Blood Detoxification - Michael's Naturopathic Programs

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Blood Detoxification
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Blood Detoxification

Blood is the life stream of the body, affecting every cell and system we possess. The bloodstream is a conglomeration of many different elements, each working in a specific way to keep us alive. There are three main types of cells in the bloodstream. Red blood cells make up about 40% of the total blood volume. White blood cells and platelets make up about 5% by volume. The remaining half of the blood system is composed of plasma, containing many substances like nutrients, proteins, hormones, and waste products.

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The cleansing process of the blood is carried out by the body’s detoxification system. Without such a system, the body would become toxic and unable to support itself. Three main examples of the body’s detoxification system are the respiratory, defacatory, and urinary systems.

The respiratory system expels wastes in the form of carbon dioxide which is exhaled from the lungs. Solid organic wastes and dead blood cells are expunged by the defecatory system, and the remaining waste products, transported by plasma, are expelled by the urinary system.

The main waste product in plasma is urea. It is the combination of old blood cells and metabolism. Both old blood cells and waste products in the body are toxic. It is essential that the detoxification system works properly. As old blood cells die and are destroyed by the various transactions in the body, they must be removed. If the dead cells and other organic waste are not removed from the blood stream, they will create a homeostatic imbalance in the body. If this occurs, it can affect one’s health.


ZINC is considered a trace element because the body requires only small amounts to function. Zinc functions mainly as an essential constituent of cell enzyme systems. Though the body requires only small amounts of zinc, inadequate levels can affect proper detoxification. One of these important enzymes, carbonic anhydrase, of which zinc is an integral part, acts as a carbon dioxide carrier, especially in red blood cells, and catalyzes the reaction. It takes carbon dioxide from cells and delivers it to the lungs for expulsion, and also functions in the renal tubule cells. Superoxide dismutase continuously removes the highly reactive superoxide radical, protecting cells against dangerous levels of superoxide. Alcohol dehydrogenase changes alcohol to aldehyde, the first step in the metabolism of alcohols by the liver. MANGANESE is necessary for the function of glutathione synthetase, an enzyme needed for the body to make the Detox conjugator glutathione from glycine. Glutathione functions in various redox reactions: (1) in the destruction of peroxides and free radicals, (2) as a cofactor for enzymes, and (3) in the detoxification of harmful compounds. Glutathione also functions in the transport of amino acids across cell membranes. Manganese is also necessary for the proper utilization of iron. Superoxide dismutase is also a manganese-containing metalloenzyme, catalyzing the breakdown of superoxide free radicals thereby protecting the cells against peroxidative damage. IRON is an element essential to life. It is essential in its role in the transportation of oxygen in the body and permits cellular respiration to occur. MOLYBDENUM is an essential trace mineral that functions as an enzyme co factor. Certain molybdenum metalloenzymes oxide and detoxify various compounds that play a role in uric acid metabolism and sulfate toxicity.	-Eat raw vegetables along with chlorophyll rich foods like wheatgrass or “green drinks” -Drink fresh juice like lemon, carrot, and beet -Drink 8 to 10 cups of distilled water daily -Avoid sugar and white flour and other refined substances that are hard to digest -Avoid heated fats and oils	-Do get moderate exercise regularly -Avoid stress & sustained tension -Try to take in plenty of sunlight

t meals with a balance of proteins and complex carbohydrates like turkey or chicken breast and beans, brown rice or lentils

Consume raw fruits and vegetables; broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumbers, apples, strawberries, grapefruit and watermelon are also low in calories

Drink plenty of water

Eat good fats, like avocados, olive oil and raw nuts, but in moderation

Avoid processed foods, white flour products, salt and white rice

Cut consumption of alcohol, soda, candy and products with refined sugars

Avoid fried or greasy food