Detoxification
by Keith R. Holden, M.D.
We are exposed to multiple toxins every day including environmental chemical toxins and internal toxins associated with byproducts of our metabolism. The liver has two sets of enzyme pathways for detoxification that rely on numerous nutrients to support detoxification activities and protect against excessive free radical generation. Toxins can interfere with our metabolism, overload our liver’s detoxification systems, interfere with organ function, increase inflammation, disrupt weight control systems, and lead to obesity.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is considered toxic because it places a heavy burden on detoxification systems through excessive sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, trans fatty acids, alcohol, caffeine, aspartame, and the numerous pathogens, hormones, and antibiotics found in our food supply. The most effective way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to eat plenty of fish, seeds, nuts, and mainly plant based, unprocessed organic foods that are high in fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats like olive oil.
Foods that boost detoxification include cruciferous vegetables, garlic, decaffeinated green tea, fresh vegetable juice, onions, grapes, berries, citrus, dandelion greens, celery, cilantro, rosemary, tumeric, curry, burdock root, and chlorophyll found in wheat grass.
There are many detoxification programs out there ranging from simply changing the diet, to fasting, to a doctor supervised heavy metal detoxification program. Some helpful ways to avoid or eliminate toxins include drinking filtered water (carbon or reverse osmosis), using HEPA filters to reduce indoor pollution, keeping houseplants that clean the air such as English Ivy and Spider plants, airing out dry cleaning before wearing it, reducing heavy metal exposure by avoiding predatory and river fish, tap water, lead paint, and thimerosal containing products; having 1-2 bowel movements a day, drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, sweating regularly through exercise, saunas, and steam baths. Yoga or lymphatic massage improves lymph flow and helps flush toxins from your body.
Supplements that can aid detoxification include a high potency multivitamin and mineral complex containing selenium and zinc, extra-buffered vitamin C, milk thistle, omega-3 fatty acids, N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, carnitine, probiotics, and the amino acids taurine and glycine.
The worse mistake people make regarding detoxification is to undergo a detoxification program, by whatever means, and then continue to overload the body with the same toxins, such as through continuing to eat an unhealthy diet.
