The term Detoxification is so often used, but what does it really mean? And are we all really that toxic?
Toxicity is of much greater concern in the twentieth century than ever before. There are many new and stronger chemicals, air and water pollution, radiation and nuclear power. We ingest new chemicals, use more drugs of all kinds, eat more sugar and refined foods, and daily abuse ourselves with various stimulants and sedatives. The incidence of many toxicity diseases has increased as well. Cancer and cardiovascular disease are two of the main ones. A poor ability to detoxify may contribute to illnesses like arthritis, obesity, allergies, chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue; digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease; hormonal issues such as PMS and menopausal symptoms; depression, or skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Toxicity can also manifest in less obvious symptoms such as foggy thinking, headaches, immune weakness, bad breath or indigestion. But you need not suffer from any particular illness to do a detox/cleansing program. It can be beneficial for almost anyone wanting to improve their health.
Detoxification is defined as the process of removing toxins from the body. We can do this in two ways:
First, by decreasing/removing the amount of toxins we put into our bodies.
Second, by encouraging the release of stored toxins by using certain foods, vitamins, amino acids, chelating agents, botanicals, homeopathics & other therapies.
To decrease/remove toxins we must first know where they are found in our environment. Some common culprits are:
Air
New carpet, new paint, household cleansers, solvents
Packaging
Pharmaceuticals
Healthcare products (anti-perspirants, perfumed skin products & soaps)
FOOD (highly processed foods, preservatives, food colorings, SUGAR, saturated fats, pesticides/herbicides, added hormones.)
Heavy metals from fish, amalgam fillings
Negative thoughts/relationships, stress, tension
Why Detox?
The concept of regularly cleansing or detoxifying the body is an ancient one. It has become even more important now in our modern society with daily exposure to toxins in our air and food. Since a toxic body cannot effectively absorb nutrients or eliminate waste, an imbalance is created within the body causing a variety of possible symptoms involving not only our physical health, but also our emotional and mental health.
Common improvements seen by those who complete a detox program :
● Increased energy
● Sense of emotional well-being
● Heightened mental clarity
● Stronger immune system
● Clearer skin
● Decrease in GI discomfort , chemical sensitivities & allergies
Removing toxins is something you can do on your own everyday. However, for a more thorough detox, it is important to work with a licensed healthcare practitioner that can support your body’s systems. The main organs of elimination are the colon, liver, lungs, kidneys, lymph & skin. Supporting these organs while detoxifying is essential to a successful detox. If not managed properly, you may end up feeling worse or exacerbating your symptoms.
Spring and Autumn are the traditional time for internal cleansing, but any time of the year is better than none.
Can you really afford to wait?