The good news is that the body normally does an efficient job of eliminating harmful substances. All these escape routes, however, depend upon the liver, the central clearing house for toxins. In the liver, toxins undergo a two stage process, know as bio-transformation. In the first stage the liver converts toxins into intermediary products that can be quite toxic or even carcinogenic. The liver knows its business and usually does an exemplary job.
Problems develop when the system becomes overloaded.
We're all too aware of how the liver can break down as a result of a lifetime of alcohol abuse. By the same token, heavy loads of environmental and internally produced toxins can also tax the liver. Detoxification programs aim to improve the liver's functioning. There's no easy answer, because toxicity does not manifest itself the same way in all people. Certain chronic conditions or symptoms, however, may be associated with a toxin buildup.