Minerals and Vitamins for the Liver and Other Organs of Detoxification and Cleansing

Magnesium

has been called the “Emperor of Minerals” because it is essential in literally hundreds of biochemical reactions every cell performs—all day and all night. Yet, because of dietary habits and farming practices, magnesium deficiencies are recognized as a real medical problem. Slight to large magnesium deficiencies are associated with irregular beats of the heart, anxiety, depression, constipation, muscle cramping, premenstrual syndrome, kidney diseases, heart attacks, diabetes, insomnia, fatigue, fibromyalgia, muscle pain, headaches, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, seizures and numbness/tingling sensations in the extremities.

Many people likely have what is known as subclinical magnesium deficiency. This means that their magnesium levels are not low enough to produce strong or consistent symptoms of magnesium deficiency but not high enough to provide enough magnesium for all the biochemical reactions that require this mineral. In this case, the whole body essentially makes choices—for example, the heart is essential to health in the immediate sense—skeletal muscle function is not as essential, so the body may “save” its magnesium for the heart first and secondly for other systems like the skeletal muscles. The end result is that your heart continues functioning normally. At the same time, your leg muscles are not as strong or healthy as they might be—but while you might seek medical attention if you are experiencing heart rhythm irregularities, you are much less likely to see your doctor complaining that sometimes your muscles feel a bit weak!

In a total body cleansing or detoxification protocol—like ToxinRid’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10-day protocols, magnesium functions to “wake up” stimulate the energy-producing biochemical reaction and, potentially, all the reactions that the body put on the “back burner” if you are sub-clinically magnesium deficient. Magnesium also stimulates the intestines—and that helps eliminate the toxins from your whole body. Magnesium may also help reduce anxiety and muscle discomfort while total body cleansing/detoxing.

Calcium

is another critical mineral in the body—and in total body cleansing or detoxification programs. Calcium is important for strong, healthy bones and teeth, but it is also critical for heart function, muscle function, the nervous system, blood clotting and regulating the fluid balances in your body. This last function is especially important in cleaning your whole body—in large part, the liver biochemically alters toxins and waste products to become water-soluble so that you can eliminate these now-water-soluble toxins in your urine. Calcium helps maintain that fluid and electrolyte balance. FYI—electrolytes are minerals like magnesium and calcium in their ionic (charged) state.

Iron

is needed to prevent anemia—but iron also supports the muscles, nerves, and overall cell function. Iron is especially important for its role in respiration—both on a cellular level and on our breathing. Iron forms the core of hemoglobin—the oxygen-carrying molecule found in all red blood cells. Hemoglobin binds to and carries oxygen throughout the body, providing this vital substance to every cell. Haemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide—a cellular waste product—from every body cell. It releases this waste product in the air sacs of the lungs, allowing them to get rid of carbon dioxide with every breath we take.

But even beyond those functions, iron is also required for the normal cellular detoxification processes. Iron-dependent enzymes—members of the cytochromeP450 enzyme family found in the liver—are essential for the detoxification process—they just won’t work without iron!

Other ionic minerals

such as chloride, potassium, sodium, and boron are used in products like Toxin Rid “PreRid Tablets” to support the organs of detoxification and help maintain normal electrolyte balance—and one reason that drinking lots of water during the detoxification and total body cleansing process is recommended. Boron is a particularly interesting mineral used in the detoxification/cleansing process because it can increase the effectiveness of natural antioxidants like Vitamin C (found in alfalfa and kelp extracts used in the “PreRid” tablets) and “ chase out” heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and chromium, often stored in fat cells. These heavy metals form salts with various ionic minerals that make these now water-soluble to be excreted in the urine.

Minerals are, in a sense, the vital nuts and bolts of the detoxification process for two main reasons:

• The body’s natural detoxification mechanisms rely on minerals to perform their functions—sufficient minerals are needed for optimal functioning. During detoxification and cleansing, providing your body with enough minerals for optimal function makes sense!
• Toxins and waste materials are often stored in fat cells. They can be, at times, difficult to “nudge” these toxins and waste materials out of the fat cells and into the blood, where they can then be flushed out through the natural elimination systems of the body—where they can be detoxified in the liver, using the natural enzymes found there, flushed into the urine, sweated out through the skin, breathed out by the lungs, cleared by the lymphatics and excreted by the large intestines. Minerals are essential for this process.

