Detoxification
comes in many forms and refers to many different programmes that cleanse
the human physical body of toxins. Today, the environment is toxic
and the foods humans eat, even the air humans breathe and the water
humans drink is laden with chemicals foreign to the human system.
Therefore, everyone is undergoing some type of detoxification to maintain
life and health. Although basic detoxification begins with diet, detox
programmes may include nutritional fortification for the liver, lungs,
kidneys, bowels and blood.
Detoxification
for the physical body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys,
lungs, the liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved
in detoxification of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver
acts as an in-line filter for the removal of foreign substances and
wastes from the blood. The kidneys filter wastes from the blood into
the urine, while the lungs remove volatile gases as humans breathe.
The human
body is designed to utilise natural substances, which includes foods,
herbs and phytochemicals. Any foreign substance will serve as a stimulus
to the human immune system, which has the function of removing these
substances. Although the toxicity of a chemical may vary, it is the
job of the liver to reduce toxins into compounds that the body is
capable of safely handling and eliminate through the kidneys (as urine),
skin (as sweat), lungs (as expelled air) and bowels (as feces). Maintaining
these eliminative organs in beneficial working order is essential
for one's high-quality health to continue.
While there
are many detoxification programmes available, they differ in their
actions and their intent. Some detoxification programs (DP) work only
with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others
may aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these
detox programmes into a total health programme, one is capable of
effectively restore their health to an optimal level and looking younger
in the process. When the body is capable of eliminating toxins, then
health is restored and energy and vigor are revitalized. Many different
approaches to detoxification and wellness will work, even though they
attack the problem at different levels. Any programme that augments
detoxification will improve health. Other factors ought to be considered
in detoxification, such as nutrition, water, and exercise, rest, sunshine,
and fresh air.
Detoxification
Diets:
Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate toxins in many ways.
First, natural vegetarian diets include the fiber required for stimulating
beneficial bowel eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of
vitamins that feed and nourish the bowels and the liver, as well as
other eliminative organs. They also include a valuable source of enzymes
since most vegetarian diets are eaten raw. The elimination of meat
from the diet for a short period enhances detoxification for the reason
that meat is so difficult to digest and requires many enzymes for
its digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing diets and
aid the body in elimination of toxins.
Of course,
changing diets and lifestyle is easier said than done for some people.
Many people want health and will go to any length to improve their
health, including dietary changes. Though there are others who do
not want to change their life style for anything. These people will
be difficult to motivate and will not stick with the detox programmes
for one day. They may not want to give up their sodas, or their cigarettes,
their beer or their coffee. They may make a few changes, such as drinking
more water, or they may give up completely in a very short notice.
The human way of eating has been cultivated over many years and will
not change over night. Though to those who do want enhanced health
and do not want to rely on pills/drugs for their existence, nutritional
changes will be welcomed, especially when they start experiencing
healthier and having more energy.
Diets are
very important and are usually the basis for any detox programme,
whether it is herbs, cleansing or other detox programs. Detox diets
will generally eliminate trigger foods, which may symptomatically
cause many problems with digestion and elimination. Foods such as
wheat (glutens) and dairy (milk, cheese) are often the cause of allergies.
Sugar is eliminated because of its "empty calories" and tendency to
produce hypoglycemia. Meats are eliminated for the reason that they
may contain hormones, antibiotics and are difficult to digest. Caffeine
is wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the body's digestion.
Refined, processed and junk foods are also out for any detox programme
to work.
Herbal
Detoxification:
Generic diets for detoxification are beneficial, though may not stimulate
the liver, lungs or the kidneys as much as one would choose. Therefore,
herbal cleanses are indicated when you want to hone your cleanse to
a "sharp edge" and be organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too
and provide one with vitamins, minerals and enzymes for excellent
nutrition. Herbs are powerful, for the reason that they may be combined
together to fortify those herbs that aid specific organs. For
example, herbal combinations that aid the liver may be found in many
organic food stores. The list below shows how herbal combinations
help the various organs.
Herbal
Combinations:
Liver: LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley, horsetail,
birch leaves, chamomile, blessed thistle, black cohosh, angelica,
gentian, goldenrod Kidneys: Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper
berries JP-X Parsley, uva ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong
quai, cedar berries
Lungs:
LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, senega, Chinese
ephedra While herbs may be taken at any time, they are unsurpassed
for detoxification purposes when they are used with a beneficial diet
also. It does not make any sense to take herbs to cleanse the liver
if the bowels are clogged with junk or refined foods, since the liver
dumps its toxins into the bowels. And while detoxification diets are
effective by themselves, they may be reinforced and speeded up with
herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.
