Detoxification

[Pallas]

Detoxification
 
Disclaimer: the following is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to replace a medical assessment performed by a health professional.  DO NOT undertake a program of detoxification without medical supervision if you have any serious, chronic medical condition such as (but not limited to) diabetes, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, etc.
 
The idea for this post originated with a discussion about detoxification and fasting in the Energy Healing topic under the Esoteric Knowledge forum (http://hyperspacecafe.com/forum28/4843-2.html).  The purpose of this post is to consolidate some information about detoxification, its risks and its benefits, and to demonstrate that there is a lot more to detox than crazy diets and fasting.
 
What Is A Toxin?
A toxin is anything that creates irritation or harm for our bodies.  Because this is a very broad definition, almost anything can be a toxin.   The following list gives some examples of things that may become toxic:

• Food
• Plants
• Organisms
• Chemicals
• Toxic Metals
• Weather
• Loss of spirituality and faith
• Altitude
• Radiation
• Air
• Geographic stress
• Excess body chemicals
• Emotional trauma
• Noise
• Electromagnetic fields
• Water

 These examples can be classified as external and internal.  An external toxin is something that exists outside our bodies that we may be exposed to; an internal toxin is something that exists within our bodies – it might be an external toxin that we ingested or it might be a body chemical (metabolite).  Internal toxins that are water-soluble tend to be excreted faster and more thoroughly than fat-soluble toxins, which tend to accumulate within the body.  Candace Pert has written an excellent book, Molecules of Emotion, which describes how everything we experience is mediated physically by our biochemistry and how these chemicals can be accumulated within us.

What Is Detoxification?
As you’ve seen so far, we are exposed to a lot of potential toxins, and sometimes our bodies don’t handle these very well.

Detoxification interventions, often simply referred to as “detox”, help our bodies’ natural processes of elimination to minimize the impacts of these toxins.  Detox reduces the overall toxic load:
 - by increasing the speed of elimination,
 - by facilitating a chemical change that turns a toxic substance into a non-toxic one
- and by reducing exposure. 

Detoxification interventions include things like breathing techniques, meditation, massage, hydrotherapy, exercise and diet.

How Does Detoxification Occur In The Body?
Detoxification occurs in both the physical and psychospiritual realms of the body.  Our bodies have 5 main routes of elimination: the skin, the lungs, the liver, the colon and the kidneys.

The skin is the largest organ of elimination, handling up to a third of all body impurities.  For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the "third kidney".  The skin protects us from impurities by regulating pore size and through various secretions, especially sweat.

The lungs maintain a tightly regulated balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our bodies.  Breathing techniques are also used to facilitate the elimination of emotional toxins.

The liver is our internal chemical plant.  It manufactures and dismantles all kinds of chemicals.  The primary detoxification process in the liver involves the use of an enzyme system (“P450”) that operates in two phases.  Sophisticated detox procedures attempt to fine tune the balance between Phase 1 and Phase 2. 

Fat-soluble chemicals that are detoxified are eliminated in the bile secreted into the small intestine and leave our bodies in fecal matter.  Water-soluble chemicals that have been detoxified in the liver are transported through the blood stream to the kidneys for excretion. 

The colon eliminates digestive wastes, materials that the body has selectively not absorbed, and substances (like bile) that have been secreted into the digestive tract.  The speed of transit through the colon is a factor that influences toxic load.

For the most part, the kidneys continue the process of eliminating water-soluble toxins begun by the liver, although they do process certain toxins entirely on their own.  The tissues of the kidneys are selectively permeable – in a sense, they make decisions about what stays in the blood stream and what gets eliminated in urine. 

Detoxification interventions focus largely on these routes of elimination.  Some increase excretion (fiber decreases colon transit time, hydration increases flow through the urinary system, certain foods promote bile production, massage increases elimination through the skin) and some tweak Phase 1/Phase 2 metabolic processes in the liver.  Psychospiritual detox focusses on stress management, on reframing toxic perspectives on personal issues and ties into our physical experience through breathing and energy healing techniques.

Why Detoxify?
Infestations of micro-organisms in the digestive tract, or just inappropriate levels of normal microflora, along with the ingestion of toxic substances (such as alcohol) and psychospiritual toxins like stress, can tax the processing power of the liver.  When the liver becomes overloaded, its detoxifying enzymes don’t work as they should.  This can lead, by way of oxidative stress and free radical production, to health problems like fatigue, joint pain, headaches, nausea, cardiovascular problems, recurring or chronic infections, skin conditions and so on.

