Detoxification: What It Is And How It Is Carried Out In The Body
The word detox can refer to many things : from natural metabolic processes that occur in our body to the first phase in therapies to overcome addictions.
In this article we will see several of the definitions of this term, types of detoxifications, metabolic mechanisms involved, how it is carried out in therapy and we will reflect on the meaning of the word “détox”.
Detoxification is understood as metabolic, medical or pharmacological process that involves the elimination of elements toxic to the body Normally, in healthy people, detoxification is a metabolic process that takes place in the kidneys and liver, organs which are responsible for reducing the toxicity of substances produced by the body itself and eliminating them from it.
This same word is also used to refer to the process by which an organism recovers its homeostasis, that is, becomes healthy again, after having consumed or been exposed to a toxic substance, voluntarily or involuntarily. This is the definition used in the field of medicine for people who have become intoxicated or suffer from some type of addiction. Poisoning can also occur due to organic problems, which makes it necessary to use antidotes, dialysis or liver and kidney transplants
Guys
Since the definition of detoxification is very broad, and is used in various fields of health sciences, it is necessary to briefly explain some types of detoxification.
1. Alcohol detox
Alcohol detox is the process by which alcohol is eliminated in the body of a person who consumes this substance in large quantities and frequently
This is a dangerous type of detoxification, since withdrawal syndrome in alcoholic people can cause serious health problems and even death. For this reason it must be controlled by professionals.
2. Detoxification from other drugs
The world of drugs is very broad, and for this reason There are substances that, although their withdrawal syndrome is not pleasant, suddenly stopping consuming them does not imply a serious risk for the health of the person.
Be that as it may, the cessation treatment for these substances must be carried out by professionals, and normally involves the use of antidotes that counteract the effects of the substance consumed and accelerate its elimination.
3. Metabolic detoxification
Due to the metabolic reactions that occur in our body, certain products are toxic and need to be treated to prevent them from causing damage to it. Through various physicochemical processes, such as reduction, oxidation, conjugation and excretion, the body is capable of reducing the toxicity of these substances and eliminating them
The most important enzymes in this process are cytochrome P450 oxidases, UDP-glucoronosyltransferases and glutathione S-transferases.
The liver: the “detox” organ
The liver, along with the kidneys, is the main organ involved in detoxifying the body. Regardless of whether a person is detoxing from medications, alcohol, or drugs, the detoxification processes to achieve homeostasis and health are largely similar.
Thanks to the action of the liver, detoxification naturally present in our body It occurs through two phases, simply called phase 1 and phase 2 of detoxification
During phase 1 the liver works on fat-soluble toxins, activating the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. This system produces enzymes that bind to fat-soluble toxins, reducing their toxicity and preparing them for the next phase. In phase 2 these toxins are excreted thanks to the action of the kidneys, and therefore expelled to the outside of the body.
In order to carry out the metabolic processes that allow the body to detoxify, it is necessary to have a healthy liver and kidneys. Otherwise, The person who does not have good liver and kidney health may have symptoms such as nausea, headaches in the morning eye leaks, constipation, skin problems and pain in various parts of the body.
Detox treatment
Detoxification is the first phase of addiction treatment , to which they are subjected immediately after being admitted to a rehabilitation center or starting therapy on their own. People with addiction problems need detoxification treatments, in which they will undergo pharmacological and psychological therapy that will help them get rid of the drug to which they have become addicted.
It not only involves overcoming physical dependence on one or more substances, but also motivating the person to move forward and understand the difference between what is a psychological demand and what is an organic need.
As we were already commenting previously, detoxification of substances or alcohol is understood as the elimination of the drug from the patient’s body and achieving physical stability, without the body missing the harmful substance. This process should always be carried out under the guidance of professionals, especially doctors and psychiatrists, although the work of psychologists and the patient’s own vision of their own problems should never be ignored.
The joint work of several health sciences professionals will favor the power monitor withdrawal symptoms, if they occur Doctors will prescribe drugs that help counteract the effects of the syndrome, in addition to helping the body achieve homeostasis. If there is feeding intolerance or the condition is very severe, serum therapy may be used.
The evolution in the detoxification phase can be very significant and can even involve radical changes. The first two days of treatment are crucial and withdrawal syndrome is avoided by all means. As time goes by, the patient feels calmer, has a more hopeful and positive vision of the future, sleeps better, regains his appetite, and his general well-being increases.
Once detoxification is completed, drug addiction treatment continues with substance cessation that is, the person does not need high doses of the drug to feel its pleasurable effects, and then comes reintegration, which consists of encouraging the person not to relapse again.
Alternative medicine and “detox” diets
Certain currents of alternative medicine and “healthy-style” movements ensure that they are capable of eliminating “toxins” from the body through very varied treatments, which can range from the use of herbs typical of traditional medicine, taking juices of all kinds, to treatments in which electric or electromagnetic currents are applied.
It is common that in this type of treatments, characterized by being, on many occasions, pseudoscientific, the definition of what a toxin is is not clear, making the validity of their techniques more than questionable.
Given the the liver and kidneys automatically detoxify the body and are responsible for eliminating materials that may cause some type of harm to the body, it does not make much sense to think that it is necessary to apply treatments that can hardly work and are not necessary.
Substances that facilitate detoxification
As we already saw, most diets that call themselves “detox” or that claim to exclusively eat a certain vegetable for a period of time have not been proven to work. In fact, the scientific community considers that the vast majority of products and services promoted under the word “détox” are scams. However, this does not mean that following a healthy diet is not a protective factor for health and facilitates the detoxifying action of the liver and kidneys.
Although it is not a panacea, nor does it guarantee that a person will miraculously recover from liver ailments, There are certain plants that have been used for a long time in indigenous communities , and that they have been related to improvements in health status. Among them are burdock root, Lewisia rediviva and purslane, which stimulate digestion and encourage the liver to work.
There are foods that help the liver perform its function correctly , as is the case of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, help the action of cytochrome P450 enzymes. So would vegetables that contain sulfides, such as onions and garlic.
But in the same way that there are foods that would help in the detoxification process, there are others whose consumption can increase toxicity, especially if you are sensitive to alcohol. Among these foods you would find breads and fermented products. Foods rich in carbohydrates also increase the production of endogenous alcohol. Fermented ones transform alcohol into acetaldehyde, harming the intestinal flora and potentially causing chronic candidiasis.
