Why do we engage in detoxification programs anyway?

Well, in one sense, it is because of the symbolic commitment to ourselves. In another more physical sense, it is to give ourselves a break from exposure to toxins. Our bodies might take the opportunity to get rid of what we have in storage through detoxification.

Toxins come from both exogenous (outside of the body) and endogenous (inside the body) sources. Exogenous exposure comes from our interactions with our environment. Endogenous exposure comes from our body’s own biochemistry, which is, in turn, affected by what we are exposed to in our environment.

Examples of exogenous exposure include:

• Consuming synthetic foods containing artificial colorings (food dyes), artificial sweeteners (Splenda, Nutrasweet, etc.), artificial flavorings (Monosodium Glutamate), and trans-fats (Crisco, margarine).
• Pesticides and herbicides on food.
• Cigarette smoke and other air-borne pollutants like car exhaust, mold, industrial fumes, asbestos.
• Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, aluminum, tin, and mercury. Which we encounter in our food, beauty products, vaccines, and most famously, amalgam fillings.
• Make-up, shampoo, deodorant, and other self-care products that contain methyl and propyl parabens and many other ingredients you don’t recognize.
• Cleaning products, chemical solvents, “non-stick” Teflon pans.
• Plastics containing BPAs and other harmful components that can mimic hormones in our bodies.
• Hormones and antibiotics from non-organic meat and dairy products.
• Excessive alcohol.
• Prescription drugs.

Examples of endogenous production include:

• “Free radicals” as a normal by-product of many reactions that occur in our biochemistry.
• Hormones that can accumulate excessively like cortisol and estrogen.

At no other time in human history have we been exposed to so many toxins from our environment. Think about how many of the “exogenous” toxins you are exposed to on a day-to-day basis. These “external” toxins gunk up the body’s natural systems of detoxification, which are meant to only deal with “internal” toxins.

While some humans are naturally better at detoxifying than others, for example, Uncle or Grandfather who smoked his entire life and lived to be 90, participating in 21st century America means that we ALL have a toxic burden to unload. In addition to being informed consumers about the products we buy, we must regularly “open up” the detoxification pathways.

The following is a list of organs the body employs in detoxification & the feature of the Detox Program that cleans the organ out:

1. Liver – Avoid alcohol, most caffeine, and processed foods. Take liver Cleanse herbs, liver support herbs in Detox-approved protein powders.
2. Skin – Use natural beauty products, sweat from physical activity
3. Intestines – Juice fasting to rest the gut, avoid processed foods, increase “roughage” from fibrous veggies, flaxseed meal to increase bowel movement bulk, and “gut” support nutrients in Detox-approved protein powders.
4. Kidneys – Flush with non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated diuretics and kidney support in Liver Cleanse herbs.
5. Lungs – Increased respiration from physical activity, deep breathing as in breathing exercises.

The above are detoxification strategies we “practice” during the 10 days of the Detoxification Program. The more we practice and reap these strategies’ health benefits, the more motivation we have to continue to use them the rest of the year.

Options for Cleanses

Allergy Elimination

Pick a length of time to eliminate all common food allergens, including:

• Sugar
• Gluten
• Dairy
• Corn
• Soy
• Eggs
• Red meat  – You can choose to go vegetarian as well for optimal detox benefits.
• Caffeine is optional but encouraged.

Fasting 101

Definition

To abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink for a period of time. There are many different types of fasting, including water fasting, juice fasting, fruit fasting, etc. Though technically, the term is being misused.

It would be more appropriate to call it a Juice Feast! Whichever type of fasting you choose, the goal is to allow the body to detoxify. You will also allow the gut some much-needed rest.

Water Fasting vs. Juice Fasting

Water Fasting is a strong detox that happens more quickly than other types of fasting. During a water fast, energy is generally low, and hunger disappears completely. This fasting form is best for dealing with more serious chronic health conditions because you can enter Ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body begins using fat as fuel instead of glucose.

Juice Fasting

Gentler cleansing than water, though, just as effective. Generally, you will have greater energy than usual, making juice fasting perfectly for people who cannot take time off!

Benefits of Fasting

Both Water & Juice Fasting:

• Detoxify the body from endogenous and exogenous toxins (chemicals, pesticides, plasticizers, pollutants, free-radicals produced by the body)
• Reset and rebalance the nervous system
• Boost the immune system making you more resilient to infection
• Rebalance gut flora – Great for healing any digestive disorder (i.e., gas, bloating, belching, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, etc.)
• Increase cell turnover/ Rejuvenate the body – making skin brighter and more youthful.
• Balance blood sugar
• Decrease blood pressure
• Get rid of old habits and addictions that no longer serve

How does fasting work?

The major mechanism of fasting is pure physiologic rest. Physiologic rest means that we are giving the digestive tract and associated organs a much-needed break. Normally about 80% of our body’s energy is being allocated to digestion.

This means that we are almost always running on about 20% of our body’s total energy. We can utilize this “extra” energy for healing, detoxification, and rejuvenation when we fast. These are the normal functions of our bodies.

