COLON & DETOX HEALTH

Detoxification

As we near the end of the twentieth-century, many doctors, researchers and beauty experts are questioning whether yesterday's progress may be partially to blame for today's disease. Consider the effects white flour, fast food and pesticides have had on the nutritional value of our diets. Add to this the impact of an environment loaded with ever-increasing levels of pollutants. Should these elements result in disease, we often bombard the body with powerful synthetic drugs that do nothing more than suppress unpleasant symptoms. You have probably thought about these issues before, and you may have even taken action to avoid or counteract these toxins. The growing demand for organic, whole foods and purified water is proof that many are concerned. While record numbers of us make efforts to improve our diets and reduce exposure to environmental toxins, we must consider an additional measure we can take to survive and thrive these negative modern conditions.

One such measure is a commitment to internal cleansing. First, understand that internal cleansing is an ongoing process in your body. The body encounters toxins from both internal and external sources every minute of every day. Fortunately, components like the liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and blood work continuously to clean out every cell, organ and tissue. This internal process keeps us from literally poisoning ourselves. Still, many proponents of internal cleansing believe that the burden of our modern society can and does overwhelm this innate cleansing process.

So why is internal cleansing important for health and beauty? According to medical reports, common symptoms of a body overburdened with toxins includes skin and hair problems, along with a deterioration of health, and an increase in disease. Other doctors and researchers believe that toxicity can result in immune suppression and chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Among the benefits of internal cleansing are disease prevention and treatment, weight loss, clean skin, improved flexibility and slowed aging.

  The Importance Of Detoxification

We clean our home, our office, our car, our kitchen, our bedroom, our shower, our clothes, our mouth, even our external bodies (skin, hair, ect.). When our drain clogs, we clean it out. If our toilet backs up, the problem demands our immediate attention. But do we ever think about cleaning our internal organs.

Environmental toxins include: Polluted air, water and food, pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, toxin elements (paints, glues, cleaning solutions, carpets, bug sprays, ect.) used in the home, office and car. Our bodies are constantly exposed to these environmental toxins, whether they are breathed in or ingested through the skin. Over time, these toxins can build up in the body, settling in the various organs, causing a variety of skin, hair and health problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of a toxic body

*Overweight  *Constipation *Intestinal bloat/gas *Fatigue

*Acne *Insomnia *Allergies *Poor memory *Headaches

*Abnormal body odor *Asthma *Coated tongue

*Brittle nails and hair *Skin discoloration *Poor digestion

*Tension *Nausea *Poor Skin Irritability *Depression

*Bad breath *Menstrual problems

 The colon is the body's sewage system. If your sewage system stops flowing and back up, poisons and toxins become trapped in your colon. When you don't have one to two good bowel movements per day, toxins ferment and decay in the colon. This old, accumulated matter becomes a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria, which multiply. Blood capillaries lining the colon wall begins to absorb these toxins and poisons into the blood-stream. Because they are fed by the bloodstream, all of the body's tissues and organs (including your skin, hair, and nails) take on toxic substances. This lowers the overall performance of our bodily functions and sets the stage for serious health and beauty problems. 

Liver Detox

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.)

Common Name: Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle, St. Mary's Thistle

Usage: Helps with liver problems or enlargement. Alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, multiple chemical sensitivities, industrial toxin exposure, detoxification/cleansing programs. Protects liver from toxic mushroom poisoning. Regenerates liver tissue damaged by hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism, drugs, and environmental toxins. Also helps with fatigue, depression, and food allergies.

Usage Warnings: Mild laxative effect in some users.

Milk Thistle has a long history of use in European folk medicine as a liver tonic. Silymarin from Milk Thistle has shown a protective effect against many types of chemical toxins, including alcohol. An extract of Milk Thistle is used to improve liver function, protect against liver damage and enhance regeneration of damaged liver cells. Clinical studies have confirmed the usefulness of standardized Milk Thistle extracts in cases of toxic liver, cirrhosis, and other chronic liver conditions secondary to alcohol abuse.

