TOPIC OF THE MONTH: DETOX!

Everyone talks about Spring cleaning and most people think about the annual ritual of cleaning up the home. We at Village Health would like to encourage you to consider an internal cleansing of your body as well. You will look and, more importantly, feel better. Our staff have some recommendations on how to do a “Spring Cleaning” of a more personal variety!

Detoxification

Carrie Janes, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

Detoxification is essential for life!  Our bodies’ must effectively eliminate toxins on a daily basis in order for us to survive.  Our environment today is much more toxic then it was only 50-100 years ago; we are literally living in a “toxic soup” so to speak.  Our liver is the main detoxification organ in our body and it is being bombarded with many environmental toxins on a daily basis.  Of these numerous toxins, there are not many that we have much control over.  That being said, there is one thing that we DO have control over…the foods we put into our mouths each and every day.  The best way to avoid toxins and to ease the burden on the liver is to eat a whole food diet consisting of organic fruits and vegetables, free-range, grass-fed animal products, and lots of good clean filtered water.

Our lifestyle choices determine a lot about our overall health and how well our liver is able to process toxins. Detoxification is a natural and easy process IF we eat a wholesome, natural, organic diet and live life in a natural way. This includes not only the foods we put into our mouths, but also the products we use on our skin.  After all the skin is absorbing nutrients, just like our digestive pathway absorbs nutrients, so…if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin!!

For those who want their cake and eat it too, detoxification may be compromised. A change in lifestyle may be needed and then detoxification can be improved. Nature has afforded us the chance to live in a toxic environment, thanks to our liver and all the wonderful things it does.  Taking care of ourselves will reward us with many years of good health.

Good health CAN be achieved AND maintained.  An annual cleansing of the body, along with a wholesome natural diet that provides us with maximal nutrients and fiber, will keep us on the road to optimal health.  There are many herbs that can help stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and bowels when needed, but diet is always the first priority in any detoxification program. Be cautious about becoming overly dependent on herbal laxatives. During a detoxification protocol more toxins are being released and it is common for one to feel bad for a day or two.  However, once our good health is restored we will experience a sense of renewed energy.  Many people living today have never known what “good health” feels like, instead they have somehow survived with an abundance of toxins and an existence less than healthy.

Different Detoxification Techniques

Skin Cleansing
Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, afterall, our skin is one of our best elimination organs. Heavy metals are released through the skin’s pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are great for removing toxins from the skin and regenerating one’s health and energy. To achieve maximum detoxification, it is crucial that we open the skin detoxification pathways.  Staying hydrated during this time is very important as well.

The use of skin care products loaded with chemicals and additives is not wise. These chemicals may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more “toxins” for our liver to deal with.  Even the chemicals in our soaps and shampoos will make a difference when it comes to our health. Most people do not see the ill effects of these subtle chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize them, but individuals who are environmentally toxic will see a great change in their health when using natural soaps and shampoos.

Skin Brushing
Skin brushing can be very beneficial because the skin is a primary avenue for detoxification – along with the lungs, kidneys, liver, and colon. Use a very fine brush (vegetable brush), which  can be purchased at a health food store, to use during this process.  It is important to brush your limbs from the most outer extremities (hands and feet) toward the heart. This technique is best done in right before taking a shower.
Rebounding
With the use of a mini-trampoline, bounce for 10-15 minutes, this is a great way to promote lymphatic drainage, which in turn, promotes the elimination of toxins.  Put on some great music and bounce away, knowing that you will feel great after and your body will be grateful.

*Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches, nausea, and lowered energy, know that this is typically short lived.  If this becomes too intense, you should back take it easy, rest often, and proceed slowly (be gentle on yourself). Proceeding too fast with a detoxification protocol can have disastrous results when toxins are released too quickly into the circulation.  The idea is to feel better not worse.  Making sure our elimination pathways are open and being supported will ease any discomfort we may encounter.

Emotional Detoxification

 Detoxing or giving up anger is something to consider in the detox process. 

 According to Bradley P Barris, Ph.D, who wrote WHEN CHICKEN SOUP ISN’T ENOUGH..MANAGING YOUR ANGER IN AN INCREASINGLY ANGRY WORLD

 He states, ”What does all this mean? It means that trying to control your anger involves asking yourself to give up what is likely your most frequent, intense and long lasting emotional experience. It’s suggesting that you abandon an emotion that gives you a feeling of power and potency. It means giving up on the almost addictive quality of anger which like other addictions, feels–at least for the moment–so good.”

Dietary Guidelines For Detoxification – Carrie Janes, NTP

1.   Avoid or eliminate all artificial, processed and packaged foods and beverages. Choose organic produce and organic, grass-fed, free-range meats and dairy when possible.  

 

2.   Reduce, avoid or eliminate all insulinogenic foods and stimulants including sugar, cakes, cookies, candy, bread, pastas, potatoes, starchy grains and vegetables, sodas, chocolate, coffee, caffeine containing teas, and alcoholic beverages.

 

3.   Identify and eliminate food allergens.

 

4.   Eat breakfast. Protein is best early in the day, and carbohydrates later in the day.

 

5.   Avoid eating anything other than a light snack near bedtime.

 

6.   Eat large amounts of whole or juiced green and brightly colored vegetables daily.

 

7.   Use healthy organic oils liberally. Include raw butter and cream, as well as flax, hemp, coconut, olive, walnut, sesame oils, etc. Supplement with high-quality fish oil.  

 

8.   Include plenty of traditional foods such as fermented foods, slowly cooked soup broths made with fish, chicken or beef bones, and traditional culinary spices and condiments. 

 

9.   Consume fewer calories in general and select foods with the highest nutritional density.

 

10.  Drink one quart of pure water daily for each 50 pounds of body weight.

Spring Detox from Heath Whitney, Lic Ac

 Hey spring cleanse time Eh?   An easy liver cleanse for spring is 1 cup grated beet to 1 tblspoon olive oil and 1 tablspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice.  This proportion is eaten at 1 tablspoon every hour of your waking day for 3 days.  Then take 2 days off, then on another 3 days.  Continue 3x if you like.   Maintain your regular diet and chew the beets well.  One note: your bm will turn red! Do not be alarmed, as beet eaters already understand this colorful veggy! Urine may also turn red. Please pass this on too anyone trying this wonderful liver/blood cleanser that tastes great!   Thanks and happy spring, 

Heath Whitney Lic. Ac.