The Importance of Detoxification & Detoxing Tools

What Does “Detox” Mean?

Today, the term “detox” is commonly used to describe 3-day juice cleanses or to sell weight-loss supplements but that is not what “detox” is truly about. Detoxing consists of clearing the body of unwanted bacteria, viruses, parasites, metals, mold, yeast, etc. that hinder the body from performing at its best. Detoxing is important to keep the body strong and is used as a preventative measure to reduce the body’s toxic load. In fact, humans would not exist without our natural detoxification systems.

Many chronic illnesses, feelings of fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and other symptoms are due to the accumulation of toxins within the body. Nowadays, we live in an extremely toxic world that consists of man-made chemicals such as: pesticides/glyphosate, synthetic fragrances, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), artificial flavoring/dyes in foods, and damaging pharmaceutical medications/antibiotics. We are also exposed to heavy metals through dental work (crowns, root canals), occupational work (mechanic, welder, etc.), copper IUD birth control, cigarettes, refined vegetable oils, cosmetics/hair dyes, and through the transfer of heavy metals from mother to child in utero via the placenta.

Why Do I Need to Detox? Doesn’t my Body do that Anyway?

When the body is fighting off chronic illnesses, it’s drainage and elimination systems are not highly functioning, so the body requires extra care during this time to overcome the illness.

The liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract serve as the body’s main systems of drainage and elimination. For example, when a person has had too much alcohol, the liver creates a hangover to relieve the body of the toxins poured into it the night before.

However, when a person becomes inundated with parasites, heavy metals, mold, bacteria, and viruses, the liver’s work load is heightened. When this toxic burden is too high for the body to naturally detox, the liver acts like a car running on an empty tank of gas. Every drug, hormone, pesticide, and chemical are metabolized in the liver. Other organs, such as the kidneys, skin, intestines, and lymphatic system are also involved in excreting harmful substances and infections out of the body. The body’s cellular components such as the mitochondria can also become damaged if the body is dealing with a chronic illness.

Click here to read our article on the mitochondria!

Another reason why detoxing is important is because many toxic chemicals are fat-soluble. This means that instead of the chemicals dissolving in water, they dissolve in fatty solutions. When these chemicals enter the body, they cling to fat tissues and cell membranes, making it difficult to naturally excrete. These toxins can be stored in the body for decades and can make themselves known during times of stress or exercise when the body releases some toxin movement. Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and joint pain are common when triggered.

Overall, a detox regimen is designed to mobilize toxins in a safe and effective manner so the body can restore itself. It is important to consult a practitioner before detoxing as drainage pathways must be functioning properly first.

Detoxing Tools

Detoxing tools are products and practices that assist in helping the body eliminate heavy metals, mold, bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. Below is a list of detoxing therapies that are beneficial to those healing from chronic illnesses.

1.Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas are a specific type of sauna that work by heating the physical body from the inside out. According to a 2015 study, “unlike traditional saunas, which apply heat to warm the body by increasing the ambient air temperature, infrared saunas heat the body directly without employing the air as a heat transfer medium.” Our body naturally produces a fever when fighting off an infection; therefore, infrared saunas work similarly to raise core temperature to help eradicate infections and stimulate lymphatic flow.

Infrared saunas are beneficial for treating hypertension, heart failure, and vascular endothelial dysfunction as well as alleviating stroke by inhibiting pericyte death. Due to the special qualities infrared saunas contain, they are also effective in relieving pain in patients with chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. They have benefited trail runners who suffered from muscle damage and patients who experienced persistent and progressively increasing phantom limb pain after amputation. Furthermore, infrared sauna stimulation also alleviated depression in patients with insomnia by increasing serotonin and reducing malondialdehyde levels.

It is also seen that infrared saunas can help those dealing with type 2 diabetes. According to a 2013 study, it was observed that four weeks of infrared radiation administered to the feet of type 2 diabetes patients significantly reduced cortisol levels and blood glucose levels.

Our clinic’s favorite infrared sauna is by Therasage. Therasage’s sauna contains infrared heating panels and tourmaline gemstones which help generate negative ions.

Click here to get more information on Therasage’s saunas!

