Detoxification

In our contemporary society, we normally blame anxiety, inadequate diet, biological organisms, genetics, and absence of exercise, physical as well as chemical means, autoimmunity, inflammation, anomalous growth and degeneration for occurrences of nearly all diseases. While it is true that to a great extent these components are responsible for most diseases, there is also a fundamental factor that adds to every health disorder endured by us. It is worth mentioning here that toxicity remains the most widespread factor. Coming in contact with toxic substances and their ensuing build-up in our body leads to innumerable health disorders - immediate as well as long-term.

However, the fact remains that we can possibly remain healthy even after being exposed to toxic substances. You should rest assured that it is not necessary to live in constant fear of being exposed to toxins or be fixated with the ‘poisonous world’ we live in or to resign ourselves to ‘germaphobia’. Although toxins are detrimental for our well-being, it does not mean that majority of the people need to make or flee to any isolated, germ-free milieu. It is possible to enhance our present health condition by undergoing simple therapies. For instance, detoxification procedures as well as balancing techniques may possibly help us in refurbishing our body and, at the same time, fortify the immune system. Undertaking commonsensical defensive methods are often good enough for our well-being, leading to an extended life and having notably lesser chances of developing degenerative ailments as well as other diseases.

What is a toxin?

Many people often ask what a toxic is. Precisely speaking, a toxin is any noxious substance that may be produced by plants, animals and even epidemiological bacteria. A different, but somewhat restricted, definition of toxin says that it is basically a xenobiotic, which denotes an alien chemical substance, which our body does not produce. In addition, the word toxin also denotes any substance that may prove to be unsafe or dangerous for our body or anything that disrupts the equilibrium of our body.

How are we exposed to toxins?

Right from the commencement of the history of humans, all people have come in contact with toxic substances that have had a negative impact on their health. During the course of several thousand years, there have been several changes in our body which enable us to put up with majority of the substances that occur naturally. Nevertheless, our exposure to toxins have increased manifold following the ‘Chemical Revolution, which took place following World War II, as well as the rampant industrialization across the globe. The exposure to harmful chemical substances has reached a point that is virtually inestimable. Precisely speaking, over the years, our body has been rapidly threatened by more than two million synthetic materials giving it hardly any time to get used to them. It may be noted that for the majority of people chemical exposure does not take place owing to spraying large amounts of pesticides or spillage of toxic substances. They actually happen from small or moderate exposures that take place day in and day out, adding to an accumulation of toxic compounds inside the body. As our bodies have not experienced these new synthetic substances earlier, they do not possess the effective means for metabolizing or getting rid of such toxic substances.

In current times, people suffer from various health disorders day after day, many of them caused by these toxins. On the one hand, there has been tremendous progress in the fields of science and industry; on the other hand, we also have had to suffer from it greatly. Today, the air we breathe in is not clean anymore; the soil has become polluted; the water supplied to our homes and offices encloses elevated amounts of microbes and noxious chemicals; and even the quality of food we consume is hazardously poor. In fact, it is even impossible to guarantee that the foods we eat are unadulterated.
Even as we go about our everyday routines, we come in contact with several toxic substances. For instance, we are exposed to toxins even while performing very simple things like bathing. Provided we have not been very careful while purchasing the products of our daily use, even carrying out our every day toiletries like shaving or applying makeup are most likely to expose us to harmful chemical substances. Similarly, when you visit a beauty salon or a barber shop, it could mean that you are being exposed to lots of harmful chemicals. Even going to a grocery store exposes you to an assortment of toxins that may include products meant for cleaning and laundry; products for personal care; and most of all pesticides, which may be stored in the premises. On the other hand, you are exposed to formaldehyde when you are making purchases in any mall or large stores offering products at discounted price. It is interesting to note that your body may be exposed to toxins even when you are going to school or work.
Irrespective of our occupation, all of us are subjected to toxic substances. For instance, mechanics usually working without protecting their skin always come in contact with solvents, oils, greases and gasoline. As many building materials contain different toxins, contractors and people engaged in carpentry and house painting are exposed to those harmful materials. People who are working in offices are subject to the chemical substances released by paper, copy machines, computers, fluids used for correction as well as the personal care items used by their colleagues. Even the teachers, whom you thought worked in a pollution-free environment, are subjected to office supplies as well as the personal products used by others, besides coming in contact with additional toxic substances. The condition of science teachers is worse, as they have to deal with many toxic chemicals in the laboratories. Similarly, teachers of industrial arts, auto mechanics, and those employed in shops also have to work with a wide range of toxic substances. Even individuals associated with medical care are exposed to medical supplies, cleaning products, laundry items and pesticides, which have an adverse affect on their health.
If you are staying indoors most of the time, it does not mean that you are not exposed to toxins. For instance, homemakers are subjected to various cleaning as well as laundry items, mold, dust, and the personal care products used by different family members. Even children are exposed to several toxic substances at home, in their school as well as when they are undertaking any recreational activity.

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External toxins

We may come in contact with toxins in two different ways - internally and externally. Hence, they are categorized as external toxins or internal toxins. The toxins with which we come in contact in our everyday life are known as external toxins. External toxins may be found in air, water, foods, plants, herbicides, pesticides, microbes, chemicals used in agriculture and industry, solvents, toxic metals and even weather, noise, radiation and altitudes. These may affect us in various forms, including industrial pollution, or in the form of everyday toxins like cigarette smoke, perfume, and cleaning supplies.
Exposing ourselves to any of the above mentioned toxins may result in a range of symptoms in people who are very sensitive. These symptoms may include skin rashes, headaches, exhaustion, muscle aches, emotional disturbance, mental confusion, problems related to the nerves, weak coordination and also problems related to eyesight. In addition, toxic substances are known to be linked to weak functioning of the immune system, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalance, enzyme dysfunction, nutritional deficits, psychological anomalies and even cancer.

Internal toxins

Internal toxins are noxious substances that are either amassed or produced within our body. Our bodies work in the same manner as sponge and take up many chemicals that we come in contact with. While chemicals that are soluble are soaked up and later excreted, those that are soluble in fat build up inside the cells as well as cell membranes of our body, turning out to be internal toxins. When the body is under pressure, these internal toxins are freed by the body to flow in the bloodstream. Subsequently, these toxic substances go back to the cells as well as cell membranes to be released again later. In fact, this cycle keeps on for an indefinite period unless we initiate some measure to detoxify ourselves or remove them from our body.
Chemicals that comprise internal toxins are generally the usual metabolic products. Metabolism or anomalous formation of usual chemicals in the body, for instance, neurotransmitters and hormones, may result in a detrimental imbalance. Substances produced by our body in reaction to a variety of conditions and turn out to be toxic when they are present in excessive quantities are also known as internal toxins. For instance, pollution, wounds and even anesthesia result in the body to generate free radicals that are noxious for all body tissues. In addition, undertaking exercises may also lead to the accumulation of too much lactic acid inside the muscles, causing the muscles to become stiff and painful when people are unable to process it appropriately.
It may be noted that even strain, emotional disturbances and the collective experiences of one’s life may turn out to be internal toxins. In effect, individuals undergoing emotive or spiritual trials may find particular detoxification techniques to be beneficial.
Internal toxins may lead to several symptoms, including headaches, exhaustion, loss of memory and mental confusion. In addition, they may also result in irritation of the mucous membrane, symptoms akin to those of flu, problems related to the skin, iris inflammation (iritis) and musculoskeletal pains. Internal toxins may also lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.