Increase energy, improve focus, and feel revitalized
Sacramento, Calif.- If the new season inspires you to spring-clean your home, you may also want to consider a "spring cleaning" for your body.
Just as you wouldn't clean your home without first taking out the garbage and clearing the clutter, I don't recommend attempting to revitalize your body without first taking out the trash—detoxifying and cleansing your body of both internally and externally produced toxins.
Most of the chemicals that enter the body are stored in fat. Unfortunately, they don't stay there. Over time, these stored toxins can re-enter general circulation, contributing to disease and accelerated aging.
Toxicity affects the body in two primary ways:
Functional changes, which manifest as poor health and symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, mood swings, memory loss, muscle pain, apathy, weight issues, and depression.
Pathological changes, which manifest as diagnosable diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, among many others), atherosclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, learning disorders, eczema, infertility, fibromyalgia, panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, tinnitus, arthritis, digestive disorders, and more.
The body has evolved an intricate system to manage and eliminate toxins. However, it was not designed to handle the overwhelming toxic burden of modern life.
When the body cannot effectively detoxify and eliminate toxic compounds, they accumulate—particularly in fatty tissue and the extracellular matrix. Functional detoxification focuses on supporting and cleansing these areas.
The major organs involved in detoxification include the liver and gallbladder, lymphatic system, digestive tract, kidneys, and skin.
The liver, in particular, plays several critical roles:
Blood filtration: Every minute, large volumes of blood pass through the liver from the intestines, where up to 99% of bacteria and other harmful substances are removed before entering general circulation. Damage to the liver can impair this vital function.
Bile production and secretion: The liver produces approximately 30 fluid ounces of bile daily. Bile helps carry cholesterol and fat-soluble toxins into the intestines for elimination. Adequate dietary fiber binds to bile, allowing these toxins to be excreted. A low-fiber diet can lead to reabsorption of these substances.
Biotransformation: The liver neutralizes toxins through a complex enzyme system operating in two phases. This process targets substances such as pesticides, herbicides, medications, gut-derived toxins, hormones, and inflammatory compounds.
Explore additional topics from Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center with Dr. Godby, ND, MA and his team at Natural Wellness.
As a naturopathic doctor for the last 20 years, I have witnessed the power of a preventative lifestyle and naturopathic medicine to transform the health and lives of thousands of patients.
Sacramento Naturopathic
2530 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 446-2591
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