Other Essential Components Needed in Detoxification and Cleansing Protocols

You might have wondered why alfalfa and kelp are included in the Toxin Rid products—well, here’s why:

Alfalfa

It contains vitamins like the already mentioned Vitamin C but also high levels of Vitamins K and B. The B complex vitamins are especially important in cleansing protocols because they help convert food into useable energy, ensuring that your organs of detoxification, like the liver, lungs, kidneys, lymphatics, and skin, have the energy available to do the job they are supposed to do—clean out all the built-up toxins and waste products from each cell.

• Alfalfa also contains high levels of natural plant-based antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect your body from toxins and waste products and control inflammation caused by the build-up of toxins and cellular waste products.
• Alfalfa helps your kidneys flush out toxins and waste products in the urine, which is again why it is so important to drink plenty of water during the cleansing process.
• Alfalfa also provides fiber. This fiber is useful in grabbing up toxins and waste products in the intestines and ensuring their elimination in the stool.
• Alfalfa is also a source of chlorophyll, the green pigment used by plants to produce energy. It is believed to protect against various toxins, including carcinogens.

Kelp

is a form of brown seaweed and is a rich source of iodine (needed for thyroid function), calcium, iron, and potassium. Kelp has been used to support the thyroid and weight loss. It has also been used to protect against radiation exposure and as a bulk laxative, again supporting the elimination of toxins via the stool. Kelp is also a rich source of vitamins A, D, C, and E, as well as many B vitamins.

Psyllium and Psyllium Fiber

Psyllium contains high amounts of fiber—both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Let’s take a bit of a sidebar to talk about soluble and insoluble fiber and their role in detoxification.

• Soluble fiber dissolves in water—in the process, it absorbs water and softens the stool. Soluble fiber can also help slow digestion, help you with weight loss, and control blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber can help remove LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
• Insoluble fiber won’t dissolve in water—and it won’t be digested but passes through the large intestine without being broken down. The main advantage of insoluble fiber is that it “drags” all toxins and other waste products. It also “drags” along all those detoxified substances from the liver, which are then dumped into the gall bladder and into the large intestine. Insoluble fiber also “drags” some more water, softening the stool and allowing for an easier, gentler bowel movement.

Psyllium (Plantago) is originally found in the Mediterranean and India but is now found worldwide. It is used in most traditional medicine systems to promote intestinal health, digestive system functions, and regular bowel movements. It also benefits cardiovascular health and supports healthy blood sugar levels.

In detoxification and cleansing protocols, psyllium powder promotes the removal of toxins and waste products by increasing the number and frequency of bowel movements. It is also used to promote weight loss.

The Importance of Water During the Cleansing Process

We are water-based creatures—up to 60% of our entire body is water, with some organs—the brain, skin, lungs, and kidneys containing even more than 60% water!

The liver detoxifies by converting toxins and metabolic wastes into water-soluble substances—and then pours these into the gallbladder and blood to be excreted via the intestines or the kidney.

Iron-based hemoglobin carries carbon dioxide waste to the lungs, where it is excreted as part of water vapor.

The kidneys excrete these converted toxins, metabolic wastes, and heavy metal salts into the urine, temporarily stored in the urinary bladder.

Some of the now water-soluble salts and altered toxins enter the lymphatic system—from there, they are dumped into the bloodstream for eventual kidney removal.

Other toxins and waste products find their way into the skin—where they are excreted through water-based sweat.

THIS is the main reason it is always recommended and very important to drink lots and lots of water as you detoxify and cleanse your body. You need the extra water to ensure you are flushing out everything to be flushed! It is often recommended that you drink purified water, especially while you are detoxifying—and that is a great idea! Why risk adding toxins to your body when you aim to remove toxins?

But—to add an important reason to think about water—you should also ensure that all these toxins and waste products are removed from the surface of your body! How do you go about doing that? There are two main approaches you can use:

• Use a glycerin-based soap daily in your bath and shower to remove excreted toxins on your skin.

  – You might consider also using purified water to shower or bathe.

• Use a shampoo like “Old Style Aloe,” Toxin Rid Shampoo, and Ultra Clean to remove toxins and other substances from your hair down to the hair shaft.

Toxins can be found at levels up to 300 times higher in the hair than in other body samples. Heavy metals and other toxins can get concentrated in the hair—and for complete detoxification, these must also be cleaned out!