What is detoxification?
Harmful substances enter our bodies every day through food, drinking water, the air, skin contact, and even medications we take. Furthermore, normal metabolic processes within the body constantly produce substances that must be eliminated, otherwise they can damage our cells.
Detoxification, therefore, is the removal of toxic substances from the body. Our central organ for detoxification is the liver. It contains numerous enzymes that can break down various harmful substances or convert them so that they can be more easily excreted. The elimination of unwanted substances occurs primarily through the kidneys and intestines, but also through the skin and lungs.
Furthermore, detoxification also includes numerous processes that must take place within each cell of the body in order to eliminate toxins that arise during cell metabolism or to expel harmful substances from the cell.
Which pollutants pollute our environment?
Our environment is contaminated with a multitude of pollutants. Many of these substances have accumulated in the environment and the food chain over decades.
The pollutants we are constantly confronted with include pesticides, heavy metals, aluminum, chemicals from plastics (e.g., phthalates, bisphenols), microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues. The increasing exposure to e-smog is also worth mentioning here. Ultimately, there are a huge number of pollutants today that are almost impossible to keep track of.
Why should we support the body's own detoxification?
For detoxification to occur effectively, the body requires numerous micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids. These vital substances serve, among other things, as auxiliary substances (cofactors) for enzymes in all metabolic processes, including detoxification. If these substances are lacking, the body's own detoxification is limited from the outset.
The major problem today is the increasing number of pollutants with which we are "bombarded" every day, while the content of vital nutrients in our diet is decreasing. The more pollutants we ingest, the more micronutrients the body needs to rid itself of them.
The discrepancy is becoming ever wider: Our need for micronutrients is increasing, but our intake is decreasing. Other factors of modern life, such as an unhealthy diet, chronic stress, lack of sleep, or lack of exercise, place additional strain on the body's ability to detoxify and regenerate.
If you want to stay healthy or become healthy in the long term, it's important to support your body in detoxification. Below you'll find some important tips.
Tip 1: Drink enough water
The human body is made up of approximately 60% water. For our cells to function properly, for substances to be effectively transported via the blood and lymph, and ultimately for them to be excreted via the kidneys, an adequate supply of high-quality drinking water is necessary.
Water is therefore the most important nutrient, and it's important to ensure that your drinking water is of good quality. Tap water is usually contaminated with numerous toxins. Only a fraction of these toxins are tested and regulated by maximum levels. Therefore, it's better to drink filtered water instead of tap water.
Tip 2: Eat healthy
A diet rich in vital nutrients and low in toxins lays a solid foundation for effective detoxification. This way, you burden your body with fewer toxins and already provide it with many important substances.
A large part of the diet should therefore consist of organically grown vegetables and fruit and other unprocessed foods such as pulses, high-quality meat, seeds, nuts, etc. Such a diet is not only rich in micronutrients but also contains a lot of fiber, which promotes intestinal health.
With a healthy intestinal flora and intestinal mucosa, fewer toxins from the intestine enter the body and the liver, our central detoxification organ, is relieved.
Unhealthy foods such as processed products with many additives, foods high in sugar, cereals containing gluten, trans fats, refined oils, alcohol, etc. should be avoided. These products contain harmful substances with diverse effects on the body and also disrupt the intestinal flora, causing harmful germs to multiply in the intestines and burdening the body with further toxins.
Tip 3: Reduce your body's toxin load
In addition to unhealthy food and drinking water, there are many other sources of pollutants in our everyday lives. These include kitchen utensils and other plastic items, food packaging, cleaning products, our clothing, skin care products, the air, and e-smog.
With conscious purchasing decisions or certain protective measures, you can significantly reduce your own pollution.
Some examples are:
- Kitchen utensils made of stainless steel, glass and wood instead of plastic or aluminum
- Skin care products from manufacturers who, for example, do not use microplastics or other harmful ingredients
- Turn off Wi-Fi at night and put your phone in airplane mode when you carry it on your body
- Clothes made from natural materials (e.g. organic cotton, hemp, linen) instead of synthetic fibers
Tip 4: Reduce your stress level
Chronic stress causes massive damage to the body. In this state, the body is in a constant state of alert. This is also referred to as high sympathetic tone. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system (involuntary nervous system) that prepares the body for stressful situations that require significant physical or mental performance. Many people today are constantly in such a state of stress, which is contrary to our nature.
