iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll cdt heBody’s Detoxification System
We have an innate detoxification system that can help us clear toxins
from foods, chemicals, and other exposures.
However, when the body cannot keep up with the elimination of toxins
because of compromised digestion, toxins accumulate in our cells and the
fluid around the cells (extracellular fluid).
Our cells take in nutrients and oxygen from the blood, perform their func-
tions, and give off waste products. The waste products are expelled from
the cells into the extracellular matrix, where they undergo an exchange
with the bloodstream for the entering nutrients. The blood transports these
wastes to the liver to be detoxified and then to the organs of elimination—
intestine, kidneys, lungs, and skin—for final disposal. When our organs are
burdened with excessive wastes, they show signs of their stress.
Skin: Rashes, pimples, or offensive body odor.
Kidneys: Frequent, painful, or urgent urination or dark or offensive-smell-
ing urine.
Liver: Gas, diarrhea, and constipation; green, mucous stools; or right-
sided chest pain.
Lungs: Congestion, coughing, or wheezing.
Each person may show different signs of stress, depending on their par-
ticular weakness and the toxins to which they are exposed.
Liver
The liver is our main detoxification organ, and proper liver function is
necessary for converting T4 to the active T3 hormone. In addition, the
liver filters blood, stores glucose for energy, breaks down steroid hor-
mones, and produces and secretes bile, which is necessary for fat diges-
tion. The liver also gets rid of toxins we encounter. Liver function may be
impaired in those with Hashimoto’s.
The elimination of toxins by the liver is done through a two-step enzy-
matic process.
Phase I
During Phase I, a family of enzymes known as cytochrome P450 enzymes
(CYP450) metabolizes fat-soluble toxins into intermediary substances.