2.Red Light Therapy: Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a biohacking tool that uses therapeutic red light to penetrate the skin. This light produces a biochemical effect within cells that strengthens the cell’s mitochondria, the organelle where energy is created and stored. By increasing the function of the mitochondria, it can create more ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the energy currency within the cells and is what keeps us healthy!

On the other hand, it is known that blue light from electronic devices causes mitochondrial damage. According to a 2005 study, blue light can “cause cell dysfunction through the action of reactive oxygen species on DNA and that this may contribute to cellular aging, age-related pathologies, and tumorigenesis.” Eye damage and the dysregulation of the body’s circadian rhythm is also common when exposed to a significant amount of blue light.

Red light has been shown to significantly aid in detoxification, brain damage, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), muscle recovery, collagen/skin repair, cancer therapy side effects, hair loss, and inflammation.

We recommend the brands MitoRed and Therasage for Red Light Therapy products.

Discount Code for Thersage’s Tri Red Light - “DrJaban” for 15% off your purchase.

Discount Code for MitoRed - “jabanmoore” for 5% off your purchase.

3.Castor Oil Packs: Castor oil packs are one of the most ancient detoxing therapies. These packs are made by soaking a cotton or flannel cloth in cold-pressed castor oil then applying it to the upper right quadrant of the body where the liver resides. A heating pad may be placed on top of the pack and can be used for 15 minutes to a full night’s sleep.

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which stimulates lymphatic flow and reduces inflammation. This omega-9 fatty acid has been proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties as it is able to deeply penetrate the skin/tissues. Because of this, it is also a great practice for relieving menstrual cramps.

According to a 2000 study castor oil “exerts remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.” Other studies state that castor oil packs are effective for constipation and anxiety as well. This simple but effective detoxing therapy assists in helping the liver carry toxins out of the body.

For an easy to apply, organically sourced option, we recommend the Queen of Thrones product line!

Note: Castor oil packs should not be used if pregnant as it has labor-inducing properties.

4.Coffee Enemas: Coffee enemas stimulate the liver and gallbladder to increase bile flow, which aids the liver in its detoxification efforts. It is believed to do this from the naturally-occurring ingredient, Cafestol palmitate, which is found in the coffee. Cafestol palmitate increases the activity of glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme that causes dilatation of bile ducts and excretion of bile. Due to this process, coffee enemas also help release toxic bile and purge re-circulating toxins. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It is re-circulated in the gastrointestinal tract up to 17 times before releasing into stool. This practice can help clear that bile before it reabsorbs fat-soluble toxins.

Coffee Enemas are also known to significantly raise glutathione levels. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and increases liver functions.

Although this may not be the most traditional way to take your coffee, it is a tool that has been seen to be beneficial with those recovering from chronic illnesses as it supports blood circulation, cleanses the liver/gallbladder, improves bile flow, and helps eliminate parasites and candida.

Note: It is important to work with a skilled practitioner who understands this practice as it can potentially cause electrolyte imbalances and adverse detox reactions if done improperly.

5.Epsom Salt Baths: Epsom salt baths are a great way to facilitate detox if a person is sensitive to other detoxing methods as they can add in the amount of epsom salt needed. If the bath water is warm enough, it can also create a sauna-like effect!

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It is known to relieve muscle pain, headaches, and improve lymphatic flow.

Small Ways to Facilitate Detoxing

To strengthen your body’s detox systems without the therapies listed above, here are some small ways to encourage your body to begin detoxing:

Dry Brushing
Limit Alcohol
Stay Hydrated
Eat Organic, Whole Foods
Prioritize Sleep

If you believe you are dealing with chronic illness, please contact a functional provider. Dr. Jaban Moore, a functional medicine provider, can help you if you are experiencing chronic symptoms.

Please reach out if you are interested in taking your health back! You can give our office a call at (816) 889-9801.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726844/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5515989/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/volatile-organic-compound

https://www.ocl-journal.org/articles/ocl/full_html/2014/01/ocl130041/ocl130041.html

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10354-012-0074-3

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6101675/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4935255/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15992574/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3233540/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19964539/