Detox 1: What is Detoxification?

After we switch to health food, it is the beginning of removal of toxins from the body. It is important to know that toxic substances are everywhere, in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Our body and bacteria in the intestines also produce toxins. What are the toxic substances? They include heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and aluminium), chemicals, drugs, pesticides, herbicides, food additives, alcohol, solvents and microbial compounds (Yam 2008). See Yam, C.S. (2008). “Detoxification for better health”. New Straits Times, 22 January 2008.

A healthy body involves detoxification. Since we have consumed much acidic food daily before 1996, it is time to detoxify the body. The acidic body needs much alkaline food to detoxify.

Detoxification is defined as the process of removing toxic substances such as wastes and toxins from the colon, liver, kidneys, gallbladder, lungs, skin, lymph and blood (Calbom et al. 2003). Normally, the body eliminates the toxins that come in through food, water and air via the following four metabolic processes (Kushi & Jack 2003). See Calbom, C., Calbom, J. & Mahaffey, M. (2003). The Complete Cancer Cleanse. Petaling Jaya: Advantage Quest Publications; Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.

Respiration or breathing releases carbon dioxide and other gaseous wastes into the atmosphere (accounting for about 70% of energy exchange);
Perspiration or sweating transports sodium, urea, oils, fluids and other wastes to the surface of the body (accounting for about 20% of excreted wastes);
Urination, which consists primarily of urea, uric acid, and other nitrogenous wastes, sodium chloride and about 100 other substances suspended in fluid (accounting for about 7% of discharge); and
Bowel movement, which consists primarily of cellulose and other undigested food remains, bile pigments, mucus, bacteria and water (accounting for about 3% of waste).

Just in case you do not know this: Fasting facilitates detoxification to achieve physical and mental health. Occasional fasting is an effective and healthy way to reduce body weight.