The sources of toxins are everywhere. They are in the air you breathe and the food you eat. This is why more people are becoming interested in detoxification and the numerous ways one can go about it.
One popular method of detoxification is by using detoxification binders1 to rid the body of toxins that cause chronic health problems.
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What Are Toxins and How Do They Manifest in the Body?
Toxins3 usually refer to substances that your body is unable to digest or remove from your bloodstream. They are classified as chemical, biological, physical, and radiation. They are often accumulated in the human body due to various environmental factors.
The physical symptoms that signify the presence of toxins in the body include tiredness, lethargy, bloating, bad breath, foul-smelling sweat, and a pale, sickly complexion.
What Is Detoxification?
Detoxification2 is the process of removing toxic substances from biological organisms, including the human body, either through physiological or medical means.
The human body has its own detoxification system, with the majority of functions being carried out by the liver. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of toxins in the environment, it is difficult for the human liver to do all the work on its own.
Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from biological organisms, including the human body, either through physiological or medical means.
There are different ways to detoxify the body – from fixing your diet to using detoxification binders. The advantage of using detoxification binders over other methods is that it prevents the person from experiencing nausea, fatigue, and brain fog, all of which are characteristic of the detoxification process.
What Are Detoxification Binders?
Detoxification binders are substances that help remove toxins from the body. As the name suggests, the mechanism for eliminating toxins is by binding the harmful substances to it.
Without detoxification binders, it is possible for the toxins to recirculate in your system and accumulate to lethal levels.
Binders are normally natural agents that bind toxins (i.e., heavy metals, mold toxins, chemicals) and remove them through natural elimination pathways. The binders make it easier for the body’s detoxification system to remove the toxins quickly. There are many reasons4 to use detoxification binders over other methods.
Safe and Effective
Since toxin binders are naturally occurring, they are considered safe. If there are any side effects, they are fairly minor and go away on their own. The inherent chemistry of the toxin binders makes it possible for them to absorb the toxins, reducing the toxins’ chances of accumulating and recirculating in the system.
Helps the Liver With Its Major Function
When the body fails to eliminate toxins that are filtered by the liver, they become reabsorbed in your bloodstream and will require re-filtering. This exhausts your body’s cellular energy, making you more tired than usual.
Detoxification binders speed up the process by preventing the toxins from being recirculated. They also help the liver by reducing the toxin load that needs to be filtered.
Helps the Good Bacteria in Your Gut
Contrary to popular belief, not all bacteria are bad. Some good bacteria inhabit your gut and help with speeding up the digestive process. Detoxification binders help feed these good bacteria and enable them to do their job better.
10 Detoxification Binders You Should Try
There are three steps to using detoxification binders. First, the binders use a chelator to mobilize the toxins from the organs where they are stored. Next, the toxins bind themselves to the detoxification binder. Finally, the detoxification binder mineralizes the bound toxin, removing it from the system safely and effectively.
Here are the top toxin binders that help promote the detoxification process:
Activated Charcoal
Probably the most famous of all detoxification binders, activated charcoal is often used as an emergency treatment for some types of poisoning and as such, is considered the universal antidote.
Activated charcoal is made of coal, coconut shells, olive pits, saw dust, or bone char that are activated at extremely high temperatures. This process changes the innate structure of the charcoal to become more porous than the regular ones.
Activated charcoal is often sold as oral capsules. Once taken, it travels to your digestive tract and traps the toxins within its pores.
However, activated charcoal can bind not only with toxins but also with some food supplements and medication, which is why it is important to take activated charcoal several hours away from food, medication or supplementation. Also, taking activated charcoal does not undo the cellular damage done by the toxins.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth, also known as silica, is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms – small, aquatic organisms that are often accumulated in the sediments of streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Despite its name and origin, diatomaceous earth is not poisonous. People often breathe or ingest it unknowingly without any ill effects. It is claimed that diatomaceous earth is capable of binding fungal mycotoxins and heavy metals, although this process wholly depends on the body’s pH.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a freshwater alga native to Taiwan and Japan and is often used to make a nutritional medicine and supplement in the form of tablets or liquid extracts. As a supplement, chlorella is known to be effective in removing toxins, as well as in improving the cholesterol levels of the body.
