What Are Toxins?

There are a variety of definitions for toxins. But to make it simple, you can say that toxins are substances produced by living organisms and they are very poisonous to human health.

There are several different types of toxins that exist in nature which are actually by-products that are produced as a result of metabolism. Both plants and animals create these toxins for different purposes. Plants produce them as a protective measure against pests while animals make toxins for capturing their prey. Moreover, some naturally occurring elements and minerals are also considered toxic.

The following are some examples of natural toxins:

• Mercury
• Petroleum
• Snake Venom
• Caffeine
• Arsenic
• Smoke

For us humans, environmental toxins are abundant in our everyday lives. Eating processed foods, using commercial shampoo or other beauty products, even using household cleaners exposes us to dangerous chemicals and toxins which are not always labeled on product labels or ingredient lists. Because toxins are often hidden, it’s up to us to be more careful with our consumption and to educate ourselves about the dangers we face every day.

Toxins fall into different categories. Let’s have a look at the major categories you most likely are facing every day.

Chemical Toxins

Both organic and inorganic substances which contain a health or environmental risk if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Methyl alcohol, carbon monoxide, and mercury are just a few examples of many chemical toxins.

Physical Toxins

Physical toxins are those chemicals, hormones, or drugs that hinder the natural biological processes. Common examples are silica, dioxins, secondhand tobacco smoke, lead, and asbestos.

Biological Toxins

These are toxins secreted by living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, plants, or animals. The pathogenic organisms are also considered toxic. Two very common and well-known examples are tetanus and diphtheria.

Radiation

Certain radiation rays are also damaging to living organisms, such as microwaves and gamma rays. Some experts theorize that microwaves can damage one’s DNA and in turn cause cancer. Gamma rays from x-rays and other medical treatments, in large doses, can cause mutations in the DNA and damage to cellular mechanisms.

How Do Toxins Affect Your Body?

As you can infer from the name, toxins by definition are elements which negatively affect the body. They obstruct the natural biological processes and harm our anatomy in different ways.

The effects of toxins can be felt at the molecular level all the way to our emotional well-being.

• They can kill the useful bacteria that are located in the gut.
• They can slow down the DNA synthesis.
• Toxins can prevent the oxygen binding with red blood cells.
• They can block several essential enzymes.
• They don’t let the minerals and vitamins absorb into the bloodstream.

They can cause:

• Headache
• Stress
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Skin Rashes
• Allergies
• Irritation and many more problems.

Although the liver, kidneys, and intestines are meant to detoxify the body, an overload of toxic material will cause them to fail, which then leads to more serious health conditions. When you reach this level of toxicity, the toxins look for other ways to get out of the body and result in rashes, acne, and fatigue.

Inflammation – the Real Cause of All Disease

When toxins start destroying your body, the immune system reacts and the result in inflammation. Inflammation is known to be the root cause of all the disease, both big and small.

Some health experts link inflammation to all other health conditions, even early aging, because it puts your body into an imbalance which leads to other health problems. If you have arthritis, it is simply the joints’ inflammation. Likewise, the inflammation of arteries leads to heart disease. According to some researchers, inflammation is the result of a hyperactive immune system. When the toxins attack the body and begin to accumulate, the immune system reacts.

As dire as this may sound, inflammation is not harmful in all cases. It is simply the response of our body against the infections that are caused by toxins, viruses, and bacteria. However, there is no good reason to encourage inflammation either.

There are two different types of Inflammation, chronic and acute inflammation.

1.  Chronic Inflammation – is dangerous and more long-lasting. It can prolong to months and even years.
2. Acute Inflammation – starts very quickly and ends within a few days.

Certain foods can aggravate inflammation; similarly, many foods are also known to be anti-inflammatory.   Special care should be taken to avoid and cure inflammation as it is the mother of all diseases.

The Dangers of Inflammation

As mentioned earlier, inflammation can lead to several serious and fatal diseases and health issues. It is often referred to as the silent killer.

