Detoxification Programs
DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMS
Just as we do Spring-Cleaning for the house, it is important to do the same for the body. Everybody’s body is unique, so are the clearing rates at which the detoxification organs (liver-gall bladder system, skin, lungs, bowels, lymphatic system and the kidney’s) remove various toxins that are built up in the body from environmental toxins such as industrial pollutants, pathogenic bacteria, phyto-chemicals, insecticides, certain prescription antibiotics and over-the-counter medications, and excesses of certain foods.
If you are you looking for a cleansing program that is gentle, unique and as individual as your symptoms are, or are you looking to do a general cleanse to clear out toxin build up and cleanse you deeply, you are in the right place.
Our body detoxification / cleansing programs are unique, highly individualized to your specific symptoms and based on functional physiological laboratory testing that is done to confirm what toxins you may have and how efficient your body is at clearing them out. If you are already knowledgeable in this area, and would like a refresher or more in-depth course, we also offer online E-courses and teleseminar on this topic.
Detoxification is a critical ongoing process for achieving and maintaining health in the human body. It involves the elimination of substances which are poisonous and/or for which the body has no further constructive use. All healthy cells automatically detoxify themselves every day. Up to 80% of all processes of the human body are for detoxification. This means that 80% of a person’s physical health picture comes from their ability to efficiently detoxify and eliminate waste. As we do not live in an environment of pure air, water, food, thoughts, emotions, and actions, one would be wise to use additional detoxification methods for the removal of waste and toxins to attain or maintain optimal health in our polluted world. This is accomplished via specific vitamins, minerals, herbs, foods, bodywork, movement exercises, stress reduction methods, and baths as needed.
Each person has a unique physiology that is changing moment by moment in relation to all things encountered – air, food, water, sounds, emotions, visual images, thoughts, etc. Literally, there are trillions of influences upon each the trillions of cells in the body every moment of our lives and no two of us are equally equipped or able to respond in the exact same manner to these influences. This is part of what makes each of us unique. However, these facts are also what make some people react to one toxic substance but not another, or makes one person react and another person not react to the same substance. It is like the old saying goes, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” In Dr. Roger Williams’ book Biochemical Individuality, he shows how much people vary in their anatomy, their physiology, and their subsequent varying susceptibility to similar substances and doses. Something can bother you and not bother anybody else you know. This does not mean you are weird, it only means that you are sensitive to that substance. Also, you may have no reaction to a substance when everyone around you does. Acceptance of this uniqueness is a necessary step to discovering your true health picture and its management.
In learning to give others and ourselves permission to be unique, we can experience greater acceptance, affection and joy. These are thoughts and emotions that support healthy functioning. Thoughts and emotions can create disease (not-at-ease) or health as easily as any substance ingested or pathogen encountered. As complex and unique individuals, we must discover where we are, if we want to be successful in getting to where we want to go. Imagine that you think you are in Los Angeles, and are driving to Boston. However, when you keep seeing signs that say I-44 Tulsa next exit, you will be confused and keep going in circles until you realize you are in Tulsa, OK. At that point it would be wise to stop and get a map showing the route from Tulsa to Boston. Discovering your current state of health on all levels, and developing a “map” to your destination, ensures the greatest likelihood for success. To discover our current state of health, we must first become aware of the poisons in our bodies that prevent health and create disease. If we continue to poison ourselves from our inner and outer environments, we just go around in circles and cannot get to optimal health. We are unconscious to most of the poisoning and it is akin to being unconscious of what town we are in, when we want to go somewhere else. Secondly, we must design a plan or “map” to get the body to efficiently neutralize and eliminate waste, and integrate that plan, or therapeutic life-style change (TLC), as part of a route to our goal of optimal health.
Are you interested in finding out what type of a detoxification plan would be most suitable for you? If so, you can give us a call at 905-884-7965 and book your individualized consultation.
