About gall stones

from [11HealthNews] Healthy News You Can Use Issue #122
Detoxification
By Ted H Spence, DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH
Introduction:
Detoxification comes in many forms and refers to many different programs
that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is toxic and the
foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden with
chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some
type of detoxification to maintain life and health. Although basic
detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional
fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and blood. We will soon
see why these organs are so important in detoxification. Detoxification for
the body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the
liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved in detoxification
of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver acts as an in-line

filter for the removal of foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The
kidneys filter wastes from the blood into the urine, while the lungs remove
volatile gases as we breathe.
Our body is designed to utilize natural substances, which includes foods,
herbs and phytochemicals. Any foreign substance will serve as a stimulus to
our immune system, which has the function of removing these substances.
Although the toxicity of a chemical may vary, it is the job of the liver to
reduce toxins into compounds that the body can safely handle and eliminate
through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (as expelled air)
and bowels (as feces). Maintaining these eliminative organs in good working
order is essential for ones good health to continue.
While there are many detoxification programs available, they differ in
their actions and their intent. Some detoxification programs (DP) work only
with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others may
aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these detox
programs into a total health program, one can effectively restore their
health to an optimal level and look younger in the process. When the body
can eliminate toxins, then health is restored and energy and vigor are
revitalized. Many different approaches to detoxification and wellness will
work, even though they attack the problem at different levels. Any program
that augments detoxification will improve health. Other factors must be
considered in detoxification, like nutrition, water, and exercise, rest,
sunshine, and fresh air.
Detoxification Diets:
Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate toxins in many ways. First,
natural vegetarian diets include the fiber needed for stimulating good
bowel eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of vitamins that feed
and nourish the bowels and the liver, as well as other eliminative organs.
They also include a valuable source of enzymes since most vegetarian diets
are eaten raw. The elimination of meat from the diet for a short period
enhances detoxification because meat is so difficult to digest and requires
many enzymes for its digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing
diets and aid the body in elimination of toxins.
Of course, changing diets and lifestyle is easier said than done for some
people. Many people want health and will go to any length to improve their
health, including dietary changes. But there are others who do not want to
change their life style for anything. These people will be difficult to
motivate and will not stick with the detox programs for one day. They may
not want to give up their sodas, or their cigarettes, their beer or their
coffee. They may make a few changes, like drinking more water, or they may
give up completely in a very short notice. Our way of eating has been
cultivated over many years and will not change over night. But to those who
do want better health and do not want to rely on pills/drugs for their
existence, nutritional changes will be welcomed, especially when they start
feeling better and having more energy.
Diets are very important and are usually the basis for any detox program,
whether it is herbs, cleansing or other detox programs.[i] Detox diets will
generally eliminate trigger foods, which may cause many problems with
digestion and elimination. Foods like wheat (glutens) and dairy (milk,
cheese) are often the cause of allergies. Sugar is eliminated because of
its empty calories and tendency to produce hypoglycemia. Meats are
eliminated because they may contain hormones, antibiotics and are difficult
to digest. Caffeine is wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the
bodys digestion. Refined, processed and junk foods are also out for any
detox program to work.
Herbal Detoxification:
Generic diets for detoxification are good, but may not stimulate the liver,
lungs or the kidneys as much as one would like. Therefore, herbal cleanses
are indicated when we want to hone our cleanse to a sharp edge and be
organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too and provide one with
vitamins, minerals and enzymes for excellent nutrition. Herbs are powerful,
because they may be combined together to fortify those herbs that aid
specific organs. For example, herbal combinations that aid the liver may be
found in many organic food stores. The list below shows how herbal
combinations help the various organs.
Herbal Combinations:
Liver:
LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley, horsetail, birch leaves,
chamomile, blessed thistle, black cohosh, angelica, gentian, goldenrod
Kidneys: Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper berries JP-X Parsley, uva
ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong quai, cedar berries
Lungs: LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, senega, Chinese ephedra
While herbs may be taken at any time, they are best for detoxification
purposes when they are used with a good diet also. It does not make any
sense to take herbs to cleanse the liver if the bowels are clogged with
junk or refined foods, since the liver dumps its toxins into the bowels.
And while detoxification diets are effective by themselves, they may be
reinforced and speeded up with herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.
Herbs may be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders are usually
encapsulated for easier swallowing, but are best when taken with meals and
digestive enzymes. Extracts may be used when specific herbs are needed, but
may be extracted with alcohol, which we need to avoid. Herbal teas are
easily made and easily taken all throughout the day. They are mild and
gentle and sometimes refreshing and sometimes bitter. Experimentation may
be in order until one develops the right tea to drink. Herbal teas is a
topic in itself, since there are so many and different ways to make them.
Example Herbal Cleanse:
Rising: Drink a glass of lemon water or Drink a glass of water with added:
one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses
Morning: drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder (follow with
another glass of water) Meals: take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes
Take liver herbs
In Between Meals: drink herbals teas, which support the liver
Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel
Note: Following a good diet is mandatory for herbs to work optimally. See
section on diets for detox.
Skin Cleansing:
Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, because our skin
it one of our best eliminative organs. Heavy metals are actually released
through the skins pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are
great for removing toxins from the skin and regenerating ones health and
energy. It has been documented that our skins sweat glands when combined
can perform as much detoxification as one (or both) kidneys. Therefore, it
is very important to support our skin for detoxification to be maximal. If
our kidneys are damaged, then helping the skin will help the kidneys …
indirectly, but effectively.
Good skin care is in order, if ones health is to benefit, also. Using
chemicalized skin care products is not wise, even though they are cheaper.
