DETOXIFICATION: A "Systems" Approach

Detoxification means, literally, "to remove the poison (toxin), or effect of poison, from." The human body has multiple organs and organ systems for such toxin removal. In order to "detoxify" the body, it is important that all systems of detoxification be fully functional and supported in their efforts. Botanical and nutritional remedies have a central role to play in all detoxification programs. This discussion will focus on the major organ-systems of detoxification, and the botanical, nutritional, and "natural" (non-invasive) methods for supporting detoxification.

Patients often ask me about the value of "detoxification" products, as if detoxification of the body could be accomplished by using a single therapy or supplement. Because the body has multiple organs and organ-systems for detoxifying itself, my question must always be, "what are we detoxifying?" Is the target the large intestine, the liver, the skin, the kidneys or the extra cellular fluids? Each organ of elimination & detoxification contributes to the body’s overall ability to rid itself of internal waste and externally-introduced toxins. Therefore, detoxification techniques may involve one, several, or all organs related to the removal of toxic substances in the body.

• The colon, or large intestine, is responsible for removing undigested and unabsorbed food from the body. The colon is also the primary absorptive surface for water and salts. Water soluble waste products are absorbed into hepatic/portal circulation (the liver), then into general circulation, from the colon. Biotransformation of endogenous (internally derived) and exogenous (externally derived) waste products also occurs in the gut mucosa.

Under normal circumstances, the large intestine contains approximately three pounds of native "good" bacteria and some yeast species. The floral balance of the colonic environment can be altered by dietary imbalances, insufficient digestive function, and antibiotic or other drug use, which allows pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and parasites to overgrow. These non-native gut species often produce toxic substances which are reabsorbed into hepatic and then general circulation. Maintenance of normal diet, digestion, and gut micro flora is essential for the proper elimination of food wastes, prevention of gut-derived endotoxins, and normal biotransformation of toxins.

• The lungs bring oxygen into the system and eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is the end-product (waste) of cellular respiration. Respiratory regulation of the acid-base balance is one to two times as great as that of the body’s chemical buffering systems, making the lungs additionally important in the acid-base balance of the body.
• The skin contains sweat glands that excrete 5-10% of all metabolic wastes. The substances found in sweat—salts, water, and nitrogenous waste—are similar to the composition of urine only more dilute.
• The kidneys remove the majority of cellular metabolic waste products including nitrogen-containing amino acids and carbon dioxide.
• The liver converts endogenous and exogenous toxins into excretable metabolites. The term detoxification is often used to refer exclusively to this intracellular biotransformation process, although as you see, all eliminative organs are crucial to the process of detoxification.

Acid-base balance (pH of the bloodstream). The pH of the arterial blood is 7.4, and venous blood 7.35. These limits are narrowly maintained within the body. Metabolic waste products of cellular metabolism generate 50 to 100 millimoles of acid per day. Excess acids are removed through blood-buffering systems of the lungs, kidneys, and through pH capacity of the blood itself.

Xenobiotics are substances that are toxic to the human system. Such substances may be either externally derived (chemicals and drugs in the environment) or internally derived (metabolic by-products). Internal sources of xenobiotics include metabolic waste products and gut-derived endotoxins.

GI Tract

• Linum usitatissinum – Flax seed (contains the fiber lignan AND omega-3 fatty acids.)
• Fiber (flax seed, psyllium, pectin, smooth yellow pea, guar gum, oat bran, etc.)
• Gram positive bacteria (Lactobacillus spp., Bifida bacteria spp., etc.)
• Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) - (onion, asparagus, banana, etc.)

• Water

• Deep breathing

Liver/gallbladder

• Silybum marianum – milk thistle
• Cynara spp. – artichoke
• Curcuma longa – tumeric
• Bioflavonoids (quercetin, Camellia sinensis catechin, anthocyanins, Gingko biloba flavonoids)

Phase I/Phase II Inducers
• Limonene (from oranges, tangerines, lemon peel, caraway and dill)

Phase I Inducers
• Indoles (from cruciferous vegetables)
• Limonene
• Numerous environmental toxins

Phase II Inducers
• Glutathione conjugation: dietary glutathione, vitamin C
• Amino acid conjugation: adequate dietary protein
• Methylation: folic acid (green leafy vegetables), B6, B12
• Sulfation: dietary sulfur
• Acetylation: Vitamins B2, B5, C
• Glucuronidation: limonene, dietary sulfur
• Sulfoxidation: molybdenum

Skin

• Arctium lappa-burdock
• Skin brushing
• Saunas and steam baths

• Urtica urens –nettle
• Taraxacum officinale-dandelion
• Arctium lappa- burdock

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Fasting
• Weight loss (if overweight)

• Lymph drainage massage
• Exercise (especially rebounding [mini trampoline])

• Alkaline-ash diet (fruits and vegetables: starch and proteins 4:1)

• Allium sativum- garlic