The process of detoxification, through which the body removes or neutralizes toxins and other harmful substances that accumulate, has been a feature of traditional medicine systems for centuries. While it’s true that our bodies have an innate capacity for detoxification – primarily facilitated through the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract – it has long been understood that our intentional participation in the body’s processes of elimination greatly supports the cultivation of radiant health. In modern times especially, the prevalent nature of environmental pollutants, EMFs, processed foods, mold or mycotoxins, and heavy metals, can lead to the severe overburdening of our detoxification pathways; when paired with stressful and oftentimes overly sedentary lifestyles, the body’s capacity to detox can feel less and less innate.
Instead of doing a potentially intense, short-term detox protocol once in a while, we really should be gently supporting our detox pathways all the time. This assertion is partially explained by the concept of a “toxin bucket,” aptly outlined by Dr. Jill Calahan. “If toxins are filling up the bucket at the same rate the body can rid itself of these toxins, the body continues to function fine. But if the toxins coming in exceed the bucket’s capacity to hold them, they spill out over the top like water and we begin to have significant symptoms, resulting in conditions like inflammation, autoimmunity, allergies, or other chronic illnesses,” she writes in her book Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith. Dr. Callahan points out that we’re all genetically programmed with buckets of different sizes, which affects our capacities to detoxify incidental exposures. Reducing some of the toxic load and supporting our detoxification pathways are two ways to create more room in the bucket, thus supporting the body’s optimal functioning.
Another reason it’s beneficial to integrate practices that support the detox pathways regularly and gently is the concept of a Herxheimer or Herx reaction. Essentially, this refers to a temporary worsening of symptoms or the exacerbation of side effects following a treatment that targets pathogens, which then triggers an immune response that further intensifies one’s condition. It's perfectly normal to feel some die-off symptoms when you detox, but if the Herx reaction is too strong, it indicates the organs are struggling to process all of the toxins now concentrated in the bloodstream. The good news is this kind of reaction means you're on the right path as your body is fighting off the pathogens, but would benefit from approaching it in a more gentle, slow, and integrated way.
Preferred ways to support the detox pathways:
Stay well-hydrated with electrolytes. These essential minerals help our bodies to optimally absorb water for proper hydration. Hydration plays a crucial role in supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways, including through the promotion of optimal kidney and liver function, the dilution of toxins for easier elimination, enhanced cellular function, and the prevention of constipation. Electrolytes can even help regulate both immune cell signaling and inflammation, which may help minimize the severity of a Herx reaction. My favorite option comes from LMNT; use this link to get a free sample pack with your order!
Aim for a regular daily bowel movement, which helps prevent toxin reabsorption. If waste products are not eliminated promptly, they can be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and burden the body's detox pathways. If constipation is an issue, reach out to discuss personalized support for that, but usually my go-to is magnesium glycinate, which I have in the office or can add to a supplement portal for you.
Epsom salt baths are a great way to relax, receive the essential mineral magnesium (an electrolyte), open the pores to promote toxin excretion, and receive sulfate – the other component of Epsom salt that supports sulfation, a metabolic pathway through which the body transforms and eliminates toxins. Remember that stress hinders detoxification, and Dr. Calahan even refers to psychological stress and emotions such as anger, jealousy, or fear as endotoxins. If you don't have a bathtub, you can do foot soaks instead!
Castor oil packs on the liver support this crucial organ’s optimal functioning so it can best process and neutralize toxins, enhancing the body’s elimination capacity. You can place castor oil directly on the skin over your liver (and/or the abdomen, if digestion is off), then cover with a cloth and use a heating pad. Be careful because castor oil can stain! For greater ease, you can order a castor oil pack kit such as one from Queen of Thrones, which is highly recommended as then you don't have to use heat for the castor oil to work.
Dry Brushing is a simple way to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote the flow of lymph, which carries toxins, out of the body. It’s best done before you shower. Check your local stores for dry brush options! I needed one with really soft bristles for my sensitive skin, so I ordered the Kitsch Exfoliating Body Scrubber - Soft Vegan Bristle Dry Brush for Sensitive Skin on Amazon and have been happy with it. Watch this short tutorial video on how to dry brush, as proper technique is important to ensure you’re helping to usher toxins out through the drainage pathways.
Acupuncture supports improved circulation, the enhanced function of the organs and bodily systems tasked with detoxification, as well as the reduction of chronic stress and pain that can hinder detox. People with full toxin buckets can experience very intense Herx reactions because their organs are too overburdened to process and eliminate the toxins; in such cases, supporting the detox pathways through a practice like acupuncture could almost be considered a precondition to doing any kind of detox protocol. Think of it as general maintenance you can receive to keep things flowing.
Sweat in the sauna to facilitate the release of waste products and toxins. Heat also activates the lymphatic system and improves circulation, thus supporting the function of our organs for optimal detoxification capacity.
Practice nervous system regulation because this intimately governs our stress response mechanisms, which as we have explored can throw off the body’s detox processes. I recently shared a compilation of my favorite nervous system regulation practices here.
As the season turns, you can support your resilience by beginning to integrate one or more of these suggestions into your daily or weekly self-care regimen. Your body will thank you, and you will be thanking your body, too!