DETOX
Detox, short for detoxification, in general is the removal
of toxic substances from the body. It is one of the major functions of the
liver, lower gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, but can also be achieved
artificially by techniques such as dialysis and (in a very limited number
of cases) chelation therapy.
Alcohol
Detoxification
Alcohol detoxification is used as a form of drug rehabilitation to treat alcoholism
or other drug addiction. The process involves abstinence to clear the drug
from the body, accompanied by social and environmental support during the
associated physiological and psychological changes.
Metabolic
Detoxification
An animal's metabolism can produce harmful substances which it can then make
less toxic through oxidation, conjugation and excretion of molecules from
cells or tissues. This is called xenobiotic metabolism. Enzymes that are important
in detoxification metabolism include cytochrome P450 oxidases,UDP-glucuronosyltransferasess,and
glutathione S-transferases.These processes are particularly well-studied as
part of drug metabolism, as they influence the pharmacokinetics of a drug
in the body.
Alternative
Medicine
Certain approaches in alternative medicine claim to remove toxins from the
body through herbal, electrical or electromagnetic treatments (such as the
Aqua Detox treatment). These toxins are undefined and have little scientific
basis[citation needed], making the validity of such techniques questionable.
There is no evidence for toxic accumulation in these cases[citation needed],
as the liver and kidneys automatically detoxify and excrete many toxic materials
including metabolic wastes. Under this theory if toxins are too rapidly released
without being safely eliminated (such as burning fat that stores toxins) they
can damage the body and cause malaise.
Diet
Detoxification
Certain diets have an underlying assumption that the body accumulates toxins
that must be removed, especially after periods of over-eating or the consumption
of non-nutritious and processed foods. As with alternative medicine, the 'toxins'
removed are undefined and are ascribed to foods, the environment and the body's
own wastes.(1)
source
: wikipedia