Introduction
Detoxification is a process that removes accumulated bodily toxins originating in the air, cleaners, cosmetics, food, gasoline, pesticides, paint, and water we are exposed to daily. Further, chronic exposure to various toxins results in enzyme dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, altered metabolism, and lowers your threshold for resistance to disease. A detoxification program will facilitate the elimination of various toxins from your body and can be accomplished through chelation therapy, colon cleansing, dietary changes, enemas, fasting, hyperthermia, juicing, vitamin C therapy/ascorbic acid flush, and other methods.
Elimination Pathways
Your body uses a variety of approaches to deal with a toxin. If the toxin cannot be directly neutralized, it is excreted either in the urine or feces (the primary elimination pathway) or passes into the lungs and/or skin for elimination.
Enzymes in your intestinal tract are able to deal with many of the toxins entering your body, including dietary toxins and contaminants, alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceutical drugs, illegal drugs, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, microbes, hormones, cooking mutagens, food colouring, and food additives. These toxins are transformed into other substances and then sent to the liver where they are rendered benign. Twenty five percent of detoxification occurs in the intestinal tract, while the remaining occurs in the liver.
When your elimination systems become overloaded through enzyme deficiencies, congested liver and/or kidneys, lack of perspiration, and the sheer inability to keep up, toxins can build up in the body and become stored in fatty tissue and other areas of the body.
Toxin Types
Various toxins accumulated in the body either originate from external sources or are produced internally. The four major types are outlined below. NOTE: A thorough assessment by your naturopath or other health practitioner will more accurately determine the type and extent of toxicity in your body.
Chemicals
Chemicals are devastatingly pervasive in the air, food, and water we take in daily. They are found in air "fresheners", carpets, cosmetics, deck stain, detergents, dry-cleaning fluids, drywall, farmed fish, food additives, fungicides, herbicides, household "cleaners", insect repellents, insecticides, non-organic animal products, non-organic fruits, non-organic vegetables, paints, pesticides, photo-finishing fluids, plastics, plastic wrap, preservatives, pressure-treated wood, processed foods, solvents, weed killer, and many other products used daily.
Exposure can cause allergies, asthma, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity, cancers, depression, emotional problems, fatigue, headaches, hormone imbalance, immune system impairment, mental confusion, mood swings, nervous system impairment, respiratory problems, sinus congestion, skin conditions, and a generally weakened state.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals include aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel and are released into our environment through industrial pollution and automobile exhaust. Aluminum is found in antacids, antiperspirants, cookware, and toothpaste. Cadmium and lead are found in cigarette smoke, among other sources. Lead is found in older water pipes and is still added to gasoline in many countries. Mercury is found in contaminated fish and many dental fillings.
Exposure can cause anemia, constipation, coordination problems, dizziness, emotional problems, fatigue, headache, indigestion, respiratory problems, skin conditions, and tremors. A number of prevailing theories indicate that heavy metal exposure in the womb and during childhood can lead to developmental disorders, among other effects.
Microbial Compounds
Microbial compounds are produced by harmful bacteria and yeast in the digestive tract. The compounds may then be absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body.
Exposure can cause allergies, attention deficit disorder, immune disorders, liver diseases, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and other conditions.
Metabolic Waste Products
Your body naturally produces ammonia, urea, and other waste products when breaking down proteins and other substances. These wastes are handled mainly by the kidneys, which facilitate their elimination from the body. Increased water intake and a balanced diet of the right types of protein help the kidneys function more efficiently.
Identifying Toxicity
A number of tests will help determine the presence of one or more toxins in your body. In addition, a thorough assessment by your naturopath or other health practitioner will more accurately determine the type and extent of toxicity in your body. Your blood, hair, stool, and urine can all be analyzed for the presence of specific toxins or by-products resulting from your body's attempt at elimination. And like ice drilling at the polar caps, your hair can provide an exposure "timeline". Liver function can also be analyzed to determine how hard this organ is working and whether it is over-stressed.
General ailments and conditions resulting from toxicity include allergies, constipation, fatigue, headaches, hemorrhoids, insomnia, joint pain, mental confusion, mood swings, chronic respiratory problems, sinus congestion, skin conditions, and ulcers. Again, your naturopath or other health practitioner will use this information to more accurately determine the type and extent of toxicity in your body.