Some of the benefits of our effective detoxification program include:
- Prevention of illness
- Improvement in Physical Appearance
- Boost in Physical and Emotional Well-Being
- Sharpening of Mental Capabilities “the cloud / brain fog lifted” – feeling clearer
- Enhancement in Digestion and Elimination of Unhealthy Food Addictions & Allergies
- The Attainment of Ideal Weight and Loss of Unhealthy Weight
- Minimizing of the Effects of Aging
- A HUGE INCREASE IN ENERGY!
We offer specific cleansing programs along with overall body cleanses, however these are NOT just generic cleanses that one can usually pick up at the store. These naturopathic cleanses at the clinic are created specifically for you as an individual, after a thorough assessment with our naturopath.
We may do various tests to first initially confirm what kinds of toxins your body has and at what levels, e.g. if heavy metal toxicity is suspected we may initially do some blood tests, urine and hair mineral analysis to see the amounts of heavy metals the body has concentrated and the rate at which the body is clearing them out. Our cleanses are gentle and extremely effective. If you are not sure what you need or if you need to do a detox / cleanse, please take our TOXICITY SELF-TEST and tally up your results.
WHY DO WE NEED TO DETOX/CLEANSE?
Throughout the last century, advances in industrialization, manufacturing, and technology have resulted in ever-increasing amounts of toxic elements being released into the environment. From air pollution, tooth fillings, skin creams, and paint dyes, to batteries, seafood, vegetables, tap water, and dietary supplements, toxic exposure now commonly occurs through a multitude of diverse vectors. Most of these elements remain in the environment long after the original exposure source is gone.
Over a lifetime, these toxic elements may accumulate inside the human body in tissue such as fat and bone, being broken down and eliminated very slowly. Eventually, this increasing toxic burden can trigger a variety of physical and cognitive disorders, including depression, anxiety, memory loss, and fatigue.
Even at relatively low levels, toxic elements have the destructive capability to damage nerves and tissue; strong clinical evidence points to their potential role in early neurodevelopment disorders, such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as in neurodegenerative conditions of aging such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Heart disease, impaired kidney function, respiratory illness, weakened immune function, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and increased cancer risk have also been linked to chronic toxic element exposure.
Health clinics and food stores generally carry all types of cleanses / detoxes ranging from master cleanses, juice fasts and liver flushes, kidney flushes, lung flushes, the ionic foot baths claiming to eliminate toxins from our system and spring-cleaning our intestines.
But just how are we to know what toxins are lurking around in our systems to be cleaned out without actually being tested for them, or what is the most appropriate type of cleanse / detoxification plan? Given that we are exposed to various toxins daily – from foods, or environment, products we use, and everybody may benefit from some sort of a cleanse, is there one cleanse that might be appropriate for everyone?
Types of Toxicity
There are two systematic processes that require constant and complete detoxification of your body: intoxication and autointoxication. The first process, intoxication, is when toxic substances enter the body by breathing, drinking, eating, or penetration of the skin. The vast majority of the causes of cancer are the accumulated environmental substances with which we poison ourselves via our air, water and food.
