|
Toxins are poisonous substances that are
chemically unstable in the body. They are an accumulation of normal body
by-products that haven't been eliminated. We can divide toxins into two
forms: endogenous toxins and exogenous toxins. Endogenous toxins are
normal waste products the body creates in the process of normal
functions. If the body does not eliminate them adequately, they will
remain in the body. Uric acid, a by-product of protein metabolism is a
fine example.
Exogenous toxins are those that are not
normally found in the human body such as environmental pollutants (such
as haze), food additives, chemicals, heavy metals and pesticides. Body
fat tends to be a storage depot for fat soluble toxins. You may consider
the possibility of toxicity if you experience fatigue, swelling under
the eyes and prostate gland, cysts, edema, skin disorders, headache,
joint pain, allergies, constipation and a coated tongue.
Organs of elimination are the liver,
kidneys, large intestines and the skin. The main focus of natural
detoxification involves the liver. Herbalists the world over have held
dandelion in high regard for centuries. Dandelion root has an extremely
high nutrient content, increasing bile flow, improving liver congestion,
bile duct inflammation and gallstones. This herb can be combined with
other liver herbs such as milk thistle for better effects.
Milk thistle is traditionally used for liver
disorders. This herb contains silymarin, which is an antioxidant, to
help prevent free radical damage in the liver due to toxins. Silymarin
also increases the glutathione content of the liver by 35% in healthy
subjects and by over 50% in rats, and increases the level of the
important antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase, in cell cultures.
Glutathione is responsible for detoxifying a
wide range of chemicals. Increasing the glutathione content of the liver
means the liver has an increased capacity for detoxification reactions.
Perhaps the most interesting effect of milk thistle in the liver is its
ability to stimulate protein synthesis. This results in an increase in
the production of new liver cells to replace the damaged old ones.
It is also important to consider regular
bowel movement as part of detoxifying the body.
|
