These 3 Things About Detoxing Are KEY.
Toxins Toxins Toxins
So, what is a toxin, exactly? The Miriam –Webster dictionary defines it as,
“a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation.”
There are internal (something created by biological processes of the body) and external (something that is ingested, absorbed, or inhaled) toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. In practice, a toxin is anything that acts like a poison and makes us sick, including non-metabolic substances such as lead and mercury.
Internal Toxins
These come primarily from metabolic processes… which means that when we eat food, our body has to break down all of the fats, proteins, and sugars into useable energy. Each reaction in the metabolic process creates a toxic “waste” product that needs to be eliminated.
Gut flora is another internal toxin source. Mainstream science is finally recognizing that our microbiome is the center of our natural healthcare system. The bacteria in the gut (and there are nearly 1,000 different strains) requires a balance amongst themselves in order to maintain healthy absorption of minerals and elimination of toxic waste. When the balance is disrupted through medication, poor eating habits, stress, or infections then an overgrowth of harmful bacteria start to steal our nutrients, and also send their toxic byproduct into the blood stream. Not so good.
Stress is one of the most overlooked internal toxins. Now, since stress isn’t a “thing” that we can touch or hold we must understand that the effects of feeling stress are what creates a series of effects on our hormonal and nervous systems, which compromise the body’s ability to detoxify.
External Toxins
Environmental toxins are out of control. Over the last century, over 75,000 new chemicals have been created and added to things like hair care products, deodorants, perfumes, cleaning products, plastics, vehicles, fuels, lawn and food crop pesticides, air fresheners…..the list goes on. The average American is exposed to over 25,000 chemicals every day – just in their homes!
Heavy metals are one of the most poisonous external toxins, silently sabotaging our health. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are among the most common culprits. They enter our bodies through water, textile finishes, mattresses, prescription meds, vaccinations, vehicle exhaust, keys, many fish, and the now-popular eCigarettes. These metals, called ‘heavy’ because they end up in fat tissue and stay in the body, are difficult to get rid of because of how to body uses fat to protect organs, particularly the brain. Additionally, some people lack very important genes that create necessary enzymes to buffer and detoxify mercury from the body. How wild is that!?
Other external sources of toxins are in the processed and conventionally-farmed foods we consume. Food dyes, sugars, hormone-induced dairy, excess caffeine, tobacco, medications, excessive alcohol…it’s just too much. Our bodies are amazing biochemical organisms that are designed to eliminate waste and toxic material, but we have created a world where the onslaught of external toxins has added to the load we are already processing and has, quite simply, overwhelmed us.
The Burden of Toxic Waste
The drain in my bathroom sink get’s so clogged each year that I have to take it all apart and clean it. That’s because to a drain, hair, nails, toothpaste, plastic toys and lotions are toxic waste. The drain is designed to flush everything away, but when it’s overloaded it starts to slow down, back up, collect gunk, and not function to its capacity. The same thing happens in our bodies. The accumulation of toxic waste that isn’t being eliminated begins to clog our internal systems…creating inflammation, suppressed immune function, and slower metabolic processing.
Much like my sink, our bowels are a drainage system that can continually become slow from too much gunk. When there is a compromised internal pipe, toxic waste ends up sitting within the thin-walled elimination system for too long, exposing un-bound toxins to reabsorption through the bloodstream. This is one of the most common reasons so many of us experience recurring fatigue and illness…we’re just recycling instead of eliminating.
Heavy metal toxicity creates neurological dysfunctions in addition to the damage it wreaks on the body’s natural detoxification system, the liver, kidneys, lungs, bowels and skin. It’s simple enough to understand, if we can’t get rid of waste, we get sick.
We are all unique in the way our bodies handle toxins, and it could take many years of accumulation before symptoms that bother you begin to develop. Human physiology is a masterpiece of form and function…and it works diligently, around the clock, to keep everything in balance. Still, there comes a time when enough is enough and the degree to which the body can adapt and conquer has reached its max. What do we do then?
3 Things That Will Change Your Mind About Detoxing:
1) The body detoxifies, our diet does not.
Detoxing has become a word most commonly used when talking about diets. There are numerous products and fads labeled ‘detox’ that you can purchase today in the hopes of becoming less toxic. Let’s get one thing straight here…there is no diet, pill or mud-wrap that will ‘detoxify’ us.
The detoxification of waste and buildup is a natural process carried out by the liver, bowels, kidneys, lungs, and skin. Bananas and basil leaves don’t magically detoxify us! In order to reduce your toxic burden you must support the body’s natural detoxification system and decrease your exposure.
For heavy metal toxicity, especially when it has led to heart disease and other serious preventable diseases, we will likely need the aid of a doctor who uses chelating agents to bind the heavy metals to particles that can be released by the bowels and kidneys. Still, the body does the detoxing, while we do the supporting.
2) It's More About “Adding In” Not “Getting Out”
For most of us, when we think about a toxic load and ‘detoxing’, we’re focused on getting rid of things…so much so that there is a growing epidemic of malnourished, yeast-filled individuals who are suffering more from their “kill it, get rid of it” mentality than they were from the toxic burden.
The body detoxifies, that’s what it is designed to do. So, instead of focusing on getting rid of toxins, focus on supporting the body with what it needs to that. What does that look like?
Eat organic, whole foods.
Drink herbal teas.
Consume fiber rich foods (like ground flax seed) to aid in bowel flow.
Get outside and exercise daily.
Do seasonal cleanses (give your system a rest and reboot period yearly).
Fast for 16 hours per 24 hour period, twice weekly.
Use natural cleaning products and body products
Severely reduce your consumption of processed foods.
Do not use perfumes or colognes.
Get rid of those air fresheners.
3) Skip the Spa
We all love a nice day at the spa. It’s relaxing and rejuvenating to both mind and body, but if we really want to super-boost our detoxification system, glutathione is where it’s at. In fact, researchers say that the level of glutathione in our cells could determine the length and overall health-quality of our lives. Glutathione is produced by every cell in our bodies and intracellular health is absolutely necessary to help fight off disease. Here’s where it get’s really good…this incredible molecule will actually bind to a toxin in the liver, so you’re absorbing just the nutrients you need and not any toxic overload. Maintaining a healthy level of glutathione production is primarily done through lifestyle choices…eating a wide variety of vegetables and proteins and reducing exposure to both internal and external toxins. For more severe cases of illness and/or inability to release toxins, talk with your Integrative Medical doctor about IV therapy.
Breathe Deep
Our modern world comes with incredible gifts of technology and advancements, but it still cannot match the incredible biological machines that are our bodies. It’s impossible to avoid exposure to toxins altogether, but it is very possible to take really good care of our health and help our bodies do what they are so good at: healing. In the clinic, we love this quote by Michael Crossland, “do something today that your future self will be proud of.” It’s easy to be overwhelmed so just remember to work on progress, not perfection. Empower yourself through education and seek the support of doctors who are in the business of health care, not disease management.