The human body is amazing. The organs and systems that make up the body have detoxifications mechanisms as part of their functions to help keep us healthy. There are numerous detoxification systems of the body.
When the body rids waste products, unwanted materials, or chemicals it is a form of detox. A good detox is a way to support the function of the body’s innate natural detoxification functions.
What are the Detoxification Systems?
The body has several detoxification systems that work to remove waste and toxins from the body.
The liver is a primary detoxification organ. It breaks down toxins, drugs, and chemicals, and converts them into forms that can be eliminated by the body. The liver also synthesizes and excretes bile, which aids in the removal of waste and toxins from the body. It also stores essential minerals and vitamins, and produces essential chemicals that manufacture protein, enzymes, clotting factors, and immune factors.
The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste products, toxins, and excess fluids. They produce urine, which carries these waste products out of the body. They help to activate hormones to balance key molecules in the blood to help excrete toxins.
The lungs help in the detoxification process by eliminating carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, through breathing. The lungs also produce mucus. Mucus helps to keep the lungs clear and lubricated.
The skin is the largest external organ and plays a crucial role in detoxification. It is highly sensitive to toxic chemicals. Through the sweat glands, it helps eliminate toxins and waste products from the body. Exercising is a good way to sweat and rid our bodies of chemicals through he skin.
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that help remove toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials from tissues and organs. It filters and transports lymph, a fluid that contains white blood cells and waste products, helping to detoxify the body. The brain is also part of the detoxification system because it controls the lymphatic system. The brain is connected to the vagus nerve which helps the communication between the brain and gut.
The digestive system is known to do the bulk of our detox work. The gut is responsible for digesting, absorbing, and excreting food. The gut is referred to as the “second brain” because neurotransmitters that are produced in the brain are also produced in the gut. The colon, also known as the large intestine, eliminates waste and toxins from the body through bowel movements. It absorbs water and electrolytes while eliminating solid waste.
These systems work together to maintain the body’s overall detoxification process and ensure the removal of waste and toxins.
References
Grant D. M. (1991). Detoxification pathways in the liver. Journal of inherited metabolic disease, 14(4), 421–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01797915
Pizzorno J. (2015). The Kidney Dysfunction Epidemic, Part 1: Causes. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 14(6), 8–13.
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