Thursday, March 31, 2011

DETOXIFICATION - Why necessary?

Living in a chemically-oriented society has made toxicity a much greater concern for the 20th Century. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American consumes four pounds of pesticides each year and has residues from over 400 toxic substances in their body. More than 3,000 chemical additives are found in the foods we eat. The incidence of many toxic diseases has increased as well, with cancer and cardiovascular disease at the top of the list. Arthritis, allergies, obesity, and many skin problems are other troubles that occur as a result of toxicity. In addition, a wide range of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, pains, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, and problems from immune weakness can all be related to toxicity.
Toxicity can occur on an internal and an external level. We are exposed to toxins daily and can acquire them from our environment by breathing, ingesting, or coming into physical contact with them. Also, most drugs, food additives, and allergens can create toxic elements in the body.

On the internal level, our body produces toxins through its normal, everyday functions. Biochemical, cellular, and bodily activities generate free radicals. When these are not eliminated, they can cause irritation or inflammation of the cells and tissues, blocking normal functions. Internally, fats (especially oxidized fats and cholesterol), free radicals, and other irritating molecules act as toxins. Functionally, poor digestion, colon sluggishness and dysfunction, reduced liver function, and poor elimination through the kidneys, respiratory tract, and skin all add to increased toxicity.

Microbes, including intestinal bacteria, foreign bacteria, yeasts, and parasites, produce metabolic waste products that we must handle. Our emotions and stress generate increased biochemical toxicity. A normal functioning body was created to handle certain levels of toxins; the concern is with excess intake, production of toxins, or a reduction in the processes of elimination.

Toxicity occurs in our body when we take in more than we can utilize and eliminate. A toxin may produce an immediate or rapid onset of symptoms or cause long-term, negative effects.

If our body is working well, with good immune and eliminative functions, we can handle our basic everyday exposure to toxins. Through detoxification, we clear and filter toxins and wastes and allow our body to work on enhancing its basic functions.



OUR GENERAL DETOXIFICATION SYSTEMS

• Respiratory--lungs, bronchial tubes, throat, sinuses, and nose

• Gastrointestinal--liver, gallbladder, colon, and whole GI tract

• Urinary--kidneys, bladder, and urethra

• Skin and dermal--sweat and sebaceous glands and tears

• Lymphatic--lymph channels and lymph nodes



Our body handles toxins by neutralizing, transforming, or eliminating them. The liver helps transform many toxic substances into harmless agents, while the blood carries waste to the kidneys; the liver also dumps waste through the bile into the intestines, where much of it is eliminated. We also clear toxins when our body sweats. Our sinuses and skin may also be accessory elimination organs, whereby excess mucus or toxins can be released.

Detoxification is the process of clearing toxins from the body by neutralizing or transforming them and clearing excess mucus and congestion. Detoxification also involves dietary and lifestyle changes that reduce intake of toxins and improve elimination. Avoidance of chemicals (from food or other sources), refined food, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and many drugs help to minimize the toxin load. Drinking extra water and increasing fiber by including more fruits and vegetables in the diet are steps in the detoxification process.

Almost everyone needs to detoxify. We detoxify to clear symptoms, treat disease, and prevent further problems. We also detoxify to rest our overloaded organs of digestion.

With a regular balanced diet, devoid of excesses, a less intense detoxification will be indicated. However, when we eat a congesting diet higher in fats, meats, dairy products, refined foods, and chemicals, detoxification becomes more necessary. Who needs to detoxify is based on individual lifestyle and symptoms of toxicity. Common toxicity symptoms include: headache, fatigue, mucus problems, aches and pains, digestive problems, "allergy" symptoms, and sensitivity to environmental agents such as chemicals, perfumes, and synthetics.



General Tips on Performing A Cleanse



In most cases, it is helpful to spend at least a couple months making gradual positive lifestyle changes before your first cleanse. The following paragraphs discuss, in detail, how to perform a toxic cleanse.



