I’m sure you’ve seen them or maybe even fallen prey – ads, or even friends, selling “detoxes” or detox protocols. They are luring – promises of improved digestion, clearer skin, and even weight loss in only a matter of days! If you’ve tried a detox, chances are you also got a taste of disappointment as every benefit you may have seen with with whatever supplement, juice, or tea you consumed creeping right back in after your time was complete.
The truth is, detoxification is a biological process happening continuously, 24/7, involving multiple organ systems. It is NOT a one time task to complete.
Everything that goes in or on our bodies will eventually be absorbed through the skin, respiratory, or digestive tract where it then must be processed and repackaged for timely and safe elimination. Even our own self-made hormones, neurotransmitters, and modulators of inflammation must go through this process to keep our bodies in homeostasis, or balance. This process is called detoxification, and while there are many organs involved, it is mostly the job of our liver, and our nutrition greatly impacts its ability to perform well. If we do not eat a nutrient-rich, whole-foods diet, or if we consume in excess substances that inhibit detoxification, our body’s ability to detoxify is reduced and we run the risk of overload and disease.
Detoxification occurs in 3 phases, outlined below:
Phase 1 Detoxification – Biotransformation – the first defense employed by the body to transform xenobiotics, steroid hormones, and pharmaceuticals through the addition of a reactive group by oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. This step has the potential to create oxidative damage within cells1. Ample intake of B vitamins and antioxidants are needed to support this step.
Phase 2 Detoxification – Conjugation – the transfer of hydrophilic (water-loving) compounds to the phase 1 metabolite, enabling enhanced excretion/elimination through bile or urine. This step makes the metabolite less harmful/reactive and able to be eliminated from the body. Overactive phase 1 and/or underactive phase 2 can increase the risk of toxic overload and is associated with disease burden, including the development of several forms of cancer. A diet full of quality amino acids & foods high in magnesium, choline, glucuronic acid, and sulfur are needed to support this phase.
Phase 3 Detoxification – Elimination/Excretion – the metabolite’s final exit from the body via bowel movements, urination, or sweat. Regular exercise, adequate hydration, and ample dietary fiber are needed to support phase 3.
Supporting detoxification, rather than “doing a detox” should be the goal. We can only handle so much – so much poor nutrition + detoxification inhibitors + toxins – before we will exceed our body’s capacity to detoxify and begin experiencing symptoms of disease. We all have different genetics, different microbiomes, and different environmental exposures that overflow our proverbial “cup.” This is why what triggers YOUR symptoms might not be a problem for someone else. Poor detoxification symptoms may look like neurological disease in one person, and acne in another. It may look like hormone imbalance in you and autoimmune disease in me.
The unfortunate truth is that in today’s world we cannot escape the daily insult of harmful substances. Analysis of umbilical cord blood shows that even infants are brought into this world with a body burden of more than 250 chemicals. BUT, with intention and care we can absolutely live a life where our bodies can handle the unavoidable – by avoiding the avoidable, understanding our personal genetic risks, and supporting detoxification with nutrition and targeted supplementation when needed – this is the future of personalized healthcare!
Click here to download my FREE guide on nutritional support for optimal detoxification.
