Think 7

Total Body Cleansing

by Brenda Watson

Today, more than 90 million Americans live with chronic illness. For a nation that spends more than $2 trillion a year on health care, there is something seriously wrong with the health of its people.

“The prolonged course of illness and disability from such chronic diseases as diabetes and arthritis results in extended pain and suffering and decreased quality of life for millions of Americans,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How did Americans become so ill?
More than a century has passed since the Industrial Revolution made its way to America. What began as a need for economic growth and better transportation quickly evolved into a widespread cultural shift driven by mass production. Once limited to manual labor, our small-town culture was soon dominated by big cities built around factories boasting cutting-edge machinery. But those factories had a downside: slowly they began to contaminate our environment, belching pollutants into the air and leaching dangerous chemicals into the ground and water supply – many of which can remain in the human body for decades, if not longer. And that wasn’t the only thing changing.

Devoting more time than ever to work and leisure activities, Americans began to spend less time in their homes. Meals that were once grown, cooked and eaten at home were now prepared and packaged in factories. Fast food restaurants made their debut in the 1920s and were instantly popular, and the more convenient our food choices became, the less healthy they became for our bodies. Stripped of their natural enzymes, processed foods laden with harmful preservatives begin to wreak havoc on the digestive system.

Toxins all around us
While countless modern conveniences have enabled us to do more in less time, they have taken a significant toll on both our bodies and our environment.

Chemicals are increasingly present in our homes, cars and even our food. Since the rise of the petrochemical industry, thousands of new synthetic chemicals come into manufactured consumer products every year with no safety testing or public approval process. More than 80,000 new chemicals now circulate in consumer products. Through our lungs, skin and GI tract, we are soaking up chemicals that we’d be hard-pressed to spell or pronounce, if we could even find out what they were.

Recently, a study conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York that was designed to examine the effects of toxic exposure found an average of 91 industrial compounds, pollutants and toxic chemicals in the blood and urine of every person tested. Even more disturbing is the fact that the majority of those toxins can remain in the body for decades.

Chemicals in the air we breathe
This is not simply a minor disruption to optimal health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes 2.7 million deaths annually. And the EPA estimates that there has been no “clean air” in the United States for more than 25 years. Even relatively pristine areas are not immune, because global air currents carry pesticides from the heavily agricultural tropical regions to as far as the polar regions, where cool air sinks them to ground level. This has given the Inuit a very high body burden of chemicals, despite their remote existence in clean wilderness areas.

As bad as it is outdoors, indoor air pollution is even worse. The formaldehyde and other solvents leaking out of our walls, furniture and especially carpets keep many in a limbo between good health and vague malaise.

“We’re living in a toxic soup of polluted air, water, food and electromagnetic toxins,” observes Dr. Leonard Smith of Gainesville, Florida, referring to the large number of pollutants the body encounters daily. He explains that this daily exposure to harmful chemicals inhibits the natural detoxification process carried out by the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowel, lymphatic system, skin and blood – collectively referred to as the ‘seven channels of elimination’. “All of these organs work together to eliminate toxins,” says Dr. Smith, “When they don’t do their job, toxins get stuck in the organs and cause trouble for the cells. Cells under stress tend to work less efficiently.” While the CDC recognizes that diseases such as cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke), diabetes and arthritis are among the most prevalent and costly of all health problems, they also place them among the most preventable of all health problems. By making significant changes in the way we approach the growing number of toxins in our environment, we can begin to take back control of our health and our bodies.

Cleansing - a natural solution
Today, medical establishments worldwide have recognized that no matter how pure your lifestyle, your body will inevitably absorb toxins. At a recent national symposium sponsored by the Institute for Functional Medicine, Naturopathic Doctor D.C. Vasquez presented his research on the link between environmental toxicity and disease to a group of leading physicians and researchers. According to Dr. Vasquez, “Detoxification needs must be addressed daily since toxicant exposure occurs daily.”

