Detox: Is it necessary?

By Nicolas Martineau, B.Sc.

Detox diets, detox products—many people believe it is necessary to undergo a cleansing regimen to rid their bodies of toxins that cannot be eliminated otherwise, but is this really the case? Does our body maintain all its functions optimally as we age? Can certain supplements help support our body in some of its functions? These are the questions we will try to answer today.

Our body: a fascinating factory

Whether to perform its vital functions or to cope with its environment, our body has the ability to transform, store, produce waste, and expel it. All of these functions serve one main purpose: to ensure its biological functions.

The liver, kidneys, intestines, skin, and lungs are the main organs responsible for eliminating certain harmful substances.

To produce energy, our cells produce carbon dioxide, which is expelled through our lungs. Through breathing, a gas exchange takes place as oxygen enters our bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled when we exhale.

Performing multiple functions, our liver captures and transforms several substances. A simple example is when we consume alcohol, this substance accumulates in our blood and drunkenness is a sign of intoxication. If our liver did not perform its functions, alcohol would continue to accumulate in our blood, which could be fatal. Our liver is the main organ responsible for eliminating alcohol. A multitude of biochemical reactions take place there, transforming alcohol into other substances that can be stored or converted into energy.

The kidneys filter and eliminate waste through urea, which is found in our urine.

Intestines are well known for not only participating in the absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, but also for eliminating solid waste resulting from our digestion.

As for the skin, not only does it act as a barrier against external aggressions, but it also allows us to produce vitamin D and eliminate certain substances through our sweat thanks to our sweat glands and the sebum produced by our sebaceous glands.

Aging and our organs

As we age, our bodies become less efficient. Aging is a natural phenomenon that affects the functioning of our entire system. An increasing number of cells lose their ability to function or begin to function abnormally. A pigment called lipofuscin accumulates in our tissues, along with other substances. Our connective tissues become stiffer, making our organs, blood vessels, and airways more rigid. Our cell membranes also change, making them less effective. Aging also causes a loss of muscle mass. Due to these cellular and tissue changes, our organs change as we age. Fortunately, our organs have capacities that exceed our normal needs. Since capacities and the aging process vary from person to person, some people will be more or less affected by this loss of capacity.

Our lifestyle habits

Our diet, sleep, and lifestyle all have an impact on our bodies. Our habits influence our abilities and can also cause our bodies to become overloaded. Sometimes, especially as we age, we realize that our excesses cause overload and that our recovery is slower and more difficult. Whether it’s because of a meal that’s too fatty or too much alcohol one night, we realize that we’re not twenty anymore! This is where healthy lifestyle habits can improve our physical condition and give us greater capacity.

The role of supplements

Although adopting healthy lifestyle habits is THE solution for improving our quality of life, certain plants can stimulate certain biological functions and give our bodies a temporary boost.

The dandelion

Recognized in herbal medicine for its diuretic, laxative, and choleretic properties, dandelion is a powerful ally for people struggling with digestive disorders. Health Canada lists this plant among the medicinal ingredients that can be used in natural health products.

Milk thistle

This plant, native to the Mediterranean basin, is used to combat digestive disorders and diseases of the liver and gallbladder. The Greeks recognized its therapeutic potential and used it in ancient times to treat liver disorders. Its beneficial effects come from silymarin, the active substance in this plant. The European Commission and the World Health Organization recognize its use in treating digestive disorders.

Boldo

Particularly well known in Chile, this plant is now recognized for its medicinal properties in treating minor liver disorders and various gastrointestinal disorders. Studies have observed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), cytoprotective (cell-protecting), cholagogue (bile-flow-promoting), and hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects. These effects are believed to be attributable to boldine, an active substance contained in this plant.

Indian rhubarb

Known for its laxative effect, this plant contains several components, including anthraquinones.

Cascara Sagrada

Cascara is a tree native to North America. Its bark is used as a stimulant laxative. It acts on water absorption in the intestines and on peristalsis (movement). It is through enzymatic activity in the colon that the glycosides in cascara sagrada are converted into anthrones, which produce the laxative effect.

Burdock

Recognized by many for its Velcro-like buds, this plant is traditionally used in herbal medicine as a diuretic, to stimulate perspiration, and to help eliminate toxins through the kidneys, skin, and mucous membranes.

The artichoke

Mainly known for its culinary uses, the artichoke plant also has several medicinal properties. Thanks to components such as cynarin, luteolin 7-O glucoside, and chlorogenic acids, artichokes are used in herbal medicine to help relieve digestive disorders and stimulate bile secretion.

Far from claiming to detoxify the body, these active ingredients are more suited to stimulating the activity of the eliminatory organs. They are therefore useful allies for providing temporary relief in cases of overeating or fatigue. As we age, our bodies become less efficient. That is why these plants are a great help in cases of indigestion.

Land Art Products

Land Art offers two main products to support your elimination organs: Total Detox and Milk Thistle.

Our Total Detox is a comprehensive formula used as a laxative, diuretic, cholagogue, and choleretic. A single bottle provides a complete treatment consisting of eight medicinal plants. Just one dose per day is enough to benefit from this gentle treatment for your systems. For more information, please visit the product page for our Total Detox.

Our Milk Thistle is the supplement of choice for liver protection and support. Milk thistle helps support liver function, helps relieve digestive disorders, and helps relieve hangovers. For more information, please visit our Milk Thistle product page.

Land Art also offers the Detox bundle, which includes these two wonderful products as well as two others and saves you 20% on the total value of the products.