Whether out for a run, grilling your favorite meats on a hot summer day, or spring-cleaning the house, our bodies are exposed to over 167 different toxins every day. These toxins in our environment (exotoxins) and that our bodies produce (endotoxins) have the ability to disrupt the essential biological structures needed for the body to function such as DNA, cellular membranes, and protein. Repeated exposure to various toxins can contribute to adverse health effects in the short-term such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue; and in the long-term can contribute to weight gain and chronic health outcomes.
Detoxification is essential for ridding the body of toxins and preventing their “health robbing” effects. Although all cells have the ability to detoxify toxins, the most important organ for detoxification is the liver–known as the body’s filter and purification system.
Most of you say that you liver can handle the toxin load, but most of the toxins are not processed by the liver because the liver doesn’t know what to do with it. So.. it’s sent to your fat cells.
Fat Cells House Toxins
Toxins enter the liver as either water- or fat-soluble molecules. Water-soluble toxins are rather easily metabolized and excreted into the urine. Not all toxins make it out of our bodies, some toxins are stored in fat cells where they are protected from the body’s detoxification systems. This protection causes inflammation. Most of us see this inflammation in our mid section.
Excess fat stores, especially organ-bathing visceral fat, are linked to several diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction. The addition of toxin exposure to an overweight or obese individual may only serve to increase these risks (1). We’ve talked about this an earlier session.
Three Phases of Detoxification
- The toxin is broken down by enzymes during a several phase process . The breakdown process makes the toxins more water-soluble. More water-soluble, less toxic molecules are easily transported into the blood, through our kidneys, and out into the urine for elimination.
- If we’re exposed to excessive amounts of toxins they could rapidly deplete our ability to make toxins water soluble and protect us from free radicals.
- In the final step, toxins in the cells are pushed to bloodstream for elimination.
Proper Nutrition Essential for Detoxification
To ensure optimal functioning of our detoxification systems it is essential to have an adequate dietary intake of vitamins (B vitamins, vitamins C, and E), minerals (selenium, zinc, copper), and other nutrients such as CoQ10 and polyphenols. These nutrients bolster our detoxification defenses either through their roles in phases I, II or III of detoxification or by providing antioxidant support (3). Nutritional support is essential in the detoxification process because some toxins are produced as the result of free radicals. Plus, nutritional support is needed to counteract the oxidative damage caused by toxins.
Plant botanicals including ashwagandha, aloe vera, and turmeric (Cleanse for Life), milk thistle (Product B), resveratrol, and other antioxidant vitamins and botanicals (Ageless Essential Daily Pak) have all been shown to improve detoxification.
Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting Stimulate Detoxification
Although not yet extensively examined in humans, subjecting animals to calorie restriction (CR) or intermittent fasting (IF) has also been shown to increase efficiency of detoxification pathways. The precise mechanisms responsible for the benefits of CR or IF on detoxification are unclear, but it’s thought that these two cleansing protocols “turn on” genes that increase detoxification. By Day 2 of a cleanse your natural source of human growth hormone has spiked and you are in fat burning mode. Women experience a 1300% increase and men experience a 2100% increase.
Additionally, the reduction of fat mass—the primary target for toxin storage—stimulates the release of these fat based toxins into the circulation. Once broken down these toxins enter the bloodstream toxins and are more easily excreted from the body. When the body has the additional nutritional support of amino acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and other ingredients, the detoxification enzymes can perform at peak function.
This isn’t your maple syrup and lemon juice diet. This cleanse supports you nutritionally and you won’t feel hungry or deprived. You also won’t be spending quality time in the bathroom. I typically do a 2 day cleanse 1x quarter to help my body to rid itself of the toxin load.
The best about cleanse of life is that it’s gentle enough to use every day. So.. I will also take 1/4 cup every evening before I go to bed.
Want to give this a try’ Give the Detox and Fuelprogram a try.
- We talked about body cleansing, the same can be said about life cleansing. Is there anything you need to get rid of’ Is there a person in your life that causes you angst’ Do you have clutter around you house’ What about your gym bag’ Today is all about getting rid of the junk that maybe holding you back!
Don’t forget Leave a comment below. Write a facebook post on the Fabulous Fit Squad. If you have a personal blog, write a blog post. Make sure you link back to the site so we can cheer you on and hold you accountable.
Just joining now” Don’t worry you can catch up.
Day 1 — Intro the challenge
Day 2 — Getting your mind straight
Day 3 — Goal setting
Day 4 — What’s on your plate
Day 5 — Lift
Day 6 — Cardio
Day 7 — Living on your own terms
Day 8 — Rest day
Day 9 — Forming a habit
Day 10 — Just Breathe
Day 11 — Fat loss secrets revealed
Day 12 — Can you pinch an inch
Day 13 — Dedicated and Focused
Day 14 — Doubt
Day 15 — Rewards and Consequences
Day 16 — Damn Hormones
Day 17 — Pre and Post Workout Meals
Day 18 — Successful Weight Loss
Day 19 — Know Before You Go
Day 20 — Courage and Strength
Day 21 — You Can’t Out Run A Bad Diet
Day 22 — 10 Days To Go!
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3. Yang YM, Noh K, Han CY, Kim SG. Transactivation of genes encoding for phase II enzymes and phase III transporters by phytochemical antioxidants. Molecules 2010;[15:63]32-48.
4. Vinson JA, Al KH, Andreoli L. Effect of Aloe vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E. Phytomedicine 2005;[12:76]0-5.
5. Kim BH, Hong SS, Kwon SW et al. Diarctigenin, a lignan constituent from Arctium lappa, down-regulated zymosan-induced transcription of inflammatory genes through suppression of DNA binding ability of nuclear factor-kappaB in macrophages. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2008;3[27:39]3-401.
6. Ahmad MK, Mahdi AA, Shukla KK et al. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. Fertil Steril 2010;[94:98]9-96.
7. Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA et al. Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults. J Agric Food Chem 2010;[58:39]96-4000.
8. Bounous G, Gold P. The biological activity of undenatured dietary whey proteins: role of glutathione. Clin Invest Med 1991;[14:29]6-309.
9. Sekhar RV, Patel SG, Guthikonda AP et al. Deficient synthesis of glutathione underlies oxidative stress in aging and can be corrected by dietary cysteine and glycine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;[94:84]7-53.