How to Help Your Body Detox in a World Full of Chemicals

Our bodies are incredibly smart and resilient. Thanks to organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, the lymphatic system, and the skin, we are able to process and eliminate waste and toxins on a daily basis. We often hear, “But that’s what your liver is for,” and that’s true - our bodies are equipped with a beautifully designed detox system.

But here’s the catch: that system was designed for a world that looks very different from today.

Nowadays, we are exposed daily to hundreds of foreign substances through food, personal care products, cleaning agents, clothing, air pollution, microplastics, and much more. Many of these substances are relatively new (so-called xenobiotics) and can accumulate in the body faster than they can be eliminated.

Some substances, like PFAS (the “forever chemicals”) and microplastics, are hardly biodegradable and can persist in the body for years. Other chemicals, such as endocrine disruptors, mimic natural hormones. This can confuse the hormonal system over time, subtly but persistently affecting mood, energy, fertility, or metabolism.

Thankfully, our bodies are equipped with detox organs such as the liver, kidneys, and intestines. But the question is: can these organs really keep up with the sheer amount of toxins we take in on a daily basis? Or have we reached a point where extra support is needed to help the body clear them out?

When the body can no longer fully manage this daily load, the liver becomes overburdened, and waste products are temporarily or even permanently stored in fat tissue. This process of accumulation can contribute to a wide range of symptoms, even if you don’t feel seriously ill right away.

Common signs of overload include:

• Chronic fatigue or brain fog

• Hormonal fluctuations, PMS, or PCOS

• Digestive issues, such as bloating or irritable bowel

• Skin problems (acne, eczema, itching)

• Sleep disturbances or difficulty falling asleep

• Uncontrollable appetite or cravings

• Sensitivity to smells, foods, or stimuli

• Low immunity or often feeling “almost sick”

• Mood swings, restlessness, or anxiety

In the United States, an estimated 129 million people suffer from at least one serious chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, or hypertension. In the Netherlands, as of January 2023, 10.6 million people (60% of the population) had one or more chronic conditions, and in England, 26 million people were living with chronic illness in 2023. Looking at these numbers, it’s hard to deny that something is seriously wrong - and it raises the question of whether our bodies can still handle the toxic overload.

Research also shows that chronic disease is not solely determined by genetics or heredity. Environmental factors, lifestyle, and nutrition play an enormous role in how our health develops. This is where epigenetics comes in - the study of how genes can be switched on or off without changing the DNA code itself. Epigenetics explains why nutrition, stress, toxins, and lifestyle choices directly influence which genes are active in our bodies.

As Dr. Hulda Clark once said: “What if every mysteriously ill person was always found to have some unsuspected parasite or pollutant?”

Let’s take a closer look at the most important detox organs and what they actually do:

• The liver performs over 500 different functions. It produces bile (which aids in digesting fats and eliminating waste), helps fight infection, stores vitamins and minerals, removes glucose from the blood and stores it as glycogen, and much more.

• The kidneys filter your blood, balance essential minerals and vitamins, help produce red blood cells, remove toxins, and excrete excess fluids.

• The colon receives food that is almost completely digested from the cecum, absorbs water and nutrients, and passes waste (stool) to the rectum for elimination, carrying toxins with it.

• The lungs provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide, regulate the temperature and humidity of inhaled air, protect against dust and pathogens, play a role in speech, and help maintain the pH balance of the blood.

• The skin is not only the largest organ of the body, but it also plays a crucial role in detoxification. It acts as a barrier against environmental toxins and pathogens. Through sweating, the skin helps eliminate certain waste products and heavy metals. It also regulates body temperature and contributes to immune function, while maintaining hydration and protecting underlying tissues. 

Together, your liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin work hard to keep your system clear.

And then there is your lymphatic system - an often-overlooked but crucial drainage network. When the body is overloaded, the lymphatic system can become congested, making it harder to clear toxins effectively. If drainage pathways aren’t working properly, toxins, bacteria, viruses, cholesterol, or bile can recirculate into the bloodstream instead of being eliminated. Over time, this buildup can cause imbalances and damage within the body.

So how do we best support our detox organs and pathways?

When our systems are heavily burdened, full-body detox practices can be helpful: colon cleansing, liver and kidney cleanses, and targeted detoxing from parasites or heavy metals. While deeper protocols are often needed, daily support always starts with the basics:

• Eating an anti-inflammatory diet

• Drinking filtered water

• Reducing toxic load by choosing natural and organic products

• Supporting the liver with herbs and supplements such as TUDCA or milk thistle

• Using binders like activated charcoal to help remove toxins

• Applying castor oil packs to stimulate liver function

• Dry brushing to open lymphatic drainage

• Gentle rebounding to stimulate circulation

• Staying hydrated with electrolytes and minerals

Another overlooked element: breathing through the nose. Your nose filters the air you breathe, while your mouth does not. Chronic mouth breathing, especially during sleep, can lead to dental problems, snoring, or sleep apnea - and unfiltered air bypasses one of your body’s natural defenses. Even something as simple as training yourself to breathe through your nose, or using mouth tape at night, can make a significant difference.

All of these practices - from nutrition to breathing to targeted detox protocols - are ways to lighten the toxic burden and help your body eliminate more efficiently. And if you’re already struggling with symptoms (as so many people are today, whether mild or severe), it may be wise to go deeper with a guided detox and then transition to sustainable long-term support through food, lifestyle, and supplementation.

Written by Michelle Engelbarts, certified Detox Practitioner through The Detox Practitioner's School. Connect with Michelle HERE.