Wouldn’t you like to feel awake, clear, rejuvenated, and fully alive every day?
Did you know that many of our health problems come from hidden toxins? Although we tend to think of chemical waste dumps or smoke stacks when we think of toxins, the concept of toxins is broader. It includes not only toxic foods, chemicals, and heavy metals like lead or mercury but toxic emotions, relationships, beliefs, and attitudes. Toxins can be thought of as anything that disturbs our physical, biochemical, mental, emotional, or spiritual balance. While many of us are overburdened with a variety of toxins, the good news is that we can identify and eliminate many of these toxins.
If you feel tired, sluggish, achy, have trouble concentrating or, feel like you are living life in a cloud of fog, you will likely benefit from a program of detoxification. (See “Symptoms of Toxicity” sidebar on page 58.) On the other hand, if you have no symptoms, but have certain genetic quirks that prevent you from getting rid of environmental or internally generated toxins, you may have a higher chance of developing cancer, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately our detoxification systems have much more to contend with today than they did before the industrial revolution. With the advent of four million synthetic compounds, heavy metals, as well as the load from our own internally generated waste, many of us have exceeded our coping capacity. The consequences for our health are staggering – being sick and tired, or worse, developing debilitating, degenerative diseases. Think of it as the rain barrel of our bodies that overflows from all the stressors. When the rain barrel overflows we get sick.
Trying to keep track of all these toxins is difficult. Limiting exposure is important, but boosting your own elimination and detoxification system is critical. Most individuals can follow a light detox consisting of a few simple steps. However, sometimes an individualized approach based on biochemical and genetic differences among people is needed. Healthy detoxification involves reducing your exposure to toxins, eating the right balance of detoxifying foods, engaging in regular exercise, sweating, deep relaxation, and the judicious use of detoxifying vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
There are five simple steps for healthy detoxification. Follow these steps for three weeks and discover the amazing source of energy and vitality just waiting to emerge.
Step one: GET RID OF TOXINS
Unloading our bodies and minds of common “toxins” gives us a new start for our health. I recommend getting rid of anti-nutrients or “toxic” foods in your diet for three weeks. After three weeks decide what things to reintroduce into your life. Eliminate the following “anti-nutrients”: hydrogenated or trans fats, processed foods, white flour, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and charbroiled meats. (Remember this is just for three weeks!)
Getting rid of other toxins is easier than you think. First, clean your water with a portable water filter or a reverse osmosis filter which you can install in your home. Then, clean your air if you live in an urban environment, an old building, or suffer from allergies by getting a HEPA or ULPA filter for your bedroom. Lastly, clean your food by choosing organic produce and animal products (raised without hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides).
Beware of heavy metals in your life. They can have short and long term health consequences even at low levels. Avoid fish containing high levels of mercury such as tuna, swordfish, and sea bass. Eat more wild salmon and sardines. Get rid of aluminum found in antacids, deodorants, and baking powder. Stop using unnecessary over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Advil that can put an extra load on your liver.
Step Two: FIX YOUR GUT
Healthy digestion and absorption are crucial for good health and proper detoxification. Here are some easy to implement suggestions that can help correct long standing digestive disorders.
For three weeks try a diet eliminating the most common food allergens – gluten, dairy, and eggs. Eat a simple diet instead – brown rice, steamed vegetables, fish, or beans (legumes) to give your gut a rest. Then put healthy bacteria back into your system with probiotics or acidophilus. Look for brands with 5-10 billion live organisms per dose. Most importantly, move your bowels regularly. For sluggish bowels take 150 mg of Magnesium citrate capsules or tablets, 2 – 3 times daily, and once a day mix two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with applesauce or sprinkle it on a salad or rice (keep in the fridge).
StepThree: MOVE THAT BLOOD AND LYMPH
Increasing circulation and lymph fluid throughout the body is an important step to refresh, oxygenate, and energize your cells. I recommend taking a brisk thirty-minute walk five times a week (or other aerobic exercise). Try taking a yoga class (this really gets the circulation going through the organs and helps detox your system) several times a week. Get a massage or bodywork. Find a sauna and try to build up to 15-30 minutes 2 – 3 times a week. (Make sure to drink plenty of water.) Get rid of old dead skin with a dry skin brush.
Step Four: BOOST YOUR DETOX SYSTEM
Your body has its own built-in detoxification mechanisms; however, we generally don’t do enough to support them. Here are some easy suggestions to give your system a boost. Love your liver by eating foods in the cruciferous family (broccoli, collards, kale, etc.), garlic, lemon peel, rosemary, green tea, turmeric, watercress, and dandelion greens. Take a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement daily. Try the herb milk thistle which helps heal and protect the liver. Increase urine flow by drinking 8-10 glasses of filtered water a day. Detox your skin with regular sweating and dry skin brushing. Detox your lungs with yoga classes and deep breathing of fresh air.
Step Five: DETOX YOUR MIND, HEART, AND SPIRIT
Not all toxins are found in the environment. Many of our beliefs, attitudes, and responses to stress can greatly impact our health. Some simple adjustments in behavior can have a big impact on our state of mind and health. Try some of these suggestions.
Pay attention to unconscious behaviors (such as unconscious eating). Clean up your bedroom and living space and try to feng shui your home. Try keeping a journal to help work through constipated feelings. Practice relaxation with yoga, tai chi, qi gong or other relaxation techniques. Take a holiday from pop culture and the melodramatic media for three weeks. Try a computer and TV holiday for three weeks. Finally, get at least eight hours of rest a night for three weeks and see how you feel.
After three weeks your home, body, and mind should feel less cluttered and more energetic, and you’ll get a lot more enjoyment out of life.
Co-Medical Director Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires
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