Does sweating really release toxins?
The word “toxin” has been so overused lately. A toxin is a substance that can cause disease when present in the body, and encompasses many natural and synthetic sources. Our body removes toxins through the liver, kidneys and intestines quite effectively, but the skin is not a mode of toxin removal.
Our skin provides a barrier from the environment and our body, and functions to regulate internal temperature through sweating, conduction and convection and radiation. When we sweat the fluid produced consists of predominately water, some trace minerals, lactic acid and urea.
Sweating does not draw toxins out of the body, and unless there were toxins present on the surface of the skin that sweat would remove, the process of sweating exclusively provides a way for the body to cool internal core temperature through evaporation heat loss.
Hi Julia,
if you believe the University of Arkansas (which is a pretty credible source to me), then, no, the process of eliminating harmful substances from your body is done through the kidney, liver and intestines, just as you suggest. Here is a link http://uamshealth.com/healthlibrary2/medicalmyths/canyousweattoxinsoutof….
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Actually, here’s an answer:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/what-are-toxins-322528
“So, yes, the toxins that leave your body through healthy living are the same ones that go in, via trace amounts found in your food, water, and air. “Those things are quite clear,” Smith said. But “the idea that wrapping yourself in a plastic bag and doing things to facilitate excessive sweating, to essentially eliminate things through your sweat — the evidence that I’m aware of showing the benefit of that, as opposed to the normal elimination pathways, does not exist.”
Losing weight may happen while you’re huffing and puffing, but toxin removal only comes through flushing your body’s system. Hot yoga, spin classes, and jazzercise will no doubt make you sweaty. But the mercury and BPA will still be there.”
