We live in a toxic world, where we are constantly exposed to many poisons, whether it is in the food we eat, the environment or the consumer products we use. Over time, these toxins harm our health. Although the level of toxicity of products meets official standards, these standards do not take into account the quantity of products and the frequency of exposure, which means that the toxic burden increases over time and becomes too great.
Toxicity can be:
- Acute toxicity: covers adverse effects on an organism after short-term exposure, usually over a period of one year.
- Subchronic toxicity: refers to the adverse effects caused by a toxic substance when exposed for more than one year but less than the lifetime of the organism.
- Chronic toxicity: means the ability of a substance or mixture of substances to cause adverse effects over a long period of time, usually after repeated or continuous exposure.
Fortunately, the body has incredible detoxifying and toxin eliminating abilities. It filters, transforms, cleanses and eliminates everything that doesn't suit it. Several excretory organs are important for our health, such as the lungs, skin, kidneys and intestines, which play a key role in keeping us healthy. Other organs, such as the liver and gall bladder, filter and sort substances and help to ensure that toxins can be eliminated from the body.
However, when the body is exposed to toxins, too much food, unhealthy fats, sugar and too few micronutrients over a long period of time, the excretory organs can become overloaded. For example, the lungs can accumulate waste that they can no longer filter, and mucus full of toxins can enter the airways. The liver can no longer keep up and toxins can be stored in fat cells, which can lead to overweight and other problems. The kidneys can become congested and the intestines can slow down, leading to serious pathologies.
It is therefore important to maintain a balanced diet and to practice other healthy habits that will help to maintain the functioning and support of all organs and organ systems. The only solution is to help the body to get rid of all these toxic substances gently, with will and determination. This means reducing the intake of toxic substances and increasing the intake of natural and well-digested foods, which will help the body to detoxify, circulate and eliminate many toxins. It is also important to ensure that our excretory organs function properly. If detoxification works but elimination is not effective, there is a risk that the toxins released are reabsorbed and thus circulate throughout the body.
Metabolic detoxification
Metabolic detoxification is the process by which the body processes and eliminates harmful chemicals. The body metabolizes xenobiotics, which are foreign chemicals, and unnecessary endobiotics, which are endogenously produced substances, so that they can be eliminated from the body. Your body has its own detoxification process, often referred to in the scientific and medical community as biotransformation. This process takes place in three stages: biotransformation, conjugation and elimination.
Three stages of detoxification:
- Biotransformation: in the first stage, toxic molecules, which may come from the outside world or from metabolites of the body's own processes, are molecularly transformed into another molecule. Sometimes the new compound becomes less toxic, but often it actually becomes more toxic. Fortunately, in the next step, it is transformed into a less toxic molecule.
- Conjugation: in this phase, a molecule combines with another molecule to create something that the body can excrete.
- Elimination: the third step is elimination, which is excluded in some discussions on detoxification but is just as important as the first two steps. Once the body has converted toxic elements into harmless molecules, it must eliminate them from the cells and later from the body in urine, faeces or sweat.
Effective detoxification depends on a series of smooth reactions that bind toxins to transport molecules and "escort" them through a series of gates. Dysfunctions in the three-phase detoxification system are the most common cause of the accumulation of toxic elements and compounds in the body. For true health, all phases need to work in balance, otherwise the whole system cannot function properly.
The basic idea of detoxification or detoxification
Detoxification is basically a process to help the body eliminate toxins and waste that have accumulated over time. These substances can cause a variety of symptoms that eventually become chronic and affect our quality of life.
Symptoms of accumulated toxins:
- Bloating, gas and indigestion
- Frequent or chronic constipation, irregular bowel movements
- Sleep disturbances, difficulty waking up
- Overweight or difficulty gaining weight
- Joint pain
- Concentration and alertness problems
- Lack of energy and zest for life
- Frequent and uncontrollable hunger pangs, especially in the evening
- Dark circles under the eyes, dull and pale skin, yellowish tongue
- Recurrent infections and colds, weakened immune system
- Irritability, mood swings, anger, depression, despair
The list of symptoms is long and exhaustive. According to experts, most human illness and suffering is caused by a deep imbalance in the body, the accumulation of toxins and increased inflammation. We can achieve a much higher quality of life and health if we pay attention to the warning signs that our body is telling us through symptoms and how we feel.
The enteric nervous system, which regulates our gut and is connected to the brain, is called the "second brain". The gut has many functions beyond nutrient absorption. Our gut produces a large number of neurotransmitters. The quality of our gut flora affects not only the functioning of our excretory organs, but also our nerve transmissions that affect the whole body (blood circulation, digestion, mood, emotions, etc.).
Symptoms of toxin overload:
When you reach your personal limit of accumulated toxins, you may experience the following symptoms, among others:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Cancer
- Fatigue
- Infertility
- Allergies
- Behavioural and mood disorders
- Neurological conditions such as anxiety, headaches and cognitive problems
- Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
In the Vitality Metamorphosis programme we will take a holistic approach to detoxify, support and regenerate our bodies. Our approach is based on key pillars such as good hydration, balanced nutrition, use of nutritional supplements, time-restricted feeding and taking care of your body and energy.
Hydration is essential for healthy gut function, boosting metabolism and improving mood and energy. Drinking clean, filtered water throughout the day supports natural detoxification processes. It is recommended to drink 2-3 litres of water daily, including juices and smoothies.
The diet in the programme is designed to place less stress on the digestive organs and liver, while providing high nutritional value. This helps the body to detoxify and improves overall health. Nutrients such as those in Cell Renew support all three phases of the liver's metabolic detoxification: functionalisation, conjugation and elimination. We have also developed BindTox, which helps absorb various toxins and safely eliminate them from the body.
In addition, integrative holistic medicine emphasises the importance of physical activity for effective detoxification. Exercise increases blood flow, speeds up metabolism and stimulates the elimination of toxins through sweat, urine and faeces. Regular physical activity is essential for the health of the body. The programme will also include daily stretching exercises to help you sleep more soundly and reduce stiffness.
An important step in introducing new habits is to clarify your reasons for changing. This clarity will help you stay focused and motivated in the long run. Always come back to your 'why' to help you achieve the results you want.
More details and instructions are included in the workbook, and Dr Tina Prodnik will further explain everything in the live announcements in the Vitality Metamorphosis Facebook group.
