What is the body’s pathway to detox? The liver is the main organ for detoxification along with lungs, blood, colon, lymph, skin and kidneys. If we look first at the liver as the main organ of detox, we see it has a multi-step process for managing toxins in our body. Beyond our internal toxins, we bring toxins in through many av- enues including our digestive system with food, our immune system through our skin and respiratory system into our lungs. On the day- to-day we primarily count on the liver to help manage those toxins. The liver has a unique 3 phase process to neutralize toxins to prepare for elimination. The purpose of the liver’s process is to break toxins down to be water soluble so they can be eliminated.
Phase 1: Like a “spray n’ wash” pre-treatment in laundry. Toxins
are broken down to more manageable units by a system of enzymes. These enzymes use several biochemical processes to accomplish this. Vitamins and minerals are essential to this step of detox. Many sub- stances are more toxic or volatile after this first phase. Alcohol is one of those toxins that becomes more toxic after going through phase 1. That is why chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is damaging for the liver. It’s so important to look at ways to support the transition from phase 1 to phase 2 so that the handoff flows seamlessly.
Phase 2: Like the “wash” cycle of your washing machine. Dur- ing this phase, toxins are made water soluble to be excreted. This part of the process uses amino acids that come from protein as well as vitamins and minerals to complete what phase 1 started. One of these processes is called sulfation which uses sulfur compounds like those found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower to support detox. Research shows that eating 1 cup of broccoli per day creates a positive impact on this phase of detox.
Phase 3: Like the “rinse/spin” cycle of your washing machine.
Toxins are removed or recycled through urine, stool and bile. Regular daily bowels movements, urination and even sweating are key to support the completion of the cycle. This is one of the many rea- sons we need to drink sufficient water to help the liver complete its process.
This is where the other organs of detox come to help the liver.
The water-soluble toxins from the liver are pushed along to the kidneys to filter through urination as well as the gastrointestinal tract. There are many layers of reinforcement for the body to run efficiently and there are backup organs if the liver and kidneys get overwhelmed. Your lungs, skin, bladder and large intestine will jump in to help the process, but since they are not primarily detox organs it’s harder for them and requires more energy from the body.
WHAT gets in the way of detox? Toxins become dangerous when this waste accumulates. When we combine both internal and external toxins, the body burden can become high. Some people are exposed to a high level of toxins through certain foods and lifestyle. The liver is designed for this but never gets a break since there are always toxins to recycle and the liver can be overworked. When there are many toxins in the body, they can build up waiting for recycling and create some damage to cells and organs. They can, in effect, clog the system. It’s important to consider how you can help your body and to learn more about the impact of some of the choices we make. For example, certain medications like acid reflux medications and antacids slow digestion down and reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamins. Vitamins are an important assis- tant in detox so those medications don’t clog the system. Tylenol, with long term use, affects phase 1 of liver detox and has even been shown to damage the liver making detox more challenging.
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HOW can I help the process? The easy answer to that question is to limit and avoid toxic
exposure. The second very important support you can give your body is too add foods and practices that accelerate detoxification in the body.
1.Avoid/Limit Toxins Foods:
• Choose organically/locally grown produce; focus on at least avoiding the dirty dozen. The dirty dozen are the most important fruits and vegetables to buy organic. This website will give you that list: (
www.ewg.org- search dirty dozen) • Seek grass fed/locally raised meats and wild caught or sustainably farmed fish
• Look for non-GMO foods and avoid dyes, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors
• Avoid artificial sweeteners which are just chemicals that the body needs to detox • Limit sugar as much as possible as it creates cellular damage • Drink filtered water
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