What is a detox?

A detox is a cleansing technique that is designed to encourage the body to remove toxins. Toxins are natural and/or synthetic substances that accumulate in tissues and organ systems of the body. It is well known that eating a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fats will lead to blockages in the arteries. Similarly, mucus, other organic materials and inorganic chemicals accumulate in various organs and tissues of the body, causing system malfunction eventually leading to serious illness.


Why detox?

Every year 64,000 people die prematurely from cardiopulmonary induced air pollution heart attacks. - World Resource Institute 1996

Every year 7 million people are hospitalized for exposure to water contaminant. - National Resource Defense Council 1999

Every year millions develop chronic diseases related to poor nutrition that can be avoided. - Edward C. Knoop, the Surgeon General of the United States 1995.

The exposure to toxic chemicals is a large source of irritation for the body. Pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals, pollution, preservatives, dyes, fillers, cleaners, disinfectants and processed foods represent only a small percentage of the host of substances that we are exposed to on a hourly basis. After years of exposure to these agents the body can no longer keep up with their elimination, so they get re-circulated back into the bloodstream, damage the liver and other organs only to be stored in fat and many other parts of the body.

As toxins build up throughout the body, disease silently moves in. The GI tract develops micro-ulcerations, acid imbalances, bacteria and fungal overgrowth, lesions, hyper-secretion of mucus, and many other problems. The liver develops fatty acid saturation and as these vital cells die bile flow becomes inhibited making the digestion of fats more difficult (so, no matter what you eat you gain weight!). The kidneys develop sluggish filtration causing the blood stream to stay acidic effecting overall body chemistry, immunity and mood. The skin becomes pale, wrinkled, and gray and loses its overall glow as the cells accumulate toxins in the fatty tissues. And so, disease progresses damaging all organ systems of the body.


When to detox?

In a toxic environment, detoxification is a matter of survival. In order to reverse serious illness, toxic accumulations must be removed to encourage healing. A healing plan that disregards the use of a serious cleansing technique may result in the gradual removal of some toxins, but in most cases detoxification is extremely slow or non-existent. The use of a detox technique can make the difference between a progressive healing plan and endless frustration. Detox catalyzes healing where medications, diet, yoga, exercise and meditation often fall short.

A good detox routine should occur 2 to 4 times a year. The Native American Indians would perform a ritualized fast and sweat lodge ceremony with the change of seasons.

As the external world changes, so does the internal environment. As the planet moves toward an environmental crisis it will become more obvious that we are integrally connected to our surroundings. It is self-evident that the world around us is in need of nurturing. The greatest gift we can give each other is to heal ourselves. Now is the time to detox. RIGHT NOW!


Where to detox?

Detoxification is a challenging endeavor. Often, people leave a detox with the feeling that something has changed within, that life has shifted. It is important to find a nurturing environment that is supportive of your challenges. If you can perform your cleanse during a vacation or on weekends take the opportunity. If this is not possible pace yourself and clear space at home to relax. Turn off the TV, unplug the phone, light candles, burn incense and spend some quiet time alone.

Do not involve individuals in your detox that are not supportive or understanding of your need to change. A detoxification is a quest or journey deep into the forgotten places within. In reality, only you can fully identify with your healing process. A community or group setting that is performing the same detox is most encouraging. It's nice to know you're not the only one with the need to purge. Stay close to home, rest and try to observe rather than interact. Detox is a process of regeneration.


Who should detox?

In spite of common thought, not just anyone should jump into a detox. All things that are challenging and life altering are preceded by a calling or desire to rediscover the self. While cleanses can be extremely healing, it is important to balance a detox with periods of rebuilding and strengthening using other techniques (i.e. yoga, meditation, supplements, etc.). Detox without a period of recovery will eventually weaken your immune system and your integrity.

The "detoxer" must be prepared to accept that there will be a "healing crisis." My mother always said, " things usually get worse before they get better." While on a cleanse the body will purge. The release of toxins will bring up physical and emotional trauma that will be reflected in certain symptoms. A healing crisis can last a few days and produce these symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Headaches and other aches
3. Fatigue
4. Skin eruptions
5. Emotional irritability
6. Gas
7. Temporary constipation or diarrhea
8. Temporary loss of menstruation
9. Yawning
10. Muscular tension

In most cases, it is important not to use drugs to suppress these symptoms, but instead, to encourage the release of toxins from the body. These symptoms are an expression of release and must come out. After all, whether emotional or physical, a release may not always be pleasurable, but it does lead to a change for the best.

