FOR OPTIMUM WELLNESS
What is detoxification? Our bodies naturally do it every day.Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizingtoxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin.In fact, internal detoxification is one of our body's most basicautomatic functions. Just as our hearts beat nonstop and our lungsbreathe continuously, so our metabolic processes continuouslydispose of accumulated toxic matter. But in our world today, bodysystems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwantedsubstances are now completely overloaded; thus many unwanted substancesstay in our tissues. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerousmaterial by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous or fatso it won't cause imbalance or trigger an immune reaction. (Yourbody stores foreign substances in its fatty deposits-a significantreason to keep your diet and body fat low. Some people carry aroundup to 15 extra pounds of mucous that harbors this waste!)
Ideally, we should live in a pollution-free environment, eat untaintedfoods and drink pure water. But, since humans are born with a"self-cleaning system," we know this has probably neverbeen possible. Today, it isn't even practical, so the next bestthing is to keep pollutants to a minimum and to periodically getrid of them through a detoxification program.
A healthy alternative
If our bodies can't cleanse us anymore, can we do it through adetox program? Detoxification through special cleansing dietsmay be the missing link to disease prevention, especially forimmune-compromised diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes andfatigue syndromes like candida albicans. Our chemicalized-fooddiet, with too much animal protein, too much fat, too much caffeineand alcohol radically alters our internal ecosystems. Even ifyour diet is good, a cleanse can restore body vitality againstenvironmental toxins that pave the way for disease-bearing bacteria,viruses and parasites.
A detox program aims to remove the cause of disease before itmakes us ill. It's a time-honored way to keep immune responsehigh, elimination regular, circulation sound, and stress undercontrol so your body can handle the toxicity it encounters. Inthe past, detoxification was used either clinically for recoveringalcoholics and drug addicts, or individually as a once-a-yearmild "spring cleaning" for general health maintenance.Today, a regular detox program two or three times a year makesa big difference not only for health, but for the quality of ourlives.
Are detoxification and cleansing the same thing? There is sometimesconfusion about these terms because cleansing rituals are so ancient.In cultures like the Native American, cleansing was regarded firstas a religious practice, purifying the body as a living templeto God. In others, such as Chinese medicine, cleansing was partof preventive health care. Today, the terms are used interchangeably.
Why should you detoxify?
We are exposed to synthetic, often toxic chemicals on an unprecedentedscale. Industrial chemicals and their pollutant run-offs in ourwater, pesticides, additives in our foods, heavy metals, anesthetics,residues from drugs, and environmental hormones are trapped withinthe human body in greater concentrations than at any other pointin history. Every system of the body is affected, from tissuedamage to sensory deterioration.
Many chemicals are so widespread that we are unaware of them.But they have worked their way into our bodies faster than theycan be eliminated and are causing allergies and addictions inrecord numbers. More than 2 million synthetic substances are known,25,000 are added each year, and over 30,000 are produced on acommercial scale. Only a tiny fraction are ever tested for toxicity.A lot of them come to us from developing countries that have fewsafeguards in place. This doesn't even count the second-hand smoke,caffeine and alcohol overload or daily stress that is an increasingpart of our lives.
The molecular structure of many chemical carcinogens interactswith human DNA, so long-term exposure may result in metabolicand genetic alteration that affects cell growth and behavior.World Health Organization research implicates environmental chemicalsin 60 to 80 percent of all cancers. Hormone-disrupting pesticidesand pollutants are linked to hormone problems, psychological disorders,birth defects, still births and now breast cancer.
As toxic matter saturates our tissues, antioxidants and mineralsin vital body fluids are reduced, so immune defenses are thrownout of balance. Circumstances like this are the prime factor intoday's immune-compromised diseases like candidiasis, lupus, fibromyalgia,and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Almost everyone can benefit from a cleanse. It's one of the bestways to remain healthy in a destructive environment. Not one ofus is immune to environmental toxins, and most of us can't escapeto a remote, unpolluted habitat. In the last few decades we havebecome dangerously able to harm the health of our entire planet,even to the point of making it uninhabitable for life. We mustdevelop further and take even larger steps-those of cooperationand support. Mankind and the Earth must work together-to saveit all for us. It starts with us. We can take positive steps tokeep our own body systems in good working order so that toxinsare eliminated quickly.
