Detox for Life: The Three Crucial Steps of the Detox Program

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Detox for Life: The Three Crucial Steps of the Detox Program

_http://www.naturalnews.com/025899_detox_toxins_detoxification.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/025899_detox_toxins_detoxification.html)

 

NaturalNews) Detoxification is a natural healing process needed more than

ever in today`s toxic world. With the onslaught of chemicals in our food,

air and water, we can all do with undergoing a specific program of periodic

cleansing. An approach that is designed to lower the toxic burden

accumulated in our tissues, while supporting the organs of elimination in a

supportive and nurturing environment, is the type of program that will offer

the

most effective results in our pursuit of outstanding health.

 

What is _detoxification_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/detoxification.html) ?

 

We

have all heard about the role of detoxification in creating great _health_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html) ; and many of us have experienced

the _detox_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/detox.html) process, some by

attending a health retreat designed for this purpose, and some by virtue of a

supervised fast or _cleansing_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/cleansing.html)

program initiated by a naturopathic practitioner.

 

But what exactly is detoxification, and what is happening in the body when

we engage in this type of specialized program?

 

Essentially, detoxification is the body’s ongoing process of neutralizing

and eliminating _toxins_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/toxins.html) from the

tissues and organs of the body. It is the job of the liver to take _harmful

chemicals_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/harmful_chemicals.html) , toxins and

byproducts of metabolism from the bloodstream, and alter them into safer

substances to be excreted via the organs of elimination.

 

This process is always happening automatically, just like we breathe and

our hearts beat, and it’s not something we need to think about on a day to

day basis. It is a natural state of the body to be continually cleansing,

and most of the time we don’t even notice it is happening.

 

With the amount of potentially harmful _chemicals_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/chemicals.html) in our environment, our _food_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html) , our personal care and cleaning

products, in air and

_water_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/water.html) pollution, and in the

recreational _drugs_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/drugs.html) and medications

that

many people take; our body burden of toxic substances can rise. It is

estimated that there are 50,000+ chemicals in production, with 10,000 of these

used

in food processing.

 

When the liver is unable to deal with an excess amount of circulating

toxins, they can continue to move through the body, causing disruption and

damage, before eventually being stored mainly in the fat cells of our organs

and tissues, often being stored for years or decades.

 

Depending on the type of toxins held in the body, we can experience all

sorts of chronic and degenerative conditions that have their underlying cause

in an overwhelming burden of chemical overload. For example, one molecule

of mercury can inhibit the function of up to 1000 zinc molecules.

By engaging in a " detoxification program " we are actively assisting and

supporting the body in its own natural cleansing actions, to help in ridding

the body of substances that may be detrimental to our health.

 

Why a specialized detox?

 

Before essential nutrients can become available to the cells for renewal

and repair, we need to remove:

 

 

Metabolic waste

Excess _proteins_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/proteins.html) (fibrosis)

Mucous

Fat

Calcium

Heavy metals

Chemical residues

Drugs

Pollution

Radiation

 

Is there only one _disease_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html) ?

 

Many schools of thought promote the concept of there only being " one

disease " , that of toxaemia.

 

This theory proposes that if the body can be kept free and clear of toxic

debris and waste, and if good _nutrition_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/nutrition.html) is provided, the body’s _natural

healing_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/natural_healing.html) processes will enable it to

heal from any

disease.

 

All effective natural healing methods combine some type of detoxification

process.

 

What is involved in a detoxification program?

 

In the natural medicine world, a detox is a specific program of dietary

changes and often herbal support to:

 

1)lower the amount of chemicals being ingested,

2)to provide nutrients that enhance the body’s natural processes,

3)to support the organs of elimination in clearing toxins out of the body

quickly and safely

 

There are many styles of detox programs, but the best ones are those

undertaken in an environment where all of these factors can be addressed, and

there is an opportunity to rest and relax and focus on healing.

 

1) Lowering ingested chemicals

 

The first part of detoxification involves lowering the ingestion of not

only chemicals in the diet, but often also lowering the amount of food

consumed, to give the digestive system a rest and to allow energy to be

diverted

to cleansing rather than digesting.

 

Fasting is a universal natural response to disease, and there are several

ways to fast; water only, juices, and mono _foods_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/foods.html) being the most common.

 

To this end, most detox diets will involve a period of _fasting_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/fasting.html) , such as drinking only freshly made

vegetable juices for several days. Only organic produce should be used for the

juicing, to ensure no pesticides or other chemicals or contaminants are

consumed.

 

After a juice fast, it is sensible to spend a period of time eating plain

organic fruits and vegetables to allow the body time to adjust to _whole

foods_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/whole_foods.html) again, while keeping

the burden of ingested toxins to a very low level.