Because we rarely break from eating, we are not able to function at full capacity. With juice fasting, we are loading the body full of nutrients that help the liver process toxins from the body tissue. It also allows us to maintain normal or elevated energy levels while giving the digestive tract a rest.

Ketosis

During a water fast, the physiology is a little more complicated. When water fasting, the body will switch from using glucose for fuel to ketones. This physiologic process is called ketosis and happens when fat is being broken down for energy.

Ketosis has been praised for over 40 years for its neuroprotective function, being used to treat seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, studies have reported more on the regenerative effects of ketosis, including nerve regeneration, decreased healing time, increased insulin sensitivity (reversing diabetes), anti-inflammatory, and more visceral weight loss (organ fat loss). Not to mention ketone kills hunger completely, making water fasting very comfortable in most cases.

Fun Facts:

• 80% of our body’s energy goes to digestion when we are consuming!
• On average American adults eat every 3.5-4 hours, with snacks in-between.

Is there anyone who should not fast?

1. People with Type 1 diabetes
2. People with serious wasting disorders
3. Pregnant or breastfeeding people
4. People who are afraid of fasting
5. People on medications that cannot be stopped (Applies to Water fasting only)

Other tips & tricks to maximize cleansing

Castor Oil Packs (30 min.)

Benefits of COPs:

• Extremely anti-inflammatory
• Stimulated the liver to produce Glutathione peroxidase
• Stimulated immune function
• Moves the lymph
• Anti-fungal, anti-bacterial
• Supports healthy liver and digestive function

What you will need:

1. Flannel or wool cloth
2. A hot water bottle or electric heat pad
3. Plastic wrap
4. Castor oil

Preparation:

1. Make sure you are in old clothes and lying on a towel or something that you don’t mind getting oily.
2. Fold the flannel or wool cloth into 2-4 layers. Make sure it is a suitable size to cover your abdomen from hip bones to solar plexus.
3. Soak the wool flannel in castor oil or coat your abdomen in a generous amount of castor oil.
4. Apply wool to the abdomen.
5. Place sheet of plastic over the pack. This is to protect your clothes and linen from getting oily.
6. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on the abdomen on top of the plastic.
7. Cover abdomen with towel or blanket to keep the heat in.
8. Treatment should continue for at least 30 minutes. Longer treatments are not harmful.
9. When finished, remove the pack and wide residual oil with clothing. Easy Peasy!

**Wool can be stored in the refrigerator in a container. It can be reused 20-25 times, after which it should be washed or dry-cleaned.

Usage of Castor Oil Pack

COPs can be done daily. They are instrumental during a fast or cleansing program. You may also use COPs for indigestion, abdominal discomfort, gas, and cramping.

Contraindications

Do not use heat with uterine growths, bleeding, pregnancy, ulcers, or while menstruating. Do not fall asleep while using the electric heating pad.

Coffee Enemas (45 – 60 min.)

Detoxification Benefits:

• Increase elimination and stimulate bowel movements. Coffee acts as an astringent in the colon and cleanses the colon walls.
• Stimulating toxin elimination has been found to increase Glutathione Peroxidase’s production by the liver, which activates Glutathione, the major antioxidant in the body. Anti-oxidants work to remove harmful free radicals and toxins from the body.
• Enhance digestion by increasing bile flow and removes toxins in the large intestine
• Stimulating the liver is especially helpful for slow oxidizers, usually people with impaired digestion.
• Hydration

Dry Skin Brushing (2 min.)

• Do this before you shower each morning.
• 4-8 strokes in each area of the body indicated below.
• Make sure you are brushing in the directing of the arrows in the picture below.
• Caution: Do not brush on or over areas of thin or damaged skin (skin rashes, wounds, cuts, infections, poison oak or poison ivy)

Contrasting Hot/Cold Shower (10 min.)

• Immediately after skin brushing, start your shower with the water as hot as you can tolerate for 5 minuets.
• Allow water to warm mainly your chest and abdomen. Spend half the time warming your back and the other half warming your chest and abdomen.
• End the shower by going directly from as hot as you can handle to as cold as your water gets.
• End your shower with the water turned down as cold as it gets for at least 30-60 seconds before finishing.

Sauna

FAR Infrared saunas are best though any type of sweating is beneficial. It is best to sweat for at least 20 minutes a day.

Deep Breathing (3 min.)

Belly breathing or deep breathing can be done during COPs. Best way to increase elimination through the lungs. Best is practices a couple times throughout the day. Create a new habit for yourself!

Exercise

Exercise helps to move the blood and lymph. Even walking 20-30 minutes a day makes a difference.

Supplements

• Lecithin – Assists with healthy weight loss and the elimination of fat-soluble toxins from the body. Support healthy neurotransmitter and hormone production. Neuro protective action.
• Activated Charcoal – Works to absorb harmful and irritating toxins from the body by acting as a super sponge.
• Fiber (Ground Flax, Psyllium husk, Oat bran, etc.) – Assist in creating healthy bowel movements and making sure we remove waste and other toxins from the body.
• Liver Cleanse – During a fast or any cleansing, the liver is working hard to process all the toxic waste. This is why it is important to take something to support the liver.