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Why detoxify?

May 9, 2021

Optimal health depends on the body’s ability to remove toxins, and spring is a great time to discover why it is important to detoxify.

While many people don’t realize they are exposed to toxins, it is actually a daily and ongoing experience of living on this planet. During the spring, new plant growth, warmer temperatures and longer days provide an energy of renewal, and in many traditions, spring is honored as a time for renewal and cleansing. Most traditional medical systems, such as Ayurvedic, Chinese, Indigenous, the Essenes, and even Western medicine roots in Hippocrates, have a strong history in the practice of detoxification and support for the organs of elimination, such as the liver, kidneys, skin and lungs.

There are three key types of toxins – environmental, lifestyle and internal. Environmental toxin examples are polluted air from industrial practices, auto exhaust, solvents (paint, cleaning products), heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, radiation and inhalants. Lifestyle toxins come from things like cosmetics, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, artificial food additives, meats that contain hormones and antibiotics, refined foods and sugars, and other dietary choices like fast foods and fried foods. Internal toxins include bacterial, yeast, fungal overgrowth in the bowel, by-products of metabolic reactions (such as carbon dioxide and ammonia), undigested food, and the effects of stress, unresolved trauma or abuse, and unhappy relationships.

Some symptoms respond favorably to detoxification. While it is always important to be properly diagnosed by a physician, it is helpful to know that some symptoms may indicate either the presence of toxins or the need for liver-supportive herbs and nutrition.

For example, simple digestive disruptions such as acid reflux, bloating and constipation are signs of inflammation and can be improved with a focus on better detoxification. Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, hormone imbalances, hypothyroidism, and insomnia also have a connection to how well the liver is functioning. When a client has a paradoxical effect from a medication, or a tendency to not tolerate many compounds, or has multiple food intolerances or seasonal allergies, this can indicate imbalance in the liver detoxification system. Joint pain, migrating pain of unknown origin and muscle soreness can also be symptoms that respond to healthier detoxification support.

The liver is the largest gland in the body and a true powerhouse. The liver assimilates and packages nutrients for use while detoxifying hundreds of chemicals in two distinct phases. This process is called biotransformation, which happens with the help of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Optimal biotransformation depends on the capability of the liver. High stress levels suppress optimal liver function through a fight-or-flight response.

If the liver is not functioning properly, every other system in the body, including the heart, immune system, brain, kidneys and skin, is compromised. Most of the toxic compounds the body is exposed to are fat-soluble. Most detoxification programs help the liver change harmful fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble forms, which can be easily eliminated by the kidneys and colon.

There are multiple ways to promote a healthier detoxification system. The first and foremost is an abundance of clean, fresh, non-processed food, adequate water and plenty of sunshine and exercise. There are also nutrition programs such as an elimination diet, or a juice or water fast, which remove common inflammatory lifestyle toxins. These simple interventions can allow the digestive system and liver a rest from ingested toxins, and help it catch up with its metabolic workload.

In addition, there are herbs that support healthy liver function and the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. These include herbs like milk thistle, green tea, licorice, turmeric  and others. For example, a study in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine with 80 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease found that liver damage markers were significantly reduced after use of 500 mg of green tea extract per day for 90 days.

Specific nutrients can also be added to a successful detoxification program to help protect cells from oxidative stress and also improve cytochrome P450 enzyme pathways such as methylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, glycine conjugation and glutathione conjugation. In fact, naturopathic or functional medicine tests can be done, and symptoms can inform a naturopathic doctor if one or more of those pathways are sluggish or less effective.

Body burden testing can also be utilized to check urine for pollutant markers such as organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, benzene, xylene, vinyl chloride, pyrethroid insecticides, acrylamide, perchlorate, diphenyl phosphate, ethylene oxide, acrylonitrile, heavy metals and more. Naturopathic doctors are well trained in environmental medicine and can use appropriate laboratory tools and clinical investigation to understand what detoxification needs are present.

In this way, a detoxification program can be built around two key factors. First, what specific toxins are high? Second, what detoxification pathways need added support? Then, using nutrition, lifestyle and herbal medicine tools, a successful spring cleanse can be underway. Spring is a great time to promote the energy of “out with the old, in with the new.” And supporting liver function with dietary, lifestyle and herbal medicine is a great way to capture the healing aspect of a good spring cleanse.

Kim Furtado, ND, is a naturopathic doctor in Lewes who specializes in science-based, patient-focused, natural medicine. For more information or an appointment, call 302-945-2107 or go to DrKimFurtado.com.

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