| Toxicity has become a great concern in | | | | headache, fatigue, congestion, backaches |
| the twentieth century. Threatening our | | | | , aching or swollen joints, digestive |
| health are powerful chemicals, air and | | | | problems, "allergy" symptoms, and |
| water pollution, radiation, and nuclear | | | | sensitivity to environmental agents such |
| waste. We ingest new chemicals, use more | | | | as chemicals, perfumes, and synthetics. |
| drugs, eat more sugary and refined | | | | Dietary changes or avoidance of the |
| foods, and abuse ourselves daily with | | | | symptom-causing agents is usually |
| stimulants and/or sedatives. Cancer and | | | | beneficial. However, it is important to |
| cardiovascular disease are on the rise; | | | | differentiate between allergic and |
| arthritis, allergies, obesity , and skin | | | | toxicity symptoms in order to determine |
| problems are also rapidly increasing; | | | | the appropriate medical care. This detox |
| and a wide range of symptoms such as | | | | program, fasting, and juice cleansing |
| headaches, fatigue, pains , coughs, | | | | can be genuinely helpful in reducing |
| gastrointestinal problems, immune | | | | allergy symptoms; however, allergies |
| weaknesses, sexual diseases, and | | | | present a dynamic subtly different from |
| psychological distress are being seen by | | | | toxicity. |
| physicians in record numbers. Although a | | | | Detoxification and cleansing can |
| connection between increased toxicity | | | | contribute to the healing of many acute |
| and increases in diseases is obvious, it | | | | and chronic illnesses that result from |
| is important to understand how it occurs | | | | short- or long-term congestive patterns. |
| so that we may avoid or eliminate it | | | | Detox and cleansing benefits people with |
| from our lives. | | | | addictions to numerous substances. |
| Toxicity occurs on two basic bodily | | | | Detoxification is also an important |
| levels-external and internal. We can | | | | component in treating obesity. Many of |
| acquire toxins from our environment by | | | | the toxins we ingest or make are stored |
| breathing them, by ingesting them, or | | | | in the fatty tissues; hence, obesity is |
| through physical contact with them. Most | | | | almost always associated with toxicity. |
| drugs, food additives, and allergens can | | | | When we lose weight, we reduce our body |
| create toxic elements in the body. In | | | | fat and thereby our toxic load. However, |
| fact, any substance can become toxic | | | | during weight loss we also release more |
| when used in excess. | | | | toxins and need to protect ourselves |
| Internally, our body produces toxins | | | | from nutrient depletion through extra |
| through normal everyday functions. | | | | supplementation, including taking |
| Biochemical and cellular activities | | | | additional antioxidants to balance these |
| generate substances that need to be | | | | toxins. Exercise will also promote the |
| eliminated. These unstable molecules, | | | | loss of excess pounds and help further |
| called free radicals, are biochemical | | | | detoxification. |
| toxins and are considered a common | | | | Of course, not all of these problems are |
| factor in chronic disease. When these | | | | related solely to toxicity nor will they |
| biochemical toxins are not counteracted | | | | be completely cured by detoxification. |
| or eliminated, they can irritate or | | | | Still, many conditions are created by |
| inflame the cells and tissues, blocking | | | | nutritional abuses and can be alleviated |
| normal functions on all levels of the | | | | by eliminating the related toxins. |
| body. Microbes such as intestinal | | | | When Is the Best Time to Detoxify? |
| bacteria, foreign bacteria, yeasts, and | | | | Whenever we feel congested, our first |
| parasites produce metabolic waste | | | | step is to follow detoxification |
| products that we must handle. Even our | | | | procedures fine-tuned to our specific |
| thoughts, emotions, and stress can | | | | needs. |
| increase biochemical toxicity. The | | | | Our bodies have natural cleansing cycles |
| proper elimination of these toxins is | | | | when they want a lighter diet, more |
| essential. Clearly, the healthy human | | | | liquids, and greater elimination than |
| body can handle certain levels of | | | | intake. This occurs daily (usually from |
| toxins; the concern is with excess | | | | the night until midmorning, about an |
| intake or production of toxins or a | | | | hour after we wake) and it may occur |
| reduction in the elimination processes. | | | | weekly and more commonly for a few days |
| A toxin is basically any substance that | | | | a month. Women, in particular, are aware |
| creates irritating and/or harmful | | | | of this natural cleansing time with |
| effects in the body, undermining our | | | | their menstrual cycle. In fact, many |
| health and stressing our biochemical or | | | | women feel better both premenstrually |
| organ functions. This irritation may | | | | and during their periods if they follow |
| result from the side effects of | | | | a simple cleansing program of more |
| pharmaceutical drugs or from unusual | | | | juices, greens, lighter foods, and |
| physiological patterns. The irritating | | | | herbs. |
| chemicals or free radicals in | | | | To summarize, seasonal changes are key |
| recreational drugs can also cause tissue | | | | times of stress when we need to reduce |
