Our present-day environment seems to be full of toxins, due mostly to industrialization. The fact is, there are more toxins in our air, water, and soil than ever before. We can try to avoid toxins, but some exposure seems inevitable. So, how do we get rid of toxins that have already been ingested?

First, here's a little bit about one of the categories of common toxins, heavy metals. Some heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury are either found naturally in the soil or are present in fertilizers, pesticides, paints, and many more industrial sources. These are incorporated into plants that are eaten by us or other animals that we eat. At toxic levels these metals can lead to headaches, infertility, digestive problems, impaired kidney function, problems with memory, anxiety, depression, tremors, and cancer. Mercury, originating mostly from burning coal, can be especially high in fish and seafood.

Now on to getting rid of toxins. With the plethora of detox teas available and being purchased, it seems clear that many people feel like they need to detoxify. Unless these teas contain herbs that amplify the liver's detoxification reactions, they are likely not doing much to cause chemicals to be excreted. What does amplify the liver's detoxification reactions (due to glucosinolates) are cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.

Another mechanism by which the body detoxes is modulation of gene expression of the detoxifying liver enzymes. Cruciferous vegetables, fruit, omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids from yellow and green vegetables, and allium vegetables (such as garlic, shallots, chives, and onions) have been shown to activate genes that code for proteins that increase detoxification.

Now back to heavy metals and how those can be expelled. It turns out that sweating is one of the most effective means of eliminating heavy metals. Studies have shown that heavy metals are more concentrated in sweat than in blood or urine, suggesting that saunas or vigorous exercise can help purge these heavy metals.

Finally, here's a summary of how you can expel toxins from your body:

• eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower
• eat plenty of fruit and allium vegetables (those containing sulphur), such as garlic, shallots, chives, and onions
• work up a sweat or sit in a sauna
• get a high-quality water filter, like an under-sink filter, that filters out heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxins. Refrigerator filters are usually not very effective.

I hope you found this post to be helpful, and that you're better informed to evaluate detox teas before buying. Mindfl Tea cares about your health and has demonstrated this with many useful emails on how you can be healthy and well, as well as through our organic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-containing teas.