What are toxins?
Toxins are harmful substances to the human body and interfere with normal metabolic processes and suppress the immune system.
Examples of Toxins
- Lifestyle toxins: Liver toxicants – alcohol, drugs, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, food additives and tobacco smoke
- Occupational: Heavy metal exposure: petrol, diesel, jewellers, battery makers, printers and asbestos
- Environmental: air pollution, water and pesticides
- Microbial compounds: toxins like amines produced by bacteria and yeast in our gut (example histamine and tyramine. Histamine poisoning (spoiled fish) can cause headaches, nausea, diarrhoea. Tyramine can cause a migraine attack.
Why is it important to know about detoxing
- Supports natural function of the body
- Prevent toxin build up
- Improve energy and mental clarity
- Prevent diseases like cancer
- Encourages better lifestyle choices
Common chronic conditions associated with toxins on your health
- Neurological disorders
Toxins involved: lead, mercury, pesticides and solvents
Possible diseases: Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s, children and adults on the spectrum like ADD, headaches and fibromyalgia.
B. Respiratory diseases
Toxins involved: airborne, tobacco smoke and asbestos
Diseases: COPD`s, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer
C. Cardiovascular diseases
Toxins involved: heavy metals like lead and cadmium
Diseases: hypertension, heart attack and stroke
D. Endocrine disruptors
Toxins involved: BPA (Bisphenol A) and pesticides
Diseases: thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, obesity and reproductive disorders
E. Cancer
Carcinogenic toxins: asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde
Associated cancer: lung, liver, leukaemia and skin
F. Liver and kidney disease
Toxins involved: alcohol, solvents and heavy metals
Diseases: cirrhosis and fatty liver
G. Digestive system
Toxins involved: preservatives, MSG, Trans fats and heavy metals
Diseases: chemical sensitivities, food intolerances, food allergies and celiacdisease
H. Immune system:
Toxins: alcohol, unhealthy foods
Diseases: bacterial and viral infections and chronic fatigue syndrome, dysbiosis, leaky gut and gut inflammation like Crohn’s and auto immune diseases
How does the process of detoxification work in the human body
- Step 1 – detection of toxin
- Step 2 – Detoxification through the liver
Phase 1 – make toxins water soluble and reactive intermediates
Phase 2 – the liver adds a molecule like glutathione to toxins to make them more water soluble
Phase 3 – Transport toxins out of the body – bile, blood and faeces
- Step 3 – Kidneys
Filter toxins from blood through kidneys and excrete through urine
Step 4 – Lungs
Excrete CO2 and airborne toxins through lungs
Step 5 – Skin
Small amounts of toxins are secreted through skin
Step 6 – Digestive system
Toxins are transported via bile into intestines. Gut flora plays an important role in breaking down and neutralising toxins.
How do toxins affect the hormonal system
- Agonists (mimic natural hormones)
BPA (Biphenol A) from plastic functions as a pseudo estrogen and bind to estrogen and activate the estrogenic pathway
Effect: early puberty, breast and prostate cancer
2. Antagonist (block receptors and prevent normal hormone function)
Pesticides block testosterone
Effect: reduced male fertility, low libido and feminisation
3. Disruption of hormones
Interfere with enzymes and as an example inhibit iodine absorption by thyroid leading to lower thyroid function
4. Alter hormone transport
Hormones travel via transport proteins. Toxins can alter these carriers.
Effect: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and thyroid disorders
5. Epigenetic changes
Change gene expression without changing DNA – cancer
6. Oxidative stress and inflammation
Toxins create free radicals that will initiate inflammation and impair HPA axis.
Effect: irregular menstrual cycles, low testosterone, fatigue and mood disorders
7. GUT microbiome disruption
Toxins alter microbiota that is important in the digestion, hormonal and immune system
The role of emotions in detoxification
Detoxification and emotions are deeply interconnected, both biologically and psychologically. While “detox” often refers to the body’s physical elimination of toxins, emotional detox is a concept in mental and holistic health referring to processing and releasing emotional burdens or stress. Here’s how the two intersect:
1. Physical Detoxification and Emotions
• Liver and Emotions: In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the liver is linked to anger. When the liver is detoxifying or sluggish, some people report increased irritability or emotional upheaval.
• Gut and Emotions: The gut-brain axis (the link between gut health and brain function) means that toxins or poor gut function can lead to anxiety, depression, or mood swings.
