Detox 101

Eliminating Toxins

Our body has a wide variety of processes for helping us eliminate potential toxins. Some of these processes take place in our digestive tract. Others take place in our skin, our lymphatic vessels and our liver. We’re able to sweat out certain toxins, breath out certain toxins and ofcource get rid of toxins thru our urine and bowel movements.

It is very important NOT to overlook the role of any detox process. All of these processes are important and they all need to be paid attention to and detoxify.

Most of the toxins found in our foods are fat soluble. That means that they do not dissolve. If they cannot be eliminated directly in to the bowel movement, they are sent form our digestive tract to our liver for detox processing. When you want to cleanse your body of food toxins, it is important to make sure you include your digestive and liver in the cleansing and detoxification process.

How The Liver Detoxifies Harmful Chemicals

There usually two steps for the liver to detoxify harmful chemicals. Since many toxins are fat soluble, the liver cells must typically turn these fat soluble substances into water-soluble substances in order for them to be excreted from the body. This conversion process requires two steps. In the first step, the toxin is made more chemically reactive. In the second step, this more reactive form of the substance is chemically combined with another molecule, creating a new substance that is water soluble and now can be excreted from the body.

The first step requires a good supply of antioxidant nutrients , including vitamin C and E, flavonoids and other molecules.

Nutrients which encourage or activate Phase I include:

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – Crimini mushrooms, calf’s liver, spinach, romain lettuce, asparagus, swiss chard, broccoli
Vitamin B3 (niacin) – Crimini mushrooms, tuna, chicken, salmon, turkey, tomatoes, summer squash
Lipotrophics (cysteine, methionine, choline, and inositol)
Vitamin C – Bell peppers, parsley, broccoli, strawberries, cauliflower, lemon juice, brussels sprouts, kale
Magnesium found in swiss chard, spinach, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, basil, cucumbers, green beans
Iron – Spinach, turmeric, swiss chard, basil, cinnamon, romain lettuce, tofu, shiitake mushrooms
Milk Thistle
Indoles from cruciferous vegetables.
Diets adequate in protein (especially vegetable protein)

The second step requires a good supply of amino acids together with other unique nutrients.

Nutrients which encourage or activate Phase II include:

Glycine. Foods that contain glycine include Fish, meat, beans, dairy, broccoli, garlic.
Sulfur-containing amino acids like Cysteine (or NAC), Taurine or Methionine. Meat protein has a relatively high amount of sulfur-containing amino acids, eggs, chicken, red bell peppers, garlic, onion, brussels sprouts.
Blue green algae
Bee pollen
Glutamine is found in cabbage, beets, beef, chicken, fish, beans and dairy products.
Glutamic acid
Aspartic acid
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower)
Garlic, onions, leeks and shallots
Vitamin B12 is found in calf’s liver, sardines, venison, shrimp, scallops, salmon, lamb, cod.
Molybdenum

Incorporate these foods in your everyday diet and help your body get stronger.