Submitted by: Larry T.

Q: How would I know if I need to do a detox?

A: The most common symptom experienced by one who is toxic is fatigue and a lack of energy. Some other indicators of toxicity are as follows:

• Frequent fatigue
• Digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome)
• Skin problems (eruptions, itching, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis)
• Excess weight
• Sensitivity to chemicals
• Bad breath
• Foul-smelling stools
• Headaches
• Poor stress management
• Depression, anxiety, mood swings
• Joint pain
• Sexual dysfunction
• Frequent colds
• Sleeping problems
• Allergies

We are being poisoned over and over again. Our external environment is becoming more polluted than ever before. Short of living in a bubble, it is nearly impossible to avoid the tens of thousands of chemicals swarming around in our environment. Although we can do some things to avoid external toxins such as a water filter for our house, most of it is out of our control. Therefore, at the very least, we need to consider what is within our locus of control. Our diet, lifestyle, and an individualized, comprehensive detoxification protocol is not only a good idea but is essential to health and wellness. There have been many books written on various detoxification protocols and every indigenous ancient healing system practices some form of detoxification. Hopefully in the future we will look back at what is known as modern medicine and we will realize it was a mere bump in the road on the health care continuum. The current model of disease-care disrespects the body’s natural ability to detoxify itself. Using some very simple principles, many of which have been around for thousands of years, we can help the body do what it has perfected in a very natural non-invasive way.

The first place we need to start is with our S.A.D. diet (Standard American Diet). As we said before, many of the toxins we are poisoned with are out of our control, so at the very least we need to avoid the ones that are in our control. Throw away the foods with additives and preservatives, and artificial food colorings and flavorings, and partially hydrogenated fatty acids, and for health’s sake quit smoking!…cold turkey is best.

Because of our nutrient-depleted soils we are left with pesticide and herbicide-laden vegetables, fruits, and grains that are void of the essential phytochemicals necessary for all the detoxification processes that our bodies endure all day long. Add to this, our meats full of antibiotics and hormones, it is small wonder why we are in toxic overload. As we become more toxic, we invite the overgrowth of “bad” bacteria resulting in conditions such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, and irritable bowel syndrome. From there, further imbalance may ensue, developing into pathologies like allergies, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune processes, and colon and breast cancer.

Detox programs need to be designed for the individual. For example, one person may require an herbal extract to balance a helicobacter pylori infection and another person may need probiotics to balance dysbiosis. But in general there are some aspects that are included in most detox programs. In addition to the food additives and partially hydrogenated oils mentioned earlier, there are some other “foods” that need to be avoided. Dairy products are inflammatory to the majority of the population and should be removed from the diet, especially during a detox. Also avoid processed wheat flour products (breads, pasta, cookies, etc.), desserts (except fresh fruit), margarine, most canned foods, alcoholic beverages, cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, and sausage.

This leaves all fresh vegetables (organic if possible), especially the Brassica family (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), garlic and onions (very good for detoxification), rice (preferably brown organic), rice cakes, rice crackers, buckwheat, fish, turkey, chicken (chemical free), lamb, wild game, vegetable juice, fresh fruits and berries (organic if possible), legumes, nuts and seeds. In addition there are necessary nutrients that help the liver’s Phase I and Phase II detoxification abilities. One of my favorite products is MediClear from Thorne Research. MediClear is a rice protein-based nutritional formula that provides macronutrient and micronutrient elements necessary for elimination and detoxification. From there, I usually tailor the detox to the individual’s needs, choosing from nutrients, such as, milk thistle extract, dandelion root, Calcium D-Glucarate, indole-3-carbinol, N-acetyl-cysteine (for glutathione synthesis), probiotics (lactobacillus/bifidobacterium), antioxidants (vitamins C, E, A, selenium, etc.), SAMe, B-vitamins, lipotropic nutrients (choline, methionine, betaine, folic acid, vitamin B12), catechins, turmeric, artichoke leaves, L-Glutamine, essential fatty acids, and the detox giant – enzymes.

During the detox, I also recommend walking for thirty minutes three to four days a week, doing yoga, taking a sauna or steam bath for 10-15 minutes a day, getting a massage once a week during the detox, performing deep breathing exercises, drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water per day, and resting.
Give back to your body an appreciation for all the hard work it does for you all day long, all week long, all year long for decades and decades. I practice detoxification at least four times a year at the change of every season. Now is a good time. Even if I do not have symptoms, after a detoxification I feel lighter, my mind is sharper, my vision is clearer, and my body feels stronger.

We live in bodies where all the systems are very interrelated in a web-like balance of interactions. We cannot just listen to one instrument when addressing the human body but rather have to respect and consider the entire symphony. As usual, I would recommend a consultation for an individualized, comprehensive assessment.

CLICK HERE For More Information!