We can also take a closer look at our own air, water and food,and keep an ever watchful eye on the politics that control ourenvironment. Legislation on health and the environment followstwo pathways in America today-the influence of business and profits,and the demands of the people for a healthy environment and responsiblestewardship of the Earth.
Toxins galore
The current level of chemicals in our air, food and water supplyalters us at the most basic level-our enzymes, then spreads throughoutevery body function to lower our threshold of resistance to disease.
Besides coming into our bodies through every orifice and organ,prolonged mental stress and negative emotions can create internalpoisons. A highly processed foods diet, a severely unbalanceddiet, or simply too much food overburden elimination systems.Lack of exercise contributes to toxicity, too. The body's naturalcleansing cycle of oxygen and vital nutrients depends upon exercise.A stagnant system encourages toxic build-up.
Great benefits
A detox cleans out body waste deposits so you aren't running witha dirty engine or driving with the brakes on. After a cleanse,the body starts rebalancing, energy levels rise physically, psychologicallyand sexually, and creativity begins to expand. You start feelinglike a different person-because you are. Your outlook and attitudechange, because through cleansing and improved diet, your actualcell make-up has changed.
· Your digestive tract is cleansed of accumulated wasteand fermenting bacteria.
· Excess mucous and congestion is cleared from the body.
· Liver, kidney and blood are purified, impossible underordinary eating patterns.
· Mental clarity is enhanced, impossible under chemicaloverload.
· Dependency on habit-formers like sugar, caffeine, nicotine,alcohol or drugs is less.
· Bad eating habits are often turned around; the stomachhas a chance to reduce to normal size for weight control.
· Cleansing also releases hormone secretions that coupledwith essential fatty acids (EFA's) from fresh plant sources stimulateand strengthen the immune system.
Getting started
You've decided your body needs a cleanse. How much time can yougive out of your busy lifestyle to focus on a cleansing programso that all the processes can be completed? Twenty-four hours,two or three days, or up to 10 days? The time factor is important-you'llwant to allot your time before starting, and prepare both yourmind and your body for the experience ahead.
A good detox program is in three steps-cleansing, rebuilding andmaintaining. Years of experience with detoxification have convincedme that if you have a serious health problem, a brief three toseven-day juice cleanse is the best way to release toxins fromthe system. Shorter cleanses can't get to the root of a chronicproblem. Longer cleanses upset body equilibrium more than mostpeople are ready to deal with except in a controlled, clinicalenvironment. A three to seven day cleanse can "clean yourpipes" of systemic sludge-excess mucous, old fecal matter,trapped cellular and non-food wastes, or inorganic mineral depositsthat are part of arthritis.
An all-liquid diet is traditionally called a fast. It's not absolutelynecessary to take only liquids, but a few days without solid foodcan be an enlightening experience about your lifestyle. A juicefast increases awareness and energy availability for elimination.Fresh juices literally pick up dead matter from the body and carryit away. It becomes easier to "hear" your body tellingyou what foods and diet are right for your needs via cravings-adesire for protein foods, B vitamins or minerals, for example.This is natural biofeedback.
Fasting works by self-digestion. During a cleanse, the body decomposesand burns only the substances and tissues that are damaged, diseasedor unneeded, such as abscesses, tumors, excess fat deposits, andcongestive wastes. Even a relatively short fast accelerates elimination,often causing dramatic changes as masses of accumulated wasteare expelled.
You will know your body is detoxing if you experience the shortperiod of headaches, fatigue, body odor, bad breath, diarrheaor mouth sores that commonly accompany accelerated elimination.However, digestion usually improves right away as do many glandand nerve functions. Cleansing also helps release hormone secretionsthat stimulate immune response and encourages a disease-preventingenvironment.
