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Our bodies take in toxins every day. These toxins come from:
Although normally present in small amounts,
it’s easy to see how toxins from these many sources can accumulate over
a period of time. As healthy as you may feel, your body is continually battling these poisons.
Understanding Detoxification
Your Liver – a Critical Organ to Protect
The liver, the second largest organ of the body (your skin is the largest) is the main detoxifying organ equipped to handle, neutralize and eliminate most body poisons. This four pound wonder gland performs more than 500 separate tasks, and is critically involved in every aspect of your metabolism.
Your liver plays an important role in fat
metabolism, and production of cholesterol, lipoproteins, and
phospholipids. In a complex process catalyzed by a series of enzymes,
your liver converts amino acids (proteins) and lipids into glucose.
It’s the central processing plant of your body, producing life
essential chemicals including but not limited to albumin, bile, blood
clotting factors, cholesterol, and vitamin E.
Your liver helps regulate normal blood sugar
levels, by creating glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from chromium and
glutathione. Sugars not needed immediately are stored in the liver and
converted back into sugar when needed for energy. Excess food is
converted to fat in the liver and carried to your body’s fatty tissues
for storage. When needed, it provides energy for the brain, heart and
muscles.
Perhaps the livers most important function of this amazing organ, that many of us take for granted is the secretion of bile. Bile
is essential to break down fats into small globules, and also helps
absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and helps assimilate
calcium. Bile converts beta-carotene into vitamin A and promotes
intestinal peristalsis and normal bowel function.
In addition to its important digestion and
energy production functions, your liver treats 1.4 liters of blood per
minute, acting as your body’s detoxifier by eliminating various harmful
chemicals from your body These include but are not limited to:
- Ammonia produced from protein digestion and bacterial fermentation of food in the intestines
- Insecticide/pesticide residues
- Chlorine from water
- Alcohol,
- Environmental pollutants and
- Other harmful chemicals from various sources including preservatives from the foods we eat every day.
Your liver combines these toxic substances with
less toxic ones (enzymes, acids, etc.) then excretes them via the
kidneys. So for the liver to function properly, you must also have
capable kidney function.
The Intestine Connection
The process of digestion involves performing
28,000 different chemical reactions – making it critically important
for you to support your intestinal health and help it usher toxins out
of your system. How important?
- The intestines are the nutritional uptake center of your body.
- Your
intestinal nervous system contains just as many neurons as the nervous
system in the spinal cord providing life essential communication to
billions of cells in your body. It is this “second brain” that has a huge impact on how the rest of your body functions.
- Eighty percent of your immune system is in the intestines.
Bottom line: A well-functioning intestine equals an effective immune system, enabling you to live optimally and with vitality..
The Importance of Cleansing (Body Detoxification)
Your body is constantly working to eliminate toxins through your lungs, kidneys, digestive system and especially your liver. Every
minute of every day, your properly functioning liver eliminates small
amounts of toxins, heavy metals, bacteria and other impurities from
your blood before returning it into circulation.
Perhaps in an ideal world – a world without environmental challenges,
stress, pesticides and processed foods – cleansing wouldn’t be
necessary. But that simply isn’t the case for most of us in the 21st
century. This is why
regular cleansing of the body, and especially the liver and colon,
is vital to maintaining your good health, be it preventing disease, or
just to ensure that your body is operating the way it was meant to. Benefits of cleansing include:
- Improved digestive and overall health
- Improvements in energy level
- Healthier skin, hair and nails
- Less stress, greater relaxation, calmer stomach
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved general health
Trapping and Binding Toxins
Trapping and binding toxins secreted by your liver and secreted
through the bile for transport from the body is crucial for effective
support of your body's internal detoxification and cleansing functions.
Natural Cleansing Techniques
Fasting
Fasting is one cleansing technique. It is a simple yet effective
approach to detoxifying the body and a natural response to sickness.
The History of Fasting
Fasting has a long history. The ancient Greeks fasted for health and
longevity, and were known for their robust physical health.
- Galen, Paracelsus and Hippocrates, who are recognized as the
founding fathers of Western medicine, prescribed and practiced fasting
for all serious ailments.
- Pythagoras required his students to fast for 40 days to purify body and mind prior to receiving his highest teachings.
- Plato and Aristotle fasted regularly to enhance physical health and stimulate mental powers.
- Hindu yogis are famous fasters. The Indian saint Mohandas Gandhi is well known these days for his extended fasting.
- Fasting is even a religious experience, mentioned in almost all religious teachings. The Bible mentions fasting 74 times.
