It may not be as easy as just going to the gym and eating right.
Recent research by scientists has shown that environmental toxins can cause obesity in people who eat unhealthy foods and use harmful products at home.
Our bodies are designed to eliminate unwanted toxins naturally and continuously. If the liver, digestive system and kidneys don’t work optimally, these toxic substances can literally become embedded in fat cells, where they can be stored for many years.
It could be possible to get rid of stubborn weight by understanding how to remove toxins from your fat cells.
How can toxins be removed from fat cells?
Let’s first look at the reasons your body stores fat toxins and what you can do to change it.
Why is your body storing toxins in fat?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ran a program called National Human Adipose Tissue Survey in the 1980s.
The researchers found trace amounts of four industrial solvents in all human fat samples, as well as one dioxin. A further nine chemicals, including three dioxins, were also found in the grease samples. On average, 83% of the samples contained PCBs ( 1). Trusted resourcePubMed CentreHighly respected database of National Institutes of Health .
Dioxins can be described as a group of toxic chemical substances that includes chlorinated dibenzop-dioxins, chlorinated dimebenzofurans (CDF), certain polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. They can be formed by combustion processes like waste incineration and forest fires, as well as chlorine bleaching of pulp, paper, smoking and herbicide manufacturing ( 2). They can also be found in drinking water.
Two types of toxins can enter the body.
- Water Soluble Toxins: toxins that can be easily eliminated from the body via the blood, kidneys, and lungs.
- Fat-soluble Toxins: Toxins that are not water-soluble must first be converted by your liver before they can be eliminated.
Fat-soluble toxicities include heavy metals and pesticides as well as plastics, plastics preservatives, food additives, and other environmental chemicals.
These fat-soluble toxins can remain in our bodies for many years if our detoxification organs such as the liver and kidneys are not functioning optimally.
How does the liver eliminate toxins from the body
Healthy functioning liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. Bile is used to digest fats. Bile can also be used to eliminate toxins and worn-out red blood cell cells.
Digesting food can cause both toxic and nutritious fats to be transferred from the stomach into the small intestine. Bile is secreted by the liver and gallbladder.
There are millions of tiny villi in the small intestine. These “hairs”, which look like fingernails, sweep the intestine and emulsify fats, sending harmful fats to the liver.
This pathway can fail at any time in a person’s life. The body will store toxic fats rather than eliminating them.
Gut-associated Lymphatic tissue
GALT (gut-associated lymphatic tissue) is the foundation of the body’s lymphatic systems. It surrounds the entire intestinal tract. These tiny microvilli and milk absorb and process both nutritious and toxic fats. Good fats or those that are nutritious are used to fuel, cholesterol, hormones and brain cells. Toxicity fats are removed for disposal.
The body stores toxic fats rather than eliminating them if it becomes clogged in the lymphatic system.
The toxic fats are then recirculated in the blood, and eventually become part of the fat cells in the body. These toxins can remain stored for years and cause cell damage and free radical damage. They can cause weight gain by interfering with metabolism.
The signs of a congested GALT are:
- Swelling
- Allergies
- Extra weight around the stomach
- Hypersensitivities
- Itching or irritation of the skin
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen feet and hands
- Problems with elimination (constipation, diarrhea)
- Sometimes, there are headaches
These toxins can cause unwanted weight gain and even diabetes. ( 3). Trusted resourcePubMed CentreHighly respected database of National Institutes of Health .
These chemicals can cause problems in the body’s ability to balance blood sugar or metabolize cholesterol. This can eventually lead to insulin resistance, and eventually diabetes.
You can see that getting rid of these toxic substances is crucial if you want to feel good and look your best.
How do you remove toxins from fat cells
Poor toxin elimination can be caused by food allergies, excess body weight, poor diet, high stress levels, and excessive body mass. You can make small, but significant changes on your own to make a difference.
These suggestions can help you get rid of toxins naturally.
1. Detox
Although detox may sound scary, it is not as difficult as you might think. Every day, our bodies detox naturally. To improve this process and maintain a smooth running operation, you must support it.
The liver can be kept clean by periodically detoxing it. You can either take a variety herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion root, or you can do a juice cleanse incorporating liver-supporting juices.
You should consume at least 3-4 liters of spring or filtered water each day. Because tap water is full of chemicals, I recommend spring or filtered water. Hydrating your kidneys will improve your ability to eliminate toxins from your blood.
You should also make an effort to eat organic food instead of using conventional foods and to clean your home with natural products. Your body will work harder to get rid of toxins the more you expose it to.
2. Take care of your health
Another important aspect of keeping your body healthy is eating right. To increase your fiber intake, eat a variety of plant-based food. To absorb the bile, you need enough dietary fiber.
Reduce the consumption of prepackaged, boxed, and processed foods. Also, eliminate alcohol and caffeine. Eliminate all refined sugars, sweeteners and preservatives. You should be aware of your sensitivities to dairy and gluten, as these foods can cause more inflammation.
All fruits, cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens are good options and packed with nutrients.
Drinking 3-4 liters per day of water (ideally 20-30 minutes before you eat) is a good option if constipation is a problem. A daily probiotic, or simply putting 1-2 tablespoons flaxseed on every meal can help with elimination.
3. Get in shape
To avoid toxic overload, it is important to stay active. Your body’s largest organ of elimination, the skin, will be helped by sweating. A sauna is a great option, because it stimulates sweating which helps flush out toxins faster.
Moving more will stimulate your lymphatic system and cardiovascular system. Moving will help you get rid of toxins and keep your body young and healthy.
You can consider activities such as swimming, rebounding and yoga. At least 30 minutes per week is a goal.
4. Relax
Inflammation is caused by stress. Cortisol is released when stress causes a temporary halt in digestion. This can cause problems with your GALT’s ability to exchange fats and nutrients.
You can try different relaxation techniques like art therapy, conscious breath, meditation, yoga, or listening to this song.
Intentional breath work is something I enjoy doing. It helps oxygenate the body and brain. Deep breathing can help to open up clogged lungs from years of shallow breath.
Breath work is best done with my back on the ground. This allows my legs to stretch out on the couch or bed. Then, I place one hand on each side of my chest and the other on my belly. Now I focus on inhaling only with my belly. If your chest is moving, you can feel it with your hands. To ensure your chest remains flat, let your breath lift only the belly. Hold for 10 seconds, inhale, hold for three seconds, then exhale. This can be done for between 5-10 minutes each day.
The bottom line
You may have toxins that are preventing you from losing weight, even if you exercise and eat right.
Fat-soluble toxins that aren’t easily removed by a blocked detoxification system can linger for years in the body, leading to problems such as fat gain, fatigue and diabetes.
You can flush out toxins by supporting your detox system, eating healthier, exercising more, and stressing less.