 

Water fasting can be too extreme for most people in today’s world, as we

are carrying such a load of toxins that we need more than just our stores of

nutrients to help the body to detoxify them properly. Many people are

already malnourished and depleted, so water fasting is not appropriate in these

cases.

 

Fresh organic juice provides a plentiful supply of _enzymes_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/enzymes.html) to assist in the breakdown of toxic

matter,

vitamins, minerals, and _antioxidants_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidants.html) to protect from free radical

damage.

 

24 hours after starting a juice program, pancreatic enzymes are no longer

needed for the _digestion_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/digestion.html) of

food and can start digesting waste matter in the body. Not only do they

start breaking down debris in the colon, but they can travel through the body

and start digesting damaged cells, microbes, metabolic waste, acids,

fibrosis, atherosclerotic plaques and deposits in the joints

 

2) Providing nutrients

 

As toxins are being released for excretion during the fasting phase, these

substances can be highly reactive and create free radical damage. Not only

as they circulate, but when they are processed through the first phase of

liver detoxification, dangerous metabolites can be produced. A high level

of antioxidants can offset this danger and protect the liver and the cells

of the body.

 

This is why _juice fasting_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/juice_fasting.html) can be so advantageous, as it

supplies an enormous amount of

concentrated _vitamins_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/vitamins.html) , minerals

and

antioxidants that are easily absorbed. Organic juice means no toxins are being

ingested and by being in a clean environment this lowers the daily burden.

 

Some detox programs also support the body with green nutrition such as

wheat or barley grass, chlorella or spirulina. These green foods supply a high

dose of nutrients, protein for the binding of toxins, and _chlorophyll_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/chlorophyll.html) which is a powerful _blood_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/blood.html) cleanser.

 

Healing nutrients:

 

By juice fasting and supplementing with concentrated green nutrition and

_herbs_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/herbs.html) with fiber, we offer our

body all it needs to cleanse and heal:

 

Enzymes

Vitamins

Minerals

Antioxidants

Carbohydrates

Chlorophyll

Protein

Fiber

 

Enzymes: enzymes are specialized proteins that accelerate or instigate

chemical reactions within our cells. Malfunction of just one type of enzyme

can be fatal.

 

All animals eat foods which also contain enzymes for their own digestion.

 

Enzyme reserves can be depleted by cooked food; the demands on digestion

from cooked foods means that enzyme activity is used for digestion rather

than cleansing and healing purposes elsewhere in the body.

 

Enzymes are at the heart of physiologic healing, they have been called the

" spark of life " , a deficiency of which has been linked to chronic and

degenerative illnesses.

 

Metabolic enzymes build, cleanse and heal the body:

 

" After two decades of microscopic analysis of the cellular systems of

thousands of people who have been guests at Hippocrates, we discovered and

confirmed that digestive enzymes and enzymes found within plant foods clearly

enhance the electrical frequency in and around cells of the body. "

Dr. Brian Clements

Author of " Hippocrates LifeForce, Superior health and longevity " Hippocrates Health Institute, Florida, for over 25 years

 

Vitamins: essential for life, they are co-factors in enzymatic reactions

and required for producing energy needed for detoxification.

 

Minerals: essential for life, they are co-factors in enzymatic reactions,

are required for

energy production, and are utilized in the liver for the binding of toxins.

 

Antioxidants: required for neutralizing free radical damage caused by

circulating toxins, and by Phase 1 liver detox processes.

 

Carbohydrates: provide fuel for energy.

 

Chlorophyll: cleansing, blood building, antibacterial, antiseptic,

alkalizing and oxygenating.

 

Protein: is found in concentrated green nutrition and is needed for

binding toxins via the liver.

 

Fiber: acts like an intestinal broom to drag toxins, mucoid plaque and

_heavy metals_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/heavy_metals.html) out of the

bowel, and provide fuel for the good _bacteria_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/bacteria.html) colonies.

 

 

3) Supporting the organs of elimination

 

 

There are many organs and systems involved in the detoxification process,

but some are more important than others and supporting their function

results in a more thorough and pleasant detox.

 

Liver: the liver is the organ which does the most work during a detox. It

takes _pollutants_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/pollutants.html) out of the

bloodstream, identifies them and makes them safe for excretion.

 

The first stage of this is called Phase 1 Liver Detox and that involves

making fat soluble toxins more water soluble, so that they can be eliminated

through the bowels or the kidneys. The outcome of Phase 1 is highly

reactive toxic metabolites waiting for Phase 2 treatment. A high level of

antioxidants are needed to balance and neutralize these substances.

 

Phase 2 Liver Detox uses various protein molecules to bind these

intermediate products and make them safe to be eliminated.

