Detoxification is the body’s way of healing and repairing itself. It is continuously taking place and utilizes various pathways to filter and remove toxins. Toxins are substances that are harmful to the human body. Toxicity can occur from medications, drugs, food additives, allergens, and nearly any substance in excess can become a toxic element resulting in inflammation and harmful responses in the body. Toxicity can also be a byproduct of patterns in physiology that are not functioning properly. Our environment, food, personal care products, air, and water can all contain toxins that are absorbed into the body. Our body’s foundational health will directly impact our susceptibility to negative reactions to toxins, as well as toxic overload. Each system within our body works together and this includes impacting the process of removing these toxins.
There are key elements to supporting and addressing detoxification

• Reducing oxidation (redox before you detox)
• Supporting the systems responsible for detoxing
• Opening drainage pathways 
• Nervous system function
• Addressing environmental factors 
• Replenishing necessary minerals and nutrients 

Detoxification systems

1. The cardiovascular system: Our blood links every organ in the body. It flows through all of our tissues and delivers oxygen + nutrients to our cells while simultaneously carrying away metabolic debris. Our blood shuttles molecules that communicate throughout our body, cleanse detoxification organs and provide cellular transportation for cells. the immune system. Blood is extremely sensitive to toxins and is our fundamental building block. 
2. The lymphatic system: Lymph is another vital system in detoxification. Lymph is interstitial fluid that flows through lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are where bacteria, viruses, and organic material are filtered out. Our lymph is a pre-filter for our liver to help prevent liver overload. Once lymph is filtered it returns to the bloodstream. It is a slow process that can be supported by sunlight, movement, dry brushing, and physical touch/massage. 
3. The digestive system: Our digestive system scans food for invaders, detoxifies poorly digested, fermented toxins, filters food/intestinal bacteria, and then eliminates toxins + unstable substances from the body. Intestines provide a physical barrier to stop foreign molecules/chemicals from entering the body. Intestines contain probiotic bacteria that assist in the elimination of many substances. Intestinal detox is dependent on the integrity of the gut lining and the balance of bacteria as well as the chemical environment. 
4. The liver & gallbladder: Our liver filters toxins from the blood and neutralizes them in preparation for elimination (poop). The neutralized toxins then transport to the gallbladder in bile and are excreted through the body in the form of poop. 
5. Kidneys: Our kidneys filter blood to remove cellular waste (some water & bile pigments). Properly bound toxins ready to be eliminated exit the body either through poop or through urine. Urine filters through the kidneys and 
6. The skin is our largest detoxification organ. Sweat glands act like a second kidney and are an effective way to eliminate toxins from the body. 
7. The respiratory system: Our lungs eliminate a variety of waste, specifically carbon dioxide, and respiratory rate is a major mechanism of pH control 

Other key elements:

• Our diet can provide our detoxification systems with the nutrients they need to optimally function. Some of these nutrients include essential fatty acids that are vital for phase 1 detoxification. High-quality proteins that nourish amino acid and sulfating pathways.
• The digestive system if not functioning properly can clog detoxification pathways. Poor fat digestion clogs lymph. Many pathways in the liver require our body to be able to break down and absorb amino acids. The bile which operates and flows through the digestive tract is responsible for carrying and removing toxins from the body. 
• Detoxification takes place in a parasympathetic state. Nervous system function and regulation are key to detoxing. Find incredible tips and healing support for the nervous system here. 
• Blood sugar imbalance can elevate cortisol and stress the liver. Imbalances also deplete B vitamins that are needed for liver enzyme functions, neurotransmitter synthesis, and phase 1 detoxification enzymes. Chronically high blood sugar creates a build-up of free radicals and robs nutrients needed by the body to detoxify properly. 
• Adipose tissue (fat) helps the body store difficult-to-remove toxic waste. Fat stores are a way the body protects us from excess toxins (metals, chemicals, petroleum, etc). Efficient fat digestion reduces stress on the liver and allows the liver to metabolize fats into their usable forms. Balanced dietary fat in the diet helps to create permeable cell membranes that allow waste to be removed from the inside of the cell promptly.
• Mineral balance is essential to detoxing. Various minerals play key roles in detoxification systems and processes. Some minerals keep heavy metals from collecting in tissue. Magnesium is a cofactor for enzymes in the phase 1 liver detoxification. Chelation agents assist in heavy metal detoxification but also deplete other minerals which require replacing them. Molybdenum and manganese activate metabolic and detoxification enzymes. It’s all about give, take, and replenishment. 
• Hydration is essential to allow the body to regularly flush toxins out through bowel movements and urine. It also moistens lung tissues so we can breathe healthfully. Hydration is essential in keeping blood fluid so that toxic material can be delivered to the lymph and liver. 

