Detoxification

by Judy Chambers

In our society today, the majority of disease is blamed on stress,poor diet, genetics, physical and chemical agents, biological organisms,degeneration, inflammation, auto-immunity, lack of exercise, and abnormalgrowths. While these factors do indeed cause disease, there is one commonunderlying factor that contributes to all health problems: toxicity. Bothexposure to toxins and subsequent toxic accumulation cause untold healthproblems, both immediate and long term. 

A toxin is anything that can be harmful to thebody, or affects the balance of the body. We are exposed to toxinsby pollutants in air, water and soil, pesticides and industrialchemicals, food molecules altered by processing, toxic syntheticdrugs, and emotional trauma. Toxins can enter the body by absorptionthrough the skin, inhalation through the lungs and/or by ingestionthrough the mouth into the gastro-intestinal tract. While the liver is thebody's major organ of detoxification, the skin, lungs, intestines, and the kidneyshave all developed some protective mechanisms and ways of detoxification. 

The term "detoxification" means to diminish or remove the toxic quality of a compound. Fortunately, the human bodycontains mechanisms that do just that. This natural detoxification processcleanses, leading to a balance or equilibrium in the body, which helps to bothrestore and maintain health. For many a slowdetoxification system and a multitude of exposures can cause their bodies togradually become overloaded. Consequently, the detoxification mechanisms of thebody become unable to completely cleanse the tissues and organs, and the bodyis unable to maintain balance. There are many benefits to detoxification,and each can improve every aspect of your health. As your body detoxifies, youcan expect: 

•   digestion to improve and sinus congestion to clear
•   mental clarity and memory to improve
•   emotional and hormonal fluctuations to stabilize
•   increased energy and a stronger immune system
•   chronic health problems can be expected to improve or disappear entirely.

Over the long term, people who maintain the balance oftheir body can expect to live longer in better health, toexperience fewer degenerative diseases and to recover fromillness and injury more quickly. 

How to Detox

Eat the following foods that support the detoxificationprocess: 

1.    FilteredWater with Fresh Lemon Juice

2.    Chlorophyll-richLiquids - Chlorella or Spirulina

3.    HerbalTea - Nettle, Dandelion or Fennel

4.    LightlyCooked Dark Leafy Greens - Kale, chard, collards, dandelion, arugula

5.    LightlyCooked Winter Squash & Colorful Root Veggies(especially the orange variety)

6.    Naturally-raisedor Unrefined Fats - Organic Ghee (clarified butter) or VirginCoconut Oil

7.    FreshWhole Fruit - local seasonal whole fruit, especially Berries

8.    Soaked,Sprouted or Fermented Whole Grains - Brown Basmati Rice

9.    Soaked,Sprouted or Fermented Whole Legumes - Mung Beans

10.  AromaticDigestive Spices (fresh &/or non-irradiated) - especially Turmeric (includingcurry blends), cumin, cardamom, fennel, cinnamon & green peppercorns

Avoid the following foods:

•   Refined Vegetable Oils (especially canola, corn & cottonseed)
•   Commercially Raised Animal Foods (conventional meat, poultry & farmed fish)
•   Refined Sugar & Flour
•   Commercially Processed &/or Low-fat Dairy
•   Commercially Refined Soymilk & Soy Proteina
•   Refined Table Salt, Chemical Additives/Preservatives & Artificial Seasonings
•   Stimulants (coffee & alcohol)

2. Herbal Cleansing Kit

•   Mediclear by Thorne - This is a 3 week detox program that eliminates foods that are common allergines, gluten, dairy, sugars, animal proteins, and processed foods. This diet is supported by a rice protein based nutrtional supplement that detoxifies the liver and intestines. 

3. sustained Physical Activity

4. Deep Breathing Exercises

5. Body Work or Aromatherapy Baths with Epsom/sea salt 

Rememberyou are what you eat, drink, think and breathe!