The term detoxification is so familiar nowadays among peoples, rather than the process. We think detoxification is a special technique to undergo to purify our body. The lack of understanding about the process makes us to spend lots of money in that. Here, i explain how our body detoxifies itself everyday and the necessary steps to help our body to make this process successful.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification is our body’s natural process to breakdown and eliminate the toxins from our system through faeces, urine, breath and sweat. It’s a physiological process like digestion, circulation etc.
How do we get Toxins in our body?
We need to understand how we incur the toxins in our body. It can be classified according to their source we uptain.
- Exotoxins : toxins from environment
- Endotoxins: toxins from metabolic process of our body
Exotoxins :
Exotoxins are the group we ingest which are man-made chemicals from the environment. These include,
- Additives, pesticides, insecticides etc in our produce.
- Hormones and antibiotics in eggs and meat.
- Heavy metals in the water and fish; chemicals added to the water for purification like chlorine and fluride.
- Air and water pollution through industries.
- toxic side effects of Prescrition and over the counter drugs
- cooking methods like bbq,deep fry.
- hazardous utensils like aluminum cookware,plastic utensils which gives off toxic residues.
Endotoxins:
Our body eliminate toxins resulting from the metabolic processes like,
- Hormones
- histamine (inflammatory agents)
- neurotransmitters (like serotonin etc)
After performing their specific function, these chemicals are broken down, neutralised and eliminated from our body. If they accumulate over a longer period, these toxins can produce harmful effects like irregular functioning of the organs, cancer etc.
But ,each individual reacts differently on how they handle and eliminate them. That’s the reason why we see few peoples develop illness like hormonal imbalances, organ damage, cancer in a particular group of population having same level of toxin exposures. We call this ‘Biochemical individuality”. Everyone won’t act in a same way. You should watch for your own body signal.
How does this process works?
Liver – the second largest organ in our body- plays a major role in detoxification. It filters the blood which flows into it for purifications. Liver undergoes this detox process in two different phase.
Phase I : Breaksdown the toxins and releases free radicals – harmful agents that damage cells causing aging.
Phase II : This phase needs a lot of Anti-oxidants to neutralize the free radicals released from Phase I. This neutralization happens in six different pathways, whereas some pathways acts as a backup process. Non-synchronization between pathways or extra load for longer period builds up pressure inside our system and results in the accumulation of toxins. Lack of antioxidant and key nutrients in our diet leads to this non-synchronization.
Glutathione is the most critical antioxidant in the detox process. Other nutrients needed are Vitamin B2, B3, B6, B12, E and C, folic acid, bioflavonoids, zinc, magnesium and copper.
The challenge for current generation
In recent times, people incline on packed foods, processed meats and other junk foods containing additives, preservatives etc mentioned above. They expose themselves to large amount of toxins through food. These poor food habits builds up toxins in their system.
Whereas, having healthy foods, provides the necessary antioxidants and the other nutrients much needed for the detoxification naturally.
Detox foods packed with the nutrients
- Broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- brussel sprouts
- asparagus
- avocado,
- walnuts
- green leafy vegetables,
- citrus fruits,
- beans,
- whole grains,
- organic animal protein
Simple summer detox drink
Add few slices of lemon, cucumber and some mint leaves in the water to get simply refreshed.
Take home Message:
Having a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, and smoke free lifestyle is the ultimate Detoxification.
Wetest 