 

Bowel: a lot of toxins are excreted through the bowel, so a

well-functioning, moving bowel is an essential part of the detox. Many detox

programs

include bowel herbs, bulking _fiber_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/fiber.html)

such as psyllium husks, products like bentonite clay that bind toxins, or

cleanses such as enemas or colonic irrigation.

By cleansing and supporting the bowel in this way, we ensure the maximum

removal of toxic substances.

 

Kidneys: the kidneys are another organ that filters and processes a large

number of toxins. During a cleanse, drinking plenty of fluid supports

kidney function, and using juices such as watermelon, celery, cucumber or black

cherry can all enhance their detoxification ability.

 

Kidneys are also the repository for our " chi " energy or lifeforce, so

plenty of rest, _meditation_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/meditation.html) ,

keeping warm and gentle movement, will all help to revitalize and nourish our

kidney energy.

 

Skin: the skin can release many toxins, especially when it is helped by

dry skin body brushing, and by spending time in a sauna. Both of these

practices enhance the effectiveness of our detoxification, not only by allowing

the release of toxins through the skin, but by moving our lymphatic system

which drains and transports many waste products.

 

Breath: yes, you often will have " detox breath " during a cleanse! Our

lungs are powerful

movers of toxic matter, and deep breathing during yoga or meditation is

another tool we use

to support our body.

 

How long do we fast for?

 

 

Short fasts, or fasting one day a week are not a good practice.

 

During the first day of the fast, _glucose_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/glucose.html) levels drop and glycogen reserves can

be depleted. The body

will then start to draw on protein from the tissues to create glucose.

 

Following day one, the body adapts and starts to use fat as a source of

energy and preserves protein. One day fasts will deplete body protein and

serve no purpose for deeper detoxification of stored toxins in fat tissues.

 

Three days is a minimum, but the general rule is to fast until you feel

hungry again. Not from habit, but from a true hunger.

 

Intermittent fasting can extent lifespan by 20-30%

 

" Studies have shown that fasted cells have the capacity for assimilation

and growth characterized by the cells of young animals, demonstrating beyond

doubt that fasting rejuvenates cellular function. "

Sergius Morgulis, " Fasting and Undernutrition " . University of Nebraska,

E.P. Dutton, New York 1923.

 

What is a healing crisis?

 

A healing crisis is also known as the " Herxheimer Reaction " where the body

tries to eliminate toxins at a faster rate than they can be disposed of,

resulting in a possible increase in symptoms, or at times nausea, diarrhea,

headaches, dizziness or mood swings.

 

Many people are reluctant to participate in a detoxification program

because they are worried about feeling ill or experiencing some type of healing

crisis during the detox.

 

The first day there are often the common symptoms such as the " caffeine

withdrawal " headache, but days two and onwards are when the deeper toxins are

being removed

 

These symptoms, however, are much more likely to occur when the organs of

elimination are not properly supported. During a professional cleansing

program, these reactions are minimized, as every element is designed to move

toxins quickly out of the body, for a pleasant and comfortable experience.

 

How will I feel afterwards?

 

A comprehensive supervised detox program of at least a week’s duration

once or twice a year works well. After spending that period of time cleansing,

building your nutritive status, resting and healing, you will feel like a

different person!

 

Skin often becomes clearer, eyes become brighter, energy and vitality

expands, sleep is improved, aches and pains are gone, the bowel works better,

mental clarity and concentration is improved, and many people shed a few

extra kilos over the week.

 

By lowering your body burden of toxins, you may very well be helping to

prevent the chronic health consequences that can come from long term exposure

to the thousands of chemical pollutants saturating our environment today.

 

What a wonderful gift to give yourself!

 

 

 

 

Sources:

The Hundred Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald

Lifeforce by Dr. Brian R. Clement

Be Your Own Doctor by Ann Wigmore

Detox and Live by Hilda Hemmes

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices by Norman Walker

About the author

The author, Leisa Wheeler N.D. is a Naturopath, proven Health & Healing

Mentor and Raw Food Coach. She founded Embracing Health, a business dedicated

to bringing you health information that can change your life.

Leisa runs Embracing Life! Six Day Detox, Healing and Raw Food Retreats

around Australia, (_www.embracinghealth.com.au/retreat_

(http://www.embracinghealth.com.au/retreat) ), teaches people about the benefits

of a whole foods

lifestyle, writes on many health topics in her blog

_http://www.embracinghealthblog.com/_ (http://www.embracinghealthblog.com/)

and has released a

DVD on mind-body medicine _http://www.emotionalaspectsofhealingdvd.com/_

(http://www.emotionalaspectsofhealingdvd.com/) You can sign up for Leisa's free

fortnightly Embracing Health Tips & Tidbits Newsletter at

_http://www.embracinghealth.com.au/.html_

(http://www.embracinghealth.com.au/.html)