These chemicals may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more
toxins for our liver to deal with. We are not made out of cast iron, and
even the chemicals in our soaps and shampoos will make a difference with
our health. Most people do not see the ill effects of these subtle
chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize them. But, individuals
who are environmentally toxic will see a great change in their health when
using natural soaps and shampoos. We should take their advice and use only
natural skin care products also.
Cleansing our skin is rather simple. First, we need to bathe daily using
natural soaps. Then we need to care for the skin by using only natural oils
and products of natural origin. Even the clothes we wear can make a big
difference in our health. Synthetic fibers do not absorb sweat (toxins),
while natural fibers, like cotton, will absorb toxins. Dry skin brushing
helps in removing the outer dead skin layers and keeps the pores open.
Another good method of skin brushing is with vigorous toweling off after
bathing. Towel roughly until the skin is slightly red. Change towels often
because they will contain toxins.
Good skin care also requires good nutrition.[ii] Since our skin is mainly
fat, we need high quality fats and oil from natural sources to give our
skin health. Butter and olive oil are two excellent natural oils, which
keep the skin in good condition. As always, the fats/oils should be natural
… only.
Detoxification Baths:
Use ½ cup of baking soda or use ½ cup of Epsom salt or use ½ cup of sea
salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a
natural fiber. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and dirty.
The darkness to the water is heavy metals coming out of the skin (aluminum
and mercury). Do this once a week during detox and once a month for
maintenance.
Juice Fasting:
Fasting with vegetable juices can be another excellent way to develop good
health and cleanse the body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber),
contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. When the
pulp is not added, one is able to drink more juice than they are able to
eat. For example, one can easily consume the juice of several heads of
lettuce in one sitting, but may not be able to eat the lettuce whole. This
allows the body to get an abundance of nutrients with minimal processing
(digestion). Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body proper time to
process these juices and helps to preserve our valuable digestive enzymes.
Juice fasting has helped many people over come serious diseases like
cancer, because it gave them optimal nutrition and allowed the body to
cleanse itself of toxins. [According to many nutritionists, cancer is
merely a toxic condition.] With some juicers, the pulp is discarded, but it
may be saved and added back for fiber (not too much). Juices contain good
sources of antioxidants and enzymes, both of which are needed for cleansing
and eliminating toxins. Juices are also easy to digest and help those with
digestive problems.
Flora:
Our bowel flora is also important for detoxification and normal health.
Probiotics is the term given to the normal bowel flora, which are taken as
supplements. It has been found that these normal flora actually defend our
body from the pathogenic species of bacteria and perform many vital
functions, such as detoxification of toxic chemicals and making valuable
vitamins (mainly the B vitamins). When our normal flora are present they
secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms cannot grow. But the
reverse is also true, that when the pathogenic forms take over, they will
exclude the normal flora with their toxins.
Many scientists feel that it is the toxins secreted from the pathogens and
not the pathogens themselves that create disease. The ability of all
bacteria to change and grow under specific conditions of their immediate
environment is called pleiomorphism. Cell wall deficient forms are
bacteria which lack a defined cell wall, yet have all the specifications
of being bacterial-like. Even viruses have been found to exhibit
morphological forms, which resemble bacteria and fungus. While this is not
widely accepted by modern medical scientists, it hass been proven beyond a
shadow of doubt by eminent scientists, like Virginia Livingston Wheeler,
Irene Diller, and Royal Rife. Their microscopic studies have revealed that
bacteria and viruses and fungus may be all different forms of the same
organism, differing only by the environment in which they are grown.
Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad and allow the bad
to repopulate and develop antibiotic resistance. Natural forms of
antibiotics are better, since they do not kill off the good bacteria with
the bad and do not allow drug resistance to take place. Garlic, for
example, is perhaps, 200 times more effective against pathogens than most
antibiotics today. And it does not produce antibiotic resistance forms,
which is a danger to all our health. As antibiotics become more widely
used, more antibiotic resistant forms will be encountered. Herbal
antiseptics and anti-bacterial tonics are far better and less dangerous to
our over-all health, because they do not kill of the good bacteria with the
bad.
Replacing our natural flora is a good step for preventing disease and
keeping our bowels healthy and populated with normal flora. Taking
probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus can help us in
our detox program and also in repopulating the gut after a cleanse. Our
normal healthy flora should be a part of any detoxification program.
Antioxidants:
The use of antioxidants, like vitamins A, E and especially C, are very
essential for detoxification since they are involved with the
detoxification of toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells to
neutralize free radicals that can cause mutations and cellular damage. As
these free radicals are neutralized, the antioxidant vitamins will be used
and exhibit low levels. Vitamin A and E are fat soluble and will be found
in our fat tissues/stores, but vitamin C is water soluble and will be found
mainly in our skin (between the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is
also involved with many other important bodily functions, like collagen
formation, wound healing, energy production and fighting off colds (viruses).
The function of antioxidants is so important that any deficiency of them
will be seen as catastrophic to ones health. When our antioxidants are
low, energy is not available and detoxification cannot take place in a
normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are stored until they can
be processed. The liver and many other organs are compromised in their
functions when antioxidants are low. Just the lack of energy is enough to
cause the body to have compromised or poor health, because it is energy
that is required for the removal of toxins and wastes. Vitamin C should be
taken with bioflavinoids to ensure that all the components of the vitamin C
complex are taken together, since they work together. Pure ascorbic acid is
called vitamin C, but does little by itself. We tend to think that ascorbic
acid as vitamin C, but it is only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C
is very essential to any detoxification program, because that is what the
body uses for energy to process and eliminate these toxic wastes. Think of
vitamin C as the gas in the dump truck carrying toxins to the waste dump.
Without gas the truck is not going to remove wastes or move at all.
Without vitamin C our body is not going to dump its toxic load.
Therefore, ensure adequate vitamin C and always take vitamin C with
bioflavinoids for optimal benefit.
Vitamin C can be taken in very high doses until the