Our bodies are an excellent example of balance and elimination. These wonderfully created bodies have the innate ability to detoxify toxic substances that we are exposed to. The kidneys and liver play a major role in detoxification by either producing urine or ammonia, which is then converted to urea and uric acid. The negative feedback systems in our body also work in conjunction with the skin, lungs, and other organs of the body to eliminate these toxins. In spite of these organs being there to do this important job; sometimes excess toxins lead to fat deposition and weight gain. When these organs of elimination become overwhelmed; these excess toxins have no pathway to be released. When the body detects excess toxins, it will retain fat in order to protect us from what it detects as being foreign invaders.
WHAT KIND OF TOXINS DO WE ENCOUNTER IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE?
Environmental toxins:
Environmental toxins come from pesticides, insecticides, plastics, flame, heavy metals like lead and mercury, chloride- chemicals present in cleaners, and other toxins released from factories.
Dental fillings, cookware, plastic containers, drinking water, and seafood all are sources of environmental toxins. Our exposure to toxins starts before our birth and continues until the day we die.
Personal care products:
Personal care products that we use for hygiene and beauty also contain toxins. Try to make sure that whatever cosmetics you are using don’t contain a high dose of toxins like phthalates. Cosmetic ingredients matter, Try to buy makeup, soaps, lotions, and moisturizers that are phthalate and paraben-free. Looking for products with natural ingredients is best..
Food toxins:
Artificial sweeteners are manmade chemicals usually found in bakery products that affect thyroid levels, they are also known carcinogens (cancer causing). High fructose corn syrup can cause changes in the liver, affects insulin, and promotes obesity (weight gain). Hydrogenated oils manufactured in laboratories found in foods increases cholesterol level and encourages insulin resistance. Insulin resistance doesn’t allow sugar to enter the cell, so the insulin will take the sugar and store it as fat. When sugar consumption goes unchecked, obesity may be inevitable.
HOW DO TOXINS AFFECT THE BODY?
Toxins can cause havoc to your body. Internal and external toxins affect metabolic organs like the liver thyroid and the body’s power factories mitochondria. The thyroid gland controls your basic metabolic rate, regulate body temperature, and supports the heart and brain. When toxins accumulate, they affect your thyroid by causing:
- Weight gain.
- Slowed metabolism
- Increasing appetite
- Diseases
The hormone leptin normally converts fat-storing cells to fat-burning cells. Toxins effects these leptin signals to our brain to become impaired and make us hungry all the time, increasing appetite that leads to weight gain. Eating processed foods that taste good but have no nutritional value can also lead to an increase in appetite. The reason why is because your body is still looking for the nutrients that are necessary to build and sustain a new healthy you. Cells in the human body are constantly dying and new ones are being created.
Toxins affect our hormones and hormonal system causing them to clash or malfunction. The common toxin we consume in our daily life is BPA (biphenyl A) disturbs health, and have been known to contribute to causing obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DETOXIFICATION:
Exercise:
Exercises regulates detoxification and accelerates blood circulation. Exercise helps to move lymph fluids, and the lymphatic system helps to move waste to the lymph nodes to be neutralized. During exercise, you take in more oxygen that moves toxins out during expiration and through sweating. Our lymphatic system plays a major role in removing toxins from the body.
HERBS FOR DETOXIFICATION:
Below are a list of herbs that have been known to support the body’s detoxification processes:
Milk thistle:
Supports liver function
Red clover:
Aids in bile production, liver function, and metabolism.
Turmeric:
A powerful photochemical component that helps eliminate toxins from the liver.
Dandelion:
Dandelion is beneficial for the detoxification of kidneys and liver.
Fiber and bentonite clay:
It may help to remove toxins and excess fat from within the gut and bowels.
Neem and mint:
They both have a high level of antioxidants and may help with indigestion
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO WEIGHT GAIN:
Obesity or weight retention have many contributing factors. In addition to the genetic factors, social and cultural patterns also contribute to individual weight gain. The foods that we ate growing up plays a major role in our dietary norms. If that diet was not healthy, we have to remove anything that we now know as being toxic, and not beneficial to our health.
