Detoxification and Wellness
By: Michael J. Anderson

Toxicity: The question is no longer if or whether we are toxic, but rather how toxic are we?

In the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) Fourth National Report on Humans Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, they tested 212 chemicals and found ALL to be in the blood or urine of most Americans! So where are we getting all these toxins? They are found in household cleaners, the surrounding air, insecticides in non-organic foods, they leach from plastic water bottles and there are also heavy metals are everywhere. Based on one’s lifestyle choices, along with their DNA, will determine what these chemical do in your body. Do they flow out naturally as in a healthy person, or do they get trapped and grow.

So how do we know if we need to make a change; how do we know that toxicity is impacting one’s health? We look for symptomatic signs that may have changed, over the past weeks or months, in your overall feeling of wellness. For example:

  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue,
  • Chronic muscle aches,
  • Difficulty concentrating,
  • Food allergies or chemical sensitivities, e.g. more sensitive to perfumes or odors than in the past,
  • Irritability or any behavioral changes,
  • Changes in your gastrointestinal function such as abdominal pain

Some or all of these symptoms may indicate that toxicity is affecting your wellness.

So what can we do about it? First is to look at your surrounding environment such as your household cleaners, are they all natural and optimally organic or are they loaded with chemicals. Similarly, make sure your body care products are organic. Look at the labels of the products we use and it is no wonder our bodies are loaded with chemicals.
Next, look at your food and drinks that you ingest. Look for hormone, antibiotic free meat and dairy products. Choose only cold-water fish instead of farm raised, and try to eat 100% USDA organic fruits and vegitables. The following list, coined the Dirty Dozen, are those that are typically higher in pesticides, and should be eaten only if organic and washed thoroughly prior to eating:

  • Celery
  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Apples
  • Blueberries
  • Nectarines
  • Bell Peppers
  • Spinach
  • Cherries
  • Kale
  • Potatoes
  • Grapes

Finally, it is a good idea to do a periodic metabolic detoxification program. I strongly suggest the Clear Change 10-Day Program by Metagenics which is a scientifically based program that provides the proper support for effective liver detoxification. I have done it on numerous occasions, so trust me when I say, you will feel great afterwards. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, if you have never done one and if you are highly toxic, you may feel a bit uncomfortable the first time you detox. As your body gets more pure, and the more you avoid chemicals, the less dramatic the detoxification process will be with each attempt.

The benefits are numerous… You will feel more energetic, your cognition level will improve, less dependent on coffee or other artificial stimulants, reduced water retention and a natural loss of excess weight. Another positive side effect of doing a cleanse is that it may reveal a food you might be allergic to. Therefore, after the cleanse, introduce foods methodically in order to see if your body reacts negatively.

StressBusters Wellness Day Spa is an approved Metagenics provider.