Toxins in the body - symptoms

What Are Toxins in the Body? Toxin is a chemical found in the environment in natural or synthetic form. It is a poison that can cause both internal and external damage to the body. Toxins can be classified into two types, endotoxins and exotoxins.

Endotoxins or internal toxins are made inside the body via metabolic processes or decomposition of food in the intestines. This type of toxins is similar to free radicals. Exotoxins or external toxins include chemical and microbial toxins and may come from polluted water, air or food. Yeast and harmful bacteria can also be the source of toxins.

The body has natural ability to get rid of the toxins from the system. The organs involved in the process of elimination of toxins are kidneys, liver, colon, lungs and skin. Toxins are removed from the body through urine, feces, sweat and exhalation. The major role of liver in this process is to break the toxins into harmless byproducts which can be then removed from the system in the stool or via kidneys in the urine.

Occasionally, the body can not get rid of the toxins. They remain in the system and get stored in certain parts of the body. This can cause symptoms and conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, body odor and intolerance to certain foods or chemicals.

What Are Symptoms of Toxins in the Body?

Symptoms of toxins in the body can vary depending on the amount of accumulated toxins. Following are some of the common symptoms of toxins in the body.

Gastrointestinal system plays an important role in elimination of toxins. If this role is for some reason hampered, toxins will accumulate and cause constipation, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, indigestion and diverticulitis.

Xenoestrogens are chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides and food preservatives that mimic female hormone estrogen. Too much xenoestrogens in the body can lead to hormonal imbalance in women resulting in endometriosis and PMS. In men, these toxins can cause low sperm count due to high levels of estrogen.

Different inflammatory conditions may also arise from excess toxins in the body. The inflammation can cause or aggravate illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, heart disease and arthritis.

Skin is one of the organs involved in the elimination of toxins. If the body is overwhelmed with toxins, the skin pores get clogged which may lead to allergic reaction. This can cause different skin problems such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Finally, cognitive problems can result out of presence of excess toxins in the body. This includes symptoms such as poor memory, mood changes, foggy thinking and inability to think clearly. In extreme cases, toxins may cause symptoms similar to dementia.