I've briefly mentioned Intermittent Fasting (IF) before, and,due to recent interest, decided it's time to delve into the matter of 'detoxing' and using IF as a functional tool to health.
It is always prudent to start at the beginning, and I like to dispel misconceptions about our biology, and put an end to 'false news', for example the term and incorrect consumer thinking about DETOXING, due to advertising and marketing.
Detoxification is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver.
As we live, our body systems, work autonomously, in an interdependent way along with other systems. For example, the liver is thought to be responsible for up to 500 separate functions, usually in combination with other systems e.g. circulatory, and organs e.g. gall bladder.
The liver is largely responsible for:
detoxifying various metabolites,
synthesizing proteins and fats for storage,
producing biochemicals necessary for digestion, together with,
playing roles in metabolism such as the regulation of glycogen storage,
the decomposition of red blood cells and
the production of hormones.
It is important to note that the liver and kidneys are inherently capable of detoxing our bodily system. Dialysis is the only external tool that can help us to sustain the function of the liver.
All we can do, through lifestyle choices, is
control the quality & quantity of toxins we introduce into our system,
support the natural detoxification processes of the liver
and remember that there is an energetic role of the liver that must also be taken into consideration.
1. Control quality & quantity of toxins
As a complex organism, we are simply a series of chemical, hormonal, electrical, magnetic inter/re-actions. Metabolism is a series of chemical processes that occur within us in order to maintain life. This process can produce harmful substances and by-products.
Add to this, we ingest, breathe in, and absorb other toxins through our environment, diet, water, medications, intoxicants etc.
Bear in mind that the liver will first process the most harmful substances first, such as alcohol and chemical substances, and store lesser toxins as fat soluble substances within fatty tissue, to process at a later stage. Some vitamins can be dangerous in high quantities as they are fat soluble,notably Vitamin A & D.
So imagine, you continuously bombard your system with toxic foods, drink, products, medicines, drugs etc, added to poor breathing and the lack of stress management techniques!
2. Support natural detoxification processes
We can support our body's natural detoxification systems by controlling what, and ho,w we expose ourselves to all things harmful;
what we, eat & drink,
how we medicate & move,
the quality of our breathing & sleep & thought patterns,
how we respond to stressors...
Consider the quality & quantity of those habits and lifestyle choices that either stress or support your primary organ of detoxification.
The liver helps filter and detoxify the materials not meant to be in our body. Ensuring toxins are safely removed from your blood is one of the liver’s most critical jobs.
The first step uses enzymes and oxygen to burn toxins, especially fatty ones.
The second detox step combines toxins with amino acids so they can be removed from the liver through bile or urine.
Specific external toxins include: certain medications, food additives, preservatives, food colourings, sweeteners, flavour enhancers, chemicals used in agriculture, alcohols, volatile organic compounds, fumes, air pollution and many other factors.
We can use nutrition, supplementation, movement, product choices, stress management, plant medicines, energy & metaphysical approaches to assist & support the body in functioning optimally.
I can assist you in making clever choices on what and how to introduce simple hacks to adjust your current habits into well-being magic. Addressing elimination of harmful invaders to heavy metal chelation therapy (blog to follow).
There are various protocols that one can use to 'cleanse the liver, for example;
Master Cleanse is a 3+ day of drinking a mixture of water, lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
Liver & Gallbladder cleanse by Andreas Moritz is a 3 day flush to rid those organs of stones and calcium deposits.
Activated charcoal is used in medical environments to absorb and eliminate toxic substance from the body.
3. Energetic role of the liver
And, here at Nicci B Wellness, we're all about body, mind and soul, so it is interesting to note that the liver is considered, by some, as the seat of the soul. See wikipedia for following:
In Plato, and in later physiology, the liver was thought to be the seat of the darkest emotions, specifically wrath, jealousy and greed, which drive men to action.
In Greek mythology, the gods punished Prometheus for revealing fire to humans by chaining him to a rock where a vulture (or an eagle) would peck out his liver, which would regenerate overnight. The liver is the only human internal organ that actually can regenerate itself, to a significant extent.
Many ancient peoples of the Near East and Mediterranean areas practiced a type of divination called haruspicy or hepatomancy, where they tried to obtain information by examining the livers of sheep and other animals.
The Talmud (tractate Berakhot 61b) refers to the liver as the seat of anger, with the gallbladder counteracting this.
The Persian, Urdu, and Hindi languages refer to the liver figurative speech to indicate courage and strong feelings, or "their best"; the term jan e jigar, literally "the strength (power) of my liver", is a term of endearment in Urdu.
In Persian slang, jigar is used as an adjective for any object which is desirable, especially women.
In the Zulu language, the word for liver (isibindi) is the same as the word for courage.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the liver is considered to regulate qi, the vital energy that sustains life, and stores blood, which carries qi around the body and supports the functioning of our organs, limbs and tissues. While you’re awake, the liver supplies blood to the muscles. During sleep, blood returns to the liver to be cleansed. The liver also houses the hun, or soul, which gives us our consciousness and sense of purpose, and which leaves the body after death. Signs of bad liver health include, an ashen/pale-waxy complexion, acne and skin conditions such as eczema, eye problems - such as bloodshot eyes or blurry vision, muscular weakness and insomnia. The liver also helps to regulate emotions, so unexplained irritability and anger can also indicate a liver problem. See more info on herbs & foods to support liver health here. We can also take into consideration the TCM 'body clock' (similar premise to circadian rhythms) which tells us that from 1-3am is the time of the liver and a time when the body should be asleep. During this time, toxins are released from the body and fresh new blood is made. If you find yourself waking during this time, you could have too much yang energy or problems with your liver or detoxification pathways. This is also the time of anger, frustration and rage. See more here.
Ayurveda views the liver as “hot” or “pittic” because the fiery, dynamic energy of pitta—one of the three doshas along with vata and kapha) that regulate the physiological functions of the body—guides and supports these myriad functions of the liver. Too much fiery energy, however, can accumulate in the liver and lead to physical problems. Ayurveda describes symptoms caused by excess pitta that are very similar to what is called “liver fire” in TCM: headaches; flushed face; red, burning eyes; acne; nosebleeds; and outbursts of anger. Ayurveda adds inflammation, allergies, and symptoms of indigestion (like heartburn) to the list. Changes in lifestyle—like eating cooling foods, getting regular exercise, and taking time to relax—are often enough to bring pitta back into functional balance. See more here.
Following the Tibb medicine system we also see how temperament influences health. See more info on common ailments and approach here.
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