Detox - Answer to a question

QUESTION:

Hello, Dr. Icaro Alves Alcântara! I've been following your tips and I couldn't find anything about detox. Sorry if I didn't look properly, lol. Since I was a child, I've had problems with constipation, and I thought that something to cleanse my body would be interesting. I think it would be a good topic to talk about, because I hear a lot of complaints, especially from women with the same problem as mine. I'm sorry if there's already an article on the subject, but I couldn't find it. Thank you and have a good day!

ANSWER:

Good morning,

Detoxification is an inherent property of every living being, meaning that every human organism that is alive has various systems that are more or less specialized in reducing the toxicity of substances. These substances can be produced, transformed or incorporated by the body and are eliminated in various ways, such as through the intestines (through feces), kidneys (through urine), skin (through perspiration), lungs (through exhaled air) and through the lymphatic circulation, where the lymph acts as an important means of conducting water, fat and toxins. However, the efficiency of these systems basically depends on two factors:

1 - Severity of poisoning: If contact with the toxin is too severe, either in quantity or exposure time, the detoxification systems may not be able to cope effectively with the demand. This results in intoxication of the body.

2 - General health conditions of the body: Bad lifestyle habits, such as those described in https://icaro.med.br/habitos-saudaveis-de-vida-nao-sao-caros/, Inappropriate or abusive use of substances (drugs, medicines, supplements, etc.), frequent poisoning, illnesses and chronic exposure to environmental aggressions are examples of factors that overload and weaken the body's detoxifying systems.

Therefore, without wishing to exhaust the subject, but in basic terms, the main measure necessary for a detoxification process is to improve lifestyle habits as much as possible, as a way of allowing the detoxification pathways to function optimally. In addition, it is highly recommended:

• Reducing or even eliminating the primary and concomitant forms of intoxication, since they all overload the body and, consequently, its usual strategies for eliminating toxins and excesses. After all, how do you empty a sink that keeps filling up even when the drain is open?

• Depending on the severity of the case or the lack of response to the adequacy of the two factors mentioned above, it is advisable to undergo a medical history and complete examinations. This includes periodic and specific examinations for the clinical condition in question, both to identify intoxication and to establish a specific treatment when necessary, including coexisting diseases or imbalances that can also overload the body and its potential for health recovery.

In your specific case, there is an imbalance in intestinal function*. This certainly puts a significant strain on the body's other elimination pathways, making intoxication very likely in the context of your clinical picture.

* The intestines do not have the primary function of “producing feces”. The functions of the intestines are to absorb nutrients from food and to excrete toxins or excesses. Therefore, feces are produced mainly from water and fiber, associated with the rest of the intestinal function. So defecating every day is a good sign, but it doesn't guarantee proper intestinal function. Constipation or diarrhea, soft or hard stools, excess gas and excessive foul-smelling stools are common symptoms of intestinal imbalance.

Hugs and good health to all!
Ícaro Alves Alcântara