When we look into our body’s daily detox "schedule”, we may discover the perfect explanation to this old adage. Here’s what our body is up to when we should be in bed fast asleep:

9 - 11pm
Time to eliminate waste/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). Spend this time resting or relaxing. If you’re still pre-occupied with washing the dishes or monitoring your children, this will have a negative impact on your health.

11pm - 1am
Detoxification in the liver happens, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

1am - 3am
Detoxification in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

3am - 5am
Detoxification in the lungs. There will sometimes be severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. There is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with the toxin removal process.

5am - 7am
Detoxification in the colon. You should empty your bowel.

7am - 9am
Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. Take breakfast at this time. For those who are sick, breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am. Best to take breakfast before 7:30am. Try not to skip breakfast - better to eat late (until 9 -10am) rather than not at all.

Sleeping late and waking up late disrupts the natural detoxification process and can cause toxins to accumulate in our body.