Transcript 7 Paths of Elimination

The Paths and Importance of
Elimination in the Body
Catherine Oshin
Nat 211
Discuss all of the eliminative routes. Why is
elimination such an important part of overall
health?
disclaimer
• “This information is for education only
and is not meant to diagnose, treat or
prescribe for any disease or medical
condition”
• “Information on herbs and supplements
has not been evaluated by the FDA”
Toxins in the Body
• The body has many ways to eliminate, or get rid of,
toxins and waste.
• Every cell in the body metabolizes food, creating both
energy and waste products.
• Additional toxins may be ingested through food, water,
and air pollution. Even the most pristine organic diet
cannot protect you from toxins in the environment.
• These substances are toxic to the body and cause
imbalances if not eliminated promptly and properly.
• The initial disturbance may appear in the eliminatory
organs, particularly the skin, but if not corrected may
cause serious acute or chronic illness.
The constant elimination of toxins from the body allows a free and
natural flow of energy, and is essential for optimal health.
Image from http://www.howtocleanseyourcolon.org/detoxing-body
The Six Organs of Elimination
• The Skin
– Through perspiration
• The Bowel
– Through feces
• The Lungs
– Exchange of CO2 for O2
• The Kidneys
– Through urine
• The Lymphatic system
– Filters intercellular fluids in all tissues
• The Liver
– Filters blood and aids in digestion
Skin
• The skin is the largest organ in the body, and
one of the first to show signs of toxicity or faulty
elimination.
• The skin is able to dispose of many fluid and
mineral waste products through perspiration.
• Often referred to as the third kidney, the skin
receives 30% of circulating blood and can
eliminate an equal portion of toxins.
• A great way to boost this system is through
exercise, steams or saunas, dry skin brushing,
and drinking plenty of pure water.
Baths, especially with clay, dead
sea salts or epsom salts, along
with herbs and essential oils are
very helpful to boost skin
detoxification and skin health.
Try one handful of epsom salts in a bath with 1-2 drops each lavender and rosemary
essential oils.
Add about 1 tsp olive oil to prevent drying out your skin.
After 10 minutes leave the bath because your skin will start to reabsorb the toxins.
http://www.anointment.ca/images/bathsalts/anoi-seasalt.jpg
Bowel
• The large intestine, or bowel, is the last organ of the
digestive system.
• It disposes of undigested food, toxic bi-products of
digestion, and other toxins and microbes from the
digestive tract.
• The same blood that circulates through the bowel also
circulates to the brain. Toxins can be reabsorbed into the
blood from a stagnant or toxic colon.
• It is important to have daily (ideally one for each meal)
bowel movements. They should be easy to pass and not
foul smelling.
• Increasing fiber and water intake, managing stress, and
regular exercise are the most important factors in
maintaining optimal bowel function.
An interesting diagram
found online at
http://www.gravitycolonhy
drotherapy.com/2009/10/b
enefits-colonhydrotherapy/
This site promotes
detoxification through
colon hydrotherapy, or
“colonics”. This chart
suggests that the health
of the colon affects the
body through reflexology
as do the feet, ears, and
spine.
Lungs
• The lungs dispose of gaseous waste products,
especially carbon dioxide (CO2) through
expiration. Toxins are exhaled before fresh
oxygen rich air is moved into the lungs.
• The lungs also trap particulates like dust and
bacteria that are inhaled. These are mostly
trapped in the mucous lining of the respiratory
tract, and expelled through coughing.
• There are also phogocytic cells that consume
toxins in the lining of the lungs.
• Clean air, water, exercise, and good posture are
all important for respiratory health.
YOGA
Besides providing
useful breathing
exercises, or
Pranayama, that
strengthen the lung,
Yoga provides poses
like the Camel, shown
here, that help to open
and restore the lungs.
In yoga all backbending poses open
the heart, or lung,
chakra.
Image from http://www.adelaideyoga.com.au/asanas.php
Liver
• The liver is the most important organ of
detoxification. The liver’s function is to
chemically detoxify (or reduce the toxicity of)
substances in the bloodstream.
• It works closely with the digestive and circulatory
systems. The livers helps break down and
distribute products of digestion.
• Liver health has a lot to do with not
overburdening your body with toxins, minimizing
stress, and using detoxifying foods and herbs,
even supervised fasting at the change of
seasons.
A summary of liver detoxification actions and pathways found online at
http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=548
Kidneys
• The kidneys filter about 20% of the blood in the
body each minute. Toxins and excess minerals
and fluids are filtered out and eliminated as
urine.
• The kidneys use blood pressure to filter, so it is
important to have a healthy BP. Chronic
hypertension can cause renal failure.
• Kidney health depends on adequate water
intake, and avoiding alcohol and sugars.
Your Kidneys Working for You
http://www.renalresource.com/images/ipd02.jpg
Lymphatic System
• The lymphatic system works continuously to
filter all of the intercellular fluid in the tissues of
the body. It is the most important part of the
immune system.
• The lymphatic system is made up of a system of
ducts that spread throughout the body and flow
in one direction.
• These ducts pass through lymph nodes, small
filtering units that capture toxins and invading
organisms.
• Lymphatic flow relies
on physical
movement (exercise
or massage) to
circulate because it
does not have a
pump.
• Water, exercise,
massage, saunas,
and fasting can help
maintain a healthy
lymphatic and
immune system.
Image at http://www.tabmassage.com/images/lymphatic_system.jpg
conclusion
• The body’s ability to detoxify through the six
organs of elimination, is of utmost importance to
the overall health of the individual.
• When too many toxins occupy the systems it
becomes more difficult to deliver nutrients and
oxygen to the cells, causing a gradual decline in
health and slower regeneration of tissues.
• When toxins build up and re-circulate through
the bloodstream this causes the body to actually
poison itself leading to imbalance and disease.
References
• Thibodeau and Patton, “Structure and
Function”, 13th ed. Revised 2008
• ACHS class lecture material Nat211 and
Nat101