Detoxification is commonly abbreviated as detox and it may mean many different
things to different people.
For some, it is associated with enemas,
colonics, and herbal fiber supplements or intestinal parasite cleansers. Others might think about the Master Cleanse
which involves drinking lemon water with maple syrup and cayenne pepper and not
eating for days. Other people associate
detoxing with liver cleansing juice fasts and green supplements such as
spirulina and chorella. Some may conjure
up the image of foot baths with nasty colored water. Some people think about heavy metal chelation
and intravenous vitamin therapies. And
some may think about all the gimmicks and plethora of detox services and products
and write-off the entire industry as a scam.
Let’s break it down.
Who: We are all exposed to toxins in our food,
water, and environment. If you are
breathing, you have toxins. Period. Some people are more sensitive to toxins due
to their genetics and individual tolerance levels. Even at low level exposures, they may suffer
signs and symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, depression, body aches and
pains, weight gain, digestive issues, irritability, allergies, auto-immune
disorders and much more. Other people
can be very toxic yet not manifest any problems until the toxic burden is so
heavy that they develop cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, or
another chronic health care concern.
What: Detoxing can take many forms as mentioned
above. So the consumer may feel
overwhelmed and not know where to start.
The best advice is to see a naturopathic doctor or other holistic health
care professional. Based on the
individual’s history, signs and symptoms, diet, exposure, and lab test results,
we can determine which approach is best suitable for the person. For example:
Bob who suffers from migraine headaches and has four amalgam (mercury)
dental fillings might start with a provoked heavy metal urine test to determine
his levels of mercury and other heavy metals.
He may be advised to see a holistic dentist to replace his mercury
fillings and then start a chelation therapy protocol. While Tina who has been suffering from
gastrointestinal complaints since her trip to India and the far East, feels fatigue
and has some mental fog may do a stool analysis test to determine if she has
intestinal parasites or a candida overgrowth and if so she may be prescribed an herbal parasite cleanse
and recommended a course of colonics.
When: Because we are all exposed to toxins, it
is wise to detoxify at least once per year.
Some say once every 6 months, depending on exposure to toxins. The best time of year to detox is the Spring. Spring is the season for letting go of everything (and even everyone--negative influences) that doesn't serve your highest good. It makes sense to clean the home, and the
home of the soul in Spring.
Where: When it comes to detox naturopaths know
best. Find one in your city at:
Why: Since the body is a temple of the soul, keeping it clean is very important! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure. Get rid of toxins before
the burden creates a malady because you deserve to enjoy optimal health, wellbeing,
and longevity.
What else: We mentioned the body and the spirit but what about the mind? Decluttering the mind is also of paramount importance. Read positive books, listen to motivational MP3's, lectures, or subliminal affirmations, to achieve your goals and to think positively. I would also encourage and support counseling, life-coaching, or other therapeutic activities that can help a person to clean their head out from negative thoughts and emotions which are also toxic and the source of dis-ease.
