Why Detox?
The word toxin describes something that can cause harm to the body. Toxins can be environmental in nature, or exogenous, meaning they from the outside the body. Toxins can also be biologic in nature or made by the body as part of normal daily function, for example, breakdown products of our very own hormones. These are endogenous toxins.
Environmental pollutants or exogenous toxins are pervasive, and despite even the best efforts of clean/organic eating, purified drinking water, and advanced air filtration systems, they will still invariably make it into our systems via our food, water, and air. These toxins include heavy metals, organic pesticides, drugs, and other industrial materials many of which can mimic our reproductive hormones. Toxins that mimic hormones are called endocrine disruptors. Exogenous and endogenous toxins are associated with many severe diseases from cancers to neurodegenerative diseases to reproductive issues. While it can be difficult to assign evidence-based cause and effect as many of these toxins are ubiquitous in our environment, it is not a stretch to understand if these toxins are associated with severe disease, they may also be responsible for an overall lessened quality of life in the form of chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, fibromyalgia, headache, etc. the list goes on.
Another issue to consider is overall toxic load. Many toxins exert their toxic effects via the same pathways, and therefore toxins of different chemical nature can exert additive toxic effects. What makes this more concerning, is that many of the toxins, both exogenous and endogenous in nature are fat soluble. Why does this matter? Well, anything that is soluble in fat, will be likely stored in fat, and can remain in the fatty tissue for years. Thus, this fatty tissue can end up having concentrations of toxins that are much higher than found at any one time in the environment. This is an example of why regular or routine metabolic detoxification a few times a year is advised.
We will never be able to fully control our environment or get our overall toxic load down to absolute zero. Not to mention, our body will still make endogenous toxic breakdown substances even if we lived in an air-controlled organic bubble. I recommend detox become a seasonal or semi-annual routine. Stop by or call and schedule a supplement consultation if you would like to discuss your unique situation and how detoxification could help you to be the best version of yourself.
TANYA MANONI is a Chattanooga-native but earned her BS in chemistry and PharmD at the University of Utah. She brings with her years of experience in compounding and pharmacy corporate management. Tanya's professional interests include not only BHRT, women’s health, and dermatology, but also nutrition and fitness, in which she became interested while playing NCAA Division I college soccer. While living in Utah, Tanya earned her level 1 certification in avalanche search and rescue, and she continues to enjoy snowboarding, hiking, and mountain biking. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband and two kids, so you will find her running between soccer fields and dance studios in her free time.