Hong Kong research warns of sunscreen health risks

NEW research in Hong Kong has found that UV filters commonly used in sunscreen are polluting surrounding waters and could endanger human health, one of the city’s leading universities said .

OCTOBER 15, 2018 HEALTH

BY AGENCY

There is growing international concern over the polluting effects of sunscreen.

An “extensive amount” of seven common UV filter chemicals was found in Hong Kong seawater as well as in fish, shrimps and mussels on aqua-farms, scientists from Hong Kong Baptist University told reporters.

“The effect of these contaminants passing along the food chain to humans and the long-term impact on human fertility cannot be neglected,” said Dr Kelvin Leung, who led the research.

Tests performed on zebrafish, which share a similar genetic structure to humans, showed the polluted water caused abnormalities and a higher mortality rate in the fish’s embryos as the chemicals entered the food chain.

The university described the study as a world-first in identifying the harm caused by a combination of polluting chemicals in sunscreen. Researchers said they would conduct further tests to learn more about the effects of UV filters on the human body.

The chemicals tested on the zebrafish study included octocrylene (known as OC), benzophenone-3 (known as BP-3) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (known as EHMC), which were found to be the most abundant types of chemical UV filters in Hong Kong waters.

The European Union’s International Chemical Secretariat has already established BP-3 as a threat to human health and called for it to be replaced with another, safer ingredient. Dr Leung added that these chemicals can accumulate in the human body and cannot be dissolved or diluted simply by drinking water.

There is growing international concern over the polluting effects of sunscreen. Hawaii signed a bill in July to ban sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs, which will take effect from 2021. But the ban raised concerns that it may deter consumers from using sunscreen to protect their skin from cancer.

Leung called for more regulations on the use of chemicals in personal care products and recommended consumers use mineral-based sunscreens such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, or wear sun-protection clothing. – AFP Relaxnews

https://www.star2.com/health/2018/10/15/sunscreen-health-risks/

How to treat burns

The level of care needed for a burn depends on how extensive the tissue damage is.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Second degree burns, as seen in this filepic, involve the first two layers of the skin, the epidermis and dermis.

Minor burns can often be treated at home without seeing a healthcare provider. Burns considered “minor” include first-degree burns and second-degree burns that are no larger than 2 inches in diameter.

Immediately evaluate in a medical setting any other type of burn that covers a larger area of the skin.

A healthcare provider should also evaluate a burn that shows signs of infection, such as oozing from the wound and increased pain, redness and swelling.

A first-degree burn involves only the top or outer layer of the skin (epidermis).

Signs and symptoms of a first-degree burn include red skin that may be mildly swollen and painful to touch.

A second-degree burn involves the outside layer of the skin and the next layer of skin (dermis). Signs and symptoms of this type of burn include pain, swelling, intensely reddened skin, blistering and a splotchy appearance.

For these types of minor burns, prompt at-home care is often all that’s needed.

First, put the burn under cool (but not cold) running water long enough to reduce the pain, which may take about 10 to 15 minutes.

If running water isn’t available, immerse the burn in cool water or apply a cool, wet compress. Don’t put ice directly on the burn. Doing so can cause further damage to the tissue.

Dry the area with a clean cloth, and apply a sterile, lightly wrapped bandage. Don’t apply ointments or butter to a burn, as these can hold heat in the skin – causing further damage – in addition to increasing the risk of infection. If needed, take over-the-counter pain medications for pain relief.

If the burn is caused by a chemical, make sure the chemical, or any clothing or jewelry in contact with the chemical, are removed.

If possible, use gloves so that you don’t get burned elsewhere or so that someone helping you doesn’t get burned.

Don’t break blisters if they form. If a blister breaks inadvertently, wash the area with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the area with a bandage.

See your healthcare provider if large blisters develop, as these blisters may need to be removed.

Monitor the burn daily after each gentle washing and dressing change. Evaluate the burn for spreading of heat, redness or swelling, which may indicate a skin infection.

If the wound isn’t healing, see your healthcare provider.

A burn requires immediate medical attention if it covers a large area of the body, or if it involves much of the hands, face, feet, genitals, buttocks, eyes, mouth or a major joint.

