Detoxification is one of the terms commonly used in the present, but without any clarity on what it actually signifies. Many people talk of “detoxing” their colon or liver, but what exactly are they really doing? What exactly does “detoxing” actually mean?
It’s true that you’re constantly in a state of detoxification, a process that requires many organs and systems in the body. The lungs, the liver kidneys, kidneys, and others are all working hard to cleanse the body of toxins and biochemical products.
If you’re in good health your body does fairly well in clearing itself of any the toxins. However, in our fast-paced world it’s not always able to keep up. We’re stressed, overworked and overwhelmed by the poisons that are in our food as well as the products we use. Together, these issues can hinder or even end our natural detox process and cause harmful toxins to build up inside our bodies.
What is Detoxification?
When we look at the our human body’s physiology, we can see that detoxification always takes place. Our breathing is an excellent illustration of this: we nourish our body through the intake of oxygen as we breathe and detox by letting go carbon dioxide after exhaling.
A similar process to breathing and detoxification takes place within cells’ membranes. It “inhales” or absorbs nutrients and “exhales” or detoxifies unnecessary compounds via membrane transport to an extracellular matrix. Cells go through the process of continuous nourishment and elimination.
When the process of detoxification functions normal, and the elimination process is able to eliminate everything that is being ejected from organs, the process of detoxification will run smoothly. In some cases, however the process of detoxification can become unstable or stagnant. In this case it is possible to take the necessary steps to restart your detoxification process so that disease and illness don’t result from toxins that have been built up.
Stages of the Detoxification Cycle
Deciding what you need to detoxify is the primary element of the process of detoxification.
Certain people participate to “detox” on a regular routine and are focused on detoxifying their bodies. Others seek to rid themselves of negative emotions such as fear, anger, jealousy and anxiety. They also seek to conquer mental issues and traumas. The way you approach detoxification will differ based the goals you’re trying to eliminate however, regardless of the purpose, detoxification is an established pattern.
In the course of circulation, blood flows from the liver through the right ventricle in the heart, and finally, from within the heart towards the lung. The discharged material then reaches the lungs, the initial step in the process of detoxification. Constipation, cough and an increased production of mucus are all a result from this initial stage of the detox process.
Hearts are the 2nd stage of the detox cycle and can frequently cause symptoms that are related with the heart for instance, heart palpitations. This stage may also cause symptoms that are either mentally or emotional, like insomnia, frequent dreams and other new or unusual insight.
If the blood and the cleansed substance remain in circulation, they could impact the digestive system and joints, in the fourth and third phases in the detox process and eventually get to the kidneys, which is the last stage.
The kidneys can eliminate toxic substances but if they’re incapable of doing so they can allow the toxins to circulate back into the liver. The process of moving between these phases will occur with different speed for different people.
Supporting A Healthy Detox
The particular detoxification method that you select will depend on your objectives, however you can apply several of the same treatments and methods to achieve success.
Be aware that in detoxification, our goal is to help organs of elimination which include the bowels, the liver and lymphatic system, skin lung, kidneys, and skin. Also, we want to facilitate the release of emotional stress, emotions, and mental habits that not be serving us anymore.
The following practices and therapies can relieve blocks and stress, and help you achieve a more holistic and complete detox that covers every aspect of your life:
- Lymphatic Massage
- Acupuncture
- Sauna
- Meditation
- Breathing Exercises
- Journaling
Utilizing these treatments to aid in the holistic detoxification procedure You can reduce certain negative side effects that can result from detox and get more comprehensive outcomes.
Lifelong Health Through Detoxing
Remember, the most significant feature that the body’s cleansing procedure is that it’s continuous. It takes place at every level of our whole body, even at the cellular level, and throughout the course of our lives.
At birth one of the things we first do is “exhale” fluids out of the lungs to allow us to breathe. This is a process of detoxification. Exhaling is the final thing we do before we pass away. Dying is the moment in “letting go,” showing that detoxification is essential in our lives.
It’s not surprising that interruptions or stalled detoxification could cause illness. This is why it’s essential to help these processes at all phases in your journey. Keep in touch with your body to be aware the signs that you’re off balance and follow specific detoxification strategies to bring your body back to its normal state.
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Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAC, is an acknowledged expert in the field of integrative medicine with a particular focus on cancer and other complex diseases. He is a highly regarded doctor and researcher writer, teacher, and a mind-body practitioner. He is a respected doctor, researcher, author and educator. Eliaz partners with leading research institutes like Harvard, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Columbia in order to co-author research studies that focus on the current most dangerous conditions. He has spent a long time studying meditation, with a focus on healing and strengthening the connection between body and mind. Dr. Eliaz is the medical director and founder of the Amitabha Medical Clinic & Healing Center located in Santa Rosa, California.