If you are terminally ill, in the last trimester of pregnancy or emotionally unstable it is best to do a cleanse under close supervision of a holistic physician. Detoxification is as much a personal as planetary journey. We will all eventually have to find our way back to health, if we wish to be happy. It's just a matter of time.


How to detox?

It is important to choose a cleanse that has incorporated some element of balance and flexibility. Select a cleansing technique that is not to extreme, but not too subtle. There must be some degree of challenge built into the technique if it is going to be worth your time. The most powerful life experiences involve a little struggle.

Work closely with a qualified holistic health practitioner that is familiar with the particular detoxification technique. The practitioner may be helpful in choosing the most effective method. They can advise you on some contraindications that may be important to you condition. If there are any problems, the practitioner should be able to make adjustments that may make your detox experience more powerful. It is always nice to have a guide on the healing path, especially since you are doing all the work.

There are many areas of the body that one can detox. The GI tract, liver, gallbladder, skin, lymphatic system, lungs, and kidneys are usually the organ systems in most need of a cleanse. The 21 day detox is a general cleanse that will catalyze regeneration in all of these systems. It is a technique that does not require expensive supplements, drastic diet changes or unusual machines. This cleanse gets progressively more challenging and is designed to work for any body.

You may or may not notice immediate improvements. In some cases, there have been total elimination of symptoms with just one cleanse. Just keep in mind that internal healing may be taking place even though there is no apparent external change.

If you make the effort to detox it will have an effect on you life. Change is often subtle, but very powerful.


May you be well,

Richard DeAndrea, MD, ND

John Wood

HEALTH FACTS:

Obviously, we have a problem, and pills are not the sollution! Food provides the nutrients and energy needed to run and repair the body daily. When we are deprived of life giving nutrients, the metabolic gears switch into survival mode, and the body breaks down.

At the turn of the century we strayed from Mother Nature and fell into the arms of technology. Today, as in the past, we long to live the promise of a leisurly lifestyle. We would sell our souls to make our lives more convenient. For every modern convenience there is a price, in trade we forfeit our well being.

Most of the food sold in corporate supermarket chains is devoid of nutrient value. When fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains are processed and packaged they are leached of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are essential to metabolic function. If we do not get them we gradually suffer. It is a little known fact, for example, that chromium picolinate, the popular fat burning mineral, is derived from whole grains. When grains are processed 50% to 70% of this mineral is lost. We pay 10 times more for a cleverly marketed supplement.

ESSENTIALS: A thorough detox performed at least two times a year is essential to obtaining optimum health. This detox was designed to catalyze a new outlook on health. It is wise to never judge a book by its cover. Inner well being is not insured by a handsome physique. The foundation for maintaining good health is dependent upon a well balanced diet, exercise, and rest.

During the first week of the detox program you will be encouraged to eat a 100% plant based diet. According to the American Dietetic Association, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and the American Medical Association, a plant based diet is sufficient to satisfy all the body's daily needs. However, given the profit motivated state of the commercial food industry in this country, some supplementation will be needed to achieve the daily requirements for a busy lifestyle.

We suggest that you continue the "VitaMineral Green" even after the detox program, and get a shot of wheat grass on occassion. This will insure that you get enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to give your body the building blocks needed for it to regenerate.

It is unfortunate that our competitive nature leads us to believe that we should rest when we are dead. Rest is essential for cell regeneration and for recovery from daily activities. The most seasoned triatheletes rest for weeks after an event. In addition to resting the body, it is important to rest the mind. Stress is the number one contributor to all chronic diseases in America. The mind extends beyond our physical boundaries. It keeps working even when the body gets exhausted. Rest should be mentally and physically relaxing. Meditation, gardening, and sleep will relax the body and the mind.

We are born with many gifts. Our senses are gifts that allow us to fully enjoy our stay on earth. With all 5 senses we can adapt to any environment. It is common for most animals to use their senses to adjust to new sorroundings. For humans, the gift of the senses can become a nightmare. We have become addicted to stimulation on the physical and mental and emotional levels. Detoxing is a way to recalibrate the senses and gain perspective on health.