Detoxification

Toxins are of four main types:

Heavy Metals

Heavy metal pollution is mainly due to industrial processes, car exhausts and pesticides. These not only contaminate air, but are also absorbed by our crops and water supplies. We are therefore eating and drinking, as well as breathing, these toxins. Other sources include the lead solder in tin cans, mercury fillings, contaminated fish (particularly near the coast), antacids, aluminium pans and cosmetics.

The main effects of heavy metal toxicity are on the brain and central nervous system, affecting mental ability, co-ordination and behaviour.

Chemicals, drugs and food additives

Formaldehyde, solvents and petrochemicals are obviously unhealthy, but many food additives, pesticides and herbicides are harmful to us. All medical drugs have to be detoxified.

The main effects of these toxins are on the nervous system, but many of them also have an effect on the respiratory tract, and most of them are carcinogenic (cancer-forming). The liver is the main detoxifying organ for this group.

Intestinal Microbial Compounds

Microbes (mainly bacteria and fungi) produce toxins which have effects all over the body. A leaky intestinal wall ("leaky gut"), will allow the toxins access into the bloodstream.

Protein breakdown metabolites

As proteins are broken down, they produce toxic waste products such as ammonia and urea.

How do we detoxify?

1) Reduce toxin absorption

The diet should be as natural as possible; free from chemicals, antibiotics and hormones, low in animal products, and high in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. These provide large amounts of fibre, which speeds up transit time through the intestines, thus reducing opportunities for toxins to be absorbed.

Mucilaginous fibres, such as oatbran, pectin and psyllium seeds, bind toxins and prevent them being absorbed through the intestinal walls. Alcohol has to be detoxified by the liver, and therefore should be avoided.

2) Aid removal of toxins

This is in three major parts:

a) General dilution and flushing out of toxins

b) Improving kidney function

c) Improving liver function

a) Dilution and flushing out of toxins

The major agent to achieve this is water. At least two litres per day should be drunk, preferably distilled or filtered. The lymphatic system is the body's drainage system. Goldenseal root and echinacea appear to be effective in supporting the lymphatic system, by increasing white blood cell production.

b) Improving kidney function

Dandelion leaf is a good kidney tonic, normally available as a tea.

c) Improving liver function

Various factors help liver function:

Dandelion is one of the two main herbal liver tonics. It helps to increase both production and flow of bile, and helps avoid liver congestion. Dandelion in its two effects, is therefore very important.

The active component of this herb is silymarin. This mixture of phytonutrients inhibits liver damage from free radicals, but it also stimulates regeneration of the liver.

Glutathione is probably the most potent anti-oxidant molecule in the body. Silymarin prevents its destruction and as a result is very protective of liver activity when exposure to toxins is very high.

Methionine, choline and carnitine all help to reduce fatty infiltration of the liver. Methionine is involved in producing sulphur-containing compounds, which bind onto various toxins, making them more easily transported from the liver.

The antioxidants selenium, zinc, vitamin C and E and beta-carotene all help against free radical damage, and help to keep the liver in optimum condition.

3) Maintain optimum intestinal condition

b) To maintain optimum gut microflora; this helps to control the toxin-producing microbes.

(a) The mucous membranes form the barrier between the contents of the intestines and the bloodstream. If the condition of the mucous membrane becomes impaired, then substances which are normally too big to get into the bloodstream can gain access. The main nutrients for mucosal condition are vitamins A and C and the mineral zinc. The amino acid L-glutamine is a major fuel for the mucous membranes.

(b) We are normally inhabited by great numbers of bacteria, which perform beneficial functions for us, manufacturing some vitamins, but mainly controlling the population of pathogenic microbes.

Summary of suggested supplements

Nutritional

High potency multivitamin-mineral; to supply vitamin E, zinc, beta-carotene, selenium and many other nutrients.

Herbal

Probiotics

Note

There are two supplements that don't quite fit into any of the discussions above.

Aloe vera juice; this is an extremely versatile product, which has the ability to kill many pathogenic organisms, and at the same time has powerful healing effects on the entire intestinal tract. It also binds to toxins. It can therefore be a powerful addition to a detox programme.

Garlic; this is a powerful heavy metal detoxifier because of its high selenium content. It is also a powerful detoxifier of nitrates and nitrites.