Detoxification of Tissues - the key to a happy, functional immune system is homotoxicology...
...the study of the influence of toxic substances in humans, and the removal of them to regain natural regulation. Research shows that many diseases are the result of toxins, called homotoxins, which come from either overproduction within the body, or from our environment. A homotoxin is defined as any substance that is toxic for the human organism- homo meaning man, and toxic meaning poison. Toxic burdens might block the transmission of essential regulating and interaction, or create metabolic reactions that endanger the cell. Mostly they are waste products of metabolic processes, such as CO2.
Other homotoxins are the result of an imbalance of hormonal secretion (e.g.oestrogen/progesterone) an inhibited mediator or intermediate substance secretion (e.g. insulin in diabetes) or too-fast re uptake (e.g. serotonin in depression). A surplus of homotoxins will interfere with normal system interactions, and this dysregulation will finally cause cell dysfunction.
It would not be far-fetched to state that the quality of a patient’s life is relative to the purity of their extracellular matrix and interactive functioning of their living matrix. Therefore, drainage and detoxification are high priorities. It could also be said that, in treating chronic diseases, any therapeutic practices taken without drainage and detoxification will not be effective in the long term, and will often recur.
The three pillars, or phases, of homotoxicology are drainage and detoxification, immunomodulation and organ and cell support. The sooner detoxification and drainage of homotoxines take place, the better it is for the cell. This is why drainage and detoxification make up the first pillar in homotoxicological treatment, as it detoxes the lymphatic system and connective tissues.
How to optimize your body’s natural detoxification system
Your body has a sophisticated way of eliminating toxins that involves the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs. However, only when these organs are healthy, can they effectively eliminate unwanted substances.
Look after your liver
The liver, found in the right upper abdomen, below the diaphragm, is one of the largest organs in the body. It is the most important organ of detoxification and continuously processes all forms of substances, from the digestive tract and rest of the body, throughout the day. Because it is the hardest working organ in your body, maintaining a healthy liver can be crucial to your general wellbeing.
In addition to protecting us from environmental toxins, the liver:
• Filters out toxins produced by the body such as bacterial waste and hormones.
• Is crucial for digestion and the building of tissues such as muscle.
• Contains specialist cells which help fight infection.
• Is the site of red blood cell production.
• Is the storage site for several nutrients including iron and vitamin A.
Your liver relies on a number of essential nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in order to function properly and remove harmful toxins from our bodies. The rate at which the liver processes toxins is determined by both genetics and lifestyle. If the process is put under pressure (by exposure to too many toxins) the system becomes unbalanced and the liver will be unable to effectively eliminate toxins. This leads to symptoms of toxic overload. The body’s response and ability to deal with toxins varies amongst individuals and is thought to be a primary factor in susceptibility to certain diseases.
Therefore, the liver should be well looked after. BioMed offers a range of nutritional support designed to assist your liver and its efficient functioning.
Stay hydrated
Water is the magical liquid that not only fuels our body. In addition to its many roles in your body, water allows your body’s detoxification system to remove waste products from your blood through urination, breathing, or sweating.
Sleep well
Ensuring adequate and quality sleep every night is essential in supporting your body’s health and natural detoxification system. Sleeping allows your brain to reorganize and recharge itself, as well as remove toxic waste by products that have accumulated throughout the day. With sleep deprivation, your body does not have time to perform those functions, so toxins can build up and affect several aspects of health.
Eat less sugary and highly processed foods
Conditions such as obesity and diabetes linked to excess consumption of sugar and highly processed foods reduce your body’s ability to naturally detoxify itself by harming organs that play an important role in detoxification, such as your liver and kidneys.
Moderate alcohol intake
Limiting or abstaining entirely from alcohol is one of the best ways to keep your body’s detoxification system running strong. Drinking too much alcohol reduces your liver’s ability to carry out its normal functions, such as detoxifying. Enzymes metabolize alcohol to acetaldehyde, a toxin which your liver converts to a harmless substance, acetate, which is then eliminated from your body.
Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Oxidative stress is a condition caused by excessive production of free radicals. Your body naturally produces these molecules for cellular processes, such as digestion. However, alcohol, tobacco smoke, a poor diet, and exposure to pollutants can produce excessive free radicals. By causing damage to your body’s cells, these molecules have been implicated in a number of conditions, such as dementia, heart disease, liver disease, asthma, and certain types of cancer.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help your body fight oxidative stress. Berries, fruits, nuts, cocoa, vegetables, spices, and beverages like coffee and green tea have some of the highest amounts of antioxidants. Boost your diet with antioxidant supplements such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin
Eat Foods High in Prebiotics
Eating foods rich in prebiotics can keep your immune and detoxification systems healthy.
Good gut health starts with prebiotics - an indigestible fibre which passes through your digestive system intact. When it reaches your large intestine, it encourages the growth of “good” bacteria, probiotics, in your gut. The good bacteria in your gut can become unbalanced with bad bacteria from use of antibiotics, poor dental hygiene, and lack of good nutrition. Good food sources of prebiotics include tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic, and oats.
Decrease Your Salt Intake
Consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain excess fluid, especially if you have a condition that affects your kidneys or liver. When you consume too much salt and not enough water, your body releases an antidiuretic hormone that prevents you from urinating — and therefore detoxifying. Drinking more water increases the elimination of excess water and the harmful effects of too much sodium in the system.
Potassium rich foods such as potatoes, squash, kidney beans, bananas, and spinach counterbalance some of sodium’s effects.
Exercise
Exercise can boost the natural detox process as it flushes out the lungs, and cleanses the skin as we work up a sweat. It also increases blood flow promoting better circulation to pump white blood cells through the body and help organs cleanse themselves effectively.
Here is a link to a very informative podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGPcxi8AIVs
