Re: Detoxing......so many opinions......here is Dr. Mercola's

[Guest guest]

ok, you have me inspired to start using my sauna again, great article.

>

> Should You Detox to Get Rid of Chemicals?

>

> Detoxification is growing increasingly popular. The basic premise is that

> your body accumulates more toxins in the modern world than its natural

> detoxification system (your liver, kidneys and lungs) can get rid of.

Proponents

> say that chemicals from pesticides, chlorine, bleach and ammonia, and carbon

> monoxide build up over time and cause disease. Dr. , director

> of the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Integrative Medicine, often starts

> patients out with a change in diet. Because Americans tend to have diets that

> lead to constipation, a change in diet can accomplish the same thing as many

> herbal detoxification products that are really just laxatives.People are

> ideally supposed to have one or two bowel movements a day, but many people go

two

> or three days between eliminations. The normal pathway for toxins to move

> out of the body is through the liver, which converts harmful chemicals into

> water-soluble molecules that can be flushed out in the urine or feces. If

> there's a delay in elimination, however, those toxins remain in your system

> longer. Tamara Mac, a naturopathic physician, uses detox techniques

> because some people aren't able to detoxify chemicals naturally -- their

systems

> aren't working well for one reason or another. But Mac is wary of

> poorly researched techniques like foot baths and colonics, and thinks that

> people should steer clear of fasting techniques like the " Master Cleanse, " a

> 10-day detox plan that consists of nothing but lemon juice, maple syrup and

> cayenne pepper. " One of the worst things that you can do for your body in

terms

> of detoxification is doing a fast, " she says. " That was the idea about 20 or

> 30 years ago, but we know now that your body actually needs specific

> nutrients to be able to perform its job of detoxification. "

>

> Sources: The Cleveland Plain Dealer May 5, 2009

>

> Dr. Mercola's Comments:

>

> > As Dr. states in the article above, the old idea for detoxing was

> > to fast, but your body needs nutrients to perform optimally under any

> > condition, and that includes performing the tasks of detoxification.Your

> > environment has profound impact on your health. Everything from the quality

of

> > the air you breathe to what you put into, and onto your body makes a

> > difference. Mercury alone can mimic or cause any illness currently known, or

at

> > least contribute to it. Detoxing and cleansing your body of toxins

> > periodically can definitely help counteract some of this onslaught of

damage. But what

> > is the best way to rid your system of toxins?

>

> The Top Ten Priorities for Detoxification

> > Late last year, I participated in a three day think-tank outside of Los

> > Angeles with some of the top experts in autism detoxification. We explored

> > some of the major modalities that are available. I will be presenting this

> > information in Chicago this weekend at the Chicago Autism One Conference.The

> > group came up with the following consensus and priority for achieving

> > optimal health:

> > Healthy Living

> > Avoiding Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)

> > Clean Water

> > Healthy Food

> > Healthy Movement

> > Emotions & Relationships

> > Tests

> > Organ Support

> > Supplements

> > Detox Tools

> >

> As you can see detoxification is an important tool, but it is not at

> > the top of the priority list -- especially if you are sick.

> > Unfortunately, a lot of people first consider detoxing when they’re not

feeling well.It’

> > s important to realize that if you fail to follow an orderly process and

> > begin detoxification processes prematurely, it can deteriorate your health

> > even further, making you very sick.

> >

> Why is Your Diet so Important When it Comes to Detoxing?

>

> > In addition to avoiding or limiting your exposure to toxins, you need to

> > focus on eating a healthy diet, preferably based on your nutritional type

> > to reap maximum overall health benefits.

>

> The Weston A. Price diet recommendations -- which were written

> > in 1920 and still, like all truths, hold true today -- includes these

> > timeless guidelines:

> > Eat foods that are natural, unprocessed, and organic (and contain no

> > sugar except for the occasional bit of honey or maple syrup).

> > Eat foods that grow in your native environment. In other words, eat

> > locally grown, seasonal foods.

> > Eat unpasteurized dairy products (such as raw milk) and fermented foods.

> > Eat at least one-third of your food raw.

> > Make sure you eat enough healthy fats, including those from animal sources

> > like omega-3 fat, and reduce your intake of omega-6 from vegetable oils.

>

> Additionally, it’s important to understand that if you’re deficient

> > in essential metals, your body will actually use toxic heavy metals as “

> > stand-ins†instead. For example:

> > Calcium is replaced by lead, which deposits primarily in bone, and

> > disrupts the formation of red blood cells. Lead contributes to poor bone

health

> > such as osteopenia and osteoporosis.

> > Zinc is replaced by cadmium, which tends to accumulate heavily in your

> > kidneys. Cadmium overload is associated with peripheral neuropathy.

> > Magnesium is replaced by aluminum, which, among other things, induces

> > neurochemical changes and has been identified as a contributing factor to

> > developing Alzheimer’s.

> > Manganese is replaced by nickel, which is carcinogenic. So not only do you

> > need to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients in order to avoid this

> > toxic metal replacement process, you also need nutrients to aid your

body’s

> > natural detoxification process. Toxins are naturally eliminated from your

> > body through your liver. It converts many (but not all) of the harmful

> > chemicals you ingest or absorb into water-soluble molecules that are flushed

out

> > in your urine or feces.

> >

> Remember, Your Skin Eliminates Toxins Too

> > One beneficial detox method is using an infra-red sauna, particularly for

> > slow metabolizers. It heats your tissues several inches deep, which can

> > enhance your natural metabolic processes. It also enhances circulation and

> > helps oxygenate your tissues.Your skin is another major organ of

elimination,

> > but many people do not sweat on a regular basis. This may be due to

> > wearing synthetic or tight clothing that does not breathe. Sedentary living

and

> > sun damage also inactivate your skin. Repeated use of the sauna slowly

> > restores skin elimination, which can help reduce your toxic load quite

> > significantly. Steam baths, sweat lodges, vigorous exercise and hot tubs are

other

> > options, but not as effective.Your results will be best when saunas are part

> > of an integrated program as described above. You may want to add some

> > natural, unprocessed salt to your diet to replace minerals lost through

> > sweating.

> >

> Cautionary Notes

> > Please remember that you should avoid starting any detox regimen when

> > you are sick. You need to establish a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits

> > FIRST, so you have a reserve that your body can draw on to allow your liver

> > to do its job properly.

> >

> > If you fail to do this you can easily overwhelm your liver's ability to

> > process the toxic substances that are being eliminated and you will become

> > very sick, wishing you had never done the detox in the first place. I have

> > seen this happen many times, so please use caution and evaluate your current

> > state of health before embarking on any kind of detoxification program.

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