Detoxification By Ted H Spence, DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH

[Guest guest]

from [11HealthNews] Healthy News You Can Use Issue #122

Detoxification

By Ted H Spence, DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH

Introduction:

Detoxification comes in many forms and refers to many different programs

that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is toxic and the

foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden with

chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some

type of detoxification to maintain life and health. Although basic

detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional

fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and blood. We will soon

see why these organs are so important in detoxification. Detoxification for

the body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the

liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved in detoxification

of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver acts as an in-line

filter for the removal of foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The

kidneys filter wastes from the blood into the urine, while the lungs remove

volatile gases as we breathe.

Our body is designed to utilize natural substances, which includes foods,

herbs and phytochemicals. Any foreign substance will serve as a stimulus to

our immune system, which has the function of removing these substances.

Although the toxicity of a chemical may vary, it is the job of the liver to

reduce toxins into compounds that the body can safely handle and eliminate

through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (as expelled air)

and bowels (as feces). Maintaining these eliminative organs in good working

order is essential for ones good health to continue.

While there are many detoxification programs available, they differ in

their actions and their intent. Some detoxification programs (DP) work only

with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others may

aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these detox

programs into a total health program, one can effectively restore their

health to an optimal level and look younger in the process. When the body

can eliminate toxins, then health is restored and energy and vigor are

revitalized. Many different approaches to detoxification and wellness will

work, even though they attack the problem at different levels. Any program

that augments detoxification will improve health. Other factors must be

considered in detoxification, like nutrition, water, and exercise, rest,

sunshine, and fresh air.

Detoxification Diets:

Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate toxins in many ways. First,

natural vegetarian diets include the fiber needed for stimulating good

bowel eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of vitamins that feed

and nourish the bowels and the liver, as well as other eliminative organs.

They also include a valuable source of enzymes since most vegetarian diets

are eaten raw. The elimination of meat from the diet for a short period

enhances detoxification because meat is so difficult to digest and requires

many enzymes for its digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing

diets and aid the body in elimination of toxins.

Of course, changing diets and lifestyle is easier said than done for some

people. Many people want health and will go to any length to improve their

health, including dietary changes. But there are others who do not want to

change their life style for anything. These people will be difficult to

motivate and will not stick with the detox programs for one day. They may

not want to give up their sodas, or their cigarettes, their beer or their

coffee. They may make a few changes, like drinking more water, or they may

give up completely in a very short notice. Our way of eating has been

cultivated over many years and will not change over night. But to those who

do want better health and do not want to rely on pills/drugs for their

existence, nutritional changes will be welcomed, especially when they start

feeling better and having more energy.

Diets are very important and are usually the basis for any detox program,

whether it is herbs, cleansing or other detox programs. Detox diets will

generally eliminate trigger foods, which may cause many problems with

digestion and elimination. Foods like wheat (glutens) and dairy (milk,

cheese) are often the cause of allergies. Sugar is eliminated because of

its empty calories and tendency to produce hypoglycemia. Meats are

eliminated because they may contain hormones, antibiotics and are difficult

to digest. Caffeine is wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the

bodys digestion. Refined, processed and junk foods are also out for any

detox program to work.

Herbal Detoxification:

Generic diets for detoxification are good, but may not stimulate the liver,

lungs or the kidneys as much as one would like. Therefore, herbal cleanses

are indicated when we want to hone our cleanse to a sharp edge and be

organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too and provide one with

vitamins, minerals and enzymes for excellent nutrition. Herbs are powerful,

because they may be combined together to fortify those herbs that aid

specific organs. For example, herbal combinations that aid the liver may be

found in many organic food stores. The list below shows how herbal

combinations help the various organs.

Herbal Combinations:

Liver:

LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley, horsetail, birch leaves,

chamomile, blessed thistle, black cohosh, angelica, gentian, goldenrod

Kidneys: Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper berries JP-X Parsley, uva

ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong quai, cedar berries

Lungs: LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, senega, Chinese ephedra

While herbs may be taken at any time, they are best for detoxification

purposes when they are used with a good diet also. It does not make any

sense to take herbs to cleanse the liver if the bowels are clogged with

junk or refined foods, since the liver dumps its toxins into the bowels.

And while detoxification diets are effective by themselves, they may be

reinforced and speeded up with herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.