• When inflammation occurs in the joints, it can be extremely painful and cause severe joint damage.
• Inflammation of blood vessels can cause clots, hinder blood flow, and lead to a heart attack.
• According to a research study conducted by Harvard University in 2014, teenagers with inflammation have increased risks of cancer. Chronic inflammation is also associated with an increased risk of cancer in adults as well.
• Prolonged inflammation also results in the disturbance of sleep patterns and one may begin to sleep for less or more than the normal time.
• Lung inflammation is also very detrimental as it can narrow the air passage causing fluids to accumulate and resulting in breathing difficulties. Thus inflammation of the lungs can cause asthma, chronic bronchitis, and infections.
• Gum inflammation is damaging to your mouth. It can lead to periodontitis and can weaken the skeletal structure and gums. This disease not only affects the mouth; it is also known to be associated with increased chances of dementia and heart disease.
• Inflammation badly affects bone health and enhances bone loss.
• The harmful effects of inflammation are not limited to the internal body structure. They also affect the skin and can result in acne, allergies and skin rashes. Additionally, it can cause wrinkling of the skin which makes you look older.
• Inflammation of the brain is known to be linked with depression.
• Inflammationalso makes weight loss a lot more difficult. This happens because inflammation may affect your metabolism and disturb the hunger signals. Consequently, you eat more than the normal requirement while your calories burn at a slower rate, which makes weight loss more difficult.

Signs Your Liver May Be Toxic

The liver is known to be the major detoxifying organ of the body. It is one of the most important organs and its proper and smooth functioning is essential in order to stay healthy. It’s basically your detoxifier.

It converts the harmful and poisonous toxins into safe waste that our body secretes in the form of sweat, urine, and other waste materials. It works tirelessly to keep the body clean and healthy. However, it may also get damaged and slow-down in its performance. When this happens, the liver is no longer able to expel the toxins from the body. Being lipid-soluble, the toxins accumulate in the fatty tissue and stay there.

There are many indicators that show if your liver is toxic. Let’s have a look at some of these:

Jaundice

When your liver starts slowing down, it fails to eliminate the toxins from the body. Additionally, a bile pigment named bilirubin also begins to accumulate in the body. Its abundance in the bloodstream alters the skin color and turns it yellowish. The fingertips and eyes can also turn yellow which makes this condition much more serious than a simple “skin discoloration.”

Skin Sensitivity

Another indicator of liver toxicity is the sensitivity of the skin. It feels itchy and the condition can get worse with time.

Dark Urine

The liver problem will make your urine dark in color because of the excess of bilirubin in the blood. This is a prominent factor that points towards liver damage.

Fatigue

If you feel fatigue and weakness, you might have a problem with your liver. The reason is that your body has to work harder when the liver is not functioning properly. As a result, it gets tired. This one is a vague symptom because fatigue can occur due to a number of reasons other than liver toxicity.

Diarrhea

As the liver helps greatly in digestion, its improper functioning can cause diarrhea. Additionally, loss of appetite, fluid retention, vomiting, and acid reflux are some more symptoms of liver disease.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs, call your doctor for a full evaluation.

Is A Toxic Liver Making You an Emotional Train Wreck?

Liver malfunctioning doesn’t only cause physical damage, it also severely affects your emotions.  As mentioned above it makes you feel tired all the time and disturbs the sleep cycle which can raise your anxiety and cause irritability. Prolonged fatigue, illness, and vomiting can make you feel sad and you may lose hope of ever getting healthy again. The added stress of having a malfunctioning liver can prolong your illness since some studies show that liver toxicity is related to stress. Your sick liver can make you depressed, angry, and frustrated, and you may end up being an emotional train wreck.

Liver detoxification is crucial to regain your physical health as well as your emotional health. There are numerous ways to cleanse your liver and you should find an appropriate protocol in order to enhance your health, gain emotional stability, and regain proper body functioning.

If you are looking for more tips and support, join me over on my group page, The Village – A Natural HEALing Community, to get tons of information and tips to help you take your HEALTHY EATING and ACTIVE LIVING to the next level.

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