Categories

As more people become involved with natural health and healing, the word detoxification comes up more now than at any other time in history. The root word "detox" refers to the removal of toxic substances from the human body or the removal of substances that are able to damage an exposed organism. Anything toxic will affect the entire organism as a whole, as well as affect the organism's substructure, so detoxing the body should be done twice a year—at the start of spring and end of fall every year.

There are three different types of toxins which will affect organisms: chemical, biological and physical, which can be measured by its effects on the direct target—whether it is a cell, tissue, organ, or complete organism. The detoxification process can be artificially achieved through dialysis or chelation therapy, or a period of withdrawal where the individual's body will return to a state of homeostasis after long-term addiction to a substance.

HOMEOSTASIS

The state of homeostasis is what keeps the body healthy, considered an ideal state of equilibrium in which all body systems are working and interacting together in an appropriate manner.  If it is interrupted because of some form of stress (illness, too much work, overeating, alcohol, drugs) the body will attempt to restore itself by adjusting the physiological processes. This involves the "stress-adaption mechanism" of the HPA Axis—the Hypothalamic/Pituitary/Adrenal Axis—along with the autonomous nervous system and endocrine reactions of the body. Severe demands will cause severe imbalances, causing not only psychological distress but also psychosomatic disorders.

Homeostasis involves every cell in the body—organisms and systems—keeping a constant internal environment while balancing six areas that are essential for the body's health: (1) removal of carbon dioxide; (2) removal of poisonous waste chemical products through the urea (urine); (3) right balance of ions are kept, controlled through urine in the body, loss of sweat and feces,  and the amount of water consumed; (4) maintaining enough glucose for respiration plus adequate stores of glycogen; (5) keeping the correct amount of water in the body, which is 70% water mass; and (6) allowing enzymes to control the body's chemical reactions in an optimum temperature of 98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C.

FIVE MOST POPULAR NATURAL DETOXES

Easier on the body than water fasting, this is perfect for someone first beginning with the path of detoxification.

One of the cheapest and most popular, water fasting is a stringent and extremely effective in detoxification for the body. It forces metabolism of body fat, releasing stored toxins into the blood stream for elimination. Warning: only for those who are very healthy as it produces overwhelming toxics and sick bodies.

The colon cleanse removes parasites which produce toxins within the body, cleaning out old food and chemicals remaining in the body's system.

Live enzymes through juice fasting jump starts the system, while using fresh fruit to nourish the body with vitamins and nutrients.

Apple cleansing is excellent for removing toxins from the liver in order to allow the liver to function unclogged.

FOODS TO ASSIST IN DETOXING THE BODY

In addition to the correct foods, keeping the body well-hydrated is highly important with lots of water and juices. Foods excellent for detoxing the body are fresh fruits and vegetables—broccoli, cauliflower, beets, onions, garlics, along with red and green vegetables. All forms of beans are excellent detox foods plus an excellent source of fiber—kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo and soybeans. Brown basmati rice or brown grains are preferred for detoxing over white rice and pasta. Using vegetable-based soups and salads are excellent and filling. The meals eaten when detoxing should be lighter and smaller, preferring several smaller meals instead of three large ones.

FOODS TO AVOID WHILE DETOXING THE BODY

• Meat – this includes red meat, chicken, turkey or other poultry (tofu or quorn-meat substitutes may be eaten)
• Processed meats—sausages, hot dogs, processed luncheon meats, or pate.
• Dairy products—milk, cream, cheese, ice cream, anything with milk or cream in it.
• Eggs, butter or margarine
• Foods with high sodium or salt in it
• No salted nuts of ANY kind
• No chocolate, candy, sweets or refined sugar products
• No jams or jellies
• No caffeinated drinks—teas, coffee or soft drinks
• No premixed retail salad dressings