• During physical detox (like fasting or cleansing), people often report:
Irritability, fatigue, mood swings. This can be due to withdrawal from sugar, caffeine, or other substances, as well as the release of stored toxins, which can temporarily affect brain chemistry.
2. Emotional Detox – this refers to clearing suppressed emotions, much like you would clear physical toxins
- It might involve:
- Crying, journaling, therapy
- Meditation or mindfulness
- Breathwork or energy healing
- Emotional detox can sometimes mirror physical detox symptoms—feeling worse before feeling better—as buried emotions come to the surface
3. Stress and Detox Pathways
- Chronic emotional stress increases cortisol, which can slow detox pathways in the liver and kidneys.
- Emotional tension can also affect: sleep quality (key for detoxification) and digestive efficiency (important for toxin elimination)
Detox and weight loss
Obesity is a disease of toxicity and metabolism
What happens hormonally during a proper weight loss detox
- Insulin levels drop
- Cortisol levels balance
- Estrogen detox: less estrogenic fat storage
- Leptin and ghrelin normalise
- Thyroid function improves
- Hormone and fat metabolism improve
Emotional detoxification support
- Transcendental meditation
- TRE
- HeartBrain Coherence
- Counselling
How does a detox protocol looks like?
- Vegan
- Gluten free
- Stimulant free – alcohol, Sugar and caffeine
- No yeast
Somatic practices that support with a detox
- Belly breathing
- Somatic movement like TRE and dance
- Vagus nerve stimulation like chanting
- Mini trampoline jumping
- Earthing or grounding – walk barefoot
- Yin Yoga
- HeartBrain coherence
Supplements that support detox
- Nux Vom Homacord
- Berberis Homacord
- Lymphomyosot
- Milk thistle
- NAC
- ALA
- Probiotics
- Activates charcoal
- Bentonite
- Doppel Herz A-Z multivitamins
Closing perspective
- Do an assessment to see if you should detox – complete the questionnaire for an answer whether you should detox or nor – see questionnaire below
- My 3 top tips for detox: water, meditation and rest
- You don’t have to go to extremes to detox
- The future in detox- precision personalised programmes, genomic testing, microbiome assessment, environmental exposure check and real time biomarker analysis
- Detox is a natural process that happens 24/7 – when the system clogs up – intervene
- One size does not fit all
- Gut and liver is key to the process
- Autophagy is the most potent detox through fasting, sleep and intermitted fasting
🧠 Lifestyle Clinic General Detox Need Screening Questionnaire
✅ Lifestyle & Symptom-Related Questions
- Do you frequently feel fatigued or low in energy, even after a full night’s sleep?
2. Do you have difficulty focusing or often experience brain fog?
3. Do you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines?
4. Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep?
5. Do you regularly experience digestive issues (e.g. bloating, constipation, gas)?
6. Have you noticed skin problems (e.g. acne, rashes, eczema, or dull complexion)?
7. Do you have bad breath or body odor even with good hygiene?
8. Do you experience mood swings, anxiety, or mild depression?
9. Are you often irritable or short-tempered?
10. Do you crave sugar, caffeine, or highly processed foods frequently?
🍟 Diet & Nutrition Habits
11. Do you consume fast food, processed snacks, or sugary drinks more than 3 times per week?
12. Do you drink less than 6-8 cups of water per day?
13. Do you consume alcohol more than 2-3 times per week?
14. Do you use artificial sweeteners or additives regularly?
15. Do you eat fewer than 3 servings of fruits/vegetables per day?
🧪 Environmental & Chemical Exposure
16. Are you regularly exposed to pesticides, herbicides, or cleaning chemicals?
17. Do you live in a high-traffic or industrial area with air pollution?
18. Do you use conventional beauty or skincare products with synthetic
ingredients?
19. Do you have mercury dental fillings or known exposure to heavy metals?
20. Do you smoke or use recreational drugs?
💊 Medical & Medication Use
21. Are you on long-term prescription medications?
22. Have you taken antibiotics in the past 12 months?
23. Do you have a history of liver or kidney issues?
24. Do you suffer from chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders?
25. Do you feel worse after eating certain foods (e.g., gluten, dairy, etc.)?
✅ Scoring Guide
• 0–5 “Yes” Answers: Detox likely not urgent, but healthy lifestyle improvements may help.
• 6–12 “Yes” Answers: Moderate detox support could be beneficial (e.g. food-based cleanse, hydration, liver support).
• 13+ “Yes” Answers: Strong indication that a structured detox program (possibly supervised) is worth considering.
