Published March 5, 2008 in the North Island Weekender 

Frank, (not his real name) age 52, came into my office recently. His father had just died causing Frank to take an inventory of his life. He had seen his father suffer quite badly with his health in the years leading up to his death. Although his father lived until the age of 81, his quality of life was not great. Frank took note of this and decided that he had to take steps to improve the quality of his life in order to not follow the footsteps of his father.

His wife had done some cleansing programs in the past but he wanted to learn more about my naturopathic program for detoxification. I assured him he was in the right place and explained that when people give their bodies a rest by detoxifying several times per year they reduce the incidence of colds and flus, improve their hayfever symptoms as well as improve their quality of life. The most common beneficial side effects include weight loss and an improvement of energy. 

Many movie stars and other wealthy people will attend a “health spa” where they are closely monitored as they are undergo detoxification therapies and diets. The most inexpensive spa I have found is the Optimal Health Institute in San Diego, where you pay to go on a raw food fast for one week and give yourself wheat grass implants! Due the costs of getting to and staying at such places, most people are looking for home-based detoxification programs that are effective yet easy to follow.

These are the types of programs that I use in my clinic. The goal is to regain stability and balance of health and, on a biochemical level, to

1.    support cellular functioning

2.    improve the filtration capacity of the bowels, kidneys and skin

3.    support gut repair

4.    improve neurological and hormone balance

Contrary to popular belief fasting is not a requirement to experience an effective detoxification program. Fasting is certainly recommended and there are different types of fasts but I usually don’t recommend this approach the first year someone follows home-based detoxification programs.

The idea that doing home-based detoxification program once can get rid of a life time of toxins is erroneous. The goal is to assist the body in doing what it tries to do an a daily basis but gets overwhelmed due to the North American lifestyle of eating too much and ingesting allergens and food substances that burden the body rather than help it. Planning to follow these home-based programs several times per year is encouraged. 

What toxins are we talking about? The body generates its own toxins (endotoxins) during normal physiology. In addition we are exposed to exotoxins or those from our environment and ingestion of food. These exotoxins include heavy metals, pesticides, exogenous hormones and chemicals that are rampant in the world around us. These toxins typically store in the fat cells of the body and the intestinal tract.

There are two programs that I have in my clinic. One is very simple where the diet is not changed and homeopathic remedies are taken to open up the filtration organs: the lymphatics, the kidneys and the liver. These remedies are put into a liter of water daily and drunk through out the day for 4 weeks. This program is recommended for those who don’t have the discipline or inclination to make diet changes but want to do some effective detoxification.

The second program I have recommends diet changes that make any detoxification program more effective. Taking herbal remedies and following a clean vegetarian, wheat and dairy free detoxification diet for 1-2 weeks will assist these organs to eliminate toxins and, in time, reduce the over all total toxic load of the body. Some people need more protein than can be provided in the vegetarian sources of beans and legumes so I have these people include free range eggs and fish such as salmon and sardines. Eating lots of fresh and steamed vegetables provides bioflavinoids, anti-oxidants and fiber necessary for the detoxification process. In addition I encourage the use of the bioflavinoid and anti-oxidant rich “Verry Berry” and “Greens First” vitamin drinks for added energy.

As an added service Frank did three “Ion Wave Foot Baths” during his detoxification program. These 30 minute treatments, provided once weekly in my office, stimulate the acupuncture meridians in the feet speeding up the detoxification processes of the body.

Frank found the program that I outlined for him very easy to follow especially since his wife was willing to do it along with him.

Please visit your naturopathic physician before embarking on a home- based detoxification program as there are some contraindications.