Herbs may
be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders are usually encapsulated
for easier swallowing, though are paramount when taken with meals
and digestive enzymes. Extracts may be used when specific herbs are
required, though may be extracted with alcohol, which one may be required
to avoid. Herbal teas are easily made and easily taken all throughout
the day. They are mild and gentle and sometimes refreshing and sometimes
bitter. Experimentation may be in order until one develops the accurate
tea to drink. Herbal teas is a topic in itself, since there are so
many and different ways to make them.
Example
Herbal Cleanse:
Rising: Drink a glass of lemon water or Drink a glass of water
with added: one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of
blackstrap molasses
Morning: drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder (follow
with another glass of water Meals: take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes
Take liver herbs
In Between
Meals: drink herbals teas, which support the liver Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel
Note:
Following a beneficial diet is mandatory for herbs to work optimally.
See section on diets for detox.
Skin
Cleansing:
Detoxification ought to include some type of skin cleansing, for the
reason that your skin it one of your greatest eliminative organs.
Heavy metals are actually released through the skin's pores when you
sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are great for removing toxins from
the skin and regenerating one's health and energy. It has been documented
that your skin's sweat glands when combined are capable of performing
as much detoxification as one (or both) kidneys. Therefore, it is
very important to support your skin for detoxification to be maximal.
If your kidneys are damaged, then helping the skin will help the kidneys
... indirectly, though effectively.
Sound skin
care is in order, if one's health is to benefit, also. Using chemicalised
skin care products is not wise, even though they are cheaper. These
chemicals may be absorbed into your circulation and provide more "toxins"
for your liver to deal with. You are not made out of cast iron, and
even the chemicals in your soaps and shampoos will make a difference
with your health. Most people do not "understand" the ill effects
of these subtle chemicals, for the reason that their liver is able
to metabolize them. Though, individuals who are environmentally toxic
will experience a great change in their health when using natural
soaps and shampoos.
Cleansing
your skin is rather simple. First, you require to bathe daily using
natural soaps. Then you require to care for the skin by using only
natural oils and products of natural origin. Even the clothes you
wear are capable of bring about a big difference in your health. Synthetic
fibers do not absorb sweat (toxins), while natural fibers, such as
cotton, will absorb toxins. Dry
skin brushing helps in removing the outer dead skin layers and keeps
the pores open. Another beneficial method of skin brushing is with
vigorous toweling off after bathing. Towel roughly until the skin
is slightly red. Change towels often for the reason that they will
contain toxins.
Beneficial
skin care also requires beneficial nutrition. Since your skin is mainly
fat, you require high quality fats and oil from natural sources to
give your skin health. Butter and olive oil are two excellent natural
oils, which keep the skin in beneficial condition. As always, the
fats/oils ought to be natural only.
Detoxification
Baths:
Use ½ cup of baking soda or use ½ cup of Epsom salt or use ½ cup of
sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently
with soap on a natural fiber. Within a few minutes the water will
turn murky and "dirty." The darkness to the water is heavy metals
coming out of the skin (aluminum and mercury). Do this once a week
during detox and once a month for maintenance.
Juice
Fasting: Fasting with vegetable juices is capable of being another
excellent way to develop beneficial health and cleanse the physical
body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber), contain an excellent
source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. When the pulp is not added,
one is able to drink more juice than they are able to eat. For example,
one is capable of easily consuming the juice of several heads of lettuce
in one sitting, though may not be capable to eat the lettuce whole.
This allows the body to get an abundance of nutrients with minimal
processing (digestion). Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body
proper time to process these juices and helps to preserve our valuable
digestive enzymes.
Juice fasting
has helped many people over come serious dis-eases such as cancer,
for the reason that it gave them optimal nutrition and allowed the
body to cleanse itself of toxins. With some juicers, the pulp is discarded,
though it may be saved and added back for fiber (not too much). Juices
contain beneficial sources of antioxidants and enzymes, both of which
are required for cleansing and eliminating toxins. Juices are also
easy to digest and help those with digestive problems.
Flora:
Your bowel flora is also important for detoxification and normal health.
Probiotics is the term given to the normal bowel flora, which are
taken as supplements. It has been found that these normal flora actually
defend your body from the pathogenic species of bacteria and perform
many vital functions, such as detoxification of toxic chemicals and
making valuable vitamins (mainly the B vitamins). When your normal
flora are present they secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms
are not capable of growing. Though the reverse is also true, that
when the pathogenic forms take over, they will exclude the normal
flora with their toxins.
