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
Tags: Detox, detoxifyDetoxifying 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.
Tags: Detox, detoxification, detoxify, detoxingColon Cleansers Can Harm
Colon cleansers are foods and laxatives that loosen your stool and make you go to the bathroom. The latest research shows that regular use of laxatives or colon cleansers can harm you by blocking the absorption of healthful nutrients from your colon into your bloodstream.
The bebeficial bacteria in your colon convert undigested starches into short chain fatty acids that heal ulcers, prevent colon cancer and other cancers, reduce the pain of arthritis, prevent the arterial damage of arteriosclerosis, lower cholesterol, and even lower high blood pressure.
100 years ago, Ilya Metchnikoff noticed that people who lived in the mountains of Hungary appeared to live to a very old age. They didn’t live longer, but they had such a hard life that they looked much older than they were. Metchnikoff knew that they ate yogurt every day and that yogurt is loaded with lactobacilli, bacteria that can grow in your intestinal tract.
He felt that these good bacteria displaced bad bacteria that normally live in your intestines and secrete toxins that shorten your life. His theory of autointoxication is that food that is not absorbed in the upper intestinal tract passes to your colon, where bad bacteria ferment it to form poisons that are absorbed into your bloodstream to shorten your life and even cause cancer.
At the same time in Battle Creek, Michigan, John Harvey Kellogg, of cereal fame, was preaching the same thing. He claimed that undigested food passes to the colon where bacteria break it down to form toxic products that pass into your bloodstream to shorten your life. He prescribed colonics to wash out the undigested foods so the toxic products do not get into your bloodstream.
Of course, this is nonsense. There are two absorption systems in your body. First the food that you eat passes into your stomach and upper intestines, where secretions from your liver, stomach, intestines and pancreas break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins into their building blocks, which are absorbed into your bloodstream to keep your body healthy. The food that is not broken down into basic sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol cannot be absorbed so it passes to your colon. So far, researchers have identified more than 500 different types of bacteria that grow naturally in your colon. Almost all are harmless and some break down these unabsorbed carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids that are necessary for your health. It is these chemicals absorbed from your colon that prevent and reduce inflamation that aggravates arthritis, and certain cancers, and other fatty acids lower cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks.
Using colon cleansers or laxatives reduces the absorption of these beneficial short chain fatty acids, and you lose basic nutrients. People who recommend colonics and laxatives claim that they remove stool that gets stuck and rots in your colon. This also is ridiculous. Undigested waste products stick together by a physical process called surface tension. Stool behind never passes stool ahead, without first picking up the stool and binding to it as it passes to the outside. Colonics and laxatives not only have not been shown to help you, they can harm you be depriving you of certain nutrients that are necessary for health.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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Tags: cleanse, colon, colon cleansers. laxatives, colonics, detoxify, good bacteria, nutrients