A Dietary Starter
You can get off to a detoxification start with a morning fix of 2 tablespoons organic, raw apple cider vinegar in water with 1 teaspoon honey. Alternatively, try 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice with 1 teaspoon honey.
Minimalism is also key. For breakfast, have a generous serving of one kind of fruit -- 4 apples, 3 bananas, 2 mangoes, et cetera. For lunch, eat steamed organic brown rice with steamed vegetables. Add lemon juice and one or two tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil or flaxseed oil (add oils just before serving and be sure not to cook with flaxseed oil -- it will turn rancid). Repeat this meal for dinner. Vegetables and greens of choice include arugula, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, chard, and kale. Chard and kale also support proper liver function. These simple meals maintain energy levels and are easy to digest.
Once you have begun this initial cleanse, you may follow with colon cleansing, additional dietary changes, enemas, fasting, juicing, and any other detoxification method deemed appropriate by your naturopath or other health practitioner.
Helpful Remedies
Foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, kiwi, and organic strawberries contain compounds that bind to heavy metals in the body, facilitating their elimination.
Acidophilus and Bifidus supplementation will restore beneficial bacteria counts in the digestive tract and help keep harmful bacteria at bay. It is essential that these bacteria be restored to the body to promote proper digestion. Look for a dairy-free formulation with at least 2.5 billion viable cultures per capsule and keep refrigerated. Take 2 or 3 capsules daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning or right before bed. Supplements with Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) provide a beneficial "bed" and initial food source for the bacteria. If dairy allergies have been ruled out, you can also eat yogurt that has had either bacterial culture added.
Milk thistle helps rebuild liver tissue and is most effective if taken at night. It works very well if taken with licorice root. Take 2 tablespoons ground powder daily, sprinkled on food. If using capsules, take 280 to 420mg daily. Look for supplements containing silymarin, considered the active ingredient. Milk thistle takes time to act and, being non-toxic, is safe to use over the long-term.
Dandelion root is effective in treating an overstressed liver. Take 3,000mg daily. You can also use roasted dandelion root as an ideal coffee substitute.
Alfalfa, barley grass, chlorella, spirulina, and wheatgrass can be used as concentrated nutrient sources that will not tax the digestive system.
Helpful Therapies
Acupuncture makes for an excellent complement to any substance abuse detoxification program. Your acupuncturist will attach small, painless needles to a point on your ear that may be pressed to relieve cravings. For more information, see the dedicated section on Acupuncture.
Chelation may be used to rid the body of toxic metals from the bloodstream. A chelating agent binds with metals in the body and facilitates their elimination via the kidneys. Consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine the appropriateness of this therapy for your needs.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Detoxification is primarily used to treat acute or chronic conditions and it is widely believed that this therapy provides the missing link to balancing various body systems and preventing chronic ailments such as cardiovascular problems, arthritis, and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. Many people also undergo a detoxification/cleansing program at the beginning of each season as a preventative measure.
By eliminating toxins in the body, detoxification can benefit situations involving hormone imbalances, psychological situations, substance abuse, and a weakened immune system. You will find you are able to think more clearly and various bodily systems will become less stressed, improving vitality and resilience.
Arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and obesity may also be preventable through routine detoxification or such conditions will benefit as a result.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
If you have a debilitating disease, diabetes, eating disorder, extremely low energy levels, hyperglycemia, hypothyroidism, are recovering from any form of substance abuse, are recovering from surgery, are pregnant or nursing, are underweight, or are taking any medications, do not undergo any type of detoxification without proper consultation from your naturopath or other health practitioner.
Some specific detoxification therapies, such as enemas and fasting carry with them certain precautions and side effects. It is important to become thoroughly knowledgeable on these and other therapies before undergoing treatment. Consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine the most appropriate detoxification therapy/therapies for your needs.
Ailment / Situation Listing
See related
Acupuncture, Colon Therapy, Enema, Juicing, Hair Analysis, Healthy Diet, and Organic Food
See also
Liver Toxification
