What is a toxin?
A toxin is any substance that can cause harm to the body. An accumulation of the all the toxins affecting the body and the burden it places on the body’s systems and organs is called toxic load.
Toxins enter our bodies through many pathways. We live in a toxic world surrounded by pathogens, chemicals and radiation to name three toxic sources.
- Pathogens are microbial agents (such as bacteria, fungi or viruses) that invade the body and cause infection or disease.
- Chemicals are any natural or synthetic substances that cause harm to the body. Common examples of chemicals are ingredients in processed foods such as artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers, automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, solvents, plastics, pesticides, xenoestrogens, and harsh cleaning products.
- Radiation refers to high-energy particles that can cause harm to cellular structures and DNA. The most common source of radiation is sunlight. If we eat right, exercise, get adequate sleep and manage our stress, the next step in maximizing our health is to reduce our toxic load.
How are we exposed to toxins?
Although your body deals with toxins in a number of ways, the three most vulnerable areas of exposure are the lungs, the digestive tract and the skin due to more direct exposure.
Toxins can be ingested through food we eat, inhaled in the air we breathe, or absorbed transdermally when something is applied topically or contacts the skin. Each of these avenues has physiologic defense mechanisms to minimize toxic exposure.
One example of how the body protects itself involves the lungs. They are very delicate tissues that can be affected by germs, smoke, dust and other harmful substances that we breathe. To protect this susceptible tissue, the nose, mouth and throat are lined with thick mucus membrane to trap foreign particles. Special immune cells are also present within the lung tissue to destroy anything that may get past the mucous membranes.
The standard American diet is loaded with chemicals, artificial preservatives, additives and food dyes. Even our water system has added fluoride which is a known toxic substance. Conventionally grown crops from genetically modified grain pose a serious threat of toxic exposure.
Our skin is the largest organ of the body. And we cover it with toxins on a daily basis. The greatest source of vitamin D is sunshine. Yet we coat our skins with toxic sunscreens to block out all of the sunlight. We shampoo our hair with products that have surfactants and preservatives. These chemicals enter the skin and the cumulative effect builds up toxins in the body.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of cleansing or removing toxic substances from the body.
We have natural detoxifying pathways in the body. The primary pathways are the intestinal tract and the urinary system. If you have been eating poorly and not properly hydrating, your primary pathways are probably not functionally optimally.
The secondary pathways are the respiratory system and the skin. If the primary pathways are blocked then the secondary pathways will try to take on the overload. The skin may experience eruptions to try to move the waste out that was intended to be eliminated elsewhere.
What can we do? Periodically, we need to boost the detoxification of our bodies.
Start the Whole Body Reset Program
Cleanse your body, mind and soul
Experience:
Clearer skin
Weight loss
Increases immunity
Do away with cravings
Resolve food intolerance
Improved clarity and sense of well-being
Clean away excess waste
Join me on a 12 day journey to a fresh start!
Comments