The same idea of a processing build-up applies to all the routes of elimination.  Detoxification ensures that the various routes of elimination function as they should.  Including some of the detox measures listed below in your lifestyle will help to prevent “dis-ease” by precluding toxin accumulation.

Are There Risks?
Moderate to aggressive detoxification approaches have greater degrees of risk associated with them than gentle detox.  Fasting is an example of a more aggressive approach; it would be especially high risk for someone with a metabolic condition like diabetes.  Sauna is an example of a moderate approach but it can be high risk for someone with kidney disease or high blood pressure.  If you want to try measures that go beyond gentle detox, work with a professional who can assess your individual risks and monitor your responses.

There are many “detox” products on the market.  In my opinion, some are helpful in certain situations, most are unnecessary.  Remember, just because something is natural does not mean it is safe for everyone.  Be careful with herbal remedies; they can interact with each other as well as with medications you may be on.  Do not take doses of vitamins and/or minerals that exceed the Recommended Daily Intake without consulting a health professional because they, too, can interact with each other, with herbs and with medications you may be taking.

Simple, Gentle Approaches To Detoxification
The following approaches will be safe for most healthy people.  If you have any serious or chronic conditions, consult your health care professional prior to undertaking any program of detoxification.  You can do all of these or pick the ones that appeal to you most.

Therapeutic Breathing

• Promotes optimal elimination via the lungs, helps with low energy, stress and anxiety.
  Process: breathe in slowly to a count of 4; hold the breath for a count of 4; release the breath slowly to a count of 4; repeat until you complete 4 cycles.  Do this 4 times per day.

Meditation

• There are many techniques – experiment until you find the one that works best for you. 
  Remember that prayer is a form of meditation.
  Helps with low energy, stress, anxiety, mild depression, problems with focus/perspective.
  Meditate before you eat – see below.

Visualization: Forgiveness

• One of the most important aspects of cleansing.  It is hard to fully heal unless we have forgiven others and ourselves. 
  
  Forgiveness exercise: Light a candle and sit on a floor in your room.  Think of someone whom you are having trouble forgiving.  Imagine that person walking into the room and sitting across from you.  Look into the person’s eyes and smile.  Imagine them smiling back at you.  In your mind, get up and imagine the other person rises as well; give each other a hug.  Watch the person leave the room quietly and observe how you feel.  Repeat this exercise daily for 30 days or until you feel you have completely forgiven the person.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Very helpful in resolving anxiety, anger, depression by challenging assumptions and beliefs, and reframing perspectives on personal issues.  Best done with the assistance of a professional.

Hydration

• Replaces fluid lost through respiration, perspiration, urine and feces. Most healthy adults need about 1.5 to 2 litres/day.  Dehydrating fluids containing alcohol and caffeine do not count towards the total and actually increase the amount of replacement fluid you need to consume.  The ideal fluid for hydration is water.  There is lots of debate about water sources/quality; in my opinion, if plain tap water is all you’ve got, it’s better than nothing, so drink up!

Exercise

• 40 minutes of daily exercise helps to mobilize fats.  Fat mobilization releases stored toxins for detoxification by the liver/kidneys and subsequent elimination. 
  Speeds up metabolism in the body and inhibits the replication of pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. 
  Enhances elimination through the skin by raising body temperature which causes pores to open and perspiration to increase.  Sweat helps flush out heavy metals and other toxins.Also stimulates vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels which helps the body rid of more toxins.
  Helps with the management of stress by releasing muscle tension.

Hydrotherapy

• Constitutional hyrdrotherapy involves contrasting applications of hot and cold water and is best undertaken with the assistance of a health professional.  The temperature contrast increases blood flow and capillary action near the surface of the skin, causing faster release of toxins.
  
  Contrast showers/emersions can be done at home in the shower: make the water as hot as you can stand it for 90 seconds; alternate with a blast of cold (as cold as you can stand) for 30 seconds.  Do 3 cycles – make sure you finish with cold.
  
