THE DYNAMICS OF DETOXIFICATION
There’s a bodily process most of us have heard about but perhaps don’t completely understand what it involves? You’ll have seen the word in magazines, even heard it on television commercials, or as part of a new diet fad. ‘Detoxification’, is the process you need to know more about in terms of weight loss and optimum health.
WHAT IS IT?
Well, let’s look at things this way? Simply existing in the environment around you, by having a glass of wine or by having your favourite food, your body will be exposed to certain toxins. For those living a regular, balanced lifestyle, then there’s nothing to much to worry about. But for those who have poor digestion, enjoy a sub standard diet, drink too much or have drug related issues, this can lead to serious physical problems in the longer term.
These toxins are basically irritating molecules, working happily alongside cholesterol or many other oxidized fats. When we consume sugar, refined foods, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, the chemicals in these items will trigger those molecules even more. Too much, and the end result will be sluggishness and bodily dysfunction. Large amounts of toxins in the body can also reduce the efficiency of your liver – but more on this further down.
IN SHORT – DETOXIFICATION, IS THE PROCESS OF TAKING TOXINS OUT OF THE BODY, OR EVEN TRANSFORMING AND NEUTRALIZING THEM. IT’S THE CLEARING OF EXCESS CONGESTION OR MUCUS.
THAT’S FINE BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?
The fact is, there are several ways to help the process, but it is actually taking place in your body right now. Through the liver! This amazing organ works through two phases to clear away harmful toxins. A normal, healthy functioning liver will collect these potentially damaging toxins, and change them into what we call, ‘water soluble compounds’. This means when we visit the toilet, or even sweat, toxins are being disposed of safely.
WHAT IF THE LIVER ISN’T WORKING WELL?
Hopefully this won’t affect the majority of people but when the liver’s function is impaired in any way, the body will store offending toxins in both the Nervous system and any fat tissue you may have. This in turn will cause disease if left untreated. In fact, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, flu like symptoms or even allergic reactions are all signs of toxin overload. Which is why we all need the help of an important bodily army. Namely, ‘Antioxidants’.
ANTIOXIDANTS DO WHAT EXACTLY?
Worship them from afar as physical hero’s, because your liver needs them on a regular basis. They are crucial in the process of erasing toxins, and keeping our livers functioning efficiently. We can ingest them through various supplementary or dietary sources of course, but for now, lets stay with your very own natural detoxing dreadnought.
YOU’LL LOVE YOUR LIVER EVEN MORE NOW
Why? Because this hard working organ will help neutralize toxins from the drugs we might need to take, the food we eat and even the air we breath. What’s more, this process never stops. It both breaks down and boxes up proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also synthesizes glycogen or stored sugar, and our bile, as well as those blood proteins needed for the metabolic processes. It heals the body and regenerates itself
AND THE DOWNSIDE OF UP?
It’s understandable then some toxins will be stored in our FAT just to get them out of the general bodily system. The liver in effect, is the working factory in our bodies. And of course, it produces waste in the same way as any other busy factory. This is why it needs help from our own reasoning to function. Because if we don’t offer some assistance in this fast moving modern world, then toxin overload can cause other organs to stop working correctly and produce all manner of disease.
Dr Sandra Cabot is one of the world’s leading experts on the liver, and though in depth research studies are hard to find, she has carried out research of her own. She reveals:
“In terms of developing a fatty liver, this is estimated to affect between 15 and 33 per cent of adults in more general populations. But in terms of children, the figure is somewhere between three and 10 per cent. More worrying for overweight children, is the disconcerting fact, between 15 and 33 per cent will have a fatty liver.
“This can lead to a much higher risk of the early onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And of course it’s much harder to lose weight with a fatty liver.”
SO HOW CAN YOUR LIVER HELP WITH WEIGHTLOSS?
The first thing to note is, your liver is the principle fat burning machine in the human body. Your liver actually produces 80 per cent of the cholesterol found in the body, and overloaded toxins could well be stored as fat.
By Detoxing we can minimize the toxins put into our body, which allows the release of toxins from fat cells and enables the liver break them down and excrete from the body. As the body is working more efficiently it allows us to break down fat more easily.
It’s not rocket science to deduce this can all affect a persons overall weight. The Liver is predominantly a filter,and like all filters, it needs to be cleaned in order to function effectively. Even when some physical problems arise, not being over weight will always help.
RETURNING TO THE SAME MANTRA
Yes, you may be able to second guess here, because everything in your body revolves around the same aim. A good, healthy diet and balanced lifestyle, combined with plenty of exercise, can help each organ in the body, including the liver. Any physician worth his or her salt will tell you this at any time.
Get these things right, and it certainly won’t do you any harm. But what we really need to grasp is the fact, our liver is a crucial organ in our own bodies, and as such, we must take steps to help ensure it stays healthy. This means taking note of what we eat and drink to get the balance absolutely right.
Detoxification is a crucial part of healthy living and our fat loss efforts, our 21 Day Body Transformation Challenge covers this in great length.
For full details CLICK HERE
By Darren Tyrie, Strength Coach and Fat Loss specialist