Detox:
Transition Diet: From S.A.D. to Happy - Go Raw - The Fruitarian Lifestyle - Light Body Fast - Elimination Pathways
Transition Diet: From S.A.D. to Happy - Go Raw - The Fruitarian Lifestyle - Light Body Fast - Elimination Pathways
Elimination Pathways
‘It is obvious that without adequate elimination of waste the blood cannot remain clean, thereby allowing toxic materials to be circulated throughout the entire body. Conversely, the eliminative channels cannot work efficiently without the right nutrients, neural integrity, and supportive glandular secretions. The skin needs to be kept clean; It needs fresh air and sunshine. A sufficient amount of liquid intake is necessary for proper lymphatic, bowel, and kidney function. Exercise is needed to keep the blood working to remove cell wastes, to move the lymph along, to get the lungs pumping, to generate skin perspiration, and to assist in developing good bowel tone.’ (Bernard Jensen, Iridology, The Science and The Practice in the Healing Arts)
If we do not eliminate our wastes, we build congestion interstitially (around cells) and intracellularly (inside cells), causing further cellular decay and death. Good elimination means moving our bowels three times a day, urinating adequately, sweating, and breathing properly. All of us fail in this category to some extent or another. By correcting digestion, absorption, utilization, and elimination we can regain our energy, build vitality and vibrancy, and live a disease-free life. (Dr. Morse, The Detox Miracle Sourcebook)
The Elimination System
STRUCTURES — Colon, lymphatic system, urinary system, immune system and the integumentary system (skin). FUNCTIONS — The elimination of wastes and by-products from metabolism and digestion. Elimination of pathogens and mucus from the lymphatic system. Excess water elimination. The eliminative system encompasses several other systems, which are complete systems within themselves. They are the intestinal system, lymphatic system, urinary system, integumentary system and immune system.
It is often stated that the significance of the food we consume lies not in its nutritional content alone, but in how effectively we digest and assimilate these nutrients. Consuming an ideal, nutrient-rich diet is futile if we fail to absorb the nutrients it offers. Similarly, the body's elimination pathways are crucial, especially for those on a healing journey. Despite the emphasis on a variety of foods, herbs, and supplements, the necessity to absorb, process, and expel the byproducts of these substances is not often discussed. Every survival action or bodily process demands specific elements and efforts from the body. The maintenance and metabolism processes depend on the body's energy and generate waste. Breathing, for example, involves both intake and output. Inhalation and exhalation are automatic, yet improper exhalation can leave residual gases in the lungs. The digestive system must process the food we eat to extract nutrients, and waste must be expelled to prevent the buildup of toxins in the colon, which can lead to a continuous cycle of toxicity in the bloodstream, causing imbalances that the body must address. The accumulation of toxins due to poor diet or habits is the root cause of many health issues.
The elimination process could be considered the most critical aspect of healing. Efficiently removing toxins and waste, coupled with consuming pure, clean food and water, is essential for the body's survival and optimal health. This is why detoxification is a key strategy in addressing numerous health concerns.
In this section, we will briefly explore the body's elimination channels.as well as signs and symptoms of imbalance within each system, so you may focus your healing energy / efforts on the organs and organ systems most hindered. While the kidneys are arguably the most important organs involved in eliminating waste from the body, other organs and systems are vital. And we will see that when one system is down, or not operating optimally, it puts pressure on other systems to take up that slack.
The elimination process could be considered the most critical aspect of healing. Efficiently removing toxins and waste, coupled with consuming pure, clean food and water, is essential for the body's survival and optimal health. This is why detoxification is a key strategy in addressing numerous health concerns.
In this section, we will briefly explore the body's elimination channels.as well as signs and symptoms of imbalance within each system, so you may focus your healing energy / efforts on the organs and organ systems most hindered. While the kidneys are arguably the most important organs involved in eliminating waste from the body, other organs and systems are vital. And we will see that when one system is down, or not operating optimally, it puts pressure on other systems to take up that slack.
The Key Organs of the Excretory System, The Kidneys
The kidneys purify our blood by removing toxic waste and surplus water through a three-step process:
Filtration: This step involves extracting water and dissolved particles from the blood, producing a liquid that contains water and various toxic substances that may have built up in the blood.
Reabsorption: Kidney nephrons reclaim essential nutrients and water back into the bloodstream, while continuing to segregate the waste products that need to be expelled.
Secretion: The concentrated filtrate exits the kidneys, and as it does, any excess water is reabsorbed. The final liquid then travels to the bladder and is excreted as urine.
