The Paths and Importance of Elimination in the Body

Catherine OshinNat 211

Discuss all of the eliminative routes. Why is elimination such an important part of overall

health?

disclaimer

• “This information is for education only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe for any disease or medical condition”

 

• “Information on herbs and supplements has not been evaluated by the FDA”

Toxins in the Body

• The body has many ways to eliminate, or get rid of, toxins and waste.

• Every cell in the body metabolizes food, creating both energy and waste products.

• Additional toxins may be ingested through food, water, and air pollution. Even the most pristine organic diet cannot protect you from toxins in the environment.

• These substances are toxic to the body and cause imbalances if not eliminated promptly and properly.

• The initial disturbance may appear in the eliminatory organs, particularly the skin, but if not corrected may cause serious acute or chronic illness.

The constant elimination of toxins from the body allows a free and natural flow of energy, and is essential for optimal health.

Image from http://www.howtocleanseyourcolon.org/detoxing-body

The Six Organs of Elimination

• The Skin– Through perspiration

• The Bowel– Through feces

• The Lungs– Exchange of CO2 for O2

• The Kidneys – Through urine

• The Lymphatic system– Filters intercellular fluids in all tissues

• The Liver– Filters blood and aids in digestion

Skin

• The skin is the largest organ in the body, and one of the first to show signs of toxicity or faulty elimination.

• The skin is able to dispose of many fluid and mineral waste products through perspiration.

• Often referred to as the third kidney, the skin receives 30% of circulating blood and can eliminate an equal portion of toxins.

• A great way to boost this system is through exercise, steams or saunas, dry skin brushing, and drinking plenty of pure water.

http://www.anointment.ca/images/bathsalts/anoi-seasalt.jpg

Baths, especially with clay, dead sea salts or epsom salts, along with herbs and essential oils are very helpful to boost skin detoxification and skin health.

Try one handful of epsom salts in a bath with 1-2 drops each lavender and rosemary essential oils.Add about 1 tsp olive oil to prevent drying out your skin. After 10 minutes leave the bath because your skin will start to reabsorb the toxins.

Bowel

• The large intestine, or bowel, is the last organ of the digestive system.

• It disposes of undigested food, toxic bi-products of digestion, and other toxins and microbes from the digestive tract.

• The same blood that circulates through the bowel also circulates to the brain. Toxins can be reabsorbed into the blood from a stagnant or toxic colon.

• It is important to have daily (ideally one for each meal) bowel movements. They should be easy to pass and not foul smelling.

• Increasing fiber and water intake, managing stress, and regular exercise are the most important factors in maintaining optimal bowel function.

An interesting diagram found online at http://www.gravitycolonhydrotherapy.com/2009/10/benefits-colon-hydrotherapy/

This site promotes detoxification through colon hydrotherapy, or “colonics”. This chart suggests that the health of the colon affects the body through reflexology as do the feet, ears, and spine.

Lungs

• The lungs dispose of gaseous waste products, especially carbon dioxide (CO2) through expiration. Toxins are exhaled before fresh oxygen rich air is moved into the lungs.

• The lungs also trap particulates like dust and bacteria that are inhaled. These are mostly trapped in the mucous lining of the respiratory tract, and expelled through coughing.

• There are also phogocytic cells that consume toxins in the lining of the lungs.

• Clean air, water, exercise, and good posture are all important for respiratory health.

Besides providing useful breathing exercises, or Pranayama, that strengthen the lung, Yoga provides poses like the Camel, shownhere, that help to open and restore the lungs.In yoga all back-bending poses open the heart, or lung, chakra.

YOGA

Image from http://www.adelaideyoga.com.au/asanas.php

Liver

• The liver is the most important organ of detoxification. The liver’s function is to chemically detoxify (or reduce the toxicity of) substances in the bloodstream.

• It works closely with the digestive and circulatory systems. The livers helps break down and distribute products of digestion.

• Liver health has a lot to do with not overburdening your body with toxins, minimizing stress, and using detoxifying foods and herbs, even supervised fasting at the change of seasons.

A summary of liver detoxification actions and pathways found online at http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=548

Kidneys

• The kidneys filter about 20% of the blood in the body each minute. Toxins and excess minerals and fluids are filtered out and eliminated as urine.

• The kidneys use blood pressure to filter, so it is important to have a healthy BP. Chronic hypertension can cause renal failure.

• Kidney health depends on adequate water intake, and avoiding alcohol and sugars.

Your Kidneys Working for You

http://www.renalresource.com/images/ipd02.jpg

Lymphatic System

• The lymphatic system works continuously to filter all of the intercellular fluid in the tissues of the body. It is the most important part of the immune system.

• The lymphatic system is made up of a system of ducts that spread throughout the body and flow in one direction.

• These ducts pass through lymph nodes, small filtering units that capture toxins and invading organisms.

• Lymphatic flow relies on physical movement (exercise or massage) to circulate because it does not have a pump.

• Water, exercise, massage, saunas, and fasting can help maintain a healthy lymphatic and immune system.

Image at http://www.tabmassage.com/images/lymphatic_system.jpg

conclusion

• The body’s ability to detoxify through the six organs of elimination, is of utmost importance to the overall health of the individual.

• When too many toxins occupy the systems it becomes more difficult to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the cells, causing a gradual decline in health and slower regeneration of tissues.

• When toxins build up and re-circulate through the bloodstream this causes the body to actually poison itself leading to imbalance and disease.

References

• Thibodeau and Patton, “Structure and Function”, 13th ed. Revised 2008

• ACHS class lecture material Nat211 and Nat101