De-Tox

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms. Toxins are nearly always proteins that are capable of causing disease on contact or absorption with body tissues by interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes or cellular receptors.

Toxins  vary greatly in their severity, ranging from minor and acute (as in a bee sting) to almost immediately deadly (as in botulinum toxin ). As well as the body producing waste product which it needs to get rid of there are external influences which can produce toxins within our bodies and these have become the source of much concern over the past decade. Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Aside from limiting our exposure we should all be actively aiding our bodies in the elimination of these toxins .

Types of detoxification:
Alcohol detoxification is used as a form of drug rehabilitation to treat alcoholism or other drug addiction. The process involves abstinence to clear the drug from the body, accompanied by social and environmental support during the associated physiological and psychological changes.

Metabolic detoxification : An animal's metabolism can produce harmful substances which it can then make less toxic through oxidation, conjugation and excretion of molecules from cells or tissues. Enzymes that are important in detoxification  metabolism include cytochrome P450 oxidases, UDP-glucuronosyltransferasess, and glutathione S-transferases. These processes are particularly well-studied as part of drug metabolism, as they influence the pharmacokinetics of a drug in the body.

Alternative medicine: Certain approaches in alternative medicine claim to remove toxins  from the body through herbal, electrical or electromagnetic treatments (such as the Aqua De-tox treatment). Diet detoxification : Certain diets have an underlying assumption that the body accumulates toxins  that must be removed, especially after periods of over-eating or the consumption of non-nutritious and processed foods. As with alternative medicine, the 'toxins' removed are undefined and are ascribed to foods, the environment and the body's own wastes.

Methods of detoxification : Drug de-tox is performed in many different ways depending on where one decides to receive treatment. Most drug de-tox centres simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. Ideally, a trained de-tox facility will incorporate counselling and therapy during de-tox to help with the psychological distress that the individual may experience as well. Less conventional methods for eliminating toxic substances from the body include the modification of the diet and addition of certain herbs and rituals such as colon hydrotherapy, body cleansing, juice fasting, and saunas.  Easy practical ways to de-tox include cutting out certain things from our diet and focusing on eating more fruit, vegetables etc. Reducing our intake of caffeine or alcohol, stopping smoking and skin exfoliation are all recommended by different experts.

Essential oils can be used in conjunction with these methods to assist the body to get rid of unnecessary toxins . Grapefruit essential oil is said to be valuable for fluid retention, cellulite and other conditions where toxins are not being eliminated effectively and is reputed to be a detoxifier and stimulant of the lymphatic system. Juniper essential oil has been used for hundreds of years and in France was used as a tonic especially for a sluggish condition. It is also said to be a detoxifier. Rosemary essential oil is said to be an excellent tonic for the heart, liver and gallbladder and can help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Lavender is the fourth essential oil used in this blend and as well as blending excellently with the other oils it is said to have tonic qualities.