Filtration: This step involves extracting water and dissolved particles from the blood, producing a liquid that contains water and various toxic substances that may have built up in the blood.
Reabsorption: Kidney nephrons reclaim essential nutrients and water back into the bloodstream, while continuing to segregate the waste products that need to be expelled.
Secretion: The concentrated filtrate exits the kidneys, and as it does, any excess water is reabsorbed. The final liquid then travels to the bladder and is excreted as urine.
Kidneys Function: Controls blood volume by regulating water content of the body; Removal of waste and acids from the blood (and lymph); Help regulate blood pH; Removes materials from the blood then replaces those needed; Production of urine.
Acute symptoms: Skin problems, hives, rashes; Inflammation of glomeruli from infection elsewhere in body; Obstruction of your urethra/lack of urination; Loss of weight from fluid loss; Frequent urination; Cystitis or infection of urinary bladder and mucosa of the urethra from kidney; Pain in back, below ribs; Bowel gas can cause problems; Kidney function affects all organs.
Chronic symptoms: Itching, Heart symptoms, Rapid pulse over 90; Retention of water; Kidney stones; Urine contains excessive protein or other electrolytes; Acid blood/tissue condition buildup; Edema; Painful joints, swelling in ankles; Uremia and toxemia; Gout; Pain under the ribs middle back; Skin problems, Nausea, Headache.
Without Kidney function, Life will cease after one to two weeks.
Acute symptoms: Skin problems, hives, rashes; Inflammation of glomeruli from infection elsewhere in body; Obstruction of your urethra/lack of urination; Loss of weight from fluid loss; Frequent urination; Cystitis or infection of urinary bladder and mucosa of the urethra from kidney; Pain in back, below ribs; Bowel gas can cause problems; Kidney function affects all organs.
Chronic symptoms: Itching, Heart symptoms, Rapid pulse over 90; Retention of water; Kidney stones; Urine contains excessive protein or other electrolytes; Acid blood/tissue condition buildup; Edema; Painful joints, swelling in ankles; Uremia and toxemia; Gout; Pain under the ribs middle back; Skin problems, Nausea, Headache.
Without Kidney function, Life will cease after one to two weeks.
The 'Third Kidney,' The Skin
The skin, our body's largest organ, serves as a protective barrier and a means of defense. The skin is often called upon for relief by the other elimination organs. Toxins or waste that are water-soluble can be expelled through sweat. Commonly, metabolic residues from the consumption of rich foods like meat, dairy, and eggs are eliminated in this manner.
Skin Function: Called the third kidney because it removes acids from the blood, Largest organ in the body, Helps control body temperature, Protects the body from bacterial invasion, Excretes water and salts, Receives external stimulus, Synthesizes vitamin D, Relieves kidneys by sweating which removes toxins and mineral wastes, Catarh, and acids
Acute symptoms: excessive sweating, oily skin, sensitivity to heat and cold, hives, warts, eruptions.
Chronic symptoms: lack of sweat, poor complexion, cold and clammy skin, loss of hair, lowered blood circulation, dry skin, bacterial invasion, burn/heat damage, acne.
Acute symptoms: excessive sweating, oily skin, sensitivity to heat and cold, hives, warts, eruptions.
Chronic symptoms: lack of sweat, poor complexion, cold and clammy skin, loss of hair, lowered blood circulation, dry skin, bacterial invasion, burn/heat damage, acne.
The Colon & Digestive System
While the kidneys handle liquid waste (like urea), the large intestine deals with solid waste. It absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food, forming feces that are eventually expelled from the body.
Colon:
Digestive and eliminative functions: Peristalsis moves food and wastes along passage; Food in the stomach starts mass peristalsis that moves the colonic masses into the rectum; Secretion of mucus; Intestinal bacteria digest remaining carbohydrates and release carbon dioxide and methane gas. They also help breakdown remaining protein into waste and hydrogen sulphide gas; Removal of water from feces; Intestinal bacteria aid in production of riboflavin, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, and vitamin K; Absorbs inorganic solutes or chemicals and secrets them into blood to be decoded detoxified by the liver.
Acute symptoms: Gas; Tenderness in abdomen: Odorous diarrhea; Tension in muscles reducing force of movement; Spastic condition in colon; Headaches; Problem in colon(s) can affect any organ in the body through nerve reflexes.
Chronic symptoms: Gas; Protruding abdomen; Headaches; Lack of peristaltic action; Congested, cake mucus lining; Lack of intestinal bacteria; Low vitamin production; Bad breath; Backache, hemorrhoidal pressure; Prostate pressure; Hard, dry stool; Low-grade infection possible.