Redox before you detox:

“Reduction-oxidation” refers to gaining electrons before losing more. Simple terms—Reducing inflammation before targeting detox is not only necessary but oftentimes can eliminate any need for a “detox.” Attempting to detox when the body is low on electrons amplifies the negative effects of a detox. While most seek a detox or cleanse because they feel poorly many miss the gathering of electrons first. This key element will not only produce healing benefits right away, but it drastically reduce detoxification reactions. Mobilizing, targeting, and eliminating toxins requires a lot of energy from the body. Energy comes from electrons. What do you get when you add an already depleted energy source + a massive systemic need for electrons + toxin mobilization? A very overburdened and exhausted state (both physically and emotionally). 

Reduction = gaining electrons
Oxidation = losing electrons.

How can we gather electrons before detoxing? 

• Grounding— Charging our body with the negative ions the earth provides us. The benefits of grounding are unparalleled to any supplement. Reduced inflammation, nutrient transportation and delivery to tissues, nervous stem regulation, circulation, improved mood, stress reduction, improved sleep, circadian rhythm support, cortisol balance, increased heart rate variability, expedited wound healing, and improved blood flow and blood quality. Among many others. 
• Unfiltered sun exposure — Especially infrared and red light 
• Infrared/red light exposure — There are at-home devices, panels, pads, saunas, and wellness centers that have these available. (Or you can just get in the sun) 
• Mineral-rich water— Natural spring water, water with herbs, water with fulvic + humic minerals, trace minerals, etc 
• Movement
• Sitting under the moon and the stars 
• Doing anything in nature— Walking, sitting, hugging (literally) or sitting against trees, exercising, frolicking through a field. All ways to gather electrons
• Swimming in natural bodies of water— Oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds are all rich in electrons from the earth

Losing electrons:

• Blue light
• Lack of nature/ only staying indoors
• nn-EMFS (wifi, radiation, radio frequency, microwaves, Bluetooth, etc)
• Anesthesia
• Chemical exposure 
• Stress in all of its forms 
• Surrounding yourself with toxic people or a toxic environment 

The body is in a constant state of breaking down and reconstructing molecules in preparation for recycling or elimination. Enzymes in the liver break down most molecules using phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways. 

Phase 1 detoxification pathways are responsible for breaking down toxins into intermediate metabolites and making toxins water-soluble to enter phase 2.

Phase 2 detoxification pathways are utilized to take the water-soluble phase 1 metabolites and remove them from the body through bile, urine, and feces. Six different pathways in Phase 2 complete this breakdown. This process binds the toxins from phase 1 to specific types of protein molecules that escort them out of the body via the kidneys or bile.

The Drainage Funnel  *reference image above

1. Cells 
2. Organs & tissues
3. Lymphatic system
4. Liver & bile ducts
5. Colon

The drainage funnel illustrates the order of operations in which the body eliminates toxins. These systems process, filter, and remove toxins from the body. When one element is clogged or backed up all the elements above it will be clogged as well. They function and operate together. Targeted support for each organ of elimination contributes to the foundation for optimal health. 

