Detox is a hot topic in the field of health and wellness. How many different detox programs are you exposed to when you get on the internet or your social media? With promises of better health, loss of weight, less joint pain, better skin, on and on, it all sounds great…but there is often a step that is overlooked. We need to look at what drainage is first, and why that should be optimized before ever thinking of detoxing.
Drainage – The pathway/mechanism through which unwanted substances leave the body.
Detox – Pulling toxins and offending agents out at the cellular level.
You can understand how these two work together, but one without the other is not very efficient, especially if done out of order.
It is important that the drainage systems are functioning properly -- that they actually drain. This is why addressing drainage prior to detoxing is so important! If the body cannot drain what it detoxes out of the cells, those substances will recirculate in the body and could leave a person feeling no different, or even worse than they did before.
Drainage pathways include:
Colon – This is the primary drainage pathway. If the body is not eliminating waste via bowel movements, this backs up the entire system and requires the other pathways to pick up its slack. In cases like this, there can be some adverse symptoms along the way.
Liver and Bile Ducts – The liver processes blood and removes toxins from it, which are then put into the bile. When these get backed up, toxins build up and spill over into the bloodstream. There is then accumulation in the lungs, kidneys, and skin. It can lead to damage to the lining of the lungs and kidneys, as well as itchy/red/irritated skin.
Skin – It is important to note that skin needs to be an open pathway for drainage via sweat. If a person does not sweat, that is another sign their drainage pathways are compromised.
Lymphatic System – This drains fluid from the tissues throughout the body, after it has filtered out viruses, bacteria, and toxins. There is also a Glymphatic system, in which the brain drains into the lymphatic system.
Image credit: Cellcore Biosciences
Once these drainage pathways are up and running efficiently, then the power of detoxification can be realized. This is one way we help usher patients onto a new plane of health at Prairie Sage, and very often is the first step we take!