Detoxification Supplements

About Detoxification Supplements

Detoxification is a process that the body constantly works on, every single moment of every day. It doesn’t take lunch breaks, or stop for a snack, our body just keeps on working. Our liver works hard at detoxification, as do our kidneys, bowels and even our skin! There are actually a number of technical sounding processes involved in detoxification, which include: phase 1 cytochrome P450 enzymes, phase 2 conjugation enzymes, Nrf2 signalling and metallothionein. And each and every one of these processes are becoming increasingly more essential, given the level of global industrialisation of the past century or more. Due to the practices of industry, we have seen an exponential rise in bioaccumulative toxins, that have been linked to increases of endocrine (hormonal) disruption, neurological and cardiovascular issues—this would be a conservative approximation. 

Detoxification is the process by which natural chemicals and toxic substances—such as chemicals in food, air pollution and other environmental toxins like mould spores—are neutralised and packaged, to be excreted by the body. Other chemicals which the body detoxifies are hormones, such as estrogen, which is converted to oestrogen metabolites, and other metabolic chemicals as well. Of course, it’s great if we can support the detoxification processes of the body every single day, by consuming a wide range of clean foods, such as fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins, legumes, nuts and seeds. Ideally, to support this process even further we would minimise our exposure to environmental toxins, thus reducing our actual need to detoxify. Realistically, however, this is not an easy thing to achieve, especially for the time-poor. This is where detoxification programs can be advantageous.

There are many detoxification products to choose from, ranging from the herbal medicine St Mary's Thistle—which protects the liver from damage and enhances detoxification—to greens powders, to complete detoxification kits that involve a set program for a one to two week period. These detox kits involve cleaning up the diet and supplementing with products that enhance the natural detoxification effects of the body. As you can probably imagine, there are plenty of foods that don’t make the cut for a detox program, and therefore need to be cut out temporarily. Common ones are processed and packaged foods, takeaway meals, meats, excessive amounts of dairy, alcohol and sugar-containing beverages, to mention but a few. 

There are varying degrees of detoxification support, which accommodate the needs of different people, depending on their level of toxicity. This can be quickly assessed based on the amount of alcohol an individual consumes and the amount of take-away food they eat. Also, and equally important is the methods of stress management used, such as meditation, self-reflection, and exercise that they achieve each week. These are all important factors that support the body's natural detoxification methods. If an individual’s diet and lifestyle are relatively "clean" and health-focused, then it may be wise to simply support the body with some St Marys Thistle for one or two months per year, as a complete detoxification protocol may not always be necessary. However, if none of these methods are being utilised, then a more robust approach may need to be taken, such as a full 15-Day Detox Program.

Detoxification is great for a "spring cleanse"—which can be approached outside of Spring—which not only improves general health but can also enhance quality of life.