At the time of the change of season (spring or autumn), we often feel fatigue, stress, and tiredness. This is a typical symptom of the need to carry out an adequate detox program in view of the change of season.
But what are toxins? Why is it important to eliminate them?
Toxins are substances of various types and origins that can accumulate in our bodies. Those that the body cannot eliminate over time damage our health. In fact, an accumulation of toxins can negatively affect the functioning of various organs and metabolism, predisposing us to the onset of all the main chronic-degenerative diseases and weakening the immune system, making infections easier, for example.
Toxins mainly have two types of origin:
1. They come from outside, taken in through food (especially industrially refined foods, but also animal milk or meat from intensive farming), or are substances we come into contact with due to pollution or through professional or accidental exposure.
2. They are produced by our body due to digestive processes and the metabolism of the gut microbiota, but also by the metabolism of immune system cells as a defense against viruses and bacteria.
How does the body eliminate toxins?
The organs responsible for eliminating toxins are called emunctories and are the liver, kidneys, intestines, skin, and lungs. The latter eliminate carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product of all cells, through respiratory exchanges. The other four organs are those responsible for eliminating most of the toxins produced by the body or with which we come into contact: food additives, environmental pollutants, effects of alcohol or radiation or drugs... The main player in these processes is certainly the liver, supported by the kidneys for urine elimination and the intestines for feces. To ensure their efficiency, the liver itself must be adequately nourished and drained.
What happens if toxins accumulate?
If the action of the liver becomes insufficient, we notice it through various symptoms: foul-smelling urine and feces, constipation or diarrhea, headaches, anemia, tiredness, irritability, water retention, weight gain, mood swings, are just some examples of the most frequent symptoms.
How can I check the detox status of my body?
An excellent tool is the hair mineralogram, created precisely for the quantification of toxic metals in the body. Furthermore, the ratios between physiological minerals and between these and toxic ones inform us precisely about the metabolic and intoxication status of the body. The slower the metabolism, the greater the intoxication and accumulation of toxic metals and other toxins in the body. An important support for the liver also comes from the gut microbiota: it can therefore be important to investigate its qualitative-quantitative composition in order to correct your own personal intestinal dysbiosis.
Are there foods that promote drainage?
Yes, certainly. All bitter foods (for example, artichoke and chicory) are purifying for the body and the liver in particular, stimulating the production and expulsion of bile which, ending up in the intestine, stimulates its excretory function. There are also many herbal remedies with draining and liver-purifying action, the most significant of which are certainly milk thistle, dandelion, burdock (also excellent for purifying the skin), and turmeric. It is advisable to consult an Expert in Phytotherapy before using these plants for therapeutic purposes.
Here are some simple rules to promote your daily detox:
1. Increase your consumption of vegetables and fruit.
2. Avoid white foods: sugar, 0 and 00 flour, animal milk, salt.
3. Eliminate alcohol.
4. Increase physical activity, which should be of moderate intensity and aerobic type.
5. Decrease the consumption of animal proteins. This has repercussions for the entire ecosystem, as well as for our health.
6. Do not smoke. Be sure to keep children and pregnant women away from smokers.