Food, Nutrition, and Hydration



There are many levels to detoxification. The first is to eat a non-toxic diet composed of raw foods. A raw-foods diet contains lots of sprouted greens from seeds and grains, such as wheat, buckwheat, sunflower, alfalfa, clover, sprouted beans, soaked or sprouted raw nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Raw foods maintain the highest concentration of vitamins, minerals and important enzymes. Water should always be used during any type of detox program to help dilute and eliminate toxin accumulations. Supplementation is important to encourage healthy kidney and lymphatic system function, maintain healthy liver detoxification function, and promote efficient gastrointestinal elimination and blood purity. Supplementing with Juniper berry, red clover flower, collinsonia root, psyllium husk, burdock root, barley grass, Spanish black radish root, fenugreek seed, fringe tree root, fennel seed, and milk thistle addresses the functioning of each detoxification system and supports the body’s physiological functioning.



Proper Functioning of Eliminatory Organs



Colon cleansing is one of the most important parts of detoxification. Much toxicity comes out of the large intestine, and sluggish functioning of this organ can rapidly produce general toxicity. To improve elimination through the skin, regular exercise is important to stimulate sweating, which aids in detoxification. Dry brushing the skin before bathing is suggested to cleanse the skin of old cells. Massage therapy, especially lymphatic and even deeper massage, is very useful in supporting a detox program; it stimulates elimination and body functions, and also promotes relaxation.



It is important to choose cleansing techniques that are not too extreme for your current condition. Working closely with a health care professional who is familiar with detoxification techniques can be extremely important. While cleanses can be extremely healing, it is important to balance the cleansing techniques with periods of rebuilding and strengthening. This can be done by using other techniques, including: a healthy diet, whole food supplements, yoga, and support. Cleansing without rebuilding and strengthening will eventually weaken your system. Therefore, after each cleanse, take a period of time to concentrate on non-cleansing healing techniques.





Thursday, March 10, 2011

Allergies: How To Avoid Them

Are allergies a problem? Some medical statistics indicate that 1-in-7 Americans experienced the symptoms of an allergy in 1950. By 1970, approximately 1-in-5 reported having allergies. And by 1985, approximately 75 Million Americans, or 1-in-3, suffered from allergies.

Nutritional Support for Allergies Click this link for details on how allergies are caused, and how to combat allergies with nutrition.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a catch-all word for a wide variety of reactions to substances that the body determines to be foreign. Anything that it does not recognize as itself can be considered an allergen. When the body encounters a foreign substance, it reacts by making antibodies or releasing certain chemicals called histamines. When histamines and other substances are released into the system, they cause an inflammatory reaction we call an allergy.

What are the symptoms?

The inflammatory reaction affects the tissue and organs, mainly the skin, mucous membranes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms commonly produced include itching and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, sneezing, respiratory symptoms, headache, skin reactions and rapid heart beat. Other symptoms may include fatigue, intestinal gas or pain, abdominal bloating and mood changes.

Primary external factors causing allergies

Natural environmental substances: Mold, spores, pollen from trees, flowers and grasses, dust (actually dust mites), animal hairs and insects are common substances that normally produce upper respiratory symptoms (allergies ) in sensitive individuals. These allergy producing substances may cause itching, redness and fluid (water & mucous) may affect the eyes, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

Foods: Any food may be an allergen. The most common are wheat, milk, eggs, com, yeast coffee and chocolate. These may affect most body systems, with the gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory and skin areas affected the most when allergies occur.

Chemicals: Both environmental chemicals and food additives can cause allergy reactions, such as pesticides, chemical sprays, hydrocarbons, and hundreds of others. Tobacco also contains many allergens.

Conventional medical treatment for allergies


Antihistamines: Treat the symptoms and may only suppress the body's reaction to an allergen.

Steroid nasal sprays: Long term effect unknown.

Laser Surgery: Use of Laser to vaporize mucous forming nasal tissue.

Decongestants: Reduce congestion, but may create a "rebound effect."

Desensitization shots (allergy shots): May be the preferred choice.



Other factors that may lead to allergies:

• Eating habits during the first year of life may impact a baby's allergy sensitivities.

* Feeding babies solid food too early

* Lack of breast feeding

* Gluten allergies from too early of feeding grains such as corn, wheat and oats

• Poor digestion increases allergies.

* Improper chewing

* Poor hydrochloric acid in the stomach

* Lack of pancreatic enzymes and bile

* Excessive fluid intake around meals

• The presence of parasites, worms, candida albicans, and other bacteria may increase allergies.

