A Quick Guide To Using Intestinal Binders For Detox

In today’s world, we’re bombarded regularly with chemicals and toxins found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Substances that we use to clean and sanitize our living spaces are laden with chemical additives, heavy metals, and other toxins that enter our bodies, build up in our systems, and potentially wreak havoc on our health.

Before you get too discouraged by this bleak picture, realize that we all have the potential within ourselves to deal with this chemical overload through natural systems of detoxification. While we may not be able to control the speed at which toxic chemicals are coming at us, knowing a few key things about the detoxification processes of the body will help you to make informed decisions about how to cleanse your body and maintain a state of optimal health…

Toxins: A Problem For Everyone

Regardless of whether one feels hale and hearty or rundown and sickly, there’s some measure of toxic buildup swimming in everyone. Pathogens, bacteria, heavy metals, and other substances that the body cannot naturally assimilate build up over time, causing illness, chronic inflammation, and disease. While there are entire organs and systems of the body that are devoted specifically to the detoxification process, our potential for toxic overload can sometimes overwhelm even the most efficient cleansing system, threatening our health.

Detoxification: A Tireless Pursuit

Your body comes equipped with a liver, kidneys, and other systems of elimination and detoxification that provide natural pathways for getting rid of toxins. The problem is that few people have detoxification systems that work efficiently enough to deal with the increasingly toxic overload supplied to us courtesy of the modern world. Over time, we find that toxic accumulation has built up in our blood, organs, and tissues, and it can even begin to recirculate in our bodies to do additional damage if toxins are not removed.

This process, known as enterohepatic recirculation, introduces toxins that have already been processed by the liver back into the bloodstream. Your liver must then work to eliminate toxic overload before it does additional damage to other systems of the body such as the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the immune system. How do we keep up with this cleansing ritual, and provide the body some of the critical relief that it needs from toxins so it can get down to the business of creating vibrant health?

Binders: An Essential Part Of Any Cleansing Protocol

Adding an intestinal binder to any detoxification protocol is essential for thorough cleansing to occur. Binders prevent the enterohepatic recirculation process from occurring repeatedly, and work to draw out harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants from your body. A variety of different binders have an affinity for certain toxins; knowing what type of detoxification you need to do will be a crucial element in selecting a binder that’ll do the dirty work for you.

The following list of intestinal binders is intended to give an overview of safe, effective, toxin-specific elements designed to flush excess toxicity from your body. As is always recommended, talk to your doctor or medical care team about the best detoxification supplements and protocols for you, according to your current state of health.

• Chlorella – Chlorella is a green algae that effortlessly binds to substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and mycotoxins. It’s safe for use for extended periods of time, as it won’t bind to nutrients and minerals that are intended for use by the body. If you consume tuna or swordfish regularly, consider adding chlorella to your list of supplements for better digestive health.
• Spirulina and Ecklonia Cava – These two substances are also found in the algae family, and they’ll perform many of the same binding functions as chlorella. You’ll often find supplements that contain both spirulina and chlorella, as their detoxification functions complement each other well.
• Chitosan – Chitosan is a derivative of shellfish; it’s capable of binding to bile salts that emulsify fat, thereby reducing fat absorption in the body. It also helps to bind and remove conjugated toxins present in these bile salts. Chitosan also binds well with mercury, helping to reduce the effects of mercury genotoxicity.
• Clay – Certain types of clay – such as pyrophyllite, zeolite, and bentonite clays – help to detoxify the body and improve digestive efficiency. The use of clay for healing and detoxification dates back to civilizations found in the Andes, where people carried around hardened balls of clay for consumption. These clay pellets were thought to combat the harmful effects of excess mold toxicity and bacterial fungus found in contaminated water; clay is quite effective at absorbing both excess liquid and toxins and flushing them from the body, all while soothing the lining of the digestive tract.
• Enterosgel – This silica-based gel is excellent for binding to aluminum and other endotoxins found in the GI tract; it’s often marketed as an antidote for food poisoning, as it provides a quick exit for any unsavory substances found in the colon.
• Cholestyramine and Welchol – These prescription “drugs” or supplements were developed specifically for binding to cholesterol and removing it from the body. They’re also used frequently to bind mycotoxins.
• Modified Citrus Pectin – This fiber is derived right from the peel and pith of citrus fruits; it has a remarkable ability to bind to heavy metals such as lead and mercury, helping to remove them from the body. When taken consistently, pectin has immuno-regulating properties.
• Humic and Fulvic Acids – Talk about getting back to our roots – these two compounds are essentially composed of dirt and other minerals, and they’re very efficient at removing phosphates from the body.
• Fiber – Fiber is one of the easiest binders to incorporate into a detox protocol; you can find several variations of insoluble fiber in supplement form, or in foods. Fiber is an excellent way to scrub your colon walls clean while removing harmful chemical compounds that can do damage to your health.

Would You Trust Your House To Just Anyone?

Detoxification is a process that should not be taken lightly; while there are thousands of products on the market that “claim” to deliver safe and effective cleansing, the fact is that many of them contain harmful chemicals and ingredients themselves that could be counterproductive to your cleansing efforts. Binders such as clays, activated charcoal, and algae are notorious for having other ingredients added to them that may reduce their effectiveness, and thwart your efforts to detox.

Because different people require different substances in order to detox effectively, it’s advised that you seek the advice of medical professionals, and perhaps undergo a preliminary evaluation before adding binders and detox supplements to your diet. In doing so, you’ll be guided through the process so that you might have a gentler, more pleasant detox experience. Making sure to purchase and use high-quality binders and supplements will be essential as you seek to create vibrant health through detoxification.