Demystifying Detoxification
How to think about detox without the influence of marketing campaigns
I just recorded a podcast episode with Sirish on detoxification.
It was a great conversation because we created a simple framework around it since we both deal with clients. Unfortunately, detoxification is one of those health subjects that creates a lot of confusion, in large part due to the amount of marketing around it.
Juice cleanses. Coffee enemas. Supplements.
This is a massive industry that rakes in billions per year.
I’m going to explain my philosophy around it, which will hopefully clear things up for you if you’re confused.
My Detoxification Philosophy
Your body is a perfect system fostered by billions of years of evolution.
It knows how to detoxify itself properly, assuming you create an environment which will allow it to do so. Your lifestyle is everything. We live in the most toxic environment known to man.
There are specific systems within your body designed around detoxification. They all work together to create systemic harmony.
Two of the most notable ones that most medical professionals think about are the kidneys and liver which are both incredible in their own right.
Kidneys
Your kidneys actively filter waste and toxins from the blood which then go on to be excreted through urine.
Just to show you how incredible the kidneys are, here’s a list of facts:
The kidneys filter around 120-150 quarts of blood daily, removing waste and excess fluids to produce about 1-2 quarts of urine.
They help regulate blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and the body's acid-base equilibrium.
Every 30 minutes, all the blood in your body passes through the kidneys for filtration.
Kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
Kidneys control the body's water balance, adjusting urine concentration to prevent dehydration or overhydration.
The kidney's functional units are called nephrons, each capable of filtering and processing blood independently. The nephrons are so efficient that they can filter particles as small as viruses from the blood.
They activate vitamin D, crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.
Kidneys can adjust their function to adapt to changes in the body's needs, such as during dehydration or excess fluid intake.
Liver
Your liver performs a wide range of functions related to detoxifying and processing toxins, waste products, and other substances. It metabolizes such products, making them more water-soluble so that they can be excreted from the body.
The liver also contains detoxification enzymes which turn harmful substances into less harmful, water-soluble forms.
The liver is one of the few organs in the body that can regenerate. It can regrow to its full size, even after a significant portion is removed. Truly incredible.
Lungs
Believe it or not, the lungs remove carbon dioxide through exhalation which is a waste product of metabolism that can become a toxin if present in excess.
The total surface area of the lungs, if spread out, is about the size of a tennis court. This vast area allows for efficient gas exchange.
The lungs are lined with tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which help to remove mucus and debris from the respiratory tract.
Digestive System
The gut, including the intestines and colon, processes and removes waste and toxins from the body through bowel movements.
Now, here’s where we get into the finer systems that most people, especially medical professionals don’t think about.
I created a thread a while back on detoxification and received hell for it from a number of centralized doctors because of my “controversial” stance on the subject of detoxification.
Their main argument was that nearly all of the detoxification your body goes through takes place within the kidneys and liver. They certainly contribute in massive ways, but to say they’re the only system responsible for it is downright ignorant.
Cue the lymphatic and glymphatic system.
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system transports waste materials and cellular debris from tissue to lymph nodes which are found throughout the body where they can be processed and filtered.
Its primary function is to help the immune system fight off infections and diseases, but its role touches every aspect of your body.
The system's fluid is called lymph, a clear, colorless fluid similar to blood plasma but without red blood cells. Lymphatic vessels, which are similar to blood vessels, transport lymph. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph to remove impurities, pathogens, and harmful substances.
Lymphatic capillaries which are tiny, blind-ended vessels pick up excess tissue fluid, proteins, and waste products from the spaces between cells and transport them back into the bloodstream.
What’s interesting is it only goes through one-way flow as well. Lymph flows in one direction, from the extremities toward the chest, where it is eventually returned to the bloodstream.
The lymphatic system also helps prevent edema, absorbs fats and fat soluble vitamins from the digestive system, and more.
The Glymphatic System
This describes a recently discovered waste clearance system in the brain. It plays a critical role in removing waste and toxins from the brain tissue through the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
From what I’ve learned, deep sleep is the only way to tap into the glymphatic system effectively which gives you even more reason to be asleep between 9PM - 2AM since that’s where your body prioritizes deep sleep.
When you’re asleep, brain cells will actually shrink to allow CSF to get into spaces it otherwise couldn’t so it can clear out toxins and waste products such as amyloid beta.
Beyond these systems, your body also relies on antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione dismutase which neutralize free radicals and oxidative damage. This is a form of detoxification at the cellular level.
The Best Ways To Detoxify
Sleep, primarily deep sleep between 9PM - 2AM for optimal glymphatic drainage.
Spring water since the best solution to pollution is dilution. The right kind of water (structured and mineralized) plays a key role in every detox process.
Building melanin. this one might shock you because melanin is actually a powerful heavy metal sink that can bind drugs and other substances.
Movement and exercise for optimal fluid exchange and lymphatic drainage. Rebounding is also a great way to stimulate the lymphatic system.
Sweating to release harmful heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, lead, copper. You can get this through exercise or sauna use, but dynamic movement has actually been shown to be more effective than sitting stationary in the sauna. I assume because of the role lymphatic drainage has to play.
Using activated charcoal for its adsorption ability.
Avoiding the use of plastics by using glass, ceramic, wood, stainless steel.
I hope this clarified the subject of detoxification and helped you realize that most of the products and marketing campaigns geared towards this subject are bullshit.
Follow a healthy lifestyle based on simplicity and holistic principles.
Your body will take care of the rest.
Much love,
Zaid