• Colon: Colon health should be prioritized as it is responsible for bowel movements. A healthy individual should have at minimum 1 bowel movement per day with 2-3 being the most ideal. The Bristol chart is a resource that illustrates and labels different bowel movements and whether or not they’re healthy. The type of bowel movement we have is a key element providing insight as to what is going on inside. 
• Liver and bile ducts: When the liver becomes overburdened and bile ducts become clogged this triggers issues that echo throughout the body and the rest of the detoxification system. These are our natural filtration systems and the liver alone has over 500 vital functions. An excess of pathogens, toxins, lack of movement, and other factors cause a clogged liver and bile duct system. Supporting the liver and gallbladder is essential to the detoxing process. Find targeted support for each here. 
• Lymphatic system: Often referred to as the secondary circulatory system the lymphatic process is critical to the immune system, and for carrying waste and debris out of the body. 
• Organs and tissues: Organs and tissues (including the kidneys)
• Cells: Our cells are at the top of the chart. Nourishing the cells comes from proper mitochondrial support. This charges cells and maximizes energy production, cell signaling, and pure water production. These factors result in more efficient systems throughout the body. 

Supporting drainage pathways:
When it comes to supporting the function of our drainage pathways and ensuring they’re flowing properly the same foundational concepts come into play. Reducing inflammation, increasing electrons/cellular energy, proper nourishment, efficient digestion, mineral balance, and stress support. In addition to these key elements here are some additional support factors that are incredibly healing and directly support the detoxification system. 

Exclusion zone water: Otherwise referred to as EZ water is a critical component of our detoxification processes and is often completely skipped or looked over. The exclusion zone water forms around all biological surfaces. EZ water is formed when H2O becomes H302. In simple terms, OH links together and forms a lattice that does not let anything larger than an electron pass through it. The hydrogen oxide part of the water molecule has a negative charge which the secondary hydrogen molecule accumulates on the outer edge of the exclusion zone. This creates a “charge separation” while leading to the ability to create electricity. EZ water responds to heat and infrared light. Mitochondria make both water and infrared heat in their energy production pathway. EZ is a key component of where our energy comes from. EZ water creates negatively charged surfaces that repel one another and through this act therefore stimulate the movement of things through our blood vessels. Why does this matter? Because this stimulation drives our lymphatic system to move and therefore effectively supports its functions. How we support this is similar to supporting the other foundational elements. Sunshine, heat, and grounding all support the flow of EZ water. 

Carrie is an expert in all things relating to quantum health, and circadian rhythm, and is an excellent resource to deepen your understanding of EZ water and how it impacts every single element of our body’s processes and systems. Find her information here. 

Other elements of support

• Sweating: Saunas, sunshine, hot baths, exercise, and anything that stimulates sweating are going to increase blood flow and begin mobilizing our lymph and detoxification processes. 
• Sunshine: Unfiltered sun exposure plays a critical role in this system of our body. In addition to its stimulation of EZ water the healing properties and direct impact on hormonal function, cellular health/regeneration, and digestive function make it a key staple in a properly functioning detoxification system. 
• Dry brushing/massage/manual stimulation/acupuncture: All of these modalities support increased lymphatic flow and energy production. Each has a long list of specific benefits, but in regards to detoxing they hold deeply healing effects on our cells, organs, and lymph movement
• Herbs/homeopathy/mineral support: These are all options to lend extra support to specific organs/functions within the body that can aid in detoxing. There are also herbs listed in the digestion section. Our support system page is broken down into individuals/teams/resources that were intentionally created to support individuals in need of addressing their detoxification systems. These are individuals with extensive knowledge and wisdom to lend to those seeking support. They can help zone in and identify which aspects need the most support and expedite the process if you are looking to do so. 
• Traditional Chinese Medicine is excellent to dive into and apply. The support offered to each organ system supports the body as a whole and that includes our detoxification systems.