In our fast-paced modern world, we are exposed to many kinds of toxins. They are everywhere: in our cleaning, body, and beauty products; the non-organic food we eat; and the air we breathe. Let’s not forget about emotional toxicity, such as negative emotions, stress, and trauma. These emotional toxins are also taxing on our physical body causing us to gain weight, feel tired, and hurt all over.
Our bodies have many different ways to detox toxins. We are able to sweat through the skin, eliminate through stool and urine (colon and kidney’s), and with the lungs as we breathe. All these pathways need the liver involved to process toxins so they can safely be removed.
What does your Liver have to do with it?
When a liver becomes overloaded, the toxins are stored in fat cells. This storage area creates inflammation which causes the overall metabolic rate to slow down. The cells in the body can’t produce the energy needed for adequate function during the day. This slow down causes weight gain, fatigue, and pain.
The liver empties into the colon. As I have written about before all disease starts in the gut. The toxins that should have been made safe for elimination through the colon are now causing inflammation and digestive issues. When we change the environment in the digestive tract you become less stress resilient, more anxious, crave sugar/salt, and continue to gain more weight.
The liver is also where your Thyroid hormone (called T4) turns into the more active form your body uses called T3. As you might have thought, when the liver is overloaded with toxins this conversion slows down. By pumping your body full of T4 medication doesn’t solve the conversion problem. By completing a detoxification program helps your liver convert thyroid hormone better.
Detox and Diets
Many people who go on a diet and begin to lose weight don’t realize they are possibly releasing toxins into their body without the ability to eliminate them. The toxins re-circulate in the body telling it to store them once again in fat. A detox in the beginning of a weight loss program will help the body safely and effectively remove toxins so this rebound effect does not happen.
As you go through the detox program you will be cleaning up your environment. Changing cleaning products, personal hygiene products, eating organic foods, and filtering your water are all good ways to become the best you. I like to use the Healthy Living App (from EWG.org ) as a guide to make better decisions for myself and my family. I suggest you also look at the app and use it.
Let’s talk about STRESS
Stress plays a vital role in detoxification. It is the 500 pound gorilla in the room that often gets missed. Stress slows down digestion, slows down detoxification, and increases insulin and estrogen issues. Helping your body become more stress resilient is a key role for people wanting to lose weight, have more energy, and feel less pain and inflammation.
Most of the serotonin in the body is made in the gut and cleaning the toxins out of the gut is great. Using fiber and activated charcoal are two ways to accomplish this. Once there is safe and effective elimination through the digestive tract, we can supply the body with necessary nutrients to begin to absorb better make the levels of serotonin needed improve.
Conclusion
Detoxification can change your life. It has helped many of our patients feel better, lose weight, have more energy, and propel them to make even more changes in their life. When you feel better, things like exercise, eating right, and enjoying life is that much easier.
So give your liver some love, help your body eliminate toxins better, and clean up your environment at home so you lose weight, feel great, and live the life you want.
-Dr. Brian Opp, Chiropractor