I don’t think we can escape the words toxins and detox even for just one single day.
Living in this sophisticated century, the question has shifted from “Are we toxic?” to “How toxic are we?” Everyday we ingest, inhale, touch and apply toxin to ourselves.
Having to do so, I am 100% sure that we are actually well aware that all detailed information about toxins, what to avoid, how to detox is just one click away (or if you use your smart phone, one touchscreen away). And as a Functional Medicine Practitioner, I know that that info is so abundant and readily available and at the end of the day will put us into another stress – deciding on how to chose the right one???
I can tell you with confidence though, if only you knew, what was happening to you whenever you are stressed, you would freak out!!! The stress you put your cells into in deciding what is it to do to stay healthy, will damage your health – but let’s be focus here and talk about one thing at a time.
Detoxification is a delicate process to make sure our body only keep the good stuff and get rid off the bad, but to my opinion once you know what happens on that process and what nutrients and cofactors involved, then you can detoxify at anytime without much effort.
Our liver plays the big role in detoxing, there are 2 big pathways in the liver to take all the toxins we put in, then modify it into a different form that is easier for the body to excrete. These 2 pathways rely on our antioxidant defense mechanism, our nutrient status, our gene and our lifestyle – including our medication to fight diseases at times and the medication to control chronic diseases like hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus.
Phase 1 detoxification pathway takes toxins, and with the involvement of a family of enzyme called CYP450 will modify the toxins to active intermediate molecules - that is normally would be more toxic than its original form – transport it to the next pathway to be neutralized by Phase 2 and excreted out through excretion organs.
Clinically, Phase 1 is where free radicals generated and thus the liver requires high antioxidant reserve to protect itself. This is why knowing your free radical status and antioxidant status with a simple test* would make you at ease, you will know exactly if you need to increase your defense or just to continue your healthy lifestyle.
In Phase 2 as the toxins are now more toxic, the liver needs to make sure that phase 2 response is rapid and thorough so that all the toxins are excreted out and none stays to be re-circulated into our circulation (remember this molecule is more toxic than the toxin we had at the first place). Phase 2 depends on your gene that controls the enzymes you need in conjugating the toxic material and modify it to the water-soluble forms for our body to excrete it easily. Fortunately, this sophisticated century comes with an answer too, we are now able to see with a simple urine test*, if our Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification are functioning optimally
To start detoxing without really thinking about it, here are few steps that you can apply easily in your everyday life:
1. Avoid processed food products including additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners. Just think about it this way, if there is a “Healthy Food” section in your Supermarket, then what does it tell you about all other foods available there?
2. Increase your intake of foods that support the liver such as avocado, garlic, lemons, artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, etc
3. Increase fiber intake
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Reduce toxins in your home environment and replace them with non-toxic alternatives
6. If needed, consider nutritional supplementation to support your liver. Remember, supplementation is not a substitution. YOU CAN’T TAKE SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT MAKING YOUR LIFESTYLE YOUR MEDICINE AT THE FIRST PLACE
Start Today… Make Lifestyle Your Medicine!!
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