Organs of Elimination

One way we can all improve our general level of health is by supporting our organs of elimination.

Our primary organs of elimination include the lungs, the skin, the kidneys and the digestive system. Through these four organs we eliminate waste products from our body. From the lungs we eliminate carbon dioxide, from the skin we excrete sweat, urine is voided by the kidneys and stool is eliminated from the digestive system. These are all of the natural and normal ways our body eliminates that which we have no use for: by-products of our metabolism and toxins that we accumulate from our environment through our air, food and water.

Proper elimination is essential for health. When these waste products are not eliminated efficiently from the body, they will accumulate and contribute to ill health. Many common symptoms can be cured by simply supporting our organs of elimination.

To support our kidneys we need to drink an adequate amount of water each day. I recommend drinking half of your body weight(lbs) in ounces. See blog post "Water" for more information.

To support our lungs we need to practice deep breathing. Aim for 100 deep belly breaths over the course of the day.

For the skin we need to promote sweating (think exercise) and allow the skin to breathe by practicing dry skin brushing each day.

For the digestive system we must ensure we are having a minimum of 1 bowel movement each day. Anything less is considered constipation. (see blog post "Improving Bowel Regularity")

One other system that plays a key role in elimination is our lymphatic system. See previous post entitled "The Importance of the Lymphatic System" for more information.

By enhancing the function of our organs of elimination we can more efficiently eliminate the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis and we can begin to eliminate waste products we have stored in our body. Supporting the function of our lungs, kidneys, skin and digestive tract is paramount to good health.

By improving your body's ability to eliminate you can expect a reduction of symptoms, improved energy levels, enhanced weight loss, a general sense of well-being and prevention of future disease.

Water

Water is absolutely essential for good health.

The body is made up of approximately 60% water which is in need of constant replenishment. Every system of the body is dependent upon water and without an adequate intake, the body is placed under additional stress in order to conserve. This additional stress and conservation means that a compromise has to be made in the functioning of all cells and tissues.

If you are aware that all cells of the body are sitting in a bath of water, you may start to think of how you might like this water to look. Cells can communicate and function more clearly in fresh, clean water rather than stale, stagnant water.

Water is a first line intervention for the improvement of many symptoms including: skin health, fatigue, headaches, prevention and treatment of colds and flus, constipation, gout and kidney stones.

To improve your overall health, ensure you are drinking an adequate amount of water each day.

How much water should you be drinking?

A simple test to determine if you are drinking enough water is to look at the colour of your urine. Your urine should be clear, rather than yellow. The darker the urine, the more dehydrated you are.

Here is an easy calculation to determine your daily water intake:

Take your body weight in pounds and divide by 2. Drink this many ounces each day. For example, if your weight is 150lbs you should be drinking 75oz of water each day.

For conversion:

32oz = 1L

8oz = 250ml = one tall glass of water

Your need for water will increase if you are exercising, sweating, drinking coffee or tea, breastfeeding, living in hot or humid weather, or dehydrated from illness.

To give yourself an idea of how your symptoms might improve by increasing your water intake, try a 3 day challenge and drink the amount of water you've determined from the above calculation based on your body weight.

It is best to measure out the amount of water you need to drink each day and find a re-usable stainless steel bottle to help you keep tract of your water intake.

Look for reverse osmosis water and avoid the use of plastic water bottles.