In a world full of busy lives and health pursuits, we often hear a variety of advice on how to "cleanse the body" and "detoxify the body". Especially among our middle-aged and elderly friends, it seems that intestinal cleansing has become a popular practice, and many people believe that it can help them "clean the body of toxins" and thus achieve a state of health. But how do you react when an experienced health professional tells you that doing so may not be as good for your health as you think?
Yes, you heard it right. While bowel cleansing may sound like an ideal way to thoroughly cleanse our internal environment, the voices of scientific research and medical professionals offer a different perspective. In fact, our bodies are endowed with an ingenious system capable of effectively removing toxins and waste products without our excessive intervention. Excessive washing, especially in certain parts of our body, can not only be unnecessary, but can also sometimes have negative effects.
Gut: Nature's Efficient Cleaner
Before exploring why we don't need to interfere excessively with gut cleansing, it's crucial to first understand how the gut itself manages and removes waste from the body. Not only is the gut the longest organ in our body, but it is also an exquisite ecosystem that has more self-regulating and cleansing capabilities than we can imagine.
Natural cleaning process
The gut naturally eliminates waste and toxins through several mechanisms. First, the peristaltic movement of the intestinal wall helps substances move through the digestive system, a natural and continuous process that ensures the smooth passage of food scraps and other waste products and their eventual excretion. In addition, the intestinal mucosa secretes mucus, which not only helps in the digestive process, but also protects the intestinal wall from harmful substances and promotes the excretion of waste.
The role of the gut microbiome
The microbiota in the gut, also known as the gut microbiota, is essential for maintaining gut health. These microbes help break down the complex carbohydrates we ingest through our diet to produce important nutrients and vitamins, while also participating in metabolic processes that transform useless or harmful substances. What's more, they protect us from infection by inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms through competitive rejection mechanisms.
Risk of over-washing
Although bowel cleansing may sound like a way to improve gut health and overall well-being, over-cleansing can actually upset this delicate balance, leading to an imbalance in the gut flora, which can trigger a range of problems, including but not limited to indigestion, decreased immune system function, and even nutrient malabsorption. What's more, frequent bowel cleansing procedures can lead to damage to the intestinal wall, increasing the risk of infection.
The wisdom of self-preservation
The gut's ability to cleanse itself is an ingenious mechanism that has evolved over millions of years and is a testament to the wisdom of nature and the body's ability to heal itself. By maintaining a healthy diet, adequate water intake, and moderate levels of physical activity, we can support this natural process without resorting to excessive interventions.
The body's natural detoxification project: the self-purifying system is revealed
In the pursuit of health, we often hear about the need to "clean the body of toxins" through various methods. However, what many people don't know is that our bodies already have a highly effective natural detoxification system. This system is made up of major organs such as the liver, kidneys, skin, and lungs, which work together to keep the body clean and healthy from the inside out.
Liver: Nature's chemical treatment plant
The liver is the body's chemical processing plant, responsible for processing almost everything we ingest, converting harmful substances into harmless substances so that they can be excreted from the body. It uses a complex array of chemical reactions to break down drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins, reducing the burden on the body. The function of the liver is essential for maintaining overall health, and by eating a sensible diet and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, we can support its proper functioning without the need for additional "cleansing" interventions.
Kidneys: Filters
The kidneys are the main filtration system in our body, responsible for removing waste and excess water from the blood, forming urine. They constantly filter the blood, remove toxins and metabolic waste, and maintain fluid balance and electrolyte balance. Drinking water in moderation is key to supporting kidney health, and it helps the kidneys remove waste products more efficiently.
Skin: The protective wall of the body
The skin is not only the largest organ of the body, but also a complex system of protection, expelling salt, water and certain waste products from the body through sweat. In addition, the skin blocks the invasion of external toxins. Maintaining good skin health means maintaining this barrier function rather than disrupting its natural balance by over-washing.
Lungs: Cleaners in breath
The lungs excrete carbon dioxide from the body through the process of respiration and filter out some of the harmful substances during the air exchange process. Deep breathing not only helps to relax the body and mind, but also supports the natural cleansing function of the lungs. Keeping indoor air fresh and avoiding smoking can protect lung health and reduce the amount of harmful substances that need to be disposed of.