Second-degree burns larger than 2 inches; an electrical burn; or more severe, third-degree burns – where skin is burned away, charred black or appears dry white – all require emergency medical attention. – Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service

Read more at 
http://www.star2.com/health/2017/09/27/how-to-treat-burns/

Reasons Why You Bruise Easily

Any type of traumatic injury, such as a fall, can cause capillaries (small blood vessels) near your skin's surface to break and leak red blood cells. This causes the reddish-purple or "black and blue" appearance of bruises on your skin.

May 11, 2015

Story at-a-glance

• Your skin bruises more easily as you get older and may also be due to straining during exercise, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions
• A deficiency in bioflavonoids and vitamin C may also lead to easy bruising
• If you bruise easily, eat more vegetables and fruits and consider a rutin bioflavonoid supplement

By Dr. Mercola

Any type of traumatic injury, such as a fall, can cause capillaries (small blood vessels) near your skin's surface to break and leak red blood cells. This causes the reddish-purple or "black and blue" appearance of bruises on your skin.

Technically known as contusions, bruises may result from virtually any injury to blood vessels in your skin. As your body begins to heal, and metabolizes the blood cells, the bruise will typically fade to a green, yellow, or brown color before disappearing entirely.

It's virtually inevitable that you'll get a bruise once in awhile, but if you have bruises appearing often and can't figure out why, there could be an underlying reason. You may have simply bumped your arm or leg and forgotten, or it could be something else entirely.

9 Reasons You May Bruise Easily

1. Your Age

As you get older, your skin loses some of the protective fatty layer that provides cushioning against bumps and falls. Your skin also becomes thinner while the production of collagen slows. This means that it generally takes much less force to cause a bruise than it did when you were younger.

2. Purpuric Dermatosis

This vascular condition, which is more common in the elderly, causes thousands of tiny bruises, often on your shins, which may have the appearance of cayenne pepper from afar.1 The bruises are the result of blood leaking out of small capillaries.

3. Blood Disorders

Blood disorders such as hemophilia and leukemia can cause unexplained bruising, often because your blood fails to clot properly. If you have severe and frequent unexplained bruising, it's a good idea to see a physician to rule out such disorders, especially if it seemed to come on suddenly.

4. Diabetes

People with diabetes may develop dark skin discolorations, often in areas where skin touches other skin frequently. These discolorations may be mistaken for bruises, but they are actually due to underlying insulin resistance.

5. Excessive Straining During Exercise

Putting your muscles under excessive strain, such as may occur during heavy weight lifting, can cause blood vessels to burst and lead to bruising. Microscopic tears in your muscle fiber caused by exercise can also cause bruises. In addition, if you engage in sports or vigorous exercise, you may be exposed to bumps and small traumas that cause bruises but not remember the actual impacts.

6. Certain Medications

Medications such as aspirin, anticoagulant medications, and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's clotting ability and make bruising more likely. Medications including aspirin, prednisone, prednisolone, oral contraceptives, and others may also weaken your blood vessels, which increases the likelihood of bruises.2

7. Family History

If you have close family members that tend to bruise easily, there's a chance you will too (although there are usually steps you can take to overcome this potential genetic tendency).

8. Pale Skin

Pale skin doesn't make you more prone to bruising, but it does make any bruises you do get more visible than they would be on someone with darker skin.

9. Sun Damage

While your body needs regular sun exposure to produce vitamin D (and get a host of additional benefits), excessive sun exposure – especially the type that leads to burning – can cause your skin to lose its pliability and resilience. This, in turn, makes bruising easier and more noticeable.

Your Diet May Be the Most Important Factor in How Easily You Bruise

The reason why most people bruise is that their capillaries are too fragile and essentially are easily torn. One of the best ways to ensure that your capillaries remain strong and flexible is to make sure you have an excellent source of bioflavonoids in your diet. Excellent dietary sources of bioflavonoids include dark-colored berries, dark leafy greens, garlic, and onions.

Typically, a well-rounded diet with plenty of organic vegetables and some fruits will be more than sufficient to provide all the micronutrients you will need to prevent bruising from all but the most severe traumas. However, if you bruise easily, the following nutrients will be especially important and if you're not getting enough of them via your diet a supplement may be useful:

Rutin

Rutin is a bioflavonoid known to strengthen blood vessels. For this reason, it's often used for varicose veins and hemorrhoids, as well as bruising. In fact, a deficiency of bioflavonoids may allow blood vessels to break easier, which is why, if you bruise easily, you would likely benefit from taking rutin.

