Popular Solutions for Removing Toxins from Our Bodies

Ideally a body identifies and eliminates toxins on its own. Natural processes include the bowels, skin (sweat), lungs, urinary tract, and the linings of the nose, eyes and lungs. This explains why, when you have a cold, there is a buildup of mucus in the eyes and nose, and phlegm in the lungs. This is essentially your body getting rid of the foreign agent (virus), essentially, a toxin.

But, when a system is overrun with heavy metals due to polluted air or processed foods, or activities like smoking, it cannot keep up. Eventually, the body has to store the toxins in fatty tissue, as a way of keeping them from doing damage to cells. Your body will tax itself, unable to work on everyday functioning.

Poor diet is one leading cause of toxins. If you fail to take in healthy amounts of fruits, vegetables or whole grains, and lots of clean water, you will likely have a higher level of toxicity. Anti-oxidants, found in healthy foods, bind with free radicals (essentially toxins) and deliver them to the digestive system. Without antioxidants, the body does not have the ability to stay ahead of a high level of toxins, so eating healthy is key.

Exercise is also important. Vigorous activity, like aerobic exercise, and being physically active throughout the day, (walk at lunch anyone?) keeps all of the body’s systems working at peak efficiency. Sweating is even better, because it helps eliminate toxins through the glands and skin. Exercise also encourages good circulation of oxygen rich blood. This promotes a healthy heart, and good digestion and proper elimination of toxic waste. Also popular are “cleanses,” which involve fasting and drinking special concoctions of water and or vegetable and fruit juices. Cleanses can help temporarily, but have the potential to send the body into a mild form of toxic shock, so they should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.