On February 3, 2023, there were 38 derailed train cars that crashed in Eats Palestine, Ohio, spilling out substances including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene – all materials that are widely considered to be toxic and that could have damaging effects to both humans and the environment. Many people are worried, not just living in Ohio, but surrounding areas, even as far as Toronto, Canada, hence we thought we'd share some key minerals imperative for detoxification to help soothe one's mind.
Number one, let's define detoxification.
Detoxification is the process that our bodies do to convert toxins (heavy metals, pollutants, hormones, mold, etc.) into less toxic compounds so we can remove them from the body. However, the process of removing them is what people define as detoxification, when in fact it's called drainage. This is done by our emunctory organs such as our liver, lungs, gut, lymph, kidneys, skin and colon.
In order for drainage to occur, we need a few things:
- Enough energy (calories)
- Enough nutrients (vitamins and minerals)
- Opened drainage pathways (the ability to remove toxins out of the emunctory organs
Typically, it's easy to eat enough and open up drainage pathways with a few simple changes in lifestyle and diet, but to get enough of specific nutrients can be a little more difficult- especially if we're deficient. Below, we have decided to help list a few essential minerals that are vital for helping with the process of detoxification so you guys can be mindful of them and consider the possibility of supplementation to support yourselves!
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Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including detoxification. It is a cofactor for several enzymes that help to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body such as nickel, cadmium and lead.
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Selenium: Selenium is another important mineral that is involved in the detoxification process. It is a cofactor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. Glutathione is our master antioxidant that supports liver detoxification. Conversely, selenium helps mitigate mercury.
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Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral that is involved in up to 3500 functions and biochemical reactions in the body, including detoxification, specifically the liver. It is a cofactor for several enzymes that help to remove toxins and and antagonizes cadmium and lead.
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Manganese: Manganese is a trace mineral that is important for the detoxification process and is abundantly found in the liver and kidneys serving as a nutrient to support their functions. It is also considered as a co factor for an enzyme called manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) which is the main enzyme that acts similarly to an antioxidant within the cells. With this enzyme, our cells are able to protect themselves from things like oxidative stress, also known as reactive oxygen species.
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Copper: Copper is a trace mineral that is important for the detoxification process. Trace amounts are found in both the brain and liver, but it is a primary mineral for energy production within our cells. As mentioned before, we need adequate energy in order to catalyze detoxification, hence it is a cofactor for several enzymes that do so.
- Sulfur: A main component in helping liver detoxification, specifically in phase 2 where it is supportive as a precursor to utilizing amino acids and can act as a chelating agent for toxins.
If you're someone who is looking to up their drainage game through minerals, definitely check out our stack here below
Upgraded Zinc
Upgraded Selenium
Upgraded Magnesium
Upgraded Manganese
Upgraded Copper
Or book an HTMA consult with one of our practitioners whilst purchasing a kit so you can figure out what you need specifically here!