun and an out-door lifestyle ? it was all so perfect!

I had to laugh then when this weekend, I took on The World?s Worst Domestic Chore ? ridding our kitchen cupboards of the evil mould that appears whenever the weather gets hot and humid.

The ordinary cupboards are no problem, but we have two lower corner cupboards that are a bit of a logistical nightmare.

The shelves prevented me reaching the back walls so I actually had to climb inside ? all very well, except that once in there, I had blocked out all the light and couldn?t see. Also despite wearing a snorkel mask (seriously) and a bandana over my mouth, the smell of mould was so overwhelming, I decided I needed to be a little more creative.

Enter then the Swiffer Wetjet. Useless generally, I think, as it just seems to push dust around the floor.

However, it?s absolutely brilliant for cleaning mould off unreachable cupboard walls! Sadly though, I only discovered this once I?d been up close and personal with a toxic cocktail of the mould itself and a variety of chemical cleaners.

So, by the time I?d finished, not only was I looking far from glamorous (snorkel mask had left an odd imprint on my face) but I was feeling pretty horrible too.

All this got me thinking about the ever-popular concept of a detox. Now being less toxic can significantly improve your energy, weight and skin health ? good news if you?re getting ready to bare (nearly) all on the beach!

However, you do need to bear in mind that many detoxification diets or programmes are fairly radical, and you need to exercise particular caution if you have any existing health concerns.

Traditionally, detoxification involves an element of fasting that can result in extreme fatigue and weakness. Many people also experience a ?healing crisis? ? a few days of feeling worse, before they feel better.

Yet the ?healing crisis? may actually be a straight forward ?crisis? ? a sign that the body is unable to cope with all the toxins that have been mobilised. If you detoxify too quickly then the liberation and elimination of toxins can overload the liver. If the liver becomes overloaded you may actually do yourself more harm than good ? triggering headaches, body aches, breakouts and inflammation.

So how far should you go when detoxifying? If you do choose a more radical approach, always consult your GP for their opinion. Detoxification is more complex than you may think ? for example if you do take supplements to help cleanse the liver or speed up elimination, you may affect the efficacy of certain medications.

My opinion is that for 99 percent of cases, detoxification is best done gently and slowly to prevent uncomfortable side effects. For those of you who?d like a ?slowly but surely? detox guideline ? try following the steps below!

Dry skin brushing helps to drain lymphatic tissue (detoxification sites in the body), which speeds up the efficient elimination of toxins.

Buy a skin brush (body brush) from The Body Shop or a spa and brush your bodyfor 10 minutes daily.

Start from the soles of the feet and work upwards ? up the legs, torso, along the arms towards the heart, and up your back.

Avoid areas of broken skin, varicose veins or thread veins, and use long sweeping movements. This is particularly good for cellulite!

3. Drink at least 1.5 litres of water daily

The average adult benefits greatly from approximately 1.5 litres of filtered or mineral water daily. Water not only keeps you hydrated, but it?s great for flushing toxins through your system.

Try buying a large bottle of water and keep it on your desk, making sure that you drink it before you go home!

You can refill your bottle from the water cooler so that this doesn?t become an expensive habit.

If you are based at home, you can buy a Brita water filter jug instead ? a very economical alternative to buying bottled water. Also, drinking a cup of hot water (not boiling) with a wedge of lemon every morning before breakfast is another great way to help your body detox.

5. Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables daily

Vital for detoxification of the body as fruit and vegetables contain fibre, pectin and antioxidants.

Fibre is important for preventing constipation ? if you are constipated (less than one bowel movement daily) then toxins may be reabsorbed from your bowel.

Pectin binds toxins and carries them through the digestive tract and antioxidants help to support your liver?s detoxification pathways.

7. Avoid amalgam fillings

Recent studies have linked mercury amalgam fillings to toxicity.

Too much mercury in the body is thought to be toxic to the nervous system.

Where possible, have porcelain or gold fillings instead and above all, look after your teeth. The good news is that antioxidants from fruit and vegetables help to protect the body from mercury toxicity.

9. Eat organic!

Organic food is produced without the use of the majority of the man-made pesticides, fertilisers, growth hormones and antibiotics.

Therefore fewer chemicals are passed on through the food chain. Organic fruit and vegetables also tend to be more nutrient rich as they come from purer soil.

Milk Thistle is a fantastic herb that helps to cleanse the liver and improve detoxification. However if you are pregnant, have a health condition or are on medication, be sure to consult with your GP before supplementing your diet with any nutrient or herb!

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