Many scientists
perceive that it is the toxins secreted from the pathogens and not
the pathogens themselves that create dis-ease. The ability of all
bacteria to change and grow under specific conditions of their immediate
environment is described as pleiomorphism. Cell wall deficient forms
are "bacteria" which lack a defined cell wall, yet have all the specifications
of being bacterial-like. Even viruses have been found to exhibit morphological
forms, which resemble bacteria and fungus. While this is not widely
accepted by modern medical scientists, eminent scientists, such as
Virginia Livingston Wheeler, Irene Diller, and Royal Rife, have proved
it beyond a shadow of doubt. Their microscopic studies have revealed
that bacteria and viruses and fungus may be all different forms of
the same organism, differing only by the environment in which they
are grown.
Antibiotics
kill off the beneficial bacteria as well as the inferior and allow
the inferior to repopulate and develop antibiotic resistance. Natural
forms of antibiotics are superior, since they do not kill off the
beneficial bacteria with the inferior and do not allow drug" resistance
to take place. Garlic, for example, is perhaps, 200 times more
effective against pathogens than most antibiotics today. And it does
not produce antibiotic resistance forms, which is a danger to all
your health. As antibiotics become more widely used, more antibiotic
resistant forms will be encountered. Herbal antiseptics and anti-bacterial
tonics are far superior and less dangerous to your over-all health,
for the reason that they do not kill of the beneficial bacteria with
the inferior.
Replacing
our natural flora is a beneficial step for preventing dis-ease and
keeping your bowels healthy and populated with normal flora. Taking
probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus are capable
of assisting you in your detox programme and also in repopulating
after a cleanse. Your normal healthy flora ought to be a part of any
detoxification programme.
Antioxidants:
The use of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, E and especially C, are
very essential for detoxification since they are involved with the
detoxification of toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells
to neutralize free radicals that are capable of symptomatically causing
mutations and cellular damage. As these free radicals are neutralised,
the antioxidant vitamins will be used and exhibit low levels. Vitamin
A and E are fat soluble and will be found in your fat tissues/stores,
though vitamin C is water soluble and will be found mainly in your
skin (between the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is also involved
with many other important bodily functions, like collagen formation,
wound healing, energy production and fighting off colds (viruses).
The function
of antioxidants is so important that any deficiency of them will be
seen as catastrophic to one's health. When your antioxidants are low,
energy is not available and detoxification is not capable of taking
place in a normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are stored
until they are capable of being processed. The liver and many other
organs are compromised in their functions when antioxidants are low.
Just the lack of energy is enough to symptomatically cause the physical
body to have compromised or feeble health, for the reason that it
is energy that is required for the removal of toxins and wastes. Vitamin
C ought to be taken with bioflavinoids to ensure that all the components
of the vitamin C complex are taken together, since they work together.
Pure ascorbic acid is identified as vitamin C, though does little
by itself. We tend to think that ascorbic acid as vitamin C, though
it is only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C is very essential
to any detoxification programme, for the reason that is what the body
uses for energy to process and eliminate these toxic wastes. Think
of vitamin C as the gas in the dump truck carrying toxins to the waste
dump. Without gas the truck is not going to remove wastes or move
at all. Without vitamin C your body is not going to "dump" its toxic
load. Therefore, ensure adequate vitamin C and always take vitamin
C with bioflavinoids for optimal benefit.
Vitamin
C was found by Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron to be very effective
in assisting many patients to over come that killer dis-ease, described
as cancer. Perhaps, this was for the reason that vitamin C was required
for detoxification of toxins, which "caused" the cancer in the first
place. Although Pauling and Cameron were greatly criticised for their
work with vitamin C, they were able to help many people overcome cancer
and without compromising their health as toxic chemotherapies often
did.
Enzymes:
The use of enzymes in detoxification is important, for the reason
that the body requires an adequate supply of enzymes, not only for
digestion, for also for detoxification. Enzymes are optimally obtained
from fresh raw fruits and vegetables, though may be taken daily with
meals as nutritional supplements of multi-digestive enzymes. Enzymes
in your food helps you to digest that food, though many foods today
are processed, refined, heated (cooked), radiated and stored, which
destroys enzymes and leaves it non-vital.[iv] Foods with enzymes destroyed
will have a longer shelf life, though will not give one health when
it is eaten.
Fresh raw
fruits and vegetables are the supreme source for enzymes and assist
to give one vibrant health. The body in detoxification of toxic substances
also uses enzymes. The liver is the source of most detoxification
enzymes, which it ought to make, or store. To aid the body in removing
and eliminating wastes and toxins, enzymes are clearest taken in between
meals. This way they do not get involved with digestion, though go
to the liver and to the blood for detoxification.