In iridology, we find that the area corresponding to the intestines is almost invariably the darkest portion of the irises. It is also seldom lighter in color than lesions elsewhere in the irises. This suggests that the bowel is usually the most toxic system in the entire body. I would further suggest that the colon is, itself, the most toxic area of the bowel and the descending colon is more problematic than the ascending or transverse colon. Many pathological conditions of the body can be traced directly back to the colon, due to the fact that when the colon is taken care of, other problems often go into remission. (Bernard Jensen, Iridology, The Science and The Practice in the Healing Arts)
Digestive and eliminative functions: Peristalsis moves food and wastes along passage; Food in the stomach starts mass peristalsis that moves the colonic masses into the rectum; Secretion of mucus; Intestinal bacteria digest remaining carbohydrates and release carbon dioxide and methane gas. They also help breakdown remaining protein into waste and hydrogen sulphide gas; Removal of water from feces; Intestinal bacteria aid in production of riboflavin, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, and vitamin K; Absorbs inorganic solutes or chemicals and secrets them into blood to be decoded detoxified by the liver.
Acute symptoms: Gas; Tenderness in abdomen: Odorous diarrhea; Tension in muscles reducing force of movement; Spastic condition in colon; Headaches; Problem in colon(s) can affect any organ in the body through nerve reflexes.
Chronic symptoms: Gas; Protruding abdomen; Headaches; Lack of peristaltic action; Congested, cake mucus lining; Lack of intestinal bacteria; Low vitamin production; Bad breath; Backache, hemorrhoidal pressure; Prostate pressure; Hard, dry stool; Low-grade infection possible.
In iridology, we find that the area corresponding to the intestines is almost invariably the darkest portion of the irises. It is also seldom lighter in color than lesions elsewhere in the irises. This suggests that the bowel is usually the most toxic system in the entire body. I would further suggest that the colon is, itself, the most toxic area of the bowel and the descending colon is more problematic than the ascending or transverse colon. Many pathological conditions of the body can be traced directly back to the colon, due to the fact that when the colon is taken care of, other problems often go into remission. (Bernard Jensen, Iridology, The Science and The Practice in the Healing Arts)
Without digestion, absorption and elimination we die. This canal—mouth through anus—is how you introduce energy and chemistry from foods into your body. From the colon on is where and how we eliminate our wastes, which is vital to the survival of your body. The proper elimination of wastes from food digestion and cellular metabolism is as important as the ingestion of your foods. (Dr. Morse, The Detox Miracle Sourcebook)
The Liver
The Alchemical Liver is considered a part of the digestive system. 'Importantly, the liver is a fundamental detoxifying organ in the body as it gets rid of toxic wastes coming from internal sources such as metabolism of nutrients and hormones, and external sources like medications, alcohol, air pollution, and other factors, by neutralizing them into nontoxic metabolites via cytochrome p450 enzymes and then converting them into water-soluble products that can be excreted in the bile, urine, and stool.' (1)
The Lungs
Lungs – Function: Two lungs are located in the chest area in the thoracic cavity, they are covered with pleural membrane; The right lung is larger with three lobes, the left is smaller and contains two lobes, leaving room for the heart; The primary function of the lung is gas exchange with the blood and lymph.
Acute symptoms: Painful breathing, Excessive catarrh production; Local inflammation of part of lung; Asthma; Excessive mucus production; Pneumonia possible; Scar from pneumonia possible; Difficulty breathing (dyspnea); Irritation from marijuana/tobacco smoke can cause acute condition.
Chronic symptoms: Poor elimination; Emphysema or other breathing difficulties; Coughing/spitting; Loss of surface area for gas exchange; Shortness of breath; Faintness/ dizziness; Throat catarrh; Poor posture; Smoker’s damage (usually to lower lung).
Bronchioles function major air passage and lungs, contains a great deal of muscle which can spasm, gas exchange takes place in and of bronchioles.
Acute symptoms: Painful breathing, Excessive catarrh production; Local inflammation of part of lung; Asthma; Excessive mucus production; Pneumonia possible; Scar from pneumonia possible; Difficulty breathing (dyspnea); Irritation from marijuana/tobacco smoke can cause acute condition.
Chronic symptoms: Poor elimination; Emphysema or other breathing difficulties; Coughing/spitting; Loss of surface area for gas exchange; Shortness of breath; Faintness/ dizziness; Throat catarrh; Poor posture; Smoker’s damage (usually to lower lung).
Bronchioles function major air passage and lungs, contains a great deal of muscle which can spasm, gas exchange takes place in and of bronchioles.