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Cleansing and Detoxification
Now that all the holiday eating is over, it is the perfect time to think about doing a detox. 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
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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. Arthritis, allergies, obesity, and many skin problems are others. In addition, a wide range of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, pains, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, and problems from immune weakness, can all be related to toxicity.
These toxins and “dead” foods lead to poor digestion, constipation, toxic colon build-up, weight gain and low energy These common symptoms are more than just an inconvenience-they can lead to long-term health problems and serious disease. “Of all the polite topics of conversation, the state of one’s intestines is probably at the bottom of most people’s lists. Let’s face it: Irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, gas, diverticulitis and colon cancer are simply not things we like to discuss. And yet, as the old expression goes, death begins in the colon. Don’t believe it? Ask any coroner. Autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80 percent with waste material.”
Almost everyone needs to detox, cleanse themselves, and rest their body functions at times. 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 fiber 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 chart, will help us to move along the detox road.
Eat organic foods whenever possible.
Drink filtered water.
Rotate foods, especially common allergens, such as milk products, eggs, wheat, and yeast foods.
Practice food combining.
Eat a natural, seasonal cuisine.
Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and, for omnivarians, some low-fat dairy products, and fresh fish (not shellfish) and organic poultry.
Cook in iron, stainless steel, glass, or porcelain.
Avoid or minimize red meats, cured meats, organ meats, refined foods, canned foods, sugar, salt, saturated fats, coffee, alcohol, and nicotine.
There are many ways to detoxify. You can purchase a detoxification program from Goodness Me! which includes diet plans and supporting herbs, or simply pick up our free handout entitled “One Day Liver Cleanse” that you can do for 1-3 days. Come in and talk to our educated staff about what method would be best for you.
Sandy Pomeroy
Information from General Detoxification and Cleansing article by Elson M. Haas, M.D
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