By Frances Albrecht, M.S., C.N.

A gentle cleansing can benefit the body in myriad ways including improved health, mental clarity, restful sleep and recharged vitality. 

Every day we're bombarded by an assortment of poisons. The daily accumulation of metabolic byproducts, environmental pollutants, pharmaceutical drug residues and chemicals in processed food can result in toxicity within our bodies. A healthy diet and natural detoxification supplements such as herbs and nutrients can help stimulate internal cleansing.

    The benefits of internal cleansing include improved health, mental clarity, restful sleep, enhanced immune strength, clear skin and recharged vitality. If your body would appreciate a gentle cleanse, here's what you need to know. Please seek the advice of your health care practitioner before beginning a cleanse.

What Is Internal Cleansing?

Internal cleansing encompasses a variety of methods to rid the body of accumulated irritants, waste products and toxins, while restoring intestinal and organ health. "Toxins" refer to substances that can provoke inflammatory and other negative reactions in the body. One class of substances called endogenous toxins (literally meaning "originating inside") are poisons produced internally as a metabolism by-product.

     Some endogenous toxins can be destructive. For example, endotoxins formed by bacteria or yeasts absorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body have been implicated in many diseases including ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, allergies and immune disorders, say Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., and Michael Murray, in The Textbook of Natural Medicine (Prima Press).

    A second class of substances called exogenous toxins ("originating outside") includes all forms of industrial chemicals, pesticides, solvents, drugs and food additives. For example, each year the average American is exposed to 14 pounds of food preservatives, additives, waxes (used to preserve produce), colorings, flavorings, antimicrobials, and pesticide and herbicide residue. 

    In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that approximately 70,000 chemicals were commonly used in pesticides, foods and drugs, according to Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N., in Digestive Wellness (Keats). Exposure to some chemicals can have serious health consequences including psychological and neurological damage. Symptoms manifest in a variety of ways and may include depression, headaches, mental confusion, abnormal nerve reflexes or other signs of impaired nervous system function, as well as higher incidence of cancers and respiratory tract allergies, according to Pizzorno and Murray. 

    The primary goal of internal cleansing is to improve the liver's function and restore good gastrointestinal health. The liver is the largest gland of the body (a normal liver weighs about 2.5 pounds) and is located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity. The liver, one of the body's most complex organs, is responsible for cleansing endogenous and exogenous toxins from the body. To do this, the liver transforms fat-soluble chemicals into water-soluble compounds so the body doesn't store them in fat but instead releases them via the kidneys and bowels.

    The liver also metabolizes proteins, fats and carbohydrates (thus providing energy and nutrients); processes blood hemoglobin for use of its iron content; stores vitamins and minerals; breaks down and eliminates excess hormones; and produces bile, a yellow-green fluid stored in the gallbladder for secretion into the intestine to emulsify fats.

    The liver detoxifies substances in two steps. Phase I reactions are primarily performed by a group of enzymes called the P450 system. These enzymes have affinities for different drugs, chemicals and other toxins. In addition, they're responsible for starting the process of detoxifying substances such as car exhaust, medications and internally derived molecules including steroid hormones and other end products of metabolism that would be toxic if allowed to accumulate, according to Dan Lukaczer, N.D.

    Phase I reactions produce highly reactive intermediates that are often more dangerous than the original compounds. These intermediates are then handled by the Phase II enzymes. In Phase II, the reactive intermediates are converted to harmless waste products excreted via the urine or bile, which binds with digested food in the intestine to form stool. Sluggish Phase I or Phase II function can result in the buildup of toxic intermediate products.

    When the liver works properly, detoxification occurs effectively, and the human body can tolerate a wide range of substances without any noticeable side effects. However, when the body is exposed to toxic substances that are difficult to neutralize such as many forms of pesticides, or if the liver isn't working optimally, toxicity and disease can occur. 

    Some substances can inhibit the liver's detoxification abilities. For example, cimetidine, an ulcer medication, limits the liver's ability to detoxify foreign substances, resulting in a buildup of toxic compounds in the liver, according to Lipski. Inefficient detoxification is suspected to play a role in many diseases and can lead to toxic reactions such as inflammation, arthritis and skin disorders. It may also play an important role in difficult-to-treat illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome.

7 Liver Cleansers

Despite the array of damaging substances presented daily to the liver this organ has an amazing ability to restore itself. Listed below are some of the natural substances commonly used to help detoxify the body and support liver function and regeneration.

1. Milk thistle. Silymarin, a flavonoid (plant pigment) extracted from the milk thistle plant, protects the liver by inhibiting factors responsible for liver cell damage— free radicals and leukotrienes (a form of the hormone-like substances called prostaglandins). Silymarin can also alter the structure of the outer walls of liver cells so poisons can't penetrate. In addition, silymarin stimulates protein synthesis of the liver cells, which helps the liver regenerate itself after damage, says herbalist Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., in Milk Thistle—The Liver Herb (Botanica Press). Silymarin inhibits depletion of glutathione (one of the liver's most important antioxidant enzymes) induced by alcohol and other liver toxins.

