Detoxification: What is it and why is it important?
- What is Detoxification?
- What are toxins?
- Detoxification centers of the body
- Signs and symptoms of toxicity
- Importance of detoxification
- Detoxification symptoms (Herxheimer Reaction)
Some people think of detoxification as withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, but actually it is much more. Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing stored toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Internal detoxification is one of our body's most basic automatic functions. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerous material by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous or fat so it won't cause imbalance or trigger an immune reaction.
Many of toxins come from our diet, drug use, and environmental exposure, both acute and chronic. Internally, fats, especially oxidized fats and cholesterol, free radicals, and other irritating molecules act as toxins. Poor digestion, colon sluggishness and dysfunction, reduced liver function, and poor elimination through the kidneys, respiratory tract, and skin all add to increased toxicity.
Most of toxic substances are eliminated by the body in natural course, but as times passes by, not everything goes out as efficiently and the body may need help to strengthen the systems that eliminate toxins.
A toxin is defined as any compound that has a detrimental effect on cell function or structure. Some of toxins enter our bodies in the form of unhealthy and refined foods, drinking water, pharmaceutical drugs. Others are from the environment around us. Our body also produces toxic substances as part of our regular metabolism and in response to stress.
Detoxification centers of the body
Detoxification is one of the most basic functions of the body. General detoxification systems includes:
- Gastrointestinal system - liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, colon, gastrointestinal tract
- Urinary system - kidneys, bladder, and urological tract
- Lymphatic system - lymph channels and lymph nodes
- Skin
- Respiratory system - lungs, bronchial tubes, throat, sinuses, and nose
Gastrointestinal tract is the largest organ in the body and the major organ responsible for detoxification. It is also a sensory organ, connected to the brain through neurotransmitters and receptors.
Liver plays a key role in eliminating toxins and metabolic waste products from the blood that would otherwise poison the body. It performs approximately 500 distinct functions, more than any other organ in the body. The liver excretes its toxins into a fluid called bile. After bile is produced in the liver, it runs into the gallbladder and eventually into the intestinal tract.
Pancreas produces lipase, an enzyme that helps breakdown fats. It also produces a hormone that stimulates contraction of the gallbladder and causes the ampulla to open so the bile can flow into the duodenum.
Gallbladder is very important in the process of eliminating waste from the body and as such a decrease in its functioning capabilities can have a dramatic and negative effect on the other systems and organs within the body.
Intestine performs mucosal detoxification to rid toxins from bowel bacteria and excretion through feces of fat-soluble toxins excreted in the bile.
The stomach is very important for absorption of nutrients, especially of the building materials: amino acids and minerals.
The spleen serves to store blood, disintegrate old blood cells, filter foreign substances from the blood, and produce lymphocytes.
Kidneys excrete through urine toxins after they are made water-soluble by the liver. During detoxification it is extremely important to drink an adequate amount of water to help the flow of toxins through the kidneys, bladder and urological tract. Dehydration results in an accumulation of harmful substances in the blood, which can have an adverse effect on the kidneys.
Our skin is one of the most effective excretion organs. Skin excretes toxins such as DDT, heavy metals and lead through sweat.
Blood also plays a critical role in the detoxification process. It carries dissolved gases like carbon dioxide to the lungs, and then it is traded for oxygen through respiration. Both the liver and kidneys help to detoxify the blood by removing wastes and sending them to the urine. In the form of stool, unused solids are carried away.
Signs and symptoms of toxicity
Common indications of toxicity include:
- frequent headaches
- fatigue
- weakness
- muscle or joint aches and pains
- sensitivities to chemicals, foods, drugs, especially to odors
- poor concentration
- poor memory
- irritability
- insomnia, anxiety, depression
- mood swings
- allergies
- abnormal body odor
- chronic respiratory or sinus problems
- itching
- bad breath
- coated tongue
- poor digestion
- chronic constipation
- brittle nails and hair
- acne
- weight gain
- immune weakness
Many of the toxins that we ingest or make are stored in the fatty tissues. Obesity is almost always associated with toxicity. When we lose weight, we reduce our fat and thereby our toxic load. However, during weight loss we release more toxins, and thus need protection through greater intake of water, fiber, and the antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc. With exercise we can also turn fat into muscle (not literally) and help further detoxification.
Toxicity may also play a role in the following diseases and conditions:
- Arthritis, gout
- Parkinson’s diseases
- Alzheimer’s diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- PMS
- Tension headaches, migraine headaches
- Kidney stones
- Gallstones
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Cirrhosis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, acne
- Allergies
- Chronic infections
- Obesity
- Peptic ulcers
- Parasites, worms
- Asthma
- Colitis
- Drug addiction
Detoxification is essential for good health. We detoxify and cleanse our body for many reasons, mainly to improve health, vitality, and rejuvenation. Detoxification can be helpful for weight loss. Detoxifying gives our overloaded digestive and eliminative organs a chance to rest and clear out accumulated toxins. Most often our energy is increased and more steady. Detoxyifying helps to clear addictions, improve symptoms, treat disease and prevent chronic disease. By detoxification of the body, we can optimize the well being of our healthy cells including our immune system.
Benefits of detoxification include:
- improved health
- better work of organs
- weight loss
- clean skin
- improved flexibility
- slowed aging
- increased energy
- better breath
- reduced allergies
- potentially fewer aches and pains
- stronger immune system
- healthier skin and hair
- improved concentration and memory
Detoxification symptoms (Herxheimer Reaction)
Detoxification symptoms may appear when you alter your lifestyle by starting something new, such as changing your diet or exercising, or by discontinuing a current habit, such as eating chocolate or drinking coffee. The symptoms may be of short duration and slight irritation, or they could last longer and cause you considerable discomfort.
The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them. The duration of symptoms may not be linear; there is a chance that they will come in cycles. The most important thing to do is rest when you feel the need.
Possible detoxification symptoms:
- Clogged sinus
- Malaise
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Flu symptoms
- Cold symptoms
- Gas
- Headache
- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Skin rash
- Stomachache
Ways to minimize the Herxheimer Reaction:
- Drink a lot of pure water
- Minimize daily exercises
- Take detoxification slowly
- Don't increase the dose of herbals
- Use aromatherapy oils for aches (peppermint, birch, wintergreen)
- Sweat by using saunas, baths, and herbs
- Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods
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