Detox And The Gut: Your Body’s Cleaning System

Detoxification, or detox for short, is a natural process that removes harmful toxins from your body. Think of it as your personal cleaning system. Without it, serious health issues could happen.

Our bodies are designed to detox daily. However, most of us need help since we are bombarded with numerous toxins daily, increasing more than our parents and grandparents. An indication of poor detoxification is when you don’t defecate at least once per day.

A lesser-known fact about the detoxification process is how greatly it is affected by your gut—the healthier your gut, the better the detox process functions, leading to a healthier body.

This blog will discuss the detox process, the connection with the gut, and what you can do to ensure it's running like a well-oiled machine.

What is detox all about?

Detox is so much more than drinking green juice! It involves a complex process where your liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs work together to remove, break down, and filter toxins from your body. 

These toxins can be anything from environmental pollutants like smog and chemicals to internal waste products like excess hormones. Everyday items like food, alcohol, aerosols, and medicine can contribute to the toxins your body has to manage.

The toxins you absorb daily go into your bloodstream and are detoxified by your organs, primarily by the liver. Your liver transforms these toxins into less harmful substances or into forms that can be eliminated easily, like urine, feces, and sweat.

The important role of the liver

As mentioned, the liver is the primary detox organ. It filters your blood, produces bile, and breaks down chemicals and toxins. Now, imagine if your liver gets compromised or overloaded. What do you think will happen?

That unfortunate event can lead to toxin buildup and impaired detox ability, resulting in various health issues like fatigue, digestive problems, skin issues, hormonal imbalance, and even chronic illness. 

The gut and detox processes are connected

Aside from the liver, there is another part of your body that plays a significant role in the whole detox thing. It’s your gut! 

In case you didn’t know, your gut is made up of trillions of bacteria that form the microbiome. This microbiome can help process food, absorb nutrients, and even break down toxins. 

The catch is that it has to have the right balance of good and bad bacteria. If dysbiosis happens, meaning an imbalance of bacteria occurs, the detox process is negatively affected. 

A greater number of bad bacteria in the gut can increase the production of endotoxins like lipopolysaccharides (LPS). 

LPS is one of the main toxins that the liver has to deal with daily. It’s a molecule found in the cell membrane of certain bacteria. When it is released, it enters the bloodstream and triggers inflammation. 

In small amounts, LPS can be dealt with by the liver. However, a high level of LPS indicates increased bacterial activity in the gut and overstresses the liver. 

An overworked liver struggles to process other substances effectively, leading to toxin buildup and various health issues.

This effect your gut health has on your liver function, and vice versa, is called the “gut-liver axis.” Maintaining this axis balanced is crucial as it can help ensure your natural detox process functions well and does not go awry.

Practicing the natural way of detox

If you ask Google, tons of detox how-tos and treatments will pop up. But don’t believe all of it right away because detox done without any medical supervision can go from bad to worse. 

So, what do medical professionals and scientists recommend? It all goes back to herbs and botanicals. A recent study revealed that using a combination of herbs can combat a wide range of microbes and biofilms (a layer that bacteria make to shield themselves). 

Here’s a list of herbs and botanicals you can add to your meals and drinks to practice the natural detox. 

Milk thistle

Milk thistle contains Silymarin, an active compound effective at detoxifying the liver. This herb can be ground and sprinkled over salads, blended into smoothies, or brewed as tea.

Tree turmeric

Tree turmeric is a famous herb from the Himalayan region and is widely used to promote a healthy microbial balance and detoxification. It can be used as a spice in meals or in drinking tea.

Green chiretta

Green chiretta is a medicinal herb with phytochemical compounds that help detoxify the body. It is best used in small quantities in herbal teas, detox drinks, or green smoothies.

Punarnava

Punarnava promotes healthy inflammatory pathways and lipid peroxidation, supports healthy inflammation, and protects the body from oxidative stress. It is a famous herb and can be used in meals, especially in Indian cuisine.

False daisy

False Daisy is rich in beneficial compounds like wedelolactone, oleanolic acid, luteolin, and apigenin. These help improve respiratory and digestive health, promote hair growth, and support liver and skin health. Its leaves can be cooked as a vegetable or used in salads.

Do you want a personal gut and detox guide?

Everybody’s gut is unique and influenced by multiple factors like age, genes, lifestyle, and environment. That’s why there’s no one way to treat an imbalanced gut. If you ever hear someone say there is, you better run. 

The best and only way to reset your gut is to follow a personalized guided plan that focuses on improving sleep, nutrition, stress management, and environmental factors.

Dr. Charlie Ware's gut reset program offers all these and more! In here, you’re not just another patient. Dr. Ware will personally test your gut, interpret the results, and tailor your plan according to your gut’s needs. 

More than the treatment, this program empowers you with knowledge and strategies to maintain gut health long-term, equipping you to care for yourself and your loved ones. 

Conclusion

Detox is more than just diets and drinking liquids. It is a daily, ongoing process that our bodies are naturally designed to perform. However, due to various lifestyle and environmental factors, we often don't detoxify as efficiently as we should. This is where additional support becomes crucial.

Dr. Ware, with his personalized gut reset program, is here to teach you nature’s way to healing. His holistic approach to wellness will treat your gut problems, improve your body’s detoxification, and pass on knowledge that will allow you to care for your and your family’s health.

Reach out to Dr. Ware today and learn how to detoxify and rebalance your gut.

 

References

Strand, J. (2022). The Case for Including the Microbiome in Detox Strategy. Integr Med (Encinitas). Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 21(4), 26-30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9542931/#:~:text=Healthy%20Microbiome,of%20intestinal%20and%20extraintestinal%20illnesses.&text=The%20microbiome%20affects%20multiple%20areas,hydration