Herbal cleansing basics
An advanced total-body cleanse is often the first step in the detoxification process. Advanced internal cleansing formulas will typically contain concentrated herbal extracts in addition to whole herbs and minerals for a more potent, deep-acting cleanse. They may last up to 30 days and are designed to support the digestive system by promoting healthy, regular bowel movements.

Many natural health practitioners recommend a total-body cleanse at the beginning of each new season. The most effective products typically contain an organ detoxification formula as well as a natural colon cleanse. A total-body cleansing supplement typically combines a variety of nutrients designed to support the body’s natural cleansing physiology. While multivitamins and other dietary supplements provide beneficial nutrients, total-body cleansing products specifically support the body’s detoxification processes.

Colon cleanse
Maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in your intestines is essential to your health, as nearly three-quarters of your immune system is located in your digestive tract. Ideally, there should be approximately 80 percent good bacteria and 20 percent harmful bacteria in your intestines. However, factors such as diet, stress, illness, and exposure to toxins can affect that healthy environment and result in yeast overgrowth, which can lead to a variety of health issues. That’s why a cleansing formula that focuses on supporting a beneficial balance of intestinal flora plays a key role in total-body detoxification. Choose a cleanse made with natural ingredients (such as uva ursi, neem leaf and olive leaf) that is designed to be taken in harmony with your normal daily activity.

To soften the stool and ease elimination, magnesium hydroxide is an effective part of the colon cleanse formula. Cape aloe and rhubarb may also be included to provide gentle laxative support and help stimulate two to three healthy bowel movements each day – the number recommended by many natural health experts. Avoid products that use psyllium husk, as this form of soluble fiber is not easily digested by the body and may cause gas, bloating, and other digestive issues. Harsh herbs such as senna and cascara sagrada may cause cramping and diarrhea.

Not just chemicals
Since a build-up of toxins and waste in the body can create an opportune environment for parasites to grow and thrive, a cleansing formula that specifically targets parasites is the next step in an effective overall detoxification program. According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly 76 million people contract parasites from food every year, and scientists estimate that half of the world’s population will be infected with some type of parasitic infection by the year 2025. A beneficial cleansing formula that targets parasites should include a broad spectrum of herbs and nutraceuticals designed to support a healthy balance of intestinal microbes.

Liver support
Your body’s largest internal organ, the liver, performs countless functions that are essential to overall health. It filters toxins from one liter of blood every minute and processes toxins and waste before they are sent to the kidneys and colon for elimination. In addition to following a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, a targeted internal cleansing formula designed to support the liver can significantly benefit this vital organ.

A targeted liver cleanse that contains a combination of herbs, antioxidants and amino acids can help support healthy liver detoxification. Many prescription medications act as obstacles to the liver’s cleansing process. High sugar consumption and protein deprivation are also obstacles to optimal cleansing function of the liver. The liver’s ability to function optimally can be compromised by vitamin, mineral and amino acid deficiencies.

Targeted cleansing
Finally, targeted cleansing formulas are available to provide support to specific organs or areas of the body. For example, a natural kidney cleanse supports kidney, bladder and urinary tract health. While a healthy urinary tract is sterile (bacteria-free), irritation may occur when bacteria from the digestive tract are allowed to grow in the urinary tract and bladder. A blend of whole herbs and minerals is often an effective way to help cleanse the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Herbs such as cranberry and uva ursi help fight bacteria and promote a sterile environment, and herbs such as stinging nettle, cornsilk, parsley leaf and dandelion extract provide powerful cleansing support.

Think 7
A daily cleansing formula designed to assist all seven channels of elimination and promote healthy digestion is the last step in a comprehensive total-body detoxification program. Rather than providing a purgative effect, such daily formulas offer gentle, nutritive assistance. An ideal daily cleanse should include herbs, nutraceuticals, antioxidants and amino acids, as well as beneficial enzymes to enhance the absorption of the natural ingredients.