In one study of people with progressive pigmented purpura, the skin lesions were completely cleared after four weeks of treatment with a rutin (50 mg twice a day) and vitamin C supplement.3

Hesperidin

This bioflavonoid, found in citrus peels, is also known for strengthening capillaries. In a study of menopausal women, those who took a daily supplement of hesperidin and vitamin C had reduced bruising.4

Vitamin C

In people with low vitamin C intake, increasing vitamin C has been found to reduce bruising.5 Taking vitamin C along with bioflavonoids like rutin or hesperidin is recommended, as they may improve vitamin C's effectiveness and absorption.6 As reported by the University of Michigan Health System:7

"Even minor deficiencies of vitamin C and possibly of flavonoids can lead to increased bruising. People who bruise easily may benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, common sources of vitamin C and flavonoids.

…Reduce your tendency to bruise by taking a daily combination of at least 400 mg of vitamin C and 400 mg of flavonoids, such as hesperidin or rutin."

10 Natural Remedies to Speed Bruise Healing

The key to avoid bruises is to eat fresh vegetables and fruits regularly.However, if you already have a bruise, nature is full of simple, natural solutions that may help it go away faster. These include:

Arnica oil: Arnica flowers and roots have been used for hundreds of years as an herbal medicine. It has anti-inflammatory properties and also stimulates the flow of white blood cells, which process congested blood to help disperse trapped fluid from your joints, muscles, and bruised tissue.8 Arnica oil is recommended for topical application only and in diluted form, as pure arnica essential oil is very potent and may cause severe side effects.	Cabbage leaves: For facial bruises, take the large outer leaves of white cabbage, break the ridges of the leaves and dip them into very hot water. Then apply to the bruise (but make sure they're not scalding hot as you put them on your face).	Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the bruised area can help reduce swelling and pain. The sooner you apply the compress after the injury, the better.
Aloe vera: The fresh gel that comes from the aloe vera plant can help speed up healing from wounds and skin irritations.	Calendula: To make a salve, boil one ounce of dried calendula flowers or leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon of fresh juice from the herb) with one ounce of lard. Once the mixture has cooled, apply it to the bruise. This mixture is also good for sprains, pulled muscles, sores, and boils.	Fenugreek: To make a poultice, put 1/2 ounce of crushed fenugreek seeds in a small cloth bag and boil it in water for a few minutes. Remove the bag and apply the "tea water" to the area. Make it as hot as you can stand it (but make sure it's not scalding your skin).
Garden Thyme: Put the green plant parts in water and boil them for three to four minutes. Cover the pot and leave it for another two to three minutes. Strain the mixture and add the decoction to your bath water. Soak in it as you would normally.	Onion: Apply it raw, directly to the bruise.	St. John's Wort: Put 10 to 15 drops of St. John's Wort Oil in water and apply the mixture to the area.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apply a hot or cold poultice of apple cider vinegar to your bruises.	Vitamin K: Topical vitamin K may help to reduce bruising.

Healthy Skin Comes from the Inside

Eating a healthy diet as described in my nutrition plan, which focuses on whole, bioavailable organic foods, is your number one strategy for helping your body detox naturally while supplying the necessary nutrients your skin needs to thrive. In addition to the tips mentioned above to help prevent easy bruising, some foods are particularly effective at promoting beautiful, clear, healthy skin, including:

• Animal-based omega-3 fats
• Vegetables: Ideally fresh, organic and locally grown. Fresh vegetable juice is also wonderful for your skin, as are carotenoids, which give red, orange, and yellow fruits their color, and also occur in green vegetables. Studies have shown that eating foods with these deeply colored pigments can make your face actually look healthier than being tanned.
• Fermented vegetables are even better as they can start with the same vegetables but are converted by bacteria to superfoods, which help promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and aid in immune balance and digestion.
• Astaxanthin—a potent antioxidant—has been found to offer effective protection against sun damage when taken as a daily supplement. Some sunscreens are also starting to use astaxanthin as an ingredient to protect your skin from damage.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/05/11/bruising-easily.aspx

This post is on Healthwise

Go to Healthwise for more articles

Panda eyes: How to get rid of eye rings and dark circles

Sunday July 27, 2014

Black circles look extremely cute on pandas, but when it comes to human eyes, dark rings aren't the most attractive features. 