2. Dandelion root. "The chief benefits of this herb are exerted upon the function of the liver. It has the capacity to clear obstructions and stimulate the liver to detoxify poison," says Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., in The Way of Herbs (Washington Square Press). Dandelion is a diuretic, thus helping eliminate toxins from the body via the urine. It also helps stimulate bile flow. (Bile flow facilitates elimination.) Dandelion also helps release bile from the liver, important because if the liver doesn't eliminate bile, it can suffer damage. Much of the beneficial action of this herb on the liver and blood results from its high content of easily assimilated minerals.

3. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC is a form of the amino acid cysteine converted to the important antioxidant and liver-supportive enzyme glutathione in the body. NAC has shown significant ability to enhance Phase II detoxification reactions in the liver.

4. Artichoke. Studies show that artichoke leaves contain compounds called caffeylquinic acids including cynarin, which have demonstrated liver-regenerating effects similar to milk thistle's (Arcneim-Forsch, 1968, as cited by Murray and Pizzorno).

5. Phospholipids (lecithin). Phospholipids, a form of fat, help maintain integrity of body cells including liver cells. Research conducted by Charles Lieber, M.D., of New York's Mt. Sinai School of Medicine indicates that the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine (PC), also known as lecithin, can help normalize bile function and regenerate damaged tissue. PC may be useful in treating hepatitis, a serious liver disease. In addition, PC protects the liver against choline deficiency. Choline, which is generally considered a vitamin, is essential for fat metabolism. It helps prevent the deposition of fats in the liver, guarding against fatty liver damage. PC also protects against damage from an array of toxic substances including alcohol and pharmaceutical medications.

6. Turmeric. This common spice helps regenerate liver cells and cleanse the liver of toxins. Turmeric also increases the production of bile and may help reduce liver inflammation, says Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., in his book Herb Bible (Simon & Schuster). Turmeric has been shown to increase levels of two liver-supporting enzymes: glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and UDP glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT), important for the promotion of Phase II detoxification reactions (Plant Foods & Human Nutrition, 1993, vol. 44, no. 1). In addition, turmeric has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, Murray and Pizzorno say. 

7. Diet. For optimum liver function, you should try to eat a diet rich in fiber and plant foods, low in refined sugar and fat, and as free from pesticides and pollutants as possible. Liver cleansing regimes typically emphasize consuming simple diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables (naturally rich sources of the antioxidant vitamins and minerals used as liver enzyme co-factors) and free of animal foods, processed foods, and artificial food additives, preservatives or colorings.

    If you consume alcohol, prescription or nonprescription drugs, take extra antioxidant nutrients and herbs to stimulate detoxification of these drugs. Supporting the liver is particularly important if your job involves applying pesticides, paints, solvents or toxic chemicals. Heavy use of Tylenol (acetaminophen), which destroys glutathione when combined with alcohol intake, also causes liver damage. If you're undergoing long-term medication, consult your health professional for information on how to protect and support your liver.

More Herbs for Internal Cleansing

Cleansing the blood and the intestinal tract while you cleanse the liver enhances your purification program. Blood can contain potentially dangerous substances such as pesticides, herbicides, viral particles, yeast cells and bacteria, according to Christopher Hobbs in Foundations of Health (Botanica Press). Blood cleansers may stimulate increased blood flow through the liver, relieving congestion, and help eliminate wastes and toxins through the skin, kidneys, breath and bowels. These herbs help cleanse the blood:

Burdock is recommended primarily as a blood purifier, says Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., in The Honest Herbal (Haworth Press). This herb helps rid the body of toxins through sweating and increased urine flow. Burdock promotes kidney function to help clear the blood of harmful acids. It contains iron, which carries oxygen from the tissue to the lungs.

Red clover helps cleanse the blood by eliminating metabolic waste products through the skin, kidneys, breath and bowels. It also increases the activity and efficiency of phagocytes, immune cells that engulf and remove wastes and organisms from the blood and mucus, according to Hobbs.

For cleaning the intestinal tract, use a gel-forming fiber such as psyllium seed or oat bran to prevent reabsorption of toxic chemicals dumped into the intestinal tract by the bile, Murray and Pizzorno say. Also, occasional use of a natural laxative may be helpful. Caution: Long-term use of any laxative may lead to habitual use.

Here are some natural intestinal cleaners:

Psyllium is used in most detoxification regimens as an intestinal binder and laxative. Psyllium is a bind toxins released by cleansing practices and safely remove them from the body.

Senna, an herb laxative that's used to elimination, works within 12 hours of ingestion through its biochemical triggering of peristalsis, the muscular contractions along the colon that lead to emptying the bowels, says David Hoffmann, M.N.I.M.H., in An Elders' Herbal (Healing Arts Press). Senna is commonly used in combination with psyllium to promote elimination of bound toxins.

This information is not intended to replace medical advice.