  Hot bath – with or without epsom salts – first wash your body with a loofah or skin brush to take off excess oils and skin, rinse thoroughly; fill the tub with very warm water; wrap a towel soaked in cold water around your neck; ensure you have drinking water available and drink 8 oz before, during and after your soak; sit in the tub for 5 minutes – work up to 15 – 20 minutes in subsequent sessions; be very careful getting out of the tub because you may feel weak or dizzy.  If using epsom salts, start with ½ cup per tub and increase slowly to 2 cups.  Take a cooling shower after the bath to flush toxins from the surface of  your skin.
  
  Ginger root has heating properties that causes sweating and detoxification.  It also draws toxins to the skin surface.  Cut a thumb size piece of ginger root, mince it and leave it in boiling water for 30 minutes.  Strain and pour the liquid into a full bath.  Follow the instructions for bathing given above.  Ginger is stimulating so do not take this bath before bed.
  
  Oats improve skin metabolism, which helps the body detoxify more quickly.  Simmer a heaping handful of rolled oats in 2 quarts of water for 25 minutes.  Strain and pour the liquid into a full bath.  Follow the instructions for bathing given above.  Oats are sedating so this is an appropriate bath to take before bed.

Massage

• Stimulates vasodilation and blood flow through organs, muscles and skin.  Helps with the management of stress by releasing muscle tension – can be invigorating or calming depending on techniques used (no comments about “happy endings”!)

Homeopathy/Bach Flower Remedies

• See http://hyperspacecafe.com/forum20/4883.html for background information about homeopathy.  Bach Flower Remedies are drops that work according to homeopathic principles.
  
  Homeopathy rarely interacts with other substances such as medication, botanical remedies or nutriceuticals.  For detoxification, we generally use low doses that are repeated 3-4 times a day.  Acute symptoms are treated first, chronic problems are treated next, and constitutional remedies which strengthen the immune system are given last.  Homeopathic remedies are indicated for different toxic exposures, including radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, and insect or snake bites.  They also reduce the toxic effects of diarrhea and emotional trauma.  They are best used with the assistance of a professional.

Castor Oil Packs

• Castor oil stains so don’t get it anywhere near fabrics you care about.  Castor oil has been shown to increase circulation, promote elimination and healing in tissues and organs underneath the skin. It is particularly effective in being absorbed into the lymphatic circulation where it can act to improve digestion, immune function, and reduce swelling in injured joints and extremities. It has also been specifically used in cases of menstrual irregularities, uterine fibroid cysts, and ovarian cysts.
  
  DO NOT USE ON ABDOMEN DURING PREGNANCY OR MENSTRUATION.
  
  Apply about a tablespoon of castor oil to a piece of flannel or cotton cloth.  Place the cloth over the area of your liver (for general detox) on the right side of your abdomen just above and below the edge of your rib cage.  Cover all of this with plastic food wrap and put on an old T-shirt.  Warm the area for 30 minutes using a hot-water bottle or heating pad, observing the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.  At the end of the treatment, wash your skin thoroughly with soap and warm water.  Do once per day for 5 days.

Diet/Nutrition/Eating Habits

• Meditate or pray before eating  - this improves the function of the digestive tract through increased stimulation from the parasympathetic nervous system.
  
  Follow the instructions for hydration.
  
  Buy organic if you can; if you can’t, ensure fruits and vegetables are well washed before eating – you can make a cleansing vegetable spray by adding a tsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup of water – rinse thoroughly with plain water before eating.
  
  See post entitled “General Dietary Guidelines” for additional information on health-promoting eating habits http://hyperspacecafe.com/forum20/4996.html
  
  Cut back/eliminate your intake of:

• • alcohol
    caffeine
    saturated fat
    trans fat
    sugar – including high glycemic fruits

• Increase your intake of:

• • Chlorella or greens
    Protein (if not adequate – this is especially important for vegetarians)
    Apple juice
    Cranberry juice
    Ground flax seeds
    Psyllium seed powder
    Pumpkin seeds
    Wheat bran
    Carrots
    Celery
    Beets
    Kale
    Chard
    Apples
    Ginger root
    Garlic
    Sweet potatoes
    Onions
    Parsley
    Asparagus
    Spinach
    Cilantro
    Cinnamon
    Tumeric
    Cayenne
    Brown rice miso

Use a journal or charts to keep track of your progress.

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