What is a detox?

Updated May 31 2015

I was talking to a patient last week about her new years resolution to get healthy.  She mentioned to me that she was interested in doing a detox, like the one she saw on that popular Dr show. I said "ok, no problem, but my detox plan is different than his though. My plan is longer than just a few days." She paused briefly and looked a bit puzzled. I asked "what's the matter?" She said, "wait a sec, what exactly is a detox?" I said "that's a great question...allow me to explain..." This is what I told her:

Detoxification is any process of decreasing the negative impact of xenobiotics (external foreign toxic molecules) on bodily functions. It includes biotransformation of endogenous (within the body) and exogenous (outside the body) molecules into excretable metabolites and or waste products.

There are SIX main pathways of elimination:

1. Skin: sweating promotes removal of soluble toxins
2. Breath: increased breathing helps eliminate water soluble toxins
3. Intestines: all fat soluble toxins leave the liver and are excreted via fecal matter
4. Kidney: all water soluble toxins leave the liver and are excreted via the urine
5. Lymphatics: removes wastes from tissues and is responsible for immune system function.
   
6. Liver: primary organ of detoxification. 

How the Liver detoxifies
The Liver is the primary organ of detoxification. Detoxification occurs in the liver through 3 major pathways: Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. 

• Phase I breaks down fat, glucose, carbohydrates, proteins and toxins to intermediate substances. At this point, these intermediate substances are actually MORE toxic to the body and MUST enter Phase II for proper breakdown. Phase I is "non inducible". This means that for the majority of people, Phase I breakdown occurs non stop in the body, it is not inducible or controlled based on the amount of nutrients it has to use in the breakdown.
• Phase II - the broken down products are converted to fat soluble and water soluble products. These products are now less toxic and able to leave the body through bowel movements (fat soluble) and/or urination (water soluble). Phase II is "inducible". This means that Phase II can be increased or enhanced to help with further breakdown of toxic products. This is why liver health is such a large part of the focus of most detox plans.
• Phase III, the elimination of the products. This step is usually the one that most people forget about. Elimination is done via the 6 pathways mentioned earlier. However, the most important at this stage are the kidneys and intestines. If these organs systems aren't eliminating properly, then you will have an accumulation of waste products. 

• This is why its important to focus on all 6 pathways when you are trying to do a "detox" program. 

After discussing this with my patient, we then setup a specific plan tailored for her to optimize her detox plan and achieve her results.
Always consult with your healthcare provider to have the proper guidance to complete your "detox".