What is Detoxification?

Detoxification, in various forms, is probably the oldest form of health care known to mankind. In fact, there are records of detox programs, often involving ceremonies, dating back thousands of years. Detoxification of the body was regarded as a ritual to be performed regularly to keep body and mind in a healthy state. Our ancestors used many methods of detoxification to detoxify and remove poisons from the body. Methods such as steam from natural springs or from sweat lodges, consuming detoxifying herbs and specific detoxifying foods believed to cleanse various organs were also regularly used. In Asia, a variety of teas were found to provide detoxification effects. Detoxifying tease included many bitters, believed to stimulate the liver into a higher state of detoxification. Today we know much more about how the body functions and why regular detoxification is necessary for optimal health. Detoxifying the body regularly is still regarded as beneficial. We now have herbal extract combinations that are very concentrated and can assist in detoxifying all the organs of elimination rather than just the colon. For a complete detoxification we must address the liver, kidneys, bowel, bladder and colon at the same time.

Sources of Toxins

There are many detoxification programs available today. Each is slightly different but all have the same goal in mind, namely to remove excess toxins from a variety of sources. We absorb toxins into our bodies from many sources. Externally, toxins can come from the environment, with many thousands of chemicals present in our immediate surroundings than every before. We also ingest a lot of toxins from water and also the foods we eat. Refined food toxins come from the many chemical compounds that are added to processed foods to extend shelf life and enhance flavor and taste. Environmental toxins are found in the air, automobiles and their exhaust, chemicals in paints, carpets and other building materials, just to name a few. Other sources of toxins that we cannot overlook are the ones produced internally from the chemistry of the body. Free radicals, formed as a byproduct of other toxins, can also produce high levels of toxic substances on their own. Chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and others also produce toxic by-products. The liver must handle each of these many toxins, which is why a detoxifying program that also provides a liver detox is so essential. The stress response cycle also produces chemical by-products that are virtually toxic to the body as well. In these times of increased stress, we must not forget to address the relationship between stress and toxins.

Detoxifying Your Body

There are many methods of detoxifying the body. Exercise and increased perspiration is one form of detoxifying the body. Steam and sauna rooms have long been used to enhance this detoxifying method. Fasting is another popular method of detoxifying the body. When we fast we change the body chemistry from acidic to very alkaline. This state would not be healthy for prolonged periods because when our digestive system is alkaline, we effectively digest proteins or absorb many nutrients, especially minerals. Short-term fasting that produces alkalinity, say for 48 to 72 hours can be very helpful in removing toxins from the digestive system as well as the soft tissues of the body. The use of select herbs, in concentrated form is also used regularly for the detoxification of the body. Herbal extracts have varying actions on different organs of the body. For a more complete detoxification of the body, we use a combination of herbal concentrates, each designed to address a different organ of elimination. By doing this we achieve a deeper detox than by focusing on the colon alone. Any detox program must focus on the liver, as liver detox is essential in achieving the full benefits of cleansing.

The Colon Cleanse vs. A Total Detoxification

Colon Cleanses or colonics as they are often referred to, have been popular for a very long time. In and of themselves, they do offer benefit in removing waste matter from the walls of the colon. This impacting of the colon wall is most often a direct consequence of the refined diet, which is lacking in fiber. Colonics will go far in alleviating this problem but colonics will not offer a deeper detoxification as the process does not address the other primary organs of elimination especially the liver. A colon cleanse with the various colonics available should definitely be considered if you have constipation or other specific colon problems. The long-term solution to these problems is often an increase in the amount of fiber in the diet. The industrialized diet does not offer even half of the fiber that most of us need for colon regularity. Fiber supplements are often the answer. For anyone wishing to provide their body with the most complete detoxifying program, we suggest a combination of the different facets of detox into one program.

Our Detoxification Program

Here at The Institute of Nutritional Science, we have developed a combined program of detoxification that utilizes several of the time-tested systems of cleansing the body. By using these modalities in combination, we can obtain the best results with the minimum amount of time and discomfort. We encourage all of our clients to exercise regularly. This is one of the easiest ongoing detoxifications practices you can do and since exercise offers so many other benefits to the body, it seems foolish not to exercise regularly. The detoxification benefits of exercise are not deep and will not likely eliminate all the toxins from the body, but detoxifying the body with exercise is a good place to start. Next, we have developed a multi-faceted herbal/fiber combination that contains herbal concentrates to effectively detoxify the liver, kidneys, bowel, bladder and colon. By using this combination formula, we can get a much deeper detox of the overall body system. We often combine our herbal detox formula with a short-term fast. Fasting accelerates the detoxification by causing the body's chemistry to become temporarily very alkaline. When the herbal detox formula we have developed is combined with this short-term fast, the results are often dramatic. Fasting is not recommended for everyone however. Those who have many pre-existing health challenges, those with glucose metabolism disorders such as diabetes and hypoglycemia should not fast under most conditions. Even without the fasting portion of the program, our herbal combination, called ToxiCleanse, is still very effective for those who should not fast.

Other Factors For Detoxification

In addition to the time-tested methods of detoxification, many people have found benefits in meditation and Detox as well as yoga and detox. These two modalities directly affect the stress response cycle and as we have previously discussed, stress and excess toxins are a valid link. It is also important to get adequate rest to get the maximum benefit from detox programs. Using tools such as meditation and yoga to manage stress with help with the overall detoxification of the body. Since stress has often been called the cardinal cause of all illness in the body, any methods of better managing stress are beneficial.

How do you know if you need to consider a detox program? Well, if you live in the industrialized world, the answer is probably a definite yes. We are exposed to so many toxins on a daily basis that unless your system is functioning perfectly, you may not be eliminating the toxins via the liver at the same rate you are ingesting them. The symptoms of systemic toxicity can be many, but the classic symptoms are fatigue, poor digestion, weight gain, irritability, and adult allergies. Of these, weight gain and difficulty in losing weight are the most frustrating. We have seen many people go through a detox program only to find that their weight loss accelerated once again.

NOTICE: This product contains cascara sagrada. Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because cascara sagrada may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.