Additional Information

Milk Thistle prevents free radical damage to liver cells, prevents the formation of leukotrienes and stimulates the production of new liver cells. The liver protects the body from toxic chemicals. Silybin, found in Milk Thistle, protects the liver from environmental toxins entering the body through food, water, air and skin. It also stimulates Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) activity which acts as free radical scavenger more potent than Vitamin E. In the presence of Silibinin, less glutathione is used in the tissue, resulting in a smaller decrease of the glutathione pool. Glutathione reduces free radical activity, not only in the liver, but in cells in the entire body. Milk Thistle inhibits the enzyme, lipoxygenase, preventing the formation of leukotrienes, components responsible for inflammations. It stimulates cell protein production, thereby stimulating liver cell production. Silybinin has no known effects on the liver enzyme system; therefore, it protects the body from damaging effects of pharmaceutical drugs and anesthesia without breaking down drug delivery. Milk Thistle helps protect normal liver function from damage by alcohol, environmental stress, and other substances that may damage liver cells. It provides antioxidant protection and helps regenerate liver cell production.

Detox - Herbs

Herbs have been used by cultures throughout history to stimulate and support detoxification. Below is a list of herbs that have been to used to cleanse the body.

Alfalfa: Alfalfa the richest land source of trace minerals. A builder, cleaner, infection fighter. Breaks down poisonous carbon dioxide.

Black cohosh: Black Cohosh tonic for the central nervous system. It also loosens and expels mucous of the bronchial tubes, stimulates secretions of the lymphatic system, liver and kidneys. Neutralized poisons in the bloodstream. Equalizes blood circulation.

Black walnut: Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. It is used to help balance sugar levels. It also is able to burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials.

Burdock root : Burdock Root one of the best blood purifiers. Used to reduce swelling around joints, rid calcification deposits, clears blood of harmful acids.

Cayenne: Cayenne called the "supreme and harmless internal disinfectant." Rebuilds tissue in the stomach and helps heal stomach and intestinal ulcers. Known as the purest and best stimulant in the herb kingdom. Works as a catalyst, carrying all the other herbs quickly to the part of the body where they are needed most.

Chlorella: Chlorella is an power-packed whole food source provides over 19 amino acids including all 8 essential, plus beta-carotene, potassium and other valuable vitamins and minerals, and enzymes. Contains natural antioxidant phytonutrient source, also a great detoxifier, cell enhancer, and blood cleansers. Liquid is popular as an internal deodorant to reduce body odors originating in the digestive tract. Also useful as a refreshing mouthwash

Cascara sagrada: Cascara Sagrada rich in oils which promote peristaltic action (the movement that cause us to eliminate) in the intestinal tract. Increases the secretions of the stomach, liver, pancreas and has been effective in helping gallstones and hemorrhoids.

Chickweed: Chickweed helps to heal stomach ulcers and inflamed bowels. Helps to dissolve plaque and fatty substances in the system. It strengthens the stomach and bowels.

Cranberry: Cranberry has been traditionally used to treat bacterial bladder infections.

Dandelion: Dandelion one of the greatest liver herbs known. It stimulates the liver to detoxify poisons. Promotes healthy circulation, strengthens weak arteries.

Echinacea : Echinacea excellent immune-system-building herb. It stimulates the immune response, especially the production of white blood cells, increasing the body's ability to resist infections. Improves lymphatic drainage, removes toxins from the blood.

Fennel seed: Fennel Seed used for colic, gas and intestinal problems. Helps stabilize the nervous system, improves digestion, and has a diuretic effect.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek has the ability to soften and dissolve hardened masses of accumulated mucous. Helps to expel toxic waste through the lymphatic system and mucous, phlegm and infections from the lungs.

Ginger root: Ginger Root excellent for the respiratory system. Very good for fighting off colds and flu. Ginger has been shown effective as a natural alternative for morning and motion sickness. Also used as a cleansing agent to the bowels, kidneys and skin.

Guar gum: Guar Gum an herbal product that provides soluble digestive fiber and absorbs undesirable intestinal substances. Used therapeutically to lower cholesterol. It is known to have a laxative effect on the body, and also curbs the appetite.

Hawthorn berries: Hawthorn Berries an overall health support herb. Has been used for centuries for heart ailments. It is believed that regular use strengthens the heart muscles.