Herbs may be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders are usually

encapsulated for easier swallowing, but are best when taken with meals and

digestive enzymes. Extracts may be used when specific herbs are needed, but

may be extracted with alcohol, which we need to avoid. Herbal teas are

easily made and easily taken all throughout the day. They are mild and

gentle and sometimes refreshing and sometimes bitter. Experimentation may

be in order until one develops the right tea to drink. Herbal teas is a

topic in itself, since there are so many and different ways to make them.

Example Herbal Cleanse:

Rising: Drink a glass of lemon water or Drink a glass of water with added:

one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses

Morning: drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder (follow with

another glass of water) Meals: take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes

Take liver herbs

In Between Meals: drink herbals teas, which support the liver

Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel

Note: Following a good diet is mandatory for herbs to work optimally. See

section on diets for detox.

Skin Cleansing:

Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, because our skin

it one of our best eliminative organs. Heavy metals are actually released

through the skins pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are

great for removing toxins from the skin and regenerating ones health and

energy. It has been documented that our skins sweat glands when combined

can perform as much detoxification as one (or both) kidneys. Therefore, it

is very important to support our skin for detoxification to be maximal. If

our kidneys are damaged, then helping the skin will help the kidneys ...

indirectly, but effectively.

Good skin care is in order, if ones health is to benefit, also. Using

chemicalized skin care products is not wise, even though they are cheaper.

These chemicals may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more

toxins for our liver to deal with. We are not made out of cast iron, and

even the chemicals in our soaps and shampoos will make a difference with

our health. Most people do not see the ill effects of these subtle

chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize them. But, individuals

who are environmentally toxic will see a great change in their health when

using natural soaps and shampoos. We should take their advice and use only

natural skin care products also.

Cleansing our skin is rather simple. First, we need to bathe daily using

natural soaps. Then we need to care for the skin by using only natural oils

and products of natural origin. Even the clothes we wear can make a big

difference in our health. Synthetic fibers do not absorb sweat (toxins),

while natural fibers, like cotton, will absorb toxins. Dry skin brushing

helps in removing the outer dead skin layers and keeps the pores open.

Another good method of skin brushing is with vigorous toweling off after

bathing. Towel roughly until the skin is slightly red. Change towels often

because they will contain toxins.

Good skin care also requires good nutrition.[ii] Since our skin is mainly

fat, we need high quality fats and oil from natural sources to give our

skin health. Butter and olive oil are two excellent natural oils, which

keep the skin in good condition. As always, the fats/oils should be natural

.... only.

Detoxification Baths:

Use ½ cup of baking soda or use ½ cup of Epsom salt or use ½ cup of sea

salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a

natural fiber. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and dirty.

The darkness to the water is heavy metals coming out of the skin (aluminum

and mercury). Do this once a week during detox and once a month for

maintenance.

Juice Fasting:

Fasting with vegetable juices can be another excellent way to develop good

health and cleanse the body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber),

contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. When the

pulp is not added, one is able to drink more juice than they are able to

eat. For example, one can easily consume the juice of several heads of

lettuce in one sitting, but may not be able to eat the lettuce whole. This

allows the body to get an abundance of nutrients with minimal processing

(digestion). Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body proper time to

process these juices and helps to preserve our valuable digestive enzymes.

Juice fasting has helped many people over come serious diseases like

cancer, because it gave them optimal nutrition and allowed the body to

cleanse itself of toxins. [According to many nutritionists, cancer is

merely a toxic condition.] With some juicers, the pulp is discarded, but it

may be saved and added back for fiber (not too much). Juices contain good

sources of antioxidants and enzymes, both of which are needed for cleansing

and eliminating toxins. Juices are also easy to digest and help those with

digestive problems.

Flora:

Our bowel flora is also important for detoxification and normal health.

Probiotics is the term given to the normal bowel flora, which are taken as

supplements. It has been found that these normal flora actually defend our

body from the pathogenic species of bacteria and perform many vital

functions, such as detoxification of toxic chemicals and making valuable

vitamins (mainly the B vitamins). When our normal flora are present they

secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms cannot grow. But the

reverse is also true, that when the pathogenic forms take over, they will

exclude the normal flora with their toxins.