Chlorella is very nutritious and is packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the body to function. Furthermore, it helps lower the amount of harmful chemicals that are found in the food you eat.
Prescription Binders
Prescription binders are often taken to minimize the absorption of a specific substance in the blood. Examples of prescription binders are colesevelam (an acid-binding resin) and cholestyramine. Both are used to reduce the cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.
Both drugs can also be used to bind the mycotoxins produced by molds. However, taking prescription binders as a detoxification method has the following side effects: upset stomach, indigestion, constipation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Chitosan
Chitosan is a type of sugar obtained from the exoskeleton of shellfish (i.e., shrimp, crab, lobster) and is often used to regulate high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Experts in alternative medicine claim that chitosan is capable of binding mycotoxins and heavy metals. It can also act as a probiotic or food for the good bacteria in your gut. However, its efficacy heavily depends on the body’s pH.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a natural absorbent substance formed from volcanic ash. It is often used for its cosmetic and medical properties.
Throughout history, bentonite clay has been used to detoxify the skin and heal the body. Some studies4 suggest that it can remove the mycotoxins and pesticides present in foodstuff, as well as eliminate the heavy metals in your bloodstream.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is a harmless and amorphous form of silicon dioxide often used to absorb moisture. It is also popular in treating food poisoning and acute gut infections. While silica is able to absorb microbial toxins, its effectiveness is limited to your gut area.
Citrus Pectin
Pectin is a type of soluble fiber often found in most fruits and plants. In its natural state, pectin cannot be digested by humans. However, a modified state in the form of citrus pectin enables the body to digest it and benefit from its nutritional properties.
Most people take citrus pectin to regulate their cholesterol levels and help bind heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium in the bloodstream.
Zeolite
Zeolites are tiny, porous minerals that are widely used in water purification and other similar processes. Despite their chemistry, zeolites are capable of binding harmful heavy metals and other toxins in the bloodstream. They help break down the toxins into microscopic levels, enabling them to get more easily excreted from the system.
Ozone
Medical ozone gas is produced by passing pure oxygen through an ozone generator. Ozone is mainly used to detoxify foodstuff and feed while they are in storage, thereby reducing the chance of people ingesting mycotoxins.
However, some also use it as a way to disinfect the bloodstream through intravenous, intramuscular, or insufflation techniques.
Conclusion
Detoxification is important in eliminating the possible sources of chronic diseases. Although there are many methods for detoxifying, using toxin binders is proven to be the safest, most effective, and least invasive option in the market.
The benefits of using detoxification binders often outweigh their side effects. For this reason, people who are looking to cleanse their bodies of toxins should seriously consider trying this natural method as a way to rid themselves of the toxins they acquire from the environment.
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References
- Becker, C. (n.d.). Mycotoxin Management: Why toxin binders are indispensable. Retrieved from https://www.biochem.net/en/current-news/news/2020/mycotoxin-management-why-toxin-binders-are-indispensable.html
- Carnahan, J. (n.d.). Safe and effective detox binders that actually work. Retrieved from https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2017/11/13/safe-effective-detox-binders/
- Jacela, J., DeRouchey, J. M., Tokach, M. D., Goodband, R. D., Nelssen, J. L., Renter, D. G., & Dritz, S. S. (2010). Feed additives for swine: Fact sheets – flavors and mold inhibitors, mycotoxin binders, and antioxidants. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 18, 27–32. doi: 10.4148/2378-5977.7069
- Watts, T., & Davidson, J. (2020, May 1). 9 old-school toxin binders (plus, meet a better binder). Retrieved from https://microbeformulas.com/blogs/microbe-formulas/9-old-school-toxin-binders-plus-meet-a-better-binder