Fasting and Health
All animals fast instinctively when sick. It is a highly potent natural
anti-inflammatory therapy; it releases cooling yin energy throughout
the system.
How Fasting Benefits the Body
Within 24 hours of curtailing food intake, enzymes used to digest
food stop entering the stomach and travel instead into the intestines
and into the bloodstream. During this change the enzymes circulate and
breakdown all sorts of waste matter, including dead and damaged cells,
unwelcome microbes, metabolic wastes, and pollutants.
During fasting organs and glands involved in the digestion process
also get a much-needed and well-deserved rest. During this time the
tissues are purified and rejuvenated and rebalanced so they can operate
again as designed and at peak performance. Bottom line: the fasting
process triggers a series of cleansing events down to the cell and
tissue level.
Biological Effects
Fasting and caloric restriction produce various beneficial biological effects, including but not limited to:
- Diminishing of aging forces, such as lowering of the rate of
gene damage, reduction of free-radical production, reduction of
metabolic rate (i.e. rate of aging), lowering of body
temperature, lowering of protein glycation, etc.
- Increasing
anti-aging forces such as the enhancement of gene reparation, free
radical neutralization, protein turnover (protein regeneration), immune
response, mono-oxygenase systems, and optimization of neuroendocrine
functions
- Cleanses the blood of toxins.
This is
extremely important to overall health since the blood is responsible
for delivering nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body, as well
as removing metabolic wastes from the cells for excretion in the
kidneys and lungs. The blood is also where the immune system works. The
blood circulates white blood cells; enzymes and other immunity factors
that are responsible for attacking invaders that can affect our health.
If the blood is not cleansed it can not perform these life essential
functions. If your blood is not cleansed well, on a regular basis, your
body will react to assist purges itself of the toxins spontaneously in
form of diarrhea, skin erruptions (e.g., acne, boils, rashes, pimples,
liver spots, etc.), foul perspiration, body odor, bad breath, and so
forth, or else it simply gives up the battle and succumbs to fatal
diseases and conditions.
- Restores proper Ph of the blood.
When acid
builds up to intolerable levels in the blood, the bloodstream deposits
the acid as crystals in the various joints, where they form spurs that
can literally 'cement' your joints together and supplant the natural
synovial fluids that lubricate joints. The result is thus painful,
debilitating arthritis. Fasting permits enzymes to enter the joints
and dissolve these crystals, thereby restoring the synovial fluids and
recovering joint mobility.
- Cleanses the entire alimentary canal (stomach, small intestines, large intestine/colon)
- Improves cognitive and behavioral functions
- Improves energy metabolism
- Improves protein and lipids metabolism
- Improves neuroendocrine and hormonal system function
- Improve sex drive and function.
A clogged toxic colons negatively influence both male and female
sexuality by pressing against and thereby interfering with sexual
organs and glands that can impede sexual function and fertility.
- Improves joint mobility.
- Simulate natural Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels. HGH is an important hormone to the body. The
reduction of HGH, which regulates levels of other hormones in the body
(including testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and melatonin) is
directly responsible for many of the most common signs of growing old,
such as wrinkles, gray hair, decreased energy, decrease in muscle,
increase in body fat, and diminished sexual function. Increasing
natural HGH levels can boost the immune system, increase energy, improve mood, improve sex drive and sexual function, improve lean muscle/fat ratio, improve memory, improve sleep and reduce stress/cortisol levels
Studies on Fasting and Health
Several recent studies support calorie restriction as having anti-aging
properties. Mounting evidence also demonstrates fasting and caloric
restriction prevent and cure diseases,such as:
- Allergies
- Asthmatic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma
- Arteriosclerosis and Heart Disease
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., IBS)
- Hypertension
- Impotence/infertility. Clogged
toxic colons negatively influence both male and female sexuality by
pressing against and thereby interfering with sexual organs and glands.
- Insulin senstivity
- Mental disorders
- Neurogical disorders
- Obesity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Skin disorders
- Stroke
- Sleeping disorders
Fiber
All-natural dietary fibers that are gentle on your system, for a natural cleanse without synthetic stimulants or chemicals. Fibers
trap toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, binding them and their
metabolites for transport from your body. Dietary fibers are capable of
absorbing non-functional metals, environmental pollutants and even
impurities your own body creates in your GI tract. Binding of toxins
stop re-absorption and recirculation by your body. Here are just a few examples:
- Alginate. Alginate hydrates in the
intestine to form a gel, which tightly binds harsh environmental
compounds and prevents their absorption (or re-absorption if they have
already been cleared by the liver and eliminated into the intestine
through the bile). Thus, it contributes to the overall cleansing effect
of Colon Formula, as well as maintaining a soft, hydrated stool.
