What Are Toxins And How Do They Act In The Body?
In recent years, all the media have talked about toxins, the famous detox diets or the best way to exercise to eliminate them. However, few people really know what toxins are and why it is advisable to purify our body.
Toxins are harmful substances that are produced by cells, whether they are plants, animals, or bacteria. In our case, they may have been manufactured by the body or come from outside.
The problem with toxins is that when they accumulate they cause damage to our cells and tissues. Therefore, in this article we explain where these substances come from and what we can do to eliminate them.
What are toxins?
As we have mentioned, toxins are potentially harmful substances for our cells and tissues. They can be small molecules, proteins or other elements that come from both outside and inside the body.
First of all, we must know that toxins are generated in our body all the time , due to the metabolic processes that we need to survive. For example, the mechanism by which our cells obtain energy generates free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that are considered toxins, since they can cause damage to cells if they accumulate. We also generate numerous toxins when we eat, breathe or consume a substance such as tobacco.
What happens is that we have mechanisms that allow us to neutralize all these toxins or eliminate them. When they are neutralized, they are prevented from reaching very high levels, which is what is really harmful to tissues.
The two most important organs in the neutralization and elimination of toxins are the liver and the kidney. Through urine and feces we expel a large part of them.
It is essential that these organs work as they should, so that the purification is correct. Kidney and liver diseases alter the detoxification process and delay the elimination of free radicals, affecting aging, for example.
Other important toxins
As we have already mentioned, food is an important source of toxins. Not only because of the reactions that take place inside the body to process food, but also because they come from the product itself.
In this way, foods rich in additives and fats contain a higher percentage of toxins. The same happens with fried or processed at high temperatures. In addition, substances such as tobacco or alcohol are extremely harmful.
Pollutants, such as heavy metals, which are present in some animals that we eat, are also considered a source of poisoning. Nor can we forget that the poisons of animals such as snakes or insects are also toxic.
The ultra-processed, common in the current food industry, accelerate the toxin release process by the number of steps that are taken in their manufacture. In a supermarket, the choice of products must be specific, to minimize health risks.
How to remove toxins from the body?
Although there is advertising for numerous diets and detox formulas , there is no scientific evidence yet of their benefits. However, it is true that in order to eliminate toxins from our body we need the organs to function properly. Especially the liver and kidney.
Hence, it is very important to hydrate well and drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water a day. This helps the kidney to produce more urine and cleanse itself more frequently.
Logically, if we reduce those we eat from abroad, it will also be beneficial for us. We can do this, for example, by eliminating alcohol, tobacco or processed and high-fat elements. In addition, the ideal is to introduce more vegetables and fruits into our diet.
Not only diets serve to detoxify
It is recommended to lead an active life and exercise of moderate intensity several times a week. Through sports we also eliminate toxins and, in addition, we reduce stress levels, which seem to be related.
What we must remember is that toxins are substances that are harmful to our tissues. However, before starting any diet or taking detox products , it is important to inform yourself and consult a professional.
