DETOX YOURSELF: HOW TO BE YOUR OWN PHARMACY

BEWARE THOSE INFOMERCIALS! IF ANYTHING–BE IT A JUICE, A CLEANSE, A DIET, a lotion, or a potion claims to “detox” your body, just know that this word, like “natural” on a food label, doesn’t mean anything at all. Your body already has a built-in toxin defense system: It’s called your liver and kidneys, and they’re pretty good at their jobs if you treat them nicely.

Decades ago, detoxing only referred to life-saving medical procedures that removed dangerous poisons or excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol from the body. But in recent years, it’s become a buzzword that largely refers to homeopathic methods that claim to rid your body of environmental pollutants. Although these products have little scientific backing, the industry is worth more than $69 Billion and its growing.

There’s no denying the environment is full of toxins. At least 6 million water service lines across the United States are made of poisonous lead, for example. Chemical plants in the Louisiana Delta he been blamed for so many problems that the region has earned the nickname “Cancer Alley.” But no over-the-counter detox plan is proven to cure exposure to these types of carcinogens. If you sincerely believe you’ve been directly exposed to toxic substances, see a doctor. The best course of action is proven medical treatment.

In the meantime, the best thing you can do to detox your body is to understand and take care of your body’s natural detoxification system.

First, consider the liver. Everything you eat, drink, and breathe is processed by this workhorse. It can neutralize preservatives, pesticides, pollutants, smoke and other man-made chemicals by filtering these toxins, breaking them down, and eliminating the now-inert substance through bile.

A little further south, your kidneys contain millions of filtering units called nephrons, which filter blood of any toxins (um, including alcohol) and expel them in urine. Your kidneys can even help remove heavy metals like cadmium and mercury, thanks to special proteins called metallothioneins. Your kidneys are experts at capturing, then eliminating, unpleasant compounds this is why urine tests are so effective at detecting illicit drug use.

The kidneys and liver are powerful, but that doesn’t mean you want to put them to the test. To remain safe, drink plenty of water and avoid behaviors that could harm these vital organs. Don’t overuse painkillers, avoid chronic binge drinking, steer clear of hard drugs, don’t eat too much sugar, limit your salt intake, don’t over-consume protein, and quit smoking.

We know you can do it and these simple, practical changes will do far more good than any miracle tea endorsed by a YouTube celebrity.