• Stress

* Emotional & mental anxiety and fatigue all increase the susceptibility to allergies.

* Menstrual stress (hormone changes) also seem to increase allergic reactions.

• Environmental Toxicity

* Food additives, certain food colors, sulfates, MSG, etc., may contribute to allergies.

• Low nutritional levels

* Particularly Vitamins C, A, and E, and many minerals help reduce allergies.

• Excess or repeated contact with particular foods and substances

* Eating the same food over and over again may indicate the presence of an allergy.

* Eating foods that are "craved" - these may be the ones that cause the most allergies.


What to eat to eliminate some allergies:

• Lots of water

• Fruit juices, except citrus

• All vegetables except corn & tomatoes

• Brown or white rice

• Turkey

• White Fish: halibut, sole, swordfish (no shellfish)

• Almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds

Nutritional help for allergies

• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, Vitamins A & E, and Zinc

• Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

• Enzymes

• Intestinal detoxification: good colon cleansing products that contain high fiber

• Garlic, as fresh as possible

• Cayenne pepper



Homeopathic treatment for allergies:

Euphrasia (eyebright) 6X - In large doses, causes nonirritating watery nasal discharges and copious burning tears. It is used homeopathically for these symptoms. Those who benefit the most find their allergies are worse in open air, in the morning, and while lying down.

Histaminum 12X - Micro doses of this substance are created by the body during an allergy attack. Small, homeopathic doses may help the body fight off the allergies.

Sabadilla (cevadilla seed) 6X - Materia Medica indications include red eyes, pressure, dry nose, sneezing, hay fever, sore throat, and dry coughs.

Sanquinaria Canadesis (Blood Root) 6X - Materia Medica indications include headache, pain in face, hay fever coryza, chronic rhinitis, dry burning throat, and cough.

Thuja occidentatis (Arbor Vitae) 6X - Materia Medica indications of chronic sinusitis, headache, runny nose, greenish mucous, catarrh with puss.

The following nutrients have been formulated into Response a comprehensive formulation of nutrients designed to mitigate the impact of allergies.

Quercitin:

Rich in bioflavonoids. Reduces allergic reactions.

• Anti-inflammatory activity.

• Reduces histamine release.

• Helps rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and asthma.

Green Tea Extract (Theasinensis):

Green tea is rich in phytonutrients that help to ward off everyday cellular attacks. In Chinese medicine it is used to facilitate digestion and enhance mental function.

• Effective against many types of bacteria.

• Lowers risk of esophageal cancer.

• Helps to cut cholesterol.

• Helps regulate blood sugar.

Selenium (Amino Acid Chelate):

Selenium protects cell membranes and stimulates immune function.

• Increases B-cell antibody response.

• Enhances function of vitamin C.

• Essential to production of Coenzyme Q10.



Bromelain:

Inhibits pro-inflammatory compounds. Assists in digestion of vegetable protein. Helps promote circulation and post-traumatic reabsorption of inflammatory by-products.


Papain:

Contains papain an enzyme effective in breaking down protein and dead tissue.


Licorice Root (4 to 1 extract):

Studied for its antiallergic, antiarthritic properties. In Chinese medicine said to replenish vital energy, moisten the lungs, and strengthen digestion. Used to support inflammation of the skin.


Copper (Amino Acid Chelate):

Crucial to the formation of helper T-cells. An essential component of Super Oxide Dismutase, an antioxidant that fights free radial damage to the mitochondria, the energy producing portion of the cell.


Molybdenum (Amino Acid Chelate):

Enhances the use of sulfur amino acids by the body. Enhances the cells utilization of vitamin C; detoxifies sulfites and aldehydes.


Magnesium (Citrate):

Considered the anti-stress mineral. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Required in many of the body's detoxification pathways. May reduce the broncho-constrictor in asthma by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes.

Calcium (Citrate):

Helps to regulate the body's acid/alkaline balance in tissues. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Reduces histamine production.


Vitamin B15:

Helps lessen muscle fatigue and increase endurance.


Vitamin C (Ascorbate):

Shown to decrease production of histamine, reducing immediate allergy potential. Helps to relieve allergic symptoms and prevent inflammatory reactions. Provides an anti-histamine-like effect. Assists in production of adrenal hormones needed to combat the stress imposed by allergic reactions.