Go to Healthwise for more articles

They're called all sorts of names: Panda eyes, raccoon eyes, eye rings, eye bags... No matter what we call them, dark circles under the eyes is the most common beauty problem among women, according to a 2006 study by Clinique. 

Generally, most people attribute panda eyes to lack of sleep. While it's true that insufficient sleep can make you look like Xing Xing or Liang Liang the day after, dark eye rings can actually be caused by other factors. Understanding the cause of your eye rings is the first step toward getting the right treatment. Different causes call for special treatment modules, so there's really no one-cure-fits-all.

Why am I turning panda?

Ever notice children with black eye rings? Yes, a lack of sleep can give you eye rings, regardless of age or gender. If this isn't addressed early, the dark rings will eventually become permanent, lasting into adulthood. Being Asian doesn't help either because we have thinner skin under the eyes. Having thin skin makes the pigment below the eye stand out more, giving a darker impression of the circles.

If you spend a lot of time in the sun, be prepared to be conscientious with your eye serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. Excessive sun exposure creates fine wrinkles around the eye, which darkens the skin and casts those circles. Swollen and puffy eyes also cast shadows under the area to give us dark circles. So, if you've cried buckets after watching a movie or having an argument, expect to look like a panda the next day.

Puffy eyes can happen due to a diet rich in salt. Because of osmosis, the water in our body accumulates at areas with high salt concentrations. That's why a salty dinner can leave you with puffy eyes. Rubbing our eyes will only worsen the condition because of our thin skin around the area. In fact, people with allergies and sinus conditions who tend to rub their eyes are often the ones battling dark eye rings.

Also, nasal congestion makes the blood vessels from the eyes to the nose swell, which darkens the under-eye area. And panda eyes are more prominent during pregnancy when hormonal changes darken the skin and dilate the blood vessels around the eye, making eye rings more conspicuous. Of course, hormonal changes can also be the result of a poor diet and smoking.

Research has shown that certain sleeping positions can cause panda eyes as well, like sleeping on our sides and stomach. People who sleep on their sides will find their black eye circles worse on the side they sleep on, because gravity causes fluids to accumulate under that eye.

Meanwhile, ageing also causes the eye area to hollow out, creating shadows that mimic black circles. Age also thins the skin under the eyes, making the blood vessels in that area stand out.

Correcting those circles

Some people are born with pigmentation problems, which cause skin discolouration at the eye area. For them, the only help is through make-up and concealers to lighten the dark area and reduce the effect of the eye circles.

Side sleepers should try sleeping on their backs to reduce the fluid accumulation. If you have trouble sleeping, try shutting off all non-essential electrical devices, drinking a glass of warm milk and dimming all the lights, and no caffeine drinks after dinner – these are some ways to relax about an hour before going to bed. 

Conscientious use of eye serums and gels can reduce puffiness and dark circles, too. Placing cucumber slices, aloe vera gel and tea bags on closed eyes have some minimal effect, but they do help us to relax and reduce our stress levels. 

Creams with retinol and skin-lightening formulas can also help to lighten the skin tone around the eyes, which will reduce the darkness of the circles. Sun protection is important if you're outdoors a lot, whether you at a beach resort or driving around all day. Apply sunblock gently under the eyes with your middle finger. 

For severe dark circles and eye rings, consider seeing a cosmetic surgeon or aesthetic doctor. Several procedures can reduce the circles effectively, like skin lasers (which stops the cells that produce pigments around the eye) and light microabrasion (which removes a thin top layer of the skin with abrasives). Cosmetic surgeons may also recommend hyaluronic acid filler injections to boost the volume of sunken eyes. However, the effects last less than 12 months as the filler will inevitably break down in our body over time. 

Your last resort would be cosmetic surgery. But to avoid having to remove your eye bags with a nip and tuck, try the early remedial methods suggested here. Accumulative action over a prolonged period will save you money and the risk of surgery.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/07/27/Womens-World-Dark-circles-under-the-eyes/

Go to Healthwise for more articles

Five Reasons to Start Using More Mint

When you think of mint, you probably don’t think about it as a natural medicine. Yet for centuries, healers have used this common plant to treat a number of conditions. And that’s because there are some major health benefits to using fresh mint. It’s a viable solution to a variety of unpleasant—sometimes even embarrassing—health conditions.