Many scientists feel that it is the toxins secreted from the pathogens and

not the pathogens themselves that create disease. The ability of all

bacteria to change and grow under specific conditions of their immediate

environment is called pleiomorphism. Cell wall deficient forms are

bacteria which lack a defined cell wall, yet have all the specifications

of being bacterial-like. Even viruses have been found to exhibit

morphological forms, which resemble bacteria and fungus. While this is not

widely accepted by modern medical scientists, it hass been proven beyond a

shadow of doubt by eminent scientists, like Virginia Livingston Wheeler,

Irene Diller, and Royal Rife. Their microscopic studies have revealed that

bacteria and viruses and fungus may be all different forms of the same

organism, differing only by the environment in which they are grown.

Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad and allow the bad

to repopulate and develop antibiotic resistance. Natural forms of

antibiotics are better, since they do not kill off the good bacteria with

the bad and do not allow drug resistance to take place. Garlic, for

example, is perhaps, 200 times more effective against pathogens than most

antibiotics today. And it does not produce antibiotic resistance forms,

which is a danger to all our health. As antibiotics become more widely

used, more antibiotic resistant forms will be encountered. Herbal

antiseptics and anti-bacterial tonics are far better and less dangerous to

our over-all health, because they do not kill of the good bacteria with the

bad.

Replacing our natural flora is a good step for preventing disease and

keeping our bowels healthy and populated with normal flora. Taking

probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus can help us in

our detox program and also in repopulating the gut after a cleanse. Our

normal healthy flora should be a part of any detoxification program.

Antioxidants:

The use of antioxidants, like vitamins A, E and especially C, are very

essential for detoxification since they are involved with the

detoxification of toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells to

neutralize free radicals that can cause mutations and cellular damage. As

these free radicals are neutralized, the antioxidant vitamins will be used

and exhibit low levels. Vitamin A and E are fat soluble and will be found

in our fat tissues/stores, but vitamin C is water soluble and will be found

mainly in our skin (between the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is

also involved with many other important bodily functions, like collagen

formation, wound healing, energy production and fighting off colds (viruses).

The function of antioxidants is so important that any deficiency of them

will be seen as catastrophic to ones health. When our antioxidants are

low, energy is not available and detoxification cannot take place in a

normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are stored until they can

be processed. The liver and many other organs are compromised in their

functions when antioxidants are low. Just the lack of energy is enough to

cause the body to have compromised or poor health, because it is energy

that is required for the removal of toxins and wastes. Vitamin C should be

taken with bioflavinoids to ensure that all the components of the vitamin C

complex are taken together, since they work together. Pure ascorbic acid is

called vitamin C, but does little by itself. We tend to think that ascorbic

acid as vitamin C, but it is only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C

is very essential to any detoxification program, because that is what the

body uses for energy to process and eliminate these toxic wastes. Think of

vitamin C as the gas in the dump truck carrying toxins to the waste dump.

Without gas the truck is not going to remove wastes or move at all.

Without vitamin C our body is not going to dump its toxic load.

Therefore, ensure adequate vitamin C and always take vitamin C with

bioflavinoids for optimal benefit.

Vitamin C can be taken in very high doses until the bowel tolerance level

[bTL] is achieved. This BTL is different for different people. Some persons

reach tolerance at 4-5 grams (4,000-5,000 mg), while others may not reach

tolerance until 10-15 grams (10,000-15,000 mg). Cancer patients notorously

can take 20-30 grams (20,000-30,000 mg) of vitamin C before tolerance is

reached ... meaning that they needed more vitamin C than most people. By

taking vitamin C to its tolerance level we find out 1) what our BTL is and

2) how saturated our body is with Vitamin C. Vitamin C was found by Linus

ing and Ewan Cameron to be very effective in helping many patients to

over come that killer disease, called cancer. Perhaps, this was because

vitamin C was needed for detoxification of toxins, which caused the

cancer in the first place. Although ing and Cameron were greatly

criticized for their work with vitamin C, they were able to help many

people overcome cancer and without compromising their health as toxic

chemotherapies often did.

