Traffic fumes, polluted water, pesticides, artificial preservatives, alcohol ... we live in a toxic world, even in Bermuda!

But does this mean that we should actively be detoxifying? In many ways, yes, the body can certainly benefit from a spring clean, and 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, many detoxification diets or programmes are fairly radical and you do need to exercise caution, especially if you have an existing health concern. 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. Additionally, if you follow an extreme detox, you must also be prepared for the element of surprise! Individuals participating in spa detox programmes overseas have been known to pass pieces of undigested steak (despite being vegetarian for ten years), or the marble they swallowed when they were five!

So how far should you go when detoxifying? If you do choose a more radical approach, always consult your doctor 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. But before I show you some gentle detox steps, lets first establish how toxic you are!

Do you regularly drink more than one cup of coffee daily?

Do you regularly drink sodas (diet and non-diet)?

Do you drink unfiltered tap water?

Do you drink less than one litre of water daily?

Do you eat meat/poultry most days?

Do you have sugary foods (candy, cookies, chocolate) most days?

Do you add sugar or sugar substitutes to drinks or food most days?

Do you regularly drink alcohol or binge-drink at the weekends?

Do you add salt to your food?

Do you have fried foods (e.g. chips, fried chicken, fries) more than twice a week?

Do you frequently buy pre-prepared "ready meals"?

Do you heat foods in plastic containers in the microwave?

Do you live on a busy road?

Are you in heavy traffic for over one hour each day?

Do you exercise by busy roads?

Do you use a computer for over three hours each day?

Do you live near an electrical pylon, electrical power plant or a phone mast?

Do you regularly smoke cigarettes or live/work in a smoky atmosphere?

Do you smoke/take any drugs (including marijuana)?

Do you frequently use over-the-counter or prescriptive medications?

Do you have a sedentary lifestyle?

Do you have mercury fillings in your teeth?

Do you use mainstream cleaning products at work, or at home?

Do you often have headaches or a migraine?

Do you tend to catch more than three colds/flu/viruses each year?

Do you regularly have constipation (less than one bowel movement daily, or stool that is hard and difficult to pass)?

Is your stomach bloated or sore by the end of the day?

Do you have dark circles underneath your eyes?

Do you regularly have itchy ears or earache?

Do you have excessive mucus ? in stool or sinuses?

Do you suffer from skin rashes, hives or breakouts?

Do you regularly have bad breath, or wake with a bitter taste or furry tongue?

Do you pass gas that smells bad?

Do you have bad body odour?

Do you have smelly feet?

Do you find it hard to lose weight despite eating healthily? Or are you underweight and find it hard to gain weight?

Are you nauseous in the morning?

Do you get drunk very easily?

Congratulations! You are likely to have a low toxic profile. However to boost your health further, especially if you have any of the symptoms listed above, try out some of the tips below! If you smoke, consider giving up.

Not bad, but it is likely that you do have some toxicity. Try some of the simple steps below to help optimise your health! If you do smoke, consider giving up.

Oh dear, toxic overload! Do look carefully at the tips below and try to incorporate the tips below into your life. If you do smoke, consider giving up.

So now you have some idea of your toxic profile, let's look at simple ways to reduce the toxins that you are exposed to and ways to improve your body's ability to detoxify naturally! I'm not expecting a national shortage of skin-brushes, but some of these ideas are extremely simple so there's no room for excuses!

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 body gently for ten 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!

Exercise is essential for supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways. Even gentle exercise helps to drain lymphatic tissue and will also help to keep you flexible! Works-outs in the gym are great, but tai chi, Pilates, swimming, dancing and walking are just as good.

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 Britta water filter jug instead ? a very economical alternative to buying bottled water. Also, drinking a cup of hot water 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

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.

If you heat up foods in plastic packaging (e.g. a microwave meal) then toxins from the packaging may leach into the food. If you are pushed for time and have to use a prepared meal, transfer it to a glass or china plate before heating.

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.

Not only are these less toxic to the environment, they are less toxic for you too! Lindos and Down to Earth stock a good range of natural cleaning products.

Organic food is produced without the use of the majority of the man-made pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics. Therefore less chemicals are passed on to us 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 doctor before supplementing your diet with any nutrient or herb.