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 DETOXIFICATION

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification is the process of clearing toxins from the body. Detoxification consists of lifestyle and dietary alterations that lower the intake of toxins and facilitate more complete elimination.  Detoxification is also referred to as "cleansing." 

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS DETOXIFICATION MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
- Acne
- Allergies
- Alzheimer's disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Colds
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diabetes
- Drug addiction
- Eczema
- Fungal infection
- Gastritis
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Parasites
- Sinusitis

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF DETOXIFICATION
Cleansing is a tradition among humans, throughout the ages and cultures. For thousands of years, body purification has been a tool for health and well-being. It was used in ancient times as a way to reconnect with the divine. Many religious teachers and prophets such as Christ and Paramahansa Yogananda have recommended fasting as a means of improving health and facilitating spiritual learning.

In modern life the toxic toll on our bodies has been heightened through new and more chemicals in food and drink, beauty and cleaning products, pollution, and radiation.  The occurrence of many toxicity-induced diseases has increased as well.  Many common ailments including headaches, fatigue, allergies, pain, and immune disorders have been traced to toxicity.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF DETOXIFICATION
A toxin is any matter that results in physical irritation or harm in the body that reduces overall health or its ability to function.

Individuals may choose to detoxify or cleanse for a variety of reasons, such as symptom removal, treatment of disease, prevention of future health issues, clarity of mind, or connection to higher spirit. Detoxification can also help facilitate weight loss as toxins are stored in the fatty tissue of the body.  A cleansing program may help reevaluate ones life, make changes, or clear abuses or addictions.

Toxicity may be either internal or external.  Toxins may be acquired from our environment by breathing, ingesting, or physical contact with them. Humans are exposed to toxins daily. Many drugs, allergens, and food additives may leave toxic substances in the body, and almost any substance can have toxicity.

On the internal level, our body produces toxins through its normal everyday functions. Biochemical, cellular, and bodily activities generate metabolic waste that needs to be eliminated. In the absence of complete elimination of these substances, they may result in inflammation and irritation of the tissues and cells, interfering with normal processes of the cells and organs. Toxins create free radicals which can irritate, inflame, age, and cause degeneration of body tissues. 

Stressful thoughts and emotions also generate increased biochemical toxicity. Removing negative thought processes within the mind is necessary for health; the physical detoxification is also known to help this mental process. On an emotional level, detoxification may help an individual discover and express feelings, particularly repressed feelings such as anger, fear, and resentment, and then replace these negative feelings with love, forgiveness, and hope.  Spiritually, many people report new understanding of their purpose in life during the detoxification process.

How is it done?
WHAT DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMS ARE LIKE
 “Detoxification” can have a variety of meanings. There are many levels of the progressive detoxification, from drinking more water to complete fasting.  Both short and long term detoxification programs may be supervised by a trained practitioner, or on one's own using a book or other guide.  Detoxification may address a specific chronic health concern, or be geared toward achieving optimum health and vitality.

Detoxification practitioners generally recommend avoiding chemicals from food or other sources, refined food, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and many drugs to help minimize the toxin load in the body. The increase of dietary fiber through consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as additional intake of purified water can be an individual step in the detoxification process. A detoxifying diet plan for general health could include:

- Increasing the intake of whole and/or organic foods
- Substituting tap water with filtered water
- Rotating the consumption of foods, especially those containing allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, and yeast
- Utilizing a process of food combining
- Eating produce, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts, organic dairy products and poultry, and fresh fish (not shellfish)
- Only cooking in stainless steel, glass, porcelain, and iron pots and pans
- Eliminating or reducing the intake of red, organ and cured meats, processed foods, canned foods, salt, sugar, saturated fats, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine

The avoidance of drugs, whether over-the-counter, prescription, or recreational drugs, and substituting natural remedies, is another aspect of the nontoxic lifestyle.  Other natural therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic may help in treating some problems, so that drugs are no longer necessary. 

Maintaining your regular diet, but adding certain supplements can also stimulate detoxification. Supplements including fiber, vitamin C and other antioxidants and chlorophyll may be recommended for this purpose.

Herbs such as garlic, red clover, echinacea, or cayenne added regularly to the diet may also induce some detoxification. 

Increasing liquids and decreasing fats can shift the balance strongly toward improved elimination and less toxin buildup. Detoxification is aided through the increased intake of filtered water, herbal teas, and fresh produce, along with the reduction of fats such as red meats and fried foods.

A vegetarian diet can assist those dealing with congestion issues.  A more alkaline diet can also aid the process of detoxification.

A raw foods diet contains lots of sprouted greens from seeds and grains; sprouted beans; soaked or sprouted raw nuts; and fresh fruits and vegetables. Raw foods are able to maintain the highest levels of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

Other useful detoxification diets may include macrobiotics or diets designed to address particular issues, such as allergies or yeast overgrowth. Treating these conditions allows the body to reduce its irritating reactions and to heal. 

Along with the fruit-and-vegetable diets there are the liquid cleanses or fasts. Teas, vegetable broths and various juices can be used to help cleanse the body.  Some fasting experts contend that juice fasting is more useful than water fasts as the nutrients from the juices help to repair and build new tissue.

Colon cleansing is a series of colonic water flushes done by trained professionals.  Colonic cleansing may be the main aspect of a detoxification regimen, and is often utilized with a cleansing diet and fiber supplements.

Elimination through the skin can be facilitated by the use of exercise which causes sweating.  Exercise also improves our general metabolism and helps overall with detoxification. Regular bathing also removes toxins from the skin and opens the pores to facilitate later toxin removal.  Saunas, sweats, dry brushing the skin and massage therapy can be useful in supporting a detox program. 

Who does it?
DETOXIFICATION PRACTITIONERS
Currently, there is no state or national regulation of detoxification practitioners in the U.S.

There are a wide variety of practitioners who offer assistance with detoxification from many different backgrounds, including practitioners of medical and holistic therapies, disease survivors, and educators.

Detoxification diets, supplements and treatments are generally available "over the counter," but dietary or therapeutic recommendations may be specially designed for individuals by professionals including doctors, chiropractors, nurses, nutritionists, or practitioners such as herbalists, acupuncturists, colon hydrotherapists or holistic health counselors.