Why Detox

Every day we are exposed toexternal toxins from our environment and internal toxins produced as thebyproduct of our digestive and metabolic processes. Toxic and unwantedinorgranic chemicals are found in our foods, water and air in the formof fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants. Workingin climate controlled environments is a source of airbornemicroorganisms and debris and home and work environments expose usto paint and carpet fumes. Everything from plastic containers todry cleaned clothes to skin and haircare products and cosmetics bombardour bodies with unwanted pollutants. All of these fall in the categoryof environmental toxins.

Our bodies also produceunwanted substances as the normal byproduct of our digestion andmetabolism. In addition to this, we can accumulate waste productsof any infectious microrganisms living in our bodies. If our bodyhasthe proper nutrition in sufficient quantities to provide a healthybiochemistryand if the organs of elimination and detoxification arefunctioning at optimal levels, our body is able to eliminate theseunwanted substances safely and efficiently through cellular processesvia the main organs of detoxification;skin, bowels, liver, kidneys andlungs. This manifests as elimination through perspiration, bowelelimination, urination and respiration. However, if the bodyis producing and taking in more toxins than it can safely eliminate, astate of chronic toxicity may occur.

Most chronicillnesses are the result of a combination of factors. The maincontributing factors, however, can be attributed to the presence ofunwanted substances in the body or the lack of needed substances in thebody and, in many cases, a combination of both of these factors. When the body has been overburdened with exogenous (external) andendogenous (internal) toxic substances for a prolonged period of time,it loses its capacity to detoxify atthe same rate that toxins are beingproduced and ingested. It is under these unnatural conditionsthat we begin to manifest symptoms of being overloaded with toxicity andour organs are weakened. It is thought by many natural healthprofessionals that this prolonged state of toxicity undermines organ andcellular function and is the underlying cause of manychronic diseases.

The presence of unwantedsubstances in the body is a very common root of illness. The process of eliminating unwanted substances from the body at thecellular level addresses and corrects this imbalance. However, foreffective detoxification itis essential to provide the body with thenecessary dietary substances so that the body can perform this importantand natural function. This is exactly what we will be doing on theprogram.

“Detoxification” refers to the body’sability toneutralize and safely eliminate harmful chemicals within thebody. The detoxification program is designed to enhance the body’sinnate ability to handle toxins. While it is unrealisticandvirtually impossible to eliminate external toxins completely, the bodycan be unburdened and supported in its natural function ofdetoxification so that it is better able to cope with the daily stressesof modern life and thereby establish a higher level of health.

Detoxificationhas a beneficial effect on most chronic illnesses because it has animpact on almost all systems of the body: cardiovascular,nervous, immune, respiratory,reproductive, gastrointestinal, urinary,skin, musculoskeletal and endocrine.

Detoxification is recommended for individuals who:

• Have symptoms oftoxicity
• Have chronic digestive problems
• Haveimparied liver function due to lifestyle (alcohol, toxic exposure, pooreating habits, highstress, chemical exposure in the workplace)
• Have impaired liver function due to chronic illness (hepatitis, jaundice, fatty liver)
• Are on medications affecting the liver
• Are on hormone replacement therapy
• Have PMS and moodiness
• Have chronic headaches
• Have chronic skin conditions
• Have gallbladder pathology
• Have chronic poor lifestyle habits

Common symptoms alleviated by detoxification may include:

• Headaches
• Stiff, aching joints and muscles
• Susceptibility to infections
• Respiratory difficulties
• Allergies
• Digestive problems
• Constipation
• Acne
• Low energy and fatigue
• Restlessness and irritability
• Mental fogginess
• Inability to concentrate
• Depression and moodiness
• Poor quality sleep and insomnia

Benefits of Detoxification

These are some of the possible results you can expect to experience:

• A feeling of revitalisation
• Increased energy,vitality and stamina
• Increased immunity and resistance to infections and illness
• Reduced allergy symptoms
• Increased metabolism and metabolic balancing for weight control
• Weight loss
• Improved digestive functions such as absorption and elimination
• Balanced water metabolism and reduction in fluid retention and uric acid
• Enhanced liver function and detoxification processes
• Invigorate circulation and balance blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
• Strengthen andlubricate joints; reduced joint aches and pains; increased joint mobility
• Reduced risk for many chronic diseases
• Reduced symptoms of chronic toxicity
• Improved sleep patterns and feeling rested and refreshed
• Heightened mental clarity, focus, concentration and memory
• Promotion of stable moods, emotional balance and wellbeing; a greater sense of peace and calm
• A feeling of rejuvenation on all levels

For more information about detox, please visit Kamalaya’ s website:
Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, Thailand

Kamalaya Koh Samui Spa Resort

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Starting Your Detox Program

Though life has admittedly become more comfortable because of technology and a barrage of scientific discoveries, we are not as aware about their negative effects on our bodies as we should be. Almost everything we eat and drink has been compromised in one way or the other; be it through using so many preservatives or injecting it would synthetic vitamins and minerals. We now have thousands of chemicals for everything - to cleanse our water, to enhance the flavor and extend the shelf life of our food, to maintain our gardens, to shine our furniture and to keep the moisture in our cosmetics. Much of these chemicals are admittedly carcinogenic, but little or no clamor more has been made to remove them from the market. It is no surprise why so many of us know somebody who is suffering from some kind of cancer or a disease that did not use to exist 10 years ago.