Genetic influence:
The strength of genetic influence varies from person to person. Today more than 400 different genes have been implicated in weight gain, or obesity. About 85% of us carry thrifty genes that store more fat and conserve more energy. The significant increase in obesity among adults in the United States has been rising since the 1970s.
Carbohydrates:
A high intake of calories or carbohydrates has had an adverse physical and physiological effect on the human body; thus, contributing to weight retention. The role of CHO in soft drinks produces a high rate of obesity.
HOW DO TOXINS CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?
Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for weight gain because alcohol contains a high content of energy like 7.1g/kcal. Moderate amounts of alcohol enhance energy intake due to the caloric content of alcohol which is higher than any other energy substrates.
Experiments have shown that a moderate amount of alcohol intake has accounted for a large energy imbalance and contributes to weight gain. The non-oxidized fat is deposited in the abdominal area.
HOW DOES DEHYDRATION CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?
Studies had shown a significant connection between dehydration and weight gain. Dehydration means not getting enough water. Water intake improves metabolism and dehydration can have an adverse effect on metabolism. Water also helps to flush out toxins that may encourage fat retention. An optimum metabolic rate burns fat and calories but with dehydration, your metabolism slows down and the process of lipolysis (breakdown of fats) diminishes.
When you did not get adequate water, your appetite increases causing weight gain. Water is a great appetite suppressant, when you feel hungry, drink water if you are trying to manage your weight.
HOW DOES BIOACCUMULATION OF TOXINS CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?
Chemical substances that accumulate in our body affect our metabolism preventing oxygen and nutrients to reach cells, and causing people to eat more leading to weight gain. The bioaccumulation of toxins and chemicals lead to weight gain because the body won’t release fat in an effort to protect you if it detects that toxins are present.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO WEIGHT LOSS
- Iodine supplement
Iodine in the thyroid helps control metabolism, but with iodine deficiency fewer calories burn. By adding more iodine to your diet or taking iodine supplements, it may reverse the effects of a slow metabolism. Iodine supplementation boosts the immune system. Potassium iodine are naturally found in kelp.
- Exercise for weight loss:
Regular exercise improves body metabolism, reduces fats, and burns calories. Healthy exercise including walking, riding, using stairs, and weight lifting boosts up your immune system and basal metabolic rate and aids in weight loss.
HERBS FOR WEIGHT LOSS:
Many herbs and spices have been found to boost fat burning and weight loss. Here is the list of herbs and spices that support weight loss:
Ginger:
Ginger aids in weight loss burns belly fat, and increases metabolism.
Oregano:
It controls fat synthesis in the body and helps boost weight loss.
Ginseng:
A Chinese herb that delays fat absorption.
Turmeric:
A spice that aids weight loss and fat burns
Cinnamon:
Helps to support blood sugar metabolism. When sugar is not controlled, it triggers insulin which is a fat-storing hormone.
Dandelion:
A laxative, that enhances gut metabolism and eliminates fatty acids.
Green coffee beans extract:
Made from unroasted coffee beans help reduce belly fat and weight loss.
CONCLUSION:
It’s important to know how the bioaccumulation of toxins in our diet can lead to weight gain. Our metabolism and immune system are disrupted because of toxins. We must fortify and support our organs of elimination so that our bodies can get rid itself of environmental and dietary toxicity.
Detoxification that our organs of elimination provides can help with health maintenance and preventing dreaded weight gain.
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National center for biotechnology information: national library of medicine: national institute of health:
Factors that influence body weight
Health Harvard. Education: why people become overweight.
Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences
Revive chiropractic.com: minimize toxicity: environmental toxins and weight gain
Detoxinista.com: how toxins affect weight loss
Women being fit.com:3 ways toxins gain weight.
Article by Dr. Alicia Stanton, MD: How toxins gain weight
Readers digest best health: 5 herbs that detox you naturally.
Share care: how to exercise and get rid of toxins.
Healthline. comiodine deficiency
Vita gene: blog: how does iodine help with weight loss?
Healthline.com”exercise and weight loss