Many therapies
have utilized enzymes for improving health and enzymes have long been
the key to many detoxification therapies, which have helped many to
over come that dreaded dis-ease, cancer. Kelley, Gerson, Moerman,
and Neiper used alternative nutritional therapies with enzymes for
curing cancer. The famous Wobe Mugos enzymes from Europe were utilized
with Laetrile therapies for cancer. Never was Laetrile give alone,
but was used with vitamins, diet and enzymes. This made the Laetrile
therapy very successful in the 1970s. If cancer is a toxic condition,
which many feel that it is, then taking enzymes will help it. And
it does.
The use
of raw foods in many detoxification diets are using the enzymes found
naturally in those foods. Additionally, these raw foods provide fiber
and, with proper food combining, will not waste the body enzymes reserves.
Preserving enzymes is the key to over coming dis-ease and living to
ripe old age and remaining healthy. Yes, vitamins and minerals are
important, though vitamins are enzyme co-factors and many minerals
are use to activate enzymes. Therefore, the vitamins and minerals
themselves are only augmenting the role of the enzymes which are detoxifying
toxins and supporting metabolism.
Enzymes
also help the bowels in cleansing, for the reason that they liquefy
the bowel content, which makes transit much easier. The role of enzymes
in digestion is to break down foods for digestion and absorption.
When foods are broken down they become more liquid and the bowels
move much easier and faster. Transit time is decreased and our health
is increased when toxins are removed and eliminated. Perhaps, this
is a link to breaking the "constipation chain." Enzymes are the key
to health. Preserve your enzymes and we will be healthy for a long
time.
Bowel
Cleansing:
Keeping the bowels clean and moving is a major step in regaining your
health since the bowels are crucial in the elimination of toxins,
especially those processed by the liver. This is why one hears a lot
about the bowels, and bowel cleansing. In severe cases, enemas and
colonics may be required to breakup and washout long-standing bowel
encrustations. Diet may do the same thing as an enema or colonic,
it will just take longer. Also, one ought to be very diligent in repopulating
after a total washout of the normal flora and probiotics will be necessary
to restore that balance.
Constipation
is a national pastime and slow bowels are more common today than years
previous. For one thing, people not only ate healthier 100 years ago,
they were more active and got out doors more. When the bowels slow
down, toxins are not eliminated and are reabsorbed and carried back
to the liver for recycling and elimination.
Reabsorbed
bile salts have been linked to increased cholesterol levels; therefore,
cholesterol is a major indicator of constipation. Also, when the bowels
get slow and toxin levels increase, the pathogenic microorganisms
grow to out-number the normal flora causing dysbiosis. Although flora
is required to correct this, it is the clogged bowels that are the
major problem. When the bowels move again, everything else will fall
into order.
Your endocrine
glands that control metabolism are also involved; since it is your
thyroid that controls metabolism and metabolism affects how your bowels
are functioning. In this way, constipation is capable of being seen
as a symptom of hypothyroidism. Low body temperatures (a symptom of
hypothyroidism) are very common today ...although they are not "normal"
... as many authors have reported. One major factor in low body temperatures
is the suppression of thyroid function by heavy metals, like mercury,
which binds to your thyroid hormones and renders them inactive. Eliminate
the mercury and the body temperature is likely to return to normal.
The easiest
way to get the bowels moving is by using a high fiber diet consisting
of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, one may add extra fiber
during the day by drinking a glass of water (juice) with psyllium
husk powder. The extra fiber adds to the bulk of the stool and decreases
the bowel transit time, which means enhanced toxin elimination and
improved health. It makes sense that if one is capable of eliminating
toxins their health will improve.
One of
the clearest ways to improve the bowel function is with herbal remedies
that act as bowel stimulants or laxatives. These
products range from the very mild, slippery elm, to the stimulant,
cascara sagrada, to the very harsh, aloes and senna. Everyone may
react differently to these products, so they ought to be taken cautiously
at first. Some persons may take two aloes with no effect (meaning
they are heavily blocked), while others may take a mild herbal and
get a much greater effect than most. Herbal bowel combination formulas
are excellent for the reason that they not only stimulate the bowels
to move, though give the bowels the nourishment it requires to move
on its own.
Herbal
formulas ought to not preclude a wholesome natural diet, since diet
comes first in matters of health. One ought to not become overly dependent
on herbal laxatives, since they deplete potassium and may be "addicting"
as some authors claim. Yet, herbal products play a key role in getting
the body to eliminate toxins by stimulating the eliminative organs
like nothing else can and, therefore, are not capable of being ignored.
Herxheimer
Reaction:
The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly
and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.
When this occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting,
and malaise. Even though this is only a short period of the health
programme, it is capable of being severe and deter one from reaching
their intended goals. Also, the person may not know what they are
experiencing and think that they are regressing.
