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The daffodils are up, the birds are singing loudly, the sap is rising and the days are getting longer. It is time for us to come out of hibernation, shake off the remains of winter and raise our energy levels for the brighter days ahead. This is the perfect time to focus on detoxification to cleanse our bodies and minds. But what is detoxification in our bodies and how do we do it?

Our bodies naturally detox all the time without any aid whatsoever and without these critical processes we would, quite simply, die. However, there are things we can do to influence the speed of certain aspects of our body's own detoxification processes.

Organs of Detoxification

The detox process consists of three phases and involves multiple organs and systems in the body:

• The Liver - the key organ of the detox process and is responsible for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of detoxification.
  

• The Spleen - involved in the turnover of red blood cells which impacts bile production, a crucial part of Phase 3 of detoxification.
  

• The Kidneys - filter blood to produce waste urine and are vital in the control of hydration. The kidneys can indirectly impact the liver via liver congestion.
  

• The Gut - houses 50% of the body's lymphatic tissue and communicates directly with the liver via the portal vein.
  

Phase 1 Detoxification

This first phase of detoxification is known as modification. Put simply, this is where toxins are transformed into water-soluble compounds ready for elimination. The speed of modification can be governed by genetics, diet and environmental changes. Having a fast Phase 1 Detoxification is not always beneficial as toxins are transformed into more reactive metabolites within the body and if these are stockpiled due to slow Phase 2 Detoxification the result can be increased oxidative stress and inflammation.

Alcohol, smoking, certain medications such as steroids, pesticides and air pollutants all speed up Phase 1 Detoxification. But more surprisingly, cruciferous vegetables, high protein diets, citrus fruits (other than grapefruit), carroway and dill can also speed up this Phase 1 process.

Other medications such as antihistamines and the oral contraceptive pill, heavy metals, high levels of sugar and trans fats, grapefruit, turmeric, cloves and capsicums can all slow down Phase 1 Detoxification. Toxic compounds from the GI Tract due to pathogenic bacteria and poorly digested food can also slow this phase down.

So, for example, if a person has a high exposure to heavy metals or is taking lots of anti histamines then eating lots of cruciferous vegetables may be beneficial to provide balance to this phase.

Phase 2 Detoxification

The second phase of detoxification is known as conjugation. This is when the metabolite from Phase 1 is combined with another molecule to prepare it for elimination. It is generally beneficial to have this phase working optimally to avoid a build up of toxic metabolites from Phase 1. There are six main pathways for this phase and again these can be affected by genetics, diet and the environment. Understanding which pathways may be genetically slower may help in optimising other pathways to work more effectively.

Phase 2 can be supported with certain key nutrients, for example:

• Amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, cysteine, methionine and taurine (found in meats, eggs, legumes and tofu)
  
• Sulphur rich vegetables (such as garlic and onion)
  
• Choline (found in eggs and beans)
  
• Glucaric acid (found in apples and beansprouts)
  
• B vitamins (lots of green leafy vegetables)
  
• Ellagic acid from pomegranates.
  

Phase 3 Detoxification

This is the last, but by no means least important, phase of detoxification. Toxins are eliminated by the kidneys in urine and bowels via bile and stool. If this last phase is not working efficiently then toxins can be reabsorbed in the bloodstream and build up within the body. You can learn more about the importance of bile in the article Bile Breakdown.

Drinking plenty of water, especially first thing in the morning, avoiding excessive protein intake and including herbs such as nettle, dandelion, parsley and celery seed are all good ways to support the kidneys.

Adequate hydration, plenty of soluble fibre, probiotic and prebiotic rich foods are all good ways to support your bowel elimination together with ginger, rhubarb and fennel.

Signs and Symptoms of Poor Detoxification

So what are the signs that our bodies may need some detoxification support? Well these can be many and varied but some examples are:

• Headaches
  
• Bloating
  
• Acne, eczema or skin rashes
  
• Gallstones or difficulty with fat digestion
  
• Constipation or diarrhoea
  
• Sensitivity to smells
  
• Fatigue
  
• Hair thinning or loss
  
• Poor concentration, memory or brain fog
  
• Slow metabolism and weight gain
  
• Breast tenderness and/or irregular or heavy periods
  
• Swelling in legs and ankles
  
• Halitosis
  
• Elevated cholesterol levels
  
• Muscle and joint pain
  
• Stress, depression or mood swings
  

However, it is best not to wait until you experience these symptoms but support your detoxification pathways to work optimally all the time. Understanding your genetic detoxification profile can provide great insight, together with optimising your elimination pathways.

If you are experiencing symptoms of poor detoxification, then Medicinal Eating Nutritional Therapy can help identify the phases where detoxification may be struggling and provide a personalised nutrition and lifestyle protocol to help address any imbalances.

For further information, please contact Medicinal Eating or email Janine at info@medicinaleating.co.uk.