Natural detoxification organs in our body and how to support them

detoxThis is a concept that we often come across, especially in recent years. In fact, according to most people, it’s “cooler” than dieting. Because it kind of promises a shorter term solution and faster results. Most detox programs are based on the idea of ​​flushing out toxins from your body with a diet of only plenty of water and fluids. Eating this type of diet can give your digestive system a break; It is believed that it can bring miraculous results from weight loss to more energy. The only problem is that, according to experts, there is no evidence to support this.

Although the cleansing effect of detox is so often talked about, on the other hand, such formulations can be misleading. Because our body is actually capable of cleaning itself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have six organs with special processes that help get rid of unwanted metabolites and unwanted toxins. D., Chief of Medical Toxicity at Rutgers School of Medicine in New Jersey. Lewis Nelson explains it this way: “Our bodies have evolved to live in harmony with the outside world and quickly adapted to it. Anything in high doses can be toxic to our body, so our bodies are programmed to maintain normal levels of compounds that can be toxic if allowed to build up.”

Experts say our body acts as a filtering system, helping it cleanse itself throughout the day. In other words, multiple organ systems work together to do the job of filtering and detoxifying when we work, sleep, or whatever we’re doing. So what are these organs and how can they help eliminate toxins? Here are our organs that allow us to detox regularly and how to support them.

1. Our liver

Our liver performs a number of functions, including breaking down, processing, and transporting the foods we consume to the right places. The liver is also an organ of transformation. It is often responsible for converting compounds – toxic or otherwise – into water-soluble compounds that can be excreted through the kidneys. Our liver does this in several ways, including enzymes in liver tissue and the release of bile directly into the gastrointestinal tract. Experts describe this vital organ as a very powerful organ and claim that it filters out toxins such as bacteria, drugs, alcohol, food and ammonia before returning blood to the heart. So how can we support this capacity of our liver?

• First, limit your alcohol intake. With so many compounds to filter out, it’s best to limit your exposure to toxins, including alcohol.
• Pesticides and other toxins can damage your liver. Read the warning labels on the chemicals you use.
• Prevention of hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A and B are viral diseases of the liver, to prevent them, get vaccinated.
• Hepatitis B and C can develop into chronic diseases that can eventually destroy your liver. They are transmitted through the blood and other body fluids. To do this, give importance to safe sex.
• Hepatitis A is transmitted through contact with contaminated food or water. Take care of hand hygiene.
• Pay attention to the use of medicines and herbs. Do not self-medicate without consulting a specialist.
• Exercise and eat well.

2. Our kidneys

Our kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that remove waste and excess fluid from our body. Healthy kidneys filter about half a glass of blood in 2 minutes and remove waste and excess water. They also produce urine, which removes waste and fluid from the body. They do this through the delicate networks of cells and blood vessels that control fluid and electrolyte balance and absorption in the body. By distinguishing different substances in the body, they take over the filtering to keep what the body needs and release what it doesn’t need, such as drugs and toxins from the environment.

However, according to experts, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience health problems that can prevent their kidneys from working properly. So what can we do to support our kidney function?

• Eat a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet.
• Get regular exercise.
• Give great importance to good and quality sleep.
• Take care of your intestines.
• Stay away from habits that can upset your hormonal balance.

3. Our lungs

Our lungs filter particles from the air we breathe, thereby isolating unwanted compounds and preventing them from entering our blood through the air. A small amount of fluid or mucus in the airways is very important in protecting the lining of the lungs from particles and helping to push them back out of the airways. Also, some volatile compounds can be breathed out, but most compounds in the blood are not volatile. So what can we do to support our lung function?

• A 2017 BMC Pulmonary Medicine study shows that regular exercise (i.e., at least 10 minutes of continuous moderate to vigorous physical activity per day) can help increase lung capacity and keep them in good working order.
• And of course, healthy lungs support other effective detox pathways!

4. Our lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels, tissues, and organs that help protect our body from foreign bodies and unwanted compounds. Our lymph nodes and other organs in our lymphatic system (such as the spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes, and bone marrow) filter the lymph to remove foreign particles and unwanted germs. Then lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) take them over and destroy them.

In other words, the lymphatic system is called the sewer system of the body. This system takes in fluids that bathe cells and tissues and returns them to the blood vessel system. Although the lymphatic system does not work exactly like a filter, it returns blood to where it can be filtered, just like the conducting system. So what can we do to keep our lymphatic system functioning?

• Drinking plenty of water can help lymph move more easily through the body.
• While everyone’s hydration needs are different, experts recommend consuming 2-2.5 liters of water a day.

5. Our skin

In addition to removing toxins through sweat, our skin plays a protective role in preventing compounds from entering the body. Experts even call the skin “the first and most important defense against toxins.” The outer layer of skin is actually made up of flat, dead skin cells that are shed off and act as a thin armor for the rest of the body from unwanted substances. So what can we do to support our skin’s natural detoxification?

• Moisturize your skin well.
• Use sunscreen regularly.
• Collagen is the structural strength of our skin barrier, so supporting daily collagen production is also important in nourishing our skin, which is an important detox organ.

6. Our intestines

Our intestines (or gastrointestinal tract) have several systems for removing toxins. When it comes to the gastrointestinal tract, saliva’s unique microbiota and antimicrobial effects are the two main defense systems. The stomach performs this coordinated task by “producing acids that destroy unwanted microbes.” The intestine absorbs water and nutrients, protecting you from toxins “by preventing them from entering the bloodstream in the first place and passing them through the stool.” Of course, all of this can happen if you have an intact intestinal mucosa.

• Supports the overall well-being of the body, including a healthy gastrointestinal tract, detoxification system! So what can we do to support our gut function?
• Regular intake of quality probiotics can help improve the gut microbiome, boost our body’s immune response, and support healthy detox pathways.

Source: mindbodygreen, everyday health.

You may be interested in: What is a detox: everything you need to know about detox and weight loss, detox water recipes