June 13th, 2014

Here are five reasons to start using more mint:

1. Prevent Common Colds: Mint has one of the highest antioxidant counts of any food. And antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage and inflammation. They also provide your immune system with a boost that can help it fight off a cold or flu. But if you already have a cold, mint can help with that as well.

One of peppermint’s active ingredients is menthol. This natural decongestant helps thin mucous. It also helps break up your cough. Another benefit is that mint can help soothe the sore throat that comes with a dry cough. Drinking organic peppermint tea is a great way to help you get immediate relief when dealing with a nasty cold.

2. Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS can be embarrassing… Even worse, it’s painful. Instead of turning to dangerous Big Pharma solutions—like SSRIs—to fix the problem, try natural peppermint oil. One study found that peppermint oil eliminated pain completely in IBS patients. Another study revealed that it reduced IBS symptoms by at least 50% after only one month in 75% of subjects.4 You can find natural peppermint oil in capsules for daily use at your local health food store or online.

3. Alleviate Allergies: Most mint plants are rich in rosmarinic acid (RA). This antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Unlike OTC antihistamines, RA doesn’t just help stop the reaction, it also helps kill allergy-activated immune cells. And it does this without harming your other immune cells.5 Patients in one study saw a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines in their nasal fluids after taking 200 mg of RA for 21 days.6

You can get RA from eating fresh mint varieties or brewing whole-leaf mint tea. You can also find it as a supplement in health stores and online.

4. Relieve Occasional Indigestion: Mint—especially peppermint—can also help you when you eat something you shouldn’t have. It helps improve the flow of stomach acids and bile. This may make digestion faster and easier.7 Peppermint may even help you feel less full and bloated. It can also ease heartburn and mild gastrointestinal spasms.8

Just make sure not to use this if you suffer from chronic acid reflux or GERD. Though mint can be cooling, it can quickly turn to a painful burning if you already have esophageal damage.

5. Soothe Skin: One of the worst parts of summer is dealing with mosquito bites. You can apply mint leaves or oil directly to your skin. This will help stop itching and ease irritation. Fresh mint can even work as a natural mosquito repellant.9 But it goes beyond bug bites. It may also help you clear up rashes and other skin reactions. If you’re the outdoorsy type, mint can help your skin get relief from poison ivy and poison oak.10

Whether you grow your own or keep some in your cupboard, mint is a great herb to have on hand. It’s a refreshing natural solution to some unpleasant and annoying health issues. And these are just a few of them… Our publisher finds that rubbing peppermint oil on her temples works wonders for a headache. What other uses have you found for mint?

References:
1http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/275944.php
2http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/superfoods-fight-colds
3https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
4http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17420159
5http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/nov2004_report_allergy_01.htm
6http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630183
7Idem
8http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/705.html
9http://www.ahamodernliving.com/blog/garden/five-plants-that-keep-mosquitoes-from-buzzing-in-your-ears/
10Id.

http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2014/06/five-reasons-to-start-using-more-mint/

Aquariums Harbor Dangerous Bacteria That Cause Severe Skin Infections

January 30, 2014

Aquariums can be mesmerizingly beautiful…and healthful, too. Watching the colorful fish and rippling water can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, stress and anxiety. But aquariums also can present a hazard that few people—and few doctors—are aware of.

The danger: Some home aquariums harbor a bacterium that can lead to a dreadfully painful, unsightly and long-lasting infection that typically goes undiagnosed for many months, according to a new report from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

FISHY CONNECTION

Mycobacterium marinum is a bacterium sometimes found in fish and in nonchlorinated water. When skin that has been “traumatized”—even by something as minor as a paper cut, splinter, hangnail or overzealous fingernail clipping—is exposed to M. marinum, the bacterium can find its way inside and set up an infection. Typically this happens when home-aquarium owners clean their freshwater or saltwater tanks and/or handle their fish (though it also can occur through contact with barnacles or infected fish in the wild).

The problem: It takes two to four weeks after the initial infection begins for the telltale symptoms to appear—and by then, any association with the aquarium typically has long been forgotten. The aquarium-lover is left with a growing number of painful, red, swollen bumps and open sores as large as quarters…which progress up his arm from his hand all the way to his armpit. This is highly unpleasant for anyone—but for a person with a compromised immune system (for instance, due to an autoimmune disorder, HIV, chemotherapy or drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection), M. marinum can even lead to a severe bone marrow or blood infection.