The other part of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is active, processes such as digestion, micronutrient absorption, regeneration, and detoxification can proceed effectively. If we are constantly stressed, we severely restrict these processes.
There are various ways to overcome chronic stress. Simple tools include breathing exercises, meditation, and physical exercise. Depending on your personal situation, consulting a coach or therapist can also be helpful in resolving psychological issues that cause chronic stress.
Tip 5: Get enough sleep
Many of the body's regenerative and detoxifying processes take place during sleep. Restful and adequate sleep is therefore essential for good health. Improving sleep hygiene should be one of the first steps you take if you want to improve your health.
For example, it's helpful to relax in the one to two hours before bedtime. Instead of stimulating videos on social media and blue light from screens, it's more beneficial for restful sleep to read a book in pleasant reddish light. Improvements can also include making your sleeping area quieter, darker, and cooler. Simple options include a blindfold and earplugs.
Tip 6: Exercise daily
Physical exercise not only reduces our stress levels and promotes healthy sleep, but also boosts our cardiovascular system. During exercise, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage improve, both important aspects of effective detoxification.
From a health perspective, it's ideal to combine different types of physical activity. As a basic daily routine, we recommend walking around 8,000 to 10,000 steps. You should also incorporate strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises (e.g., yoga, stretching) several times a week.
Ultimately, exercise is better than no exercise. So find a sport that you enjoy and want to continue doing long-term.
Tip 7: Become a biohacker
In addition to the basics for a healthy life mentioned above, there are many additional measures that can help you detox effectively. Here are a few examples:
- Sauna: Visiting a sauna improves blood circulation and promotes the elimination of toxins through the skin.
- Cold and hot water: Cold showers, ice baths, or alternating between cold and hot water while showering are good ways to improve circulation and stimulate the immune system.
- Brush massage: Massaging dry skin with a brush supports the lymphatic system and thus promotes the elimination of toxins.
- Oil pulling: Oil pulling involves moving oil (e.g., coconut oil) back and forth in the mouth for about 15 minutes in the morning. This process can bind toxins and germs in the mouth. Afterwards, brush your teeth and clean your tongue.
- Fascia rolling and massages: These measures improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage and can relieve fascia adhesions and muscle tension.
Tip 8: Support your detoxification with dietary supplements
It's important to provide the body with all the nutrients it needs for the countless biochemical processes that are constantly taking place. The emphasis here is on "all nutrients," because the lack of even a single essential micronutrient limits many processes in the organism, even if the other vital nutrients are present in sufficient quantities.
For this reason, a high-dose complex supplement such as a multivitamin booster should form the basis of your daily routine. This supplement contains vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, plant extracts, and other vital substances.
For additional support of detoxification, we also recommend these preparations:
- L-Glutathione: L-glutathione is one of the body's most powerful antioxidants and is found in every cell. Particularly high levels are found in the liver and immune cells, among other areas. L-glutathione plays an important role in protecting cells from oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is an organic sulfur source that provides the body with the important mineral sulfur. Sulfur is an important component of various enzymes in the body and is also involved in the formation of glutathione.
- Plant antioxidants: Our Curcumin Plus preparation combines various plant extracts and contains a variety of powerful secondary plant substances. These not only have antioxidant effects but can also support the body in many ways.
- Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is involved in the body's energy production in the mitochondria. Without functioning mitochondria, efficient detoxification is impossible. Coenzyme Q10 plus Alpha Lipoic Acid contains Q10, alpha lipoic acid, and various plant extracts.
- Toxin-binding substances: When detoxification begins, toxins are excreted in greater numbers. Substances such as zeolite, humic and fulvic acids, and chlorella can bind such toxins, allowing them to be excreted harmlessly. Chlorella is found in Astaxanthin Plus . Humic and fulvic acids are contained in BioHumin .
We also recommend: Vitamin C Complex , Vitamin B Complex , DHA plus EPA
Conclusion – Holistic approach to detoxification of the body
Our body is constantly trying to eliminate toxins. The body's own detoxification process is very complex and can only be effectively supported by a holistic approach that encompasses all of the aforementioned aspects.
