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Definition
Detoxification is the process of eliminating or
neutralizing toxins in the body.
Purpose
Detoxification therapy seeks to rid the body of
harmful toxins and therefore enable the body to heal itself and return to
health.
Precautions
Unsupervised detoxification should not be carried out
by anyone who is underweight, pregnant, recovering from substance abuse,
nor by those suffering from diabetes mellitus, thyroid problems, or an
eating disorder.
Description
Detoxification, which is the attempt to
cleanse the body's internal systems and organs by natural means, is one of
the oldest known medical treatments.
Historically, it was achieved simply by
fasting, or deliberately abstaining from taking in food for a certain
period of time. In modern times however, with the growing concern over
environmental contaminants of all types, detoxification is advocated by
some as a necessary means of staying healthy.
Naturopaths who hold that illness can be
healed by the natural processes of the body are the most vigorous
supporters of detoxification, since they believe that the primary cause of
disease is the accumulation of un-eliminated wastes.
A toxin is basically anything that causes an
irritation in the body or has a harmful effect on it, and there is little
doubt that the world of the 21st century will be an increasingly toxic
place.
Many private and governmental health
organizations fear the unhealthy effect of pesticides, industrial
chemicals, food additives, and heavy metals.
In addition to these environmental threats,
many people have adopted a lifestyle that adds further to their toxic
intake by ingesting legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) and sometimes
illegal drugs (cocaine and marijuana).
Naturopaths and other alternative medicine
practitioners fear an epidemic that they call bioaccumulation, or a
buildup and trapping of toxic substances in the body that weakens the
organs of elimination as well as the immune system and gradually erodes
health.
Although both the practitioners of naturopathy and
those of traditional medicine agree that the body has its own natural
processes for eliminating and neutralizing toxins (via perspiration,
urination, exhalation, and bowel movements), they disagree on the question
of whether those natural systems are capable of handling the nature and
amount of toxins in today's world.
Those who believe that the body's systems
are unable to cope with these daily poisonous assaults argue that toxins
accumulate in the body faster than they can be eliminated and are
therefore the primary cause of disease.
They also claim that toxic accumulation
alters the body's metabolism and causes enzyme dysfunction, nutritional
deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and damaged immune systems, all of
which contribute to physiological and psychological decline.
Precisely because the body's natural
cleansing systems are no longer up to the task, proponents of
detoxification say everyone should detoxify at some point.
They back up their argument by listing the
various symptoms of toxicity which include headache, fatigue, congestion,
backaches, aching or swollen joints, digestive problems, allergy symptoms,
and sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, and synthetics. Others list
constipation, hemorrhoids, mood changes, ulcers, psoriasis, and acne as
common symptoms.
The benefit common to using one of the many
detoxification therapies available, say its proponents, is that they all
put the body, and especially its digestive tract, on vacation.
In other words, by cleansing the body of
built-up poisons and not adding more to the mix, we reduce the stress on
the immune system and therefore promote healing and good health.
Specifically, advocates of detoxification therapies claim increased
vitality, reduced blood pressure and blood fats, and improved assimilation
of vitamins and minerals.
Detoxification therapies run the gamut from
self-directed fasting to intravenously-administered synthetic drugs, and
none should be undertaken without supervision.
Although there is limited research data
available to prove that detoxification therapies work, proponents cite
lower blood pressure, reduction in blood fat levels, and better vitamin
and mineral absorption as benefits.
There is no doubt that food contains
additives and preservatives, drinking water is far from pure, and the air
is contaminated.
We work with all natural products in
combination with a number of therapies to help your body eliminate all
these unwanted and trapped poisons and toxins in your system.
We will also custom design
a
nutrition program
that is specifically prepared
for your blood and body
type.
Risks
Some detoxification methods are potentially
dangerous, with side effects ranging from dehydration to bowel
perforation. Our specialists will work closely with you to dramatically
decrease the possibility of any negative effects.
Normal Results
To alleviate the symptoms of toxicity and to help the
patient return to good health. |
