McCarty Chiropractic Wellness Center
 
248-661-8500
 

Nearly 2 billion pounds of air emissions were pumped into the atmosphere. Over 400 pesticides and herbicides are currently licensed for use on food crops, and every year over 2.5 billion pounds are dumped on crop lands, forests, lawns and fields. Several thousand food additives are intentionally added to our food supply, and thousands more slip into our food supply unintentionally during harvesting, processing or packaging. In fact the average American consumes 124 pounds of food additives a year!

It is well-known that eating a diet high in saturated fats can often lead to a buildup in the arteries. In a similar fashion, fats, cholesterols, mucus, xenobiotics, inorganic chemicals, etc. can build up in various organs and tissues of the body, severely affecting the operation of those organs and tissues. Often, these buildups aren’t severe enough to be recognized as diseases unto themselves, yet they can lead to quite a few problems throughout the body.

This exposure to toxic chemicals is a large source of toxic buildups throughout the body. After years of exposure to these substances, often the body can no longer keep up with eliminating these substances and they get re-circulated into the bloodstream, creating havoc throughout the body, or stored in the liver, body fat or many other parts of the body.

In addition to the buildups throughout the body, problems can begin to arise in different areas of the body. The GI tract can develop microscopic ulcerations, pH imbalances, imbalance in bacteria and fungus, hyper secretion of mucus, and many other problems.

In addition to deposits of fatty acids in the liver, liver cells can begin to die, bile flow can become inhibited making digestion of fats difficult, etc. And so it goes with other organs and tissues throughout the body.

These types of buildups and problems throughout the body can contribute to the development of a serious illness. In order to reverse the serious illness, the buildups and other problems need to be removed as part of an overall healing plan. A holistic healing plan *without* the use of cleansing techniques can often result in the gradual removal of toxic substances from the body. But, in many instances, the detoxification is so slow or even non-existent that the use of cleansing techniques can be extremely beneficial. If you have had chemical poisoning or have been using prescription pharmaceuticals for a number of years, detoxification may be extremely helpful to your recovery.

Extensive research shows that it is not a question of if we are carrying a burden of these toxins, but rather how much and to what extent they affect our health.

How Do You Know if You Need to Detoxify?

Today, with more toxins in the environment than ever, “it’s critical to detox,” everyone should detox at least once a year. Common symptoms of toxin buildup (toxicity) include headaches, muscular aches and pains, fatigue, or low-grade infections; bags under the eyes; a distended stomach even if the rest of your body is thin;. However there is much more to consider:

  • Immunologic toxicity may be a factor in the development of asthma, allergies, skin disorders, chronic infections and cancer.
  • Neurologic toxicity affects cognitive, mood, and overall mental function.
  • Endocrine toxicity affects reproduction, menstruation, libido, metabolic rate, stress tolerance, glucose regulation and more.

A short detoxifying program is generally safe; in fact, scientific studies show that a detox is beneficial for health. However, we caution against detoxifying for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your health care practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.

How Does Detoxification Work?

Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. It is a process by which your body transforms toxins into harmless molecules that can be excreted. This process takes place primarily in the liver and to a lesser degree in the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. Detoxification is largely accomplished in 3 stages. Phase 1: Certain enzymes change toxins into intermediate compounds. Phase 2: Other enzymes convert intermediate compounds into water-soluble molecules. Phase 3: Water-soluble molecules are excreted mainly via urine or bile/feces. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body’s natural cleaning process by:

  1. Resting the organs through fasting;
  2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
  3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
  4. Improving circulation of the blood; and
  5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

Where Do You Begin?

Practiced for centuries by many cultures around the world — detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body by removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients.

First, lighten up your toxin load.

Some ways to accomplish this include: washing fruits and vegetables; eating more organic foods, particularly meats; drink a lot of purified water; use air purifiers, eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and use protective equipment when working with toxic substances. Only use prescription and OTC medications when absolutely necessary.

Second, support your body’s detoxification capacity!

In order for your body to rid itself of harmful toxins, unfortunately most individuals have great numbers of toxins that they must get rid of as well as a lack of nutrients needed to fuel the entire detoxification process. Consuming a low-allergy-potential source of nourishment along with supplementing the nutritional factors necessary to enhance the body’s detoxification capacity can have a powerful effect on your body’s ability to cleanse itself.

Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. In large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. So it’s a good idea to detox stressful life situations along with detoxifying your body. Yoga, exercising regularly and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.

Which Detox Program is Best for You?

Modern science has taught us that the detoxification process is heavily nutrient-dependent. Phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes are the engines that drive the detoxification process and they are fueled by vitamins, mineral and other key food components. Unfortunately, this process is comprised in many individuals due to great number of toxins their bodies must get rid of as well as a lack of nutrients needed to fuel the entire detoxification process. Therefore, adequate nutrition is essential for effective detoxification.

There are many detoxification programs, depending on your individual needs. We will provide you with an advanced detoxification program to help you rid its dangerous toxins. Our programs provide simple, yet effective, dietary guidelines in combination with a complete nutritionally balanced beverage. .

As no 2 people heave exactly the same dietary needs or health problems, a single program is not suitable for everyone. Depending on your detoxification health profile and your health status, our health care team will direct you to the best program for your needs.

10 Ways to Keep Your Body Detoxifed

After a detoxification program, you can cleanse your body daily through diet, supplements and lifestyle practices.

  1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
  2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
  3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.
  4. Drink at least 2 quarts of water daily.
  5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.
  6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.
  7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.
  8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.
  9. What is the most important way to detoxify? Exercise! One hour - every day. Try an exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.
  10. Dry-brush your skin. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.