Spring cleaning for the body

Our body is patient - it tolerates, at least for a certain period of time, all the toxins (food, environmental, living and clothing toxins) we put it through on a daily basis without complaint. In the long term, however, the organs and metabolism involved are strained to the limit. Only when the tissues and organs are overloaded, the metabolism is derailed and the toxins accumulate can corresponding health-related impairments (e.g. headaches, chronic fatigue, skin irritations) and illnesses (e.g. autoimmune diseases, allergies, joint diseases, liver, kidney and intestinal diseases) become noticeable. Supporting the "spring cleanse" with the help of micronutrients - which act as enzymatic cofactors - or with various secondary plant substances, which promote the binding and excretion of foreign substances, is useful in many cases.

When the barrel overflows

While our ancestors in the Stone Age had clean air to breathe and a diet of pollutant-free fruits, herbs and roots, today we live in a time when our bodies have to deal with a multitude of toxins on a daily basis. For example, our food contains numerous additives and pollutants, we are often stuck in heavy traffic, are exposed to clothing and home furnishings that release toxins and also come into contact with all kinds of foreign substances (e.g. personal care products, household cleaners, etc.) in our everyday lives. Various environmental chemicals (xenoestrogens) such as various pesticides, plasticizers, industrial chemicals, preservatives (parabens) and sun protection factors (cosmetics) have an effect on the body's hormone balance and disrupt development and reproductive processes. According to the WHO, around 800 environmental substances are known to be endocrine active, i.e. they can be converted at hormone receptors or have an influence on hormone synthesis or the conversion of hormones. They are also suspected of triggering tumor diseases. Toxins are omnipresent and put a strain on our organs and immune system.

So it's no wonder that the body eventually becomes overwhelmed with these foreign substances. Basically, the organism has various ways of eliminating them: The liver is the central "transshipment point" here - the detoxification center par excellence, so to speak. But the kidneys also contribute to excretion. We can also exhale harmful substances through the lungs or excrete them via the intestines and skin (Table 1). If the body does not succeed in getting rid of the toxins to a sufficient degree, it deposits them in the connective tissue, bones or nerve cells, for example. If these systems are overloaded, a number of health complaints, organ disorders or even diseases can occur.

• Gallbladder
  Flushing out toxins via bile
• Liver
  Breaks down harmful substances and metabolizes toxins
• Kidney
  Toxin elimination via the urine
• Intestine
  Release of toxins with the stool
• Skin
  Excretion via sweat and sebaceous glands

Organ damage due to heavy metals

Heavy metals - those who are not sufficiently supplied with micronutrients have "bad cards"

An adequate supply of minerals, which are often required as cofactors in enzymatically catalyzed metabolic reactions and the body's own elimination measures, is therefore of enormous importance. As already mentioned above, these micronutrients also compete with heavy metals in terms of absorption. For example, the absorption of cadmium is increased if there is a calcium deficiency - conversely, a sufficient supply of calcium can counteract the excessive absorption of cadmium. The trace element zinc is a component of the heavy metal-excreting enzyme metallothionein and, as a component of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, also acts as an important antioxidant - because heavy metals contribute to oxidative stress.

Aluminum, which is a light metal but no less toxic, remains a special case here. Aluminum is found in foods, cosmetics, cookware and medicines, among other things, and is suspected of promoting Alzheimer's and other nervous diseases. Those affected often have an increased concentration of aluminum in the brain, while people with Alzheimer's often have a magnesium deficiency. A deficiency of this important mineral means that even healthy people absorb more aluminum into the body. It is therefore advisable to ensure a regular and good supply of magnesium, as studies have shown that the limits for aluminum intake are easily exceeded.

The use of green algae (such as chlorella), wild garlic and coriander can also be helpful. These plants also support the elimination of heavy metals. There is also interesting evidence from clinical studies indicating that chlorella (pyrenoidosa, vulgaris) has a beneficial effect on liver enzymes and can reduce exposure to toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.