There has already been a thread started concerning detox diets here. However my question specifically concerns how the body deals with toxins.
Many marketed detox methods involve the body expelling toxins through both our body’s urinary/excretory system as well as “sweating” them out through the skin. For instance, my yoga teacher once gave me a chart with a series of stresses purported to remove toxins. All of the stretches involved the abdomen (presumably with the intent of stretching the liver and kidneys to flush out the toxins). Some diets include particular dishes (or more likely drinks) that are intended to stir up these toxins supposedly hiding within our bodies.
How does this and similar concepts of our body’s method of dealing with toxins compare with medical science? And do we really store up toxins from our vices (drinking, smoking, drugs, chocolate, fatty foods, etc.) in specific parts of the body or is it more of an all-over thing like fat?
When someone claims to have a product or technique that removes “toxins” from the body, the questions to ask are:
Are the substances claimed to be toxins actually toxic?
If so, are they toxic in the amounts encountered by humans (i.e. are there proven detrimental signs and symptoms associated with exposure)?
Is there evidence that the product/technique actually removes the toxins?
If it does, does one enjoy better health as a result?
What are the drawbacks/toxicities associated with using the product/technique?
The “detox” promoters never seem to be able to answer these questions.
One of the latest examples of a flawed “detox” scheme involves OSR#1, an industrial chelating agent that purports to be useful in treating autistic children by removing toxic heavy metals from their bodies. The FDA has just issued the promoter (a chemistry professor, who should know better) a warning letter advising him that the product is a drug that has not been adequately tested and is potentially hazardous to use. The idea behind this product is that autistic kids’ problems are related to toxic metal exposures (not scientifically demonstrated, see question #2 above). There is insufficient evidence that the supposed toxins are removed from kids’ bodies by the product (#3). Similarly, evidence is lacking that autistic childrens’ health is improved by using it (#4). And the product itself has toxic potential, plus representing a waste of money (#5).
The human liver does a fine job of processing and detoxifying harmful substances encountered by the body. We can help it out by avoiding excess alcohol and limiting use of prescription drugs known to harm the liver (as well as “natural” products that are also hepatotoxic)
Yoga and various forms of exercise can help you feel better, but again there’s that tricky lack of evidence that they’re needed or useful in eliminating “toxins”.
First question you should ask is to identify the toxins. Good luck with that one. Second question is, “how” do they know that these toxins are present in your body. Third question (if needed) ask for literature (preferably peer-reviewed or from a reputable source) about the methods to remove these so-called toxins.
Ok. So say that the whole detox fad is a bunch of bull. What about real toxins? And real detox programs?
I’m referring to drug detox. Is this also pseudo-science? Because many folks who go to drug rehabilitation centers are prescribed drugs and/or a diet to help their detox. In this case is the detox really happening? And in relation to my OP, are any of these toxins released through the skin? Are the rest released through the body’s normal means of evacuations?
During a drug detox no new drugs of addiction are put into the system. In some cases, medication is used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The offending drug(s) are excreted in the normal manner, that is, it is typically chemically altered by the liver and leaves the body via the kidneys in the urine in a highly modified form.
In some cases, instead of abrupt cessation of a drug it is gradually tapered off, doses becoming progressively smaller, until the patient no longer is ingesting the offending drug at all. Excretion occurs as above, via the liver and kidneys.
Sweating and production of mucus, diarrhea, etc can be side effects of withdrawing from a drug but the amounts shed in that manner are negligible.
“Diets” may be prescribed because drug addicts are often terribly neglectful of themselves while addicted. These are not typically bizarro fad diets but nutritionally balanced diets, modified to take into account any medical problems like high blood pressure or diabetes.
In any case, what is excreted during drug withdrawal are metabolites of the drugs involved. They are “toxic” in the sense that it’s usually better not to have them in your body, but they aren’t frank poisons like, say, cyanide or something that kills you quickly.
The word ‘detoxification’ in regard to drug programs is not being used with the same meaning. They are refering to the management of withdrawal from addiction. So in this usage no real ‘detox’ is happening either.
Ketone bodies can be pretty toxic, and are excreted through the skin*, as is ammonia*. These compounds all come out through breath and urine as well. I’m not aware of any toxin which is exclusively released through the skin.
*not finding any decent links on this, just plenty of so-so ones. Look if you want to see.