Last week I defined what a detox diet is and established that it is not necessarily a good thing. This week I’ll be discussing how your body detoxifies.
The truth of the matter is that your body is designed to detoxify itself. The liver is the major organ of detoxification in your body. Every substance that is absorbed by the intestines must first pass through the liver before going on to the general circulation. Every day your liver continually disposes of toxins produced internally (from food, water, and medications consumed) and externally (from the air you breathe). Special enzymes found in the liver take potentially toxic substances and change their chemical structure so they are less harmful and can be excreted by the kidneys or in waste.
The kidneys are responsible for ensuring that the blood circulating in our body is free from harmful organisms, waste products, and excess water. Each kidney has about a million nephrons, and within these nephrons are tinier structures that help filter the blood that passes through, ultimately removing waste materials and excreting them in the urine.
The large intestine also plays an important role in detoxification. It moves waste and toxic materials out of the body by the action of peristalsis—muscle contractions that create a wave-like motion, propelling wastes so they can be excreted and removed from the body. Consuming a high-fiber (soluble fiber is preferable) diet, maintaining a healthful balance of friendly microflora in the gut with regular intake of pre- and probiotics, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise all help to optimize the detoxification function of the large intestine.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog when we cover how you can help your body detoxify safely.
To your health,
Nadia
Your weight loss partner
1-877-405-4471
Very informative post. Thanks
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