Water fasts
I don't recommend water fasts. Leading nutritionists and detoxificationexperts agree that fresh vegetable and fruit juice cleansing issuperior to water fasting. Indeed, juice cleansing is an evolutionin detoxification methods. Fresh juices, broth and herb teas helpto deeply cleanse the body, rejuvenate the tissues and guide youto a faster recovery from health problems than water fasting.
A traditional water fast is harsh and demanding on your body,even in times before huge amounts of food and environmental toxinswere part of the picture. Today, it can even be dangerous! Deeplyburied pollutants and chemicals from our tissues are releasedinto elimination channels too rapidly during a water fast. Ourbody is essentially "re-poisoned" as the chemicals movethrough the bloodstream all at once. Sometimes, the physical andemotional stress of a water fast even overrides the healing benefits.
Vegetable and fruit juices are alkalizing, so they neutralizeuric acid and other inorganic acids better than water and increasethe healing effects. Juices support better metabolic activityfor fasting, too. Metabolic activity slows down during a waterfast as the body attempts to conserve dwindling energy resourcesthat further reduce productive cleansing. Juices are very easyon digestion-easily assimilated into the bloodstream. They don'tdisturb the detoxification process.
Three steps to cleansing
The first step of your cleanse is elimination. You'll be cleaningout mucous and toxins from the intestinal tract and major organs.Everything functions more effectively when toxins, obstructionsand wastes are removed. Try to drink eight glasses of water eachday of your fast in addition to your juices.
The second step is rebuilding healthy tissue and restoring energy.With obstacles removed, your body's regulating powers are activatedto rebuild at optimum levels. Eat only fresh and simply preparedfoods during the rebuilding step. Your diet should be very lowin fat, with little dairy (cottage cheese and yogurt are OK),and no fried foods. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and sugars.Avoid meats except fish and sea foods. Include supplements andherbal aids for your specific needs.
The final step is keeping your body clean and toxin-free-veryimportant after all the hard work of detoxification. Modifyinglifestyle habits is the key to a strong resistant body. A dietfor health maintenance relies heavily on fresh fruits and vegetablesfor fiber; cooked vegetables, grains and seeds for strength andalkalinity; sea foods, soy foods, eggs and low fat cheeses assources of protein; and lightly cooked sea foods and vegetableswith a little dinner wine for circulatory health. A personalizedgroup of supplements and herbal aids, as well as exercise andrelaxation techniques, should be included.
Here's my cleansing diet today. It's nourishing, delicious, satisfying-andlean. I've lost 10 extra pounds over the last year.
· Salmon, fresh tuna and shrimp for essential fatty acids,brain food, and protein
· A wide variety of sea vegetables for minerals, vitamins,EFA's, protein, and antioxidants
· Sushi and sashimi for B vitamins, protein and more ofall of the above
· Fresh vegetable salads with tomatoes, peas, cucumbers,celery and plenty of lettuces for minerals, vitamins, fiber, complexcarbohydrates, antioxidants and system sweepers
· Apples, pineapples, grapes and oranges for fiber, systemcleansing and hydrating
· Steamed vegetables like green beans, broccoli and cauliflowerfor vitamins and minerals, fiber, anticarcinogens, complex carbohydratesand stable nerves
· Brown rice, couscous, brown rice crackers and rice cakesfor B vitamins, fiber and protein
· Miso soup for immune enhancers and thyroid boosters
· Green tea every morning for antioxidants and detoxifiers
· Plenty of herbs and natural spices for thermogenesis,circulation and immune response.
* Note: Laboratory tests like stool, urine, blood or liverfunction, and hair analysis can also shed light on the need fordetoxification.
Body signs can tell you that you need to detoxify. We all havedifferent "toxic tolerance" levels. Listen to your bodywhen it starts giving you those "cellular phone calls."If you can keep the amount of toxins in your system below yourtoxic level, your body can usually adapt and rid itself of them.
Written by: Linda Page.
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