An Introduction To Detox
An Introduction To Detox
Most people, when faced with the word 'elimination' think of one of
two things - bowel regularity or the type of dietary regime where a particular
food is eliminated from the diet for a reason. This issue of our Newsletter takes
a broad look at nutrition and lifestyle factors to help maintain healthy organs
involved in the process of eliminating unwanted substances from the body. Although
there is no 'Eliminatory System' as such, many organs of the body eliminate waste
products: the digestive tract - as faeces from the colon; the lungs - as carbon
dioxide; the skin - as water and some toxins; the kidneys - as urea; the liver
- pesticide residues, pollution absorbed from the atmosphere, metabolic by-products
and so on.
Foods like grains and meat may have small residues left in them
from hormones, antibiotics (albeit reduced), pesticides and different chemicals.
An
enormous number and variety of different chemicals are allowed to be used in food
manufacturing. Not only do these unnecessary 'additives' contribute directly to
poor health; they may indirectly do so, by reducing nutrient absorption or causing
nutrients to be excreted faster than nature intended.
All that we swallow,
absorb through the skin, inhale, or inject into the body passes through the liver
at some stage and therefore needs to be eliminated efficiently. Pesticide residues
from food and drinks, chemicals to preserve foods, (for example, salad leaves
being sprayed before the bag is sealed), medication: all these and more ought
to be taken into account. If elimination is poor, a person can feel tired and
sometimes unwell. All is not lost though, the situation is changeable! An overloaded
liver sends out signals that include chronic headaches, inflammatory and auto-immune
diseases and chronic fatigue, psoriasis or acne, to let us know that the body
is suffering (1).
The major organs of elimination in the body are:
The Intestines ~ the wave-like action of peristalsis promotes the efficient
passage of food through the digestive tract and removal of waste products of digestion
through faeces (2).
The Liver ~ The liver is the largest organ in
the human body; it is a busy organ and intimately involved in the elimination
process. It has a wide range of functions of which several are vital for life.
The many processes carried out by the liver include taking excess glucose from
the blood and storing it as glycogen; then converting glycogen back to glucose
when needed. It has the ability to change food components into others, for example
carbohydrates into fats; or protein into carbohydrates or fats. Protein waste
produces ammonia which is made into urea and this waste passes into the blood
stream to be dealt with by the kidneys. The liver filters out (absorbs) toxins
such as drugs, alcohol, chemicals from food, preservatives, pesticides and so
on by different methods which need different vitamins, minerals and amino acids
to work properly to help regulate chemicals in the blood; it then changes their
chemical structure to be water-soluble and excrete them in bile (2). The liver
stores and synthesises vitamins, amino acids and other useful substances. However,
the liver is not a mechanical filter; it is a delicate living tissue in a living
body. Alcohol slows down the efficiency of the liver and the way it works. The
worst thing to happen to a liver is to pickle it in alcohol, (unless it is in
a jar on the laboratory shelf!).
The Lungs ~ there is more to respiration
than simply breathing air into the lungs. The aim is to provide the energy needed
by body cells for the transfer of oxygen from the air we breathe to red blood
cells and other cells in the body. Cells obtain their energy mainly by metabolising
glucose with oxygen and so a regular supply of oxygen is needed. In addition the
waste products of this metabolic process, mainly carbon dioxide, must be carried
away from cells, through the veins and the heart to the lungs to be exhaled. When
we exercise, our respiration increases to compensate for higher energy demands
by cells in the muscles. The body copes with the changing demands for oxygen by
varying the volume of breathing. The amount of air breathed into and out of the
lungs varies from 0.5 litres at rest up to 4.5 litres during heavy exercise(2).
Lungs release carbon dioxide at the same rate it is produced to ensure that the
acid/alkaline balance in the body is maintained; this is important because too
much CO2 raises the acid level in the body which may have a harmful effect (5).
The Kidneys ~ together with the liver, the kidneys clear the blood of drugs
and poisonous substances that would otherwise build up in the bloodstream. They
excrete urea made up of ammonia, other waste products, excess water and electrolytes.
The kidneys regulate water, electrolytes and acid/alkaline balance of internal
environment (5). Drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive Protein in the
diet can help support the health of the kidneys.
The Skin ~ is
involved in regulating body temperature through sweat when the body is hot. Cracked
skin is often a sign of moisture content being too low; this will affect the skin's
natural barrier ability (2). The skin excretes moisture and tissue salts in sweat.
A healthy lifestyle including good nutrition and regular exercise will benefit
all the eliminatory organs in the body.
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