Western medicine has not helped in increasing awareness for this very important process. A lot of people still think of detoxification as something you do to withdraw from drugs and alcohol. But in the East, detoxification is very much a part of everyday life and is looked upon as a necessary evil towards maintaining good health and vibrant demeanor.

While science teaches us that our body cleanses its own organs every few months by renewing its cells, our bodies still need to help. Our liver and gastrointestinal tracts are responsible for cleansing our bodies, but obviously, they cannot sustain this cleansing for very long without breaking down. They still get overwhelmed, which is why a liver cancer and colon cancer are the top diseases in the Western world. When someone suffers from a disease in either of these organs, the usual approach is to bombard them with even more medication. Sometimes this can do more harm than good. Also remember that toxins and other “innocent” chemicals are absorbed by the body in more ways than one. While we may eat food contaminated with chemicals and preservatives, we also absorb toxins from the air we breathe, from the lotions we use, from the hair dye that we apply and from the depression that we suffer. We need to filter this constant barrage of harmful chemicals and toxins periodically. We need to take in vitamins, minerals, fiber and all the other enzymes to boost our immunity and help our body repair itself.

We run the risk of being unwitting victims to this chemical overload. The good news is that lately, more and more people have become more health-conscious and now are turning to organic products and food. Yet we still have to cleanse our bodies from the load we had put it through, thus the need for detoxification and cleansing every now and then. Telltale signs that show that your body’s detoxification system is having trouble are usually the following: precedence of rashes or itching, allergies and coughing, irritability and depression, intermittent headaches, a general feeling of weakness, muscle fatigue and an upset stomach. Other symptoms include foul-smelling stool, diarrhea or constipation, acid reflux, or heartburn. All these symptoms strongly indicate a growing sensitivity of your liver or GI tract to a certain chemical or additive. If you find that you do suffer from any of these symptoms, consult a doctor or gastroenterologist. They may ask you to perform a fast or to take some laxatives. These may work but only in the short-term. If you do decide to perform a detox, do some research first. There are many programs out there that will aid you in beginning your detox program. Once you get started and you feel the healthy benefits of the program you’ve selected, make sure you are well able to keep it up and you integrate it into your lifestyle.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Detoxification

Tag: detoxificationdetoxification

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Detoxifying Your Body

Detoxification (Detox): Is the removal of toxic substances from the body. This is mainly performed by the liver and kidneys. When the kidneys are not functioning correctly or not working at all an artificial technique called dialysis is used.

Why do we need to detoxify our bodies? Due to many elements our bodies are subjected to toxins. Sometimes these toxins accumulate in the body and make us sick. Therefore it is advisable to detoxify our bodies when this happens. There are several ways this can be done.

One of the most common ways is to modify your diet. This is known as a detox diet. Many people do this on a regular basis. They find it not only improves overall health but results in increased energy, helps your immune system and can also help in weight loss. Different diets commonly used are:

Fasting or abstinence of food- is a very common way of detoxing the body. Some just drink water others only juice. This can usually be done over a period of 24-48 hours.

Increased consumption of fish

Different combinations of foods

Eating foods which are high in antitoxins

How do we detoxify our bodies? The liver is the main organ that helps us deal with toxins in the body. There are 2 phases:

Phase 1: This is when the liver, by a chain of chemical processes, changes the toxic substance into a less toxic one. When this process takes place substances called free radicals are released into the body. These are potentially harmful to the body. Certain types of foods contain antitoxins that help us keep the body safe from these free radicals.

Phase 2: The liver cells then add a substance to the toxin to make it water soluble and allow it to be filtered out by the kidneys in the urine. They are also eradicated in the feces. Certain foods can help in this process.

Foods that contain antitoxins:

Beets,contain a variety of substances that help cut down damage caused by free radicals. They contain antitoxins such as beta-carotene, carotenoids and flavonoids, that help the body heal itself.
Broccoli have Vitamin C and B These vitamins help the liver in the phase 1 process.

Spinach has vitamin B and folic acid, used in phase 1 by the liver.
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant. They are also a good source of vitamin E and C, which are both used, in the liver’s detoxifying process.

Brown Rice provides B vitamins and the antioxidant selenium.
Carrots contain beta-carotene and other carotenoids
Eggs supply B vitamins.
Garlic has selenium and glutathione, both of which act as antioxidants.
Wheat germ contains selenium and vitamin E which are a good source of phytochemicals.

Melons and peppers and citrus fruits are good sources of vitamin C.
Tomatillos, papaya, plantains, carambola, and guava are good sources of the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C.

Caution should be exercised in detoxifying dieting to ensure that toxins are not released into the body more rapidly than the body can eliminate them. When this happens the condition is called the Herxheimer reaction. Symptoms include, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Some things that may help are:

Drinking a lot of clean water
Taking light exercise
Sunlight
Detoxifying slowly

Detoxifying your body can be beneficial to your health but you need to be careful when doing this. If necessary consult your doctor to be sure that there is no underlying problem that can be worsened by this process. Many people do experience beneficial symptoms from detox diets and make them a regular part of their eating habits.

Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Consultant. His clients range from pro athletes and actresses, to cancer patients and children with Learning Disabilities. To learn if glyconutrients can help you, visit Buy Glyconutrients Product.

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