- Flax Seed. Flaxseed
contains generous quantities of both soluble and insoluble fiber; its
soluble fiber is predominantly mucilaginous. Flaxseed fiber is one of
the richest sources of lignans, a type of phytoestrogen (also known as
isoflavone), providing 75-800 times more plant lignans than most plant
sources. Flaxseed lignans are converted to the mammalian lignans
enterodiol and enterolactone by beneficial bacteria in the colon. It is
also a ource of omega-3s. Readily absorbs water in your stomach and
intestines to increase bulk and movement of stool.
- Guar gum. Guar
gum slows the absorption of dietary sugars. This absorption helps to
maintain and promote already healthy blood sugar and insulin levels.
- Maltodextrin
- Pea Fiber. A fermentation-resistant fiber with the ability to trap impurities for removal from your body.
- Psyllium
Other Natural Cleansers
- Alfalfa. Alkalizes and detoxifies your body.
- Aloe, fennel, ginger, peppermint and basil have been studied for their ability to facilitate healthy digestion.
- Chlorella. Widely studied for its ability to bind with environmental toxins.
- Dandelion. Cleanses your bloodstream and liver. Increases production of bile.
- Fenugreek. Lubricates your intestines and acts as a laxative.
- Licorice. Supports colon cleansing.
- Cascara
sagrada, psyllium, and senna. Acts as a stimulant laxative. These need
to be used sparingly since they are powerful stimulant laxatives that can irritate the delicate layer of the intestine causing cramping, and bloating.
The key is to find a gentle natural formula
with a digestive botanical blend that works while you sleep to promote
a healthy, comfortable bowel movement soon after waking in the morning
without causing discomfort, from cramping, irritation and bloating.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are components
present in foods, or that can be incorporated into foods, which yield
health benefits related to their interactions with the gastrointestinal
tract (GI).
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are defined as “nondigestible food ingredients that
beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth of
one or a limited number of bacterial species in the colon, which have
the potential to improve host health. Prebiotics are, simply speaking,
the “food” for beneficial bacteria. Examples include:
- Raw oats
- Raw wheat
- Raw barley
- Soybeans
Prebiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and may be used in tandem with, or in place of, probiotics.
Enzymatic Therapy - Probiotics
The term probiotics actually comes from the Greek, “for life”. Probiotics
support your best immune health by replenishing microflora in your
intestine for optimal balance, supporting bowel and intestinal health,
and optimizing vitamin and mineral absorption from your healthy diet.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus
Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Bifidus, and Lactobacillus Salivarius.are
part of the gut flora - bacteria that are actually beneficial to the
human body. They aid in the digestive process and are vital in immune
balance and the maintenance of good health. This
beneficial bacterial colony of the colon actually makes up the second
largest organ in the body (after the liver), with a weight of several
pounds, and needs replenishing after cleansing, antibiotic use and
other serious health challenges.
Taking probiotics in capsule or pill form, or
in foods, can help these beneficial organisms to reestablish a hold in
the digestive tract. Specifically:
- Enzymes such as lactase, the enzyme
needed to digest milk, are secreted by probiotic bacteria and aid in
certain aspects of digestion.
- Acidophilus
and bifidobacteria produce B vitamins as well, including niacin, folic
acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6, as well as vitamin K.
- Probiotics produce
organic compounds such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic
acid that help maintain and promote a healthy acid/alkaline balance in
the colon.
- Produce substances
called bacteriocins, which are used by the immune system to maintain
good health. These beneficial bacteria appear to play a key role in the
maintenance of a healthy balance of microflora in the body.
Studies have indicated that probiotics can help promote a healthy
acid/alkaline balance, improve digestion, lower cholesterol and blood
pressure, ease lactose intolerance, and may prevent colon cancer.
Conclusion
Your bloodstream, tissues, muscles and cells probably has an abundance
of toxic chemicals in it- Lead, Mercury, Pesticides, Dioxin,
Phthalates, and other metals... BUT that is only half the story...
inside your colon you have large amounts of toxins in the form of
mucus, mucoid plaque, rotting undigested food, old feces and cancerous
causing substances that are consistently weighing yoursystem down,
literally and figuratively speaking.
Cleansing should be part of any comprehensive health
regime. Fasting, colon cleansing, detoxing, healthy eating and living
life to the fullest should be an ongoing journey and a way of life to
allow you to look and feel your very best while here.
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