We live in a world that constantly exposes our body to toxins - in our water, food, air, cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning producets, furniture, etc. The good thing is our body is intelligent and has natural built-in ways to detoxify; however, when the toxin burden becomes overwhelming and/or our organs of detoxification become compromised, the body cannot do its job. This is when a detoxification program is necessary.
The first (and often ignored) step of detoxification is to open your drainage pathways (colon, liver, kidneys, skin, lymphatic and glymphatic systems). This step is incredibly essential because you can't get rid of toxins if there is nowhere for them to exit. This is why so many detox programs fail and make you feel worse instead of better. They skip this step, stir up toxins, and then stress your already overstressed organs so you feel worse and become more toxic. The most common general symptoms of clogged drainage pathways are fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, and headaches. There are many other signs and symptoms associated with blocked drainage pathways that are organ-specific that will be outlined below.
Colon
Your colon is responsible for moving your stool (containing food waste and toxins) along its walls to be expelled. While you should have two formed (banana-like) bowel movements per day, many patients are only eliminating 1-2 times per week! This can cause an accumulation of toxins and lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Signs & symptoms of a sluggish colon:
constipation (less than 2 bowel movements per day)
diarrhea
irritable bowel (IBS)
gas
bloating
bad breath
extremely foul-smelling stools
body odor
hemorrhoids
abdominal cramps
Liver/bile duct
The liver is your body's primary filtration system. It is responsible for converting toxins into waste products, cleaning your blood, and metabolizing nutrients and medications. Your liver can become overwhelmed when the toxic burden becomes excessive or when you are overmedicated.
Signs & symptoms of a clogged liver or bile duct:
indigestion
difficulty digesting fatty foods
inability to lose weight and/or weight gain
gallbladder issues or removal
skin problems
blurry vision
night blindness
poor sleep
allergies
muscle & joint pain
high cholesterol
nutrient deficiencies
frequent urination
Kidneys
The kidneys are your body's second natural filtration system. Your kidneys filter your blood to remove waste and produce urine, and they prevent waste and fluid from building up in your cells. Heavy metal toxicity is a common cause of kidney stress that can be improved with proper detoxification.
Signs & symptoms of impaired kidneys:
feeling "tired & wired"
dark circles under the eyes and/or puffy eyes
dry & itchy skin
swollen ankles, feet & hands
metallic taste in mouth or bad breath
frequent urination
shortness of breath
constipation
poor appetite
Lymphatic system
A part of your immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect your body from infection and disease. The lymphatic system helps rid the body of toxins and waste material and transports infection-fighting lymph fluid throughout the body.
Signs & symptoms of a clogged lymphatic system:
swollen lymph nodes
swollen fingers
cellulite
chronic fatigue
weak immune system
frequent colds, flu or sinus infections
cold hands & feet
allergies
digestive issues
food & chemical sensitivities
Glymphatic system
The recently discovered glymphatic system is waste clearance pathway in the brain and central nervous system. Heavy metals can accumulate in the brain and affect the glymphatic function.
Signs & symptoms of a sluggish glymphatic system:
brain fog
poor concentration
mental exhaustion
anxiety
depression
moodiness
memory loss
loss of smell
insomnia
disturbed sleep
headaches
Skin
As the largest organ in the body, the skin plays a vital role in detoxification by eliminating toxins through the pores via sweat. Toxins can get trapped in the skin if you are not sweating regularly. Additionally, if the liver is struggling to detoxify, the skin may be affected as toxins are trying to escape through the pores, resulting in skin breakouts and rashes.
Skin conditions associated with poor detoxification:
rashes
acne
rosacea
eczema
psoriasis
dermatitis
shingles
dry skin
itchy skin
oily skin
skin bumps
blackheads
How do you open drainage pathways?
A comprehensive lab workup (along with your signs and symptoms) will help identify which detox pathways need to be opened. Specific herbal medicines, natural supplements, and lifestyle and diet recommendations are used to support your drainage pathways one to two months prior to the detoxification of parasites, heavy metals, mycotoxins, candida, and/or chronic bacterial and viral infections.
A detox is not green juices or starvation diets. It is about identifying the underlying root cause (parasites, heavy metals, toxins, bacteria, virus, mycotoxins, candida, etc), supporting organ function, opening drainage pathways, and binding and eliminating toxins. Working under the guidance of a functional medicine physician, you can truly heal and detoxify your body efficiently and effectively.