Out with the Bad; In with the Good

We all hear about the various progressing levels of pollution within our environment and most of us think “it isn’t going to affect me.” But the truth is that we can’t avoid it, no matter how hard we try. Did you know that more than 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the environment each year? We are all exposed to environmental toxins through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Moreover, there is a growing body of literature connecting toxic build-up within our bodies to various chronic diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, atherosclerosis, and various inflammatory diseases.

Over time, the build-up of toxins within our body from our environment and diet can affect the way our bodies work and directly affect our health. Even though your body has natural mechanisms to detoxify itself, it can become overloaded from years, maybe even a lifetime, worth of exposure. So how do we rid ourselves of these dangerous toxins? Let’s first discuss what toxins are, what some of the symptoms or signs to look for are to help identify if your toxin levels are high and finally what exactly detoxification is.

What are Toxins and Where Are They Stored?

Some of the most obvious sources of toxicity within the body are various chemicals, petrochemicals, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium), xenobiotics (medications/steroids), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides, insecticides, herbicides (800 different chemicals in this class), and phthalates (found in plastics). Additionally, we forget that certain types of food we eat contain various food additives, preservatives, and hormones. Many toxins are also fat-soluble, so they can accumulate and remain in body tissues for years, thereby increasing our exposure to higher doses over a longer period of time.

How Can You Tell if Your Toxin Level is Too High?

Toxic accumulation within our body can occur at the tissue and organ level. For example, toxicity in the brain can lead to a sense of fogginess, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, or poor short-term memory. High levels of toxicity can make you feel old and sap your strength, leaving you feeling tired, sluggish, and lethargic. In the gastrointestinal tract, it can lead to poor digestion and recurrent yeast infections.

Toxins cause your body to be unable to work the way it is supposed to. Instead of clearing out the inevitable toxins that enter our body, the body gets overloaded and the main cleansing organs (liver and gut) become inefficient and burdened.

If You Suffer From These Other Warning Signs, You May Have a Toxic Load:

• Acne or dark spots on your pale skin
• Irregular bowel movements and/or diarrhea
• Inability to lose weight
• Body odor or bad breath, despite good personal hygiene
• Frequent illness
• Trouble sleeping
• Allergies and/or food sensitivity

What is Detoxification?

Detoxification is a cleansing process at the cellular and organ level. The body has a very complex system designed to convert fat-soluble toxins to water-soluble molecules so that they may be excreted either through urine or feces. This process is the body’s natural detoxification process and includes two major steps which occur within the gut and liver called Phase I and Phase II. These are very complex processes and involve various types of enzymes. The cytochrome P450 family of enzymes is one of the most well-studied. During this process, there are various nutrients and phytonutrients that are required to facilitate and complete this process. Remember, when the system is compromised or burdened, every cell in your body can be adversely affected.

Where Do You Begin the Cleansing Process?

A detox diet, typically lasting anywhere from 1–3 weeks, is a good start to helping your body clear out the excess toxins. But before you start, there are a couple things you can do to help yourself. First of all, lighten up your toxic load. Eliminate refined sugars, saturated fats (red meats), cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol. Make it easier and not harder for the body to heal itself.

Secondly, try to lower your amount of stress. Getting rid of stress and maintaining a positive state of mind really is important, since stress releases certain hormones into your body. While these hormones can give you that extra little “push” when needed, too much stress can lead to toxin creation and impede detoxification enzymes in your liver. Try yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises.

Here are a couple ideas for simple, beginner detox diets that can introduce you to the concept of detoxification:

The Simple Fruit & Veggie Detox Diet

One of the easiest detox diets to follow for beginning detoxification is the simple fruit and veggie diet. This is a quick cleanse routine lasting 2–3 days. The idea is to give your body a break from processed foods and animal products by eating solely fruits and vegetables for a short time.

You can eat fruits and vegetables cooked or raw, but avoid adding butter or sugar so you don’t cancel out the natural detoxification effects.

The Sugar Detox Diet

Another straightforward option is the sugar detox diet. This diet avoids white sugar, baked goods, and candy for several days or longer. Reducing sugar helps stabilize energy, reduce cravings, and support weight loss.

One helpful tip: Watch out for hidden sugar in foods like ketchup, soups, and salad dressings. Choose fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins whenever possible.

The Benefits of Detoxification

Detoxification can improve immune function, reduce inflammation, support healthy cell regeneration, and improve digestive health. Just as importantly, detoxification educates you about avoiding harmful toxins, often leading to healthier lifestyle choices.

What Else Can You Do to Detoxify Yourself?

In addition to dietary changes, supplementation can support your body’s natural detoxification pathways. Below are two high-quality options designed to assist liver and gastrointestinal detoxification.

Ortho Molecular: Core Restore

Core Restore is a strategic system designed to enhance Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification pathways. It supports the neutralization of environmental pollutants, hormone disruptors, unhealthy estrogen metabolites, and other harmful toxins.

Pure Encapsulations: Liver G.I. Detox

Liver G.I. Detox supports hepatic and gastrointestinal detoxification by providing nutrients and botanical extracts that assist with toxin elimination, digestion, gut integrity, and cellular function. Key ingredients such as ALA and NAC help bind heavy metals like mercury.

Until next time, stay healthy!

Yours in health,

Dr. Gregg Gittins