| degeneration. Negative "ethers," psychic | | | | our outer demands and consumptions and |
| or spiritual influences, bad | | | | listen to the way our inner world |
| relationships, thought patterns, and | | | | mirrors the natural cycles. Spring is |
| emotions can have toxic effects on the | | | | the key time for detoxification; autumn |
| body. | | | | is also important. In spring, we may eat |
| Toxicity occurs when we ingest more than | | | | more citrus fruits, fresh greens, |
| we can utilize and eliminate. | | | | juices; while in autumn we may dine on |
| Homeostasis refers to balanced bodily | | | | harvest fruits, such as apples or grapes |
| functions. This balance is disturbed | | | | , and seasonal vegetables. An abundance |
| when we feed ourselves more than we need | | | | of fresh fruits and vegetables are |
| or when we abuse specific substances. | | | | appropriate for summer; and whole |
| Toxicity may depend on the dosage, | | | | grains, legumes, vegetables, and soups |
| frequency, or potency of the toxin. A | | | | best simplify our diet in winter. |
| toxin may produce an immediate or rapid | | | | The sample yearly program provided here |
| onset of symptoms, as many pesticides | | | | is designed for a basically healthy |
| and some drugs do, or it may have | | | | person who eats well. It is not |
| long-term effects, as when asbestos | | | | appropriate for people with heart |
| exposure leads to lung cancer . | | | | problems, extreme fatigue, underweight |
| If our body is working well, with good | | | | conditions, or poor circulation (those |
| immune and eliminative functions, it can | | | | who experience coldness). More complete, |
| handle everyday exposure to toxins. The | | | | in-depth fasting programs may release |
| cleansing process encourages our immune | | | | even greater amounts of toxins. |
| system to handle the elimination of | | | | Releasing too much toxicity can make |
| toxins and abnormal cells generated by | | | | sick people sicker; if this happens, |
| the body. | | | | they need to increase fluids and eat |
| Our body handles toxins either by | | | | normally again until they feel better. |
| neutralizing, transforming, or | | | | People with cancer need to be very |
| eliminating them. For example, many of | | | | careful about how they detoxify, and |
| the antioxidant nutrients, such as | | | | often they need regular, quality |
| vitamins C and E , beta-carotene , zinc | | | | nourishment. Fasting should be done only |
| , and selenium may neutralize | | | | under the care of an experienced |
| free-radical molecules. The liver helps | | | | physician. All people should avoid |
| transform many toxic substances into | | | | fasting just prior to surgery, and |
| harmless agents, which the blood carries | | | | should wait four to six weeks before |
| away to the kidneys; the liver also | | | | detoxifying after it. Pregnant or |
| sends wastes through the bile into the | | | | lactating women should avoid heavy |
| intestines, where it is eliminated. We | | | | detoxification, though they can usually |
| also clear toxins by sweating , either | | | | handle mild programs, which should be |
| from exercise or heat; our sinuses expel | | | | undertaken only with the guidance of a |
| excess mucus when congested; and our | | | | qualified practitioner. |
| skin releases toxins as skin rashes . | | | | Where Can We Detoxify? |
| Mental detoxification is also important. | | | | During basic, simple detoxification |
| Cleansing our minds of negative thought | | | | programs, most of us can maintain our |
| patterns is essential to health, and | | | | normal daily routine. In fact, energy, |
| physical detoxification can aid this | | | | performance, and health often improve. |
| process. Emotionally, detoxification | | | | For some, the detox process may produce |
| helps us uncover and express hidden | | | | headaches, fatigue, irritability, mucous |
| frustrations, anger, resentments, and | | | | congestions, or aches and pains for the |
| fear, and replace them with forgiveness, | | | | first few days. Any of the symptoms of |
| love, joy, and hope. Many people | | | | toxicity may appear, however usually |
| experience new clarity of purpose in | | | | they don't. Symptoms that have been |
| life during cleansing processes. A light | | | | experienced previously may reoccur |
| detoxification over a couple of days can | | | | transiently during detoxification; |
| help us feel better; a longer process | | | | sometimes it is hard to know whether or |
| and deeper commitment to eliminating | | | | not to treat them. |
| certain abusive habits and eating a | | | | It is wise to begin new programs, diets, |
| better diet can help us change our whole | | | | or lifestyle changes with a few days at |
| life. Detoxification is part of a | | | | home. In time, experience will show what |
| transformational medicine that instills | | | | works best. Most of us can maintain a |
| change at many levels. Change and | | | | regular work schedule during a cleanse |
| evolution are keys to healing. | | | | or detox program (and we may even be |
| Some people go to extremes with fasting, | | | | more productive). However, it might be |
| laxatives, enemas, colonics, diuretics, | | | | easier to begin a program on a Friday, |
| and even exercise and begin to lose | | | | as the first few days are usually the |
| essential nutrients from their body. | | | | hardest. Some of us may be more |
| This can cause protein or | | | | sensitive during cleansing to the stress |
| vitamin-mineral deficiencies. So, | | | | of our work environment or to chemical |
| although congestion from over intake and | | | | exposures. Also, co-workers or family |
| under elimination is a more common | | | | members may provide temptations or |
| problem in this culture, excessive | | | | challenge our decisions. Having |
| detoxification can be equally harmful. | | | | supportive guides or co-cleansers can be |
| What Is Detoxification? | | | | a great comfort and source of positive |
| Detoxification is the process of either | | | | reinforcement when our inner resolve |
| clearing toxins from the body or | | | | begins to fade. At the end of the first |
| neutralizing or transforming them, and | | | | or second day, usually around |
| hence clearing excess mucus and | | | | dinnertime, symptoms like headache and |
| congestion. Fats (especially oxidized | | | | fatigue may begin to appear, and it is |
| fats and cholesterol), free radicals, | | | | good to be able to rest and spend time |
| and other irritating molecules act as | | | | in familiar, undemanding surroundings. |
| toxins on an internal level. | | | | By the third day, we usually feel pretty |
| Functionally, poor digestion, colon | | | | stable and ready for work. |
| sluggishness and dysfunction, reduced | | | | Still, many people like to start new |
| liver function, and poor elimination | | | | programs on a Monday, knowing that they |
| through the kidneys, respiratory tract, | | | | will do fine, using willpower and |
| and skin all increase toxicity. | | | | visualization to see themselves through. |
| Detoxification involves dietary and | | | | People often feel better than ever and |
| lifestyle changes that reduce the intake | | | | are able to accomplish tasks and meet |
| of toxins while improving elimination. | | | | challenges more easily than usual. In |
| The avoidance of chemicals from food or | | | | fact, experienced fasters may utilize |
| other sources, including refined food, | | | | fasting during busy work periods to |
| sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and | | | | improve their productivity. Preparing |
| drugs, helps minimize the toxin load. | | | | and planning, clearing doubts and fears, |
| Drinking extra water (purified) and | | | | and keeping a daily journal are all |
| increasing fiber by including more | | | | useful during this vital process and are |
| fruits and vegetables in the diet are | | | | crucial to any successful undertaking. |
| also essential steps. Moving to a less | | | | Why Detoxify? |
| congesting diet will also induce | | | | We detoxify/cleanse for health, |
| healing. | | | | vitality, and rejuvenation-to clear |
| Detoxification therapy-particularly | | | | symptoms, treat disease, and prevent |
| fasting-is the oldest known medical | | | | future problems. A cleansing program is |
| treatment on earth and a completely | | | | an ideal way to help us reevaluate our |
| natural process. | | | | lives, make changes, or clear abuses and |
| Who Should Detoxify? | | | | addictions. Withdrawal happens fairly |
| Almost everyone needs to detox and rest | | | | rapidly, and as cravings are reduced we |
| their body from time to time. Some of us | | | | can begin a new life without the |
| need to cleanse more frequently or work | | | | addictive habits or drugs. |
| more continually to rebalance our body. | | | | Detoxification can be helpful for weight |
| Cleansing or detoxification is but one | | | | loss, although this is not its primary |
| part of the trilogy of nutritional | | | | purpose. However, just the |
| action (the others being building, or | | | | simplification of our diet will have |
| toning, and balancing, or maintenance). | | | | some detoxifying effects in our body. |
| A regular, balanced diet devoid of | | | | Anyone eating 4,000 calories daily of |
| excess necessitates less intensive | | | | fatty, sweet foods in a poorly balanced |
| detoxification. Our body has a daily | | | | diet, who begins to eat 2,000-2,500 |
| elimination cycle, mostly carried out at | | | | calories daily of more wholesome foods |
| night and in the early morning up until | | | | will definitely experience |
| breakfast. When we eat a congesting diet | | | | detoxification, weight loss, and |
| higher in fats, meats, dairy products, | | | | improved health simultaneously. |
| refined foods, and chemicals, | | | | We also cleanse/detoxify to rest or heal |
| detoxification becomes more important, | | | | our overloaded digestive organs and |
| particularly to those who eat | | | | allow them to catch up on past work. At |
| excessively, and to those who eat | | | | the same time, we are inspired to |
| excessively at night. | | | | cleanse our external life as well, |
| Our individual lifestyle provides clues | | | | cleaning out rooms, sorting through the |
| for deciding how and when to detoxify. | | | | piles on our desks, clarifying our |
| If we have any symptoms or diseases of | | | | personal priorities, or revitalizing our |
| toxicity and congestion, we will likely | | | | wardrobes. Most often our energy is |
| benefit from detoxification practices. | | | | increased and becomes more steady, |
| It is like a vacation for our body and | | | | motivating us to change both internally |
| digestive tract. | | | | and externally. |
| Common toxicity symptoms include | | | | |