The study: Doctors at Henry Ford reviewed 10 years’ worth of records on patients who were treated for M. marinum and discovered that the average length of time it took from symptom onset to correct diagnosis and treatment was a staggering 161 days! By that time, the infection typically had spread from the initial site far up the arm…and patients had already been on multiple ineffective treatments, each with its own potential side effects.

In each of the cases at Henry Ford Hospital, the correct diagnosis was ultimately made after a skin biopsy was performed and the culprit bacterium was finally identified. Only then was the correct treatment initiated, typically using a combination of several different antibiotics that needed to be taken for about two months.

Self-defense: If you have an aquarium, go fishing or clean barnacles, be on the lookout for any redness, swelling or bumps on your hands or forearms. If you develop such symptoms, see your doctor without delay and ask whether you may be infected with M. marinum. Remember, many doctors are unfamiliar with this infection, so bring this article along to your appointment. Treating the problem properly from the start can spare you needless pain and useless medication. Reassuring: Handling fish bought from the grocery store or swimming in open water would not transmit the M. marinum infection, researchers said.

Source: George Alangaden, MD, senior staff physician, division of infectious diseases, Henry Ford Hospital, and professor of medicine, Wayne State University, both in Detroit. His research was presented at the recent annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/aquariums-harbor-dangerous-bacteria-that-cause-severe-skin-infections

Key Players in Natural Body Detoxification?

By Wendy Warner and Kellyann Petrucci from Boosting Your Immunity For Dummies

 

Detoxification is the job of a whole team of bodily organs. The main work is done by the liver with some help from the kidneys. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is important in elimination of the breakdown products, and elimination via the skin and lungs also occurs.
 

Enlarge 1 The liver filters blood, removing toxins found there. The liver is a large organ in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. It actually has a number of jobs in addition to detoxification. A vein called the portal vein connects the digestive tract to the liver, allowing drugs, alcohol, and toxins found in food to be delivered this way. Liver lobules are made up of individual liver cells formed into groups. In the liver cells, a host of enzymes work on the chemicals they find, helping break them down. In general, these compounds aren’t water-soluble, so they need to be converted into another form that’s both nontoxic and water-soluble to remove them from the body via stool or urine. The enzymes use a set of chemical processes referred to as Phase I reactions and Phase II reactions. Both of these sets of reactions need to work properly for full detoxification to occur. When the products are broken down, they’re shunted to the bowel for elimination.	Enlarge 2 The kidneys filter blood and do the bulk of detoxification of blood-borne toxins. Your kidneys reside just below the ribs on the back, one on each side; they’re shaped like kidney beans. Blood flows into the kidney via an artery, gets filtered in the tiny capillaries of the nephrons, and then flows back out via the veins. Byproducts and water that have been filtered out get transferred into the ureter and flow to the bladder for elimination. In addition to doing the work of detoxification, the kidneys remove other metabolic waste and balance out pH of the blood. Because this whole system is based on fluid, keeping hydrated is important so the functions remain intact.	Enlarge 3 The GI tract does the work of breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste, including what it receives from the liver. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract doesn’t really do any detoxification per se, despite what you may read in ads and see on the Internet. However, if it doesn’t work well, then the byproducts of detoxification get backed up, so keeping it working smoothly is still vital. Any malfunction (such as constipation or diarrhea) impacts the elimination of the toxic byproducts and impacts health.
Enlarge 4 Lungs are primarily involved with respiration. As part of the process, they also help maintain blood pH and expel chemical vapors under specific conditions. One example is the sweet smell of a diabetic person’s breath in ketoacidosis, a severe condition. The excess ketones in the blood are partially expelled in the exhaled breath and can be picked up by their distinctly sweet smell. Keeping the lungs working well helps keep the detoxification processes working smoothly. In addition, conscious control of breathing patterns stimulates the immune system.	Enlarge 5 Technically, skin isn’t really part of detoxification because it isn’t capable of breaking down toxins into something harmless. Excess fluid and a waste product called urea are excreted in the form of sweat. These two processes are vital to maintaining appropriate fluid balance and pH, so by extension, the skin helps to maintain the body in a detoxified state.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/who-are-the-key-players-in-natural-body-detoxifica.pageCd-storyboard,pageNum-6.html#slideshow