Enzymes:

The use of enzymes in detoxification is important, because the body needs

an adequate supply of enzymes, not only for digestion, for also for

detoxification.[iii] Enzymes are best obtained from fresh raw fruits and

vegetables, but may be taken daily with meals as nutritional supplements of

multi-digestive enzymes. Enzymes in our food helps us to digest that food,

but many foods today are processed, refined, heated (cooked), radiated and

stored, which destroys enzymes and leaves it non-vital.[iv] Foods with

enzymes destroyed will have a longer shelf life, but will not give one

health when it is eaten.

Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are the best source for enzymes and help to

give one vibrant health. Enzymes are also used by the body in

detoxification of toxic substances. The liver is the source of most

detoxification enzymes, which it must make, or store. To aid the body in

removing and eliminating wastes and toxins, enzymes are best taken in

between meals. This way they do not get involved with digestion, but go to

the liver and to the blood for detoxification.

Many therapies have utilized enzymes for improving health and enzymes have

long been the key to many detoxification therapies which have helped many

to over come that dreaded disease, cancer. Kelley, Gerson, Moerman, and

Neiper used alternative nutritional therapies with enzymes for curing

cancer. The famous Wobe Mugos enzymes from Europe were utilized with

Laetrile therapies for cancer. Never was Laetrile give alone, but was used

with vitamins, diet and enzymes. This made the Laetrile therapy very

successful in the 1970s. If cancer is a toxic condition, which many feel

that it is, then taking enzymes will help it. And it does.

The use of raw foods in many detoxification diets are using the enzymes

found naturally in those foods. Additionally, these raw foods provide fiber

and, with proper food combining, will not waste the body enzymes reserves.

Preserving enzymes is the key to over coming disease and living to ripe old

age and remaining healthy. Yes, vitamins and minerals are important, but

vitamins are enzyme co-factors and many minerals are use to activate

enzymes. Therefore, the vitamins and minerals themselves are only

augmenting the role of the enzymes which are detoxifying toxins and

supporting metabolism.

Enzymes also help the bowels in cleansing, because they liquefy the bowel

content, which makes transit much easier. The role of enzymes in digestion

is to break down foods for digestion and absorption. When foods are broken

down they become more liquid and the bowels move much easier and faster.

Transit time is decreased and our health is increased when toxins are

removed and eliminated. Perhaps, this is a link to breaking the

constipation chain. Enzymes are the key to health. Preserve our enzymes

and we will be healthy for a long time.

Bowel Cleansing:

Keeping the bowels clean and moving is a major step in regaining our health

since the bowels are crucial in the elimination of toxins, especially those

processed by the liver. [The liver dumps in to the bowel via the gall

bladder.] This is why one hears a lot about the bowels, and bowel

cleansing. In severe cases, enemas and colonics may be needed to breakup

and washout long-standing bowel encrustations. Diet may do the same thing

as an enema or colonic, it will just take longer. Also, one should be very

diligent in repopulating after a total washout of the normal flora and

probiotics will be necessary to restore that balance.

Constipation is a national pastime and slow bowels are more common today

than years previous. For one thing, people not only ate better 100 years

ago, they were more active and got out doors more. When the bowels slow

down, toxins are not eliminated and are reabsorbed and carried back to the

liver for recycling and elimination. Reabsorbed bile salts have been linked

to increased cholesterol levels; therefore, cholesterol is a major

indicator of constipation. Also, when the bowels get slow and toxin levels

increase, the pathogenic microorganisms grow to out-number the normal flora

causing dysbiosis. Although flora is needed to correct this, it is the

clogged bowels that are the major problem. When the bowels move again,

everything else will fall into order.

Our endocrine glands that control metabolism are also involved; since it is

our thyroid that controls metabolism and metabolism affects how our bowels

are functioning. In this way, constipation can be seen as a symptom of

hypothyroidism. Low body temperatures (a symptom of hypothyroidism) are

very common today ...although they are not normal ... as many authors

have reported. One major factor in low body temperatures is the suppression

of thyroid function by heavy metals, like mercury, which binds to our

thyroid hormones and renders them inactive. Eliminate the mercury and the

body temperature is likely to return to normal.

The easiest way to get the bowels moving is by using a high fiber diet

consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, one may add extra

fiber during the day by drinking a glass of water (juice) with psyllium

husk powder. The extra fiber adds to the bulk of the stool and decreases

the bowel transit time, which means better toxin elimination and better

health. It makes sense that if one can eliminate toxins their health will

improve.

