Springtime has traditionally been regarded as the most important time of year for detoxification.   Just as we spring clean our homes we should be thinking about cleansing our bodies too.  After a sluggish winter it's time to get the dust bunnies out!  Toxins are everywhere! Our environment is full of pollutants and the processed food we eat is full of additives.  The insides of our homes are full of toxins from cleaners, pesticides, solvents, air fresheners, etc.   All of these chemicals, that we cannot see, all contribute to a toxic environment.  The Environmental Protection Agency currently recognizes some four million toxins!  At least 2,800 substances have been recognized as food additives by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  These are used to make foods more attractive, last longer on the shelf, and taste better.  According to some reports, we may consume an average of 8-15 pounds a year of chemicals that contribute nothing to the body and may do harm.  Even foods with no additives can cause toxins.  Carbohydrates that are too refined such as breads, pastries, and white flour build up in the gut causing inflammation.  This is a perfect medium for bacteria and toxins to accumulate. 

Toxins are also created by the body in the metabolic process-kind of like a combustion engine producing exhaust as it burns gas.  In general, the better quality the gas-the less exhaust. The same is true for your body.  Emotional stress, poor diet, and consuming too much food can all contribute to increased toxic load.  Toxins undermine our health.  Elson Haas, MD in his book Staying Healthy with Nutrition, defines a toxin as "any substance that creates irritating and/or harmful effects in the body, undermining our health or stressing our biochemical or organ functions."  A body overloaded with toxins can result in constipation, stomach bloating, poor digestion, gas, fatigue, weight gain, excessive mucus, poor concentration, headaches, poor skin, poor memory, depression, body odor, and bad breath. 

Some health practitioners related toxins to specific diseases.  R.A. Buiest, M.D., writing in the International Clinical Nutrition Reviews (1988; Vol.8, No.4) states that chronic fatigue syndrome may be related to toxin exposure.  Multiple chemical sensitivity and fibromyalgia (muscle and joint pain) may also be environment-related diseases. 

Natural Detoxification

Our bodies have a system in place to detoxify these harmful toxins.  The most important cleansing organ is our liver.  Eliminating channels include the bowels (digestive system), kidneys, skin, lungs, and lymphatic system.  When the body is not overburdened with toxins the blood carries toxins to the liver.  The liver uses enzymes to detoxify the harmful substances, rendering them harmless or converting them into a water soluble form, which is then eliminated through our urine or bowel movements.   The system can handle only so much! Similar to pouring too much into a funnel, it will start to back up and pour back over the top.  Our liver is built for natural toxins and is very over burdened by manmade or foreign toxins which we are in contact with every day.  When our bodies are bombarded with unfamiliar chemicals, are producing too many toxins, or are not eliminating toxins effectively, the toxins build up and can cause problems with our health.  

Helping your Body Naturally Detoxify--  Supporting the Body's Natural Elimination Process

vDrink Water- we should drink ½ our weight in ounces daily.  Most of us do not drink enough. (see chart below)

vBaths and Saunas- Hot water increases blood flow causing faster release of toxins.  The heat also causes sweating and opens up pores.  Be sure your bath and shower water is pure.  No chlorine or other additives. 

vEating a Healthy Diet- ensures that you get proper nutrition and also helps the cleansing process.  Fresh, raw foods provide necessary enzymes to adequately digest your food and provide your metabolism with essential nutrients.  Avoid foods that contain additives such as sugars, salt, saturated fats, trans-fats, caffeine, MSG, artificial sweeteners, modified food starch, high fructose corn syrup, nicotine, and alcohol.  Avoid animal protein, as it puts a tremendous strain on the digestive system.  Eat foods that are fermented such as yogurt and sauerkraut to further improve the good bacteria and enzymes for digestion. 

vPractice Stress Management- stress affects us physically.  It weakens the immune system and robs the body of important nutrients.  Stress hinders digestion and the cleansing process.

vHerb, fiber, & Supplements- these can be very important to a cleansing detoxification program.  Milk Thistle, Burdock, Stinging Nettle, and Dandelion have all been shown to support the liver detoxification pathways.  Fiber "sweeps" the intestinal track.  It absorbs toxins and escorts them out of the body.  Probiotics can be helpful for the final micro digestion of food.  The more complete the digestion-the fewer the toxins.

vFasting- I do not recommend fasting although it has been used for centuries to cleanse the body.  Fasting can be harmful and can cause toxins to rapidly enter the liver for detoxification.  If the liver does not have the proper support it cannot keep up with the load causing worsening of symptoms such as headaches, muscles aches, and flu like symptoms.

vEnemas and Colonics- I do not recommend colonics or enema's in general for detoxification although again this has been used for centuries.  You need an experienced practitioner and should not attempt this on your own. Preventing toxins from building up by drinking plenty of water, eating a plant based diet, exercising, and practicing stress reduction is all you really need to do to keep your body clean! 

vDetoxification Programs- there are a number of detoxification programs on the market.  I recommend you consult a health care provider who has had experience with using specific products--there are many poor products on the market.