The second process is that of autointoxication. Autointoxication is poisoning by toxic substances generated within the body. In this process the body breaks down the parts that have served their function and attempts to, but fails to fully (or in the proper amount of time) neutralize their poisons and transports them out of the body. When these substances are not properly neutralized and/or eliminated, they damage our other cells causing dysfunction and disease. This continual cycle of destroying and eliminating the old worn out materials and cells happens in a time frame from split seconds to many years depending upon the type of cells and the substances. As an example of this regenerative process, your liver regenerates itself in about 3 weeks. The old cells are now waste to breakdown and move out. The body does this in a number of ways with the help of a few friends such as antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, viruses, bacteria, etc. Autointoxication also occurs from stressful thoughts, emotions, and events that need to be addressed as well.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A TOXIC BODY
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing autointoxication (a process whereby you are poisoned by substances produced by your own body as a result of inadequate digestion and elimination), and therefore you might want to consider some type of internal cleansing program:
- Allergy or intolerance to certain foods
- Bad breath and foul-smelling gas and stools
- Constipation, diarrhea, sluggish elimination, irregular bowel movements
- Frequent congestion, colds, and viruses
- Flatulence or gas and frequent intestinal disorders
- Frequent headaches for no apparent reason
- General aches and pains that migrate from one place to another
- Intolerance to fatty foods
- Low energy; loss of vitality for no apparent reason
- Lower back pain
- Lowered resistance to infections
- Needing to sleep a long time
- Pain in your liver or gall bladder
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast soreness, vaginal infections
- Skin problems, rashes, boils, pimples, and acne
TYPES OF CLEANSES
Detoxification is the process of clearing toxins from the body or neutralizing or transforming them, and clearing excess mucus and congestion. Many of these toxins come from our diet, drug use, and environmental exposure, both acute and chronic. Internally, fats, especially oxidized fats and cholesterol, free radicals, and other irritating molecules act as toxins. Functionally, poor digestion, colon sluggishness and dysfunction, reduced liver function, and poor elimination through the kidneys, respiratory tract, and skin all add to increased toxicity.Detoxification involves dietary and lifestyle changes that reduce intake of toxins and improve elimination. Avoidance of chemicals, from food or other sources, refined food, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and many drugs helps minimize the toxin load. Drinking extra water (purified) and increasing fibre by including more fruits and vegetables in the diet are steps in the detoxification process. Moving from a more to a less congesting diet, as shown in the accompanying table, will help us to move along the detox road.
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Ultimately, it all comes down to your definition of health and the difference between surviving and living optimally.
The major detoxification systems of the body are:
- Skin
- Liver-Gall bladder system
- Intestines
- Kidneys
- Lungs (to a lesser extent)
The body eliminates toxins by either neutralizing then or by excreting them in urine or feces. Toxins that are unable to eliminate tend to build up in the tissues, typically in the fat stores and bone. The majority of the naturopathic cleanses are geared towards the detoxification organs and eliminating toxins from them and at the same time protecting these organs and the body from any metabolites and free radical damage that may occur when the toxins are realized.
FASTING
One of the oldest and quickest ways to increase elimination if the wastes and enhance the healing processes of the body. Under Naturopathic Supervision and Care, this type of cleansing is helpful and has been studied in the treatment of obesity, chemical poisoning, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, psoriasis, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, bronchial asthma.
Usually done for 7 – 10 days. High levels of toxins are often mobilized in the blood stream and may reach blood levels toxic to the nervous system, hence they need to be carried out under supervision of your health care provider (physician or naturopath).
HYDROTHERAPY
Hydrotherapy is the application of hot and cold water to the various surfaces of the body, and had been used for the health promotion and detoxification of the body for centuries. It helps with the elimination and detoxification of various toxins from the skin, especially lead.
The contrast shower is a simple and convenient way to stimulate vitality and promote detoxification, as well as treat generalized areas of pain and soreness. The alternating between hot and cold water while you are showering to stimulate your body to heat itself up and cool itself down, in order to compensate. This temperature contrast helps strengthen and normalize the nervous, circulatory, endocrine (hormonal), musculoskeletal and immune systems and is excellent for helping the body cope with physiological and psychological stress.
SAUNAS
The use of saunas for detoxification purposes is an age old therapy. These are based on the concept that as the body sweats, toxins are released through the skin. Various types of saunas are available these days – such as dry heat saunas, wet heat and far infrared saunas. Infrared light effortlessly penetrates human tissue and activates thermal energy, creating a feeling of heat that is more pleasant for most people than the hot heat of a dry sauna.
Prolonged saunas (over an hour at a lower temperature) are thought to increase the excretion of fatty acids through the skin and thus fat soluble toxins. The detoxification benefits for of extended time, moderate temperature saunas include, and are not limited to:
- Increased fat breakdown and growth hormone production
- Increased excretion of fat – soluble chemicals (such as PCB’S) – HENCE THEY MUST BE USED WITH CARE AND UNDER SUPERVISION)
- Increases excretion of trace minerals
- Increases excretion of heavy metals
Saunas are contraindicated for pregnant women in their first trimester, young children and elderly people with heart problems.
GENERAL TIPS FOR BODY DETOXIFICATION
- Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses/day)
- Add half a lemon to a warm glass of water with a pinch of cayenne pepper and ½ tsp of olive oil and enjoy it first thing in the morning
- Eat your salads and greens – they provide you with lots and lots of live enzymes and minerals and also help detoxify heavy metals from the body
- If you haven’t eaten fruit and vegetables on a regular basis, start to eat lots of fruit; your body will detoxify itself first. Even if you do not change your use of stimulants (coffee, sugar and nicotine)
- Steam bath to remove heavy metals – Using 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1/2 cup of sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a loofah / face towel. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and “dirty” due to heavy metals coming out of the skin, including aluminum and mercury. Do this once a week during detox and once a month for maintenance
- Exercise regularly, for at least 20 minutes – Partner up with a friend or family member if motivation is a problem. Go for a brisk walk or jog, or try something different like a spinning class or Yoga!
Why is Detoxification Necessary?
- If you don’t detoxify, you’ll blow up! It sounds like I’m kidding and in some ways I am and other ways I’m not. If there is intake and metabolism, but not elimination of the substances ingested or by-products produced, an increase in size will occur. This is a matter of physics, the old saying “if you eat more calories than you burn you will gain weight” routine. Without proper elimination of unnecessary substances, obesity will be a problem at the very least. Bacterial and yeast overgrowth will increase bloating and create rotting of the entire digestive system. The cells of your body will no longer have room to take in nutrients and burn them (metabolism) resulting in fatigue. Consequently, the cells will fill with waste within and also in the interstitial space or area surrounding them (toxemia). In this state they will starve, as they are unable to absorb nutrients (malnutrition), and/or be denied oxygen causing cells to suffocate (hypoxia), and finally will die (necrosis). When enough tissues die, your organs die, and when enough organs die, you die. Ultimately we all die from this congestion either rapidly as in an accident or slowly as in disease.
- As these unusable substances are broken down and transported to be eliminated, they can be very damaging to the body (free radical damage) causing all kinds of disease and dysfunction if we do not utilize proper nutrients, movements, and attitudes. Your joints can inflame leading to arthritis, your arteries can inflame leading to heart attack and stroke, and your brain can become inflamed leading to Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. This inflammation process is necessary for metabolism, repair, and breakdown of substances when burning at the proper rate. This is known as your metabolic fire. However, when it becomes imbalanced due to nutrient deficiencies, ingested poisons, structural imbalances, poor respiration and/or poor elimination of waste this creates a slower and lower burning temperature “fouling your spark plugs” and “burning out” the parts of your body as inflammation occurs in reaction to this imbalanced state.
- Imagine the people buying cars and never changing the oil except for a pint every couple of months, only replacing the filters every couple of years, and seldom driving it except on short trips around town, and often using bad gasoline. When the car runs poorly, falls apart, and eventually burns up, they wonder what happened and empty their bank account trying to fix it. You must have a clean machine to operate efficiently over the life of the vehicle. Your body is your vehicle. Does it take you comfortably where you want to go and do what you want to do, or do you have drag it out of bed, drag it to the office, ache most of the day and drag it home again only to collapse it in the bed? Are you having the ride of your life, or is your life a drag from dragging your body around? Detoxification makes the greatest difference in the comfort and longevity of your body. Remember, you can’t buy another one!
To Start TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH now, join us in our Detoxification Naturally E-Course, or make an individualized appointment today: 905-884-7965