One of the best ways to improve the bowel function is with herbal remedies

that act as bowel stimulants or laxatives. These products range from the

very mild - slippery elm - to the stimulant - cascara sagrada- to the very

harsh - aloes and senna. Everyone may react differently to these products,

so they should be taken cautiously at first. Some persons may take two

aloes with no effect (meaning they are heavily blocked), while others may

take a mild herbal and get a much greater effect than most. Herbal bowel

combination formulas are excellent because they not only stimulate the

bowels to move, but give the bowels the nourishment it needs to move on its

own.

Herbal formulas should not preclude a wholesome natural diet, since diet

comes first in matters of health. One should not become overly dependent on

herbal laxatives, since they deplete potassium and may be addicting as

some authors claim. Yet, herbal products play a key role in getting the

body to eliminate toxins by stimulating the eliminative organs like nothing

else can and, therefore, cannot be ignored.

Herxheimer Reaction:

The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and

toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.[v] When

this occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise.

Even though this is but a short period of the health program, it can be

severe and deter one from reaching their intended goals. Also, the person

may not know what they are experiencing and think that they are regressing.

To minimize the Herxheimer Reaction

Drinks lots of pure distilled water

Get minimal exercise daily

Lots of sunshine

Take detoxification slowly ... one step at a time

Dont increase the dose of herbals

Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys) open

Take detox baths

Use aromatherapy oils for aches -like peppermint, birch, and wintergreen

Sweat by using exercise, saunas, baths, and herbs

Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods

If the Herxheimer reaction occurs, cut back on your health detoxification

program. Reduce the dose of herbs and follow the above outline to reduce

the symptoms of toxin elimination. The more toxins there are to eliminate,

the sicker one is when they come out. Generally, one will feel better when

all is over and health is restored again. Just remember, dont give up.

Conclusion:

Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches, nausea, malaise and

vomiting due to the toxins being released [Herxheimer Reaction]. If this

occurs, one should back off the program and proceed slowly. Proceeding to

fast with detoxification can have disastrous results when toxins are

released into the circulation. Our body should be primed and ready to

eliminate toxins before they are released. We do this by getting the bowels

working, keeping the skin clean and getting the kidneys and lungs

operating. Only by having all organs of elimination in proper operating

order can our body begin to dump toxins efficiently and maximally. Keeping

the skin clean and healthy is of prime importance also.

Detoxification is essential for good health to exist. Our body must

eliminate toxins daily or we would die immediately. Since our environment

is more toxic today, our livers are over stressed with environmental toxins

to deal with daily. Processing other toxins, when the liver is stressed,

may be delayed. Detoxification is also a lifestyle change. For it is by the

way we live that determines our health and how our liver processes toxins.

Detoxification is easy if we eat a wholesome natural organic diet and live

life in a natural way. But for those who want their cake and eat it too,

detoxification may be compromised. A change your lifestyle may be needed

and detoxification will be forthcoming. Nature has afforded us the chance

to live in a toxic environment and not be affected by it. Of course, we

have to live right to get that chance. Without detoxification we may not

get a second chance.

Good health is within our reach, but first we must cleanse this temple

and eat a wholesome natural diet that provides us with maximal nutrients

and fiber. Herbs can help us stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and bowels

when needed, but diet is the first priority in any detoxification program.

Dont become overly dependent on herbal laxatives. When toxins are released

one may feel bad for a day or two, but when our good health is restored we

will have renewed energy and will soar on the wings of an eagle. Many

people living today have never known what good health feels like. They

survive with an abundance of toxins and an existence less than healthy.

Good health is not hard to find, but does require diligence and life style

changes which are compatible with toxin elimination. Sir Winters

Says, Death begins in the colon. With good toxin elimination through

natural detoxification programs our health and energy are restored.

. The Best Way to Detox, Jill Ruttenberg, Natural Health, Oct 1999, p

88-92, 152.

[ii]. Aubrey Hampton, Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care, 1987, Organica

Press, Tampa, FL 33614

[iii]. Harold Loomis, DC, Enzymes: The Key to Health, Vol 1, The

Fundamentals, 1999, 21st Century Nutrition, Madison, WI

[iv]. J Cichoke, DC, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy, 1994, Keats

Publishing, Inc, New Canaan, CT

[v]. Ibid, p 148