Detoxify - Nutrients that help the body eliminate toxins

Detoxify - Nutrients that help the body eliminate toxins

Toxins are poisonous substances that come from the environment or are made by the body. Generally, the body can easily process and eliminate day-to-day toxins. Too much exposure to these substances, however, may put one's body at more of a risk of toxin overload. Alcohol, unhealthy foods, long-distance traveling etc., can cause a toxin build-up that can cause damage to the cells, resulting in symptoms such as lethargy, headaches, insomnia, weight gain, anxiety and nausea. Specific nutrients can help one to detoxify and put one back on the path to optimal health.

Toxins are either water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble toxins are less concerning than fat soluble toxins, as water soluble toxins struggle to penetrate cells where they can cause damage, and they are easily excreted by the body. Fat soluble toxins move easily across cell membranes, damaging DNA and other vital structures within the cells. Often, they are stored out of reach in fat cells.

Detox support - nutrients that can help

Specific nutrients are required to keep the detoxification system running as it should. Nutrients act as tools for enzymes that convert fat soluble toxins into more water soluble forms, antioxidants help to protect cells from damaging free radicals and certain nutrients help with excretion.

Vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and selenium help enzymes to convert fat soluble toxins into more water soluble forms.

Selenium, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and lycopene are potent antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals. Some nutrients increase enzyme activity, such as sulphorophane and indole-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and epigallocatechin (EGCG) from green tea, resveratrol from red grapes and curcumin from turmeric. Read more