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Spring!
a time for cleaning...
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Jane Kennedy NP, MPH
Gordon Medical Associates
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Greetings!
Happy
spring to each of you! Aren't the flowers and blossoming trees
breathtaking this time of year? I'm taking time to enjoy them,
and hope you are too.
Springtime has always seemed like a
time to clean up and get a new start, whether it's the yard, the
house, or my body. So I wonder if you've ever thought about
detoxing your body? Spring is a great time to do it!
Our body can become taxed with all the
work it does to keep us well and get rid of the toxins we are exposed
to. External toxins can come from our environment, including unwanted substances found in our food, water, air, and products we
put on our skin. They can be in the form of chemicals, drugs,
alcohol, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, microorganisms, and
off-gassing products. Everything from cosmetics and hair products to
plastic containers and new carpets can bombard our bodies with
unwanted environmental pollutants.
In addition, the processes of digestion
and metabolism naturally produce internal toxins, including the
body's breakdown of microorganisms and old worn out hormones. Our
bodies eliminate toxins through the skin, bowels, kidneys,
liver, lymph system, and lungs. These organs need sufficient
nutrition and must be functioning at optimal levels in order to to safely
eliminate toxins, or a state of chronic toxicity will
occur.
It is well established in the research
literature that an accumulation of toxins in the body causes
impairment of our immune system. This increases our risk of many
types of diseases and conditions, including cancers and autoimmune diseases. In
addition, toxins create impaired metabolism with resulting fatigue,
aches and pains, brain fog, impaired memory, and even brain
degeneration. If this over-burdening of the detox system stretches
over an extended period of time, our organs become injured and
weakened, which can lead to the development of many other chronic illnesses.
Some of the symptoms often attributed
to decreased sex hormone levels at menopause can actually be due to the
accumulation of toxins. Doing a detox can help support the body's
natural ability to safely eliminate the built up toxins and
recharge the liver and other detox organs so they can function at
optimal levels. The process has a positive effect on all our body
systems. After completing the detox, the body can cope more
effectively with the stresses and exposures of daily life and
create a higher level of health.
As we think about hormonal health,
detoxing to eliminate the xenoestrogens to which we are exposed is
important. Xenoestrogens are chemicals that attach to our estrogen
receptors throughout the body. They act like estrogen in some
respects, but actually mess up the system so that our real estrogen
(made by the body or bio-identical estrogen) cannot "dock" at the
receptor sites and do its job properly. The xenoestrogens leach
out of plastics (phalates, BPA, and others), may be in pesticides,
fertilizers, medicines, personal care products, and food products
among other things. By doing a specific detox you can release these
out of your body and lower the risk of adverse effects.
Some people get confused and think that
detoxing is just cleaning out the bowel. While this is an important
part, there are actually three phases of a physiologic detox process,
all of which are essential for varying purposes. Phase I focuses on
converting fat soluble toxins into compounds that can bind with
water. Phase II makes these compounds harmless to the body with
supportive substances. Phase III, the excretion phase, facilitates
getting the now water-soluble toxins out of the system.
There are many ways to detox, and to get you started, here are some
that are simple and easy:
1) Green drinks - composed of
blended greens, other vegetables, ginger, parsley, and lime to which
a protein powder can be added. (I've been doing this every
Saturday for several months and feel so good letting my digestive
track rest for a day).
2) Detox diets of many kinds - eating
only fresh organic vegetables and fruits (5 times more vegetables
than fruits) along with good quality proteins for varying periods of
time, while utilizing herbs and supplements known to facilitate all
phases of detox.
3) Liver flush - blend 8 oz fresh
apple juice, 1 clove garlic, 1 Tbsp cold-pressed olive oil, 1 inch
piece of fresh ginger root.
4) Milk Thistle, B vitamins, Chlorella,
anti-oxidants, green tea, pomegranate, soluble fiber such as pectin,
psyllium, other herbs and supplements as recommended, and detoxifying
herbal teas.
5) Infrared saunas or a hot bath with
Epsom salts or sea salt.
6) Colonic - one or two during a
detox should be sufficient - do on days 3-5 after starting most
detox and take pro-biotics afterwards.
7) Exercise, and use stress reduction
techniques.
8) Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture.
9) IV vitamin therapy.
10) Drink a lot of water - 8 or more glasses
based on your body size - note: prolonged water or juice fasting
alone is not recommended since it has been shown to be ineffective
and even dangerous.
11) Body analysis, identify food
sensitivities
Depending on your health history, some
restrictions to the above may apply. If you'd like some guidance on how to build a detox program using theses suggestions, call to set up a short, 15-minute consultation with me.
Sometimes it's best to work with an
experienced health care professional who can help you make the best
decisions about which detox is right for you, especially if you have
any previous health issues with your gallbladder, liver, or
gastrointestinal tract. I have found the best results come from detox programs that include all phases of detox and several
methods of treatment specific to your individual needs, with a careful
phasing back into a daily routine.
So what would the benefits be from
doing a detox? You'll think more clearly, have more energy and
truly feel great. You can shed some pounds, relieve bloating, and
aches and pains. Your immune system, as well as your liver, gets a
re-charge. The bowel can cleanse to create a healthier environment
for improved metabolism.
A detox is also a natural step to
putting in place a long-term healthy eating plan. The FirstLine
Therapy program I offer at GMA is a detox program I
have helped many women to successfully incorporate into their daily lives.
Give your body a boost. Clean up
this spring and feel better in the process! If I can assist you in creating
a detox program to meet your specific needs, let me know.
I know this has been long but it's an
important health issue for all of us!
Happy Springtime!
Jane Kennedy
Nurse Practitioner
Gordon Medical Associates
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The next Women at Mid-Life class is on April 16th from 7-9 pm
Click here for dates and times of more upcoming Women at Mid-Life classes.
PS ... Next time you are in the office,
fill out my Detox Questionnaire to see how much your body
could benefit from doing a detox.
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www.GordonMedical.com
707.575.5180
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Jane Kennedy is a Board
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master's Degree in Nursing from UCLA
as well as a Master's in Public Health from Loma Linda University. Jane comes to
Gordon Medical Associates after relocating from Southern California, where she
practiced in menopausal and preventive health.
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