What qualify as toxins?
As the definition from the
Merriam-Webster Dictionary states, a toxin is a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic
activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic
when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody
formation.
Thus, residues from the metabolic
processes in your body (breaking down and burning food for energy and heat),
residues from food (especially animal-derived food) and byproducts of the
building processes qualify as a toxins, as well as many substances from the
environment. Some of these by-products are the free radicals resulting from
burning nutrients in your cells.
Environmental toxins vary from
biological ones (produced by all the phyla of the living - bacteria,
protozoans, fungi, plants and animals) to heavy metals, dust particles and
synthetic compounds such as pesticides and fertilizers. They can all enter your
body through the airways and ingestion and accumulate especially in the fatty
tissues.
How
do toxins act?
Toxins in your body only have
visible effects in a certain concentration. But since many of them are
difficult to remove without proactive action, in your daily life they will
accumulate and surely surpass that concentration threshold. The effects are
various: from simple fatigue, skin irritations and digestive problems, lack of
proper sleep and dehydration, they can get to acute or chronic diseases in
people highly exposed to toxins, such as those working in harsh environments
and the heavy smokers.
Natural toxin removal mechanisms
Most
toxins have a specific removal mechanism in the body. Our kidneys’ role is
cleaning the blood at all times, removing the well-known nutrient burning
by-products, such as urea and ammonium. They also maintain the balance of
electrolytes, the acid-base balance and regulate the blood pressure, by
filtering the salts in the blood.
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Other
removal mechanisms for toxins are sweating and crying. You know tears taste
salty, but along with the salt there are other substances that get out while
crying or sweating, such as many organic compounds that we ingest with food,
drinks or while smoking (all the toxins in cigarette smoke, trace amounts of
pesticides and their by-products, fertilizers, bacterial and fungal toxins).
How do you get rid of toxins for good?
First
of all, if you have a balanced life with stress levels under control, a complex
and variable diet, have a small intake of drugs (including tobacco and
alcohol), exercise regularly and drink enough water you should be fine. But
usually this is not the case. Which is why first you should try to help the
natural detoxification processes in your body by ensuring enough (but not
excessive) hydration to that your kidneys may function properly.
You
should also try to minimize the stress factors in your life by following a
schedule that leaves time for leisurely activities and by worrying less. It is
well-known that stress induces an accumulation of toxins.
If you
smoke, consider lowering your cigarette intake and finally quitting, since this
habit might undermine all the other detoxification mechanisms. Also, if you
find that you drink more than one glass of wine/beer per day, consider lowering
the amount so that you can enjoy the benefits of alcohol, instead of bringing
such a big strain on your liver and kidneys.
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Sweating
is healthy and helps you get rid of toxins.
Exercise,
sweat and let the sweat glands do the detoxification. You need to get to an
exercise difficulty that challenges your body into burning excess deposits and
removing the toxins stored there
Another
way to help your body remove toxins is making sure vitamins and minerals are at
proper levels. You could even add natural antioxidant enzyme supplements to
your diet after consulting a nutritionist. Best Antioxidant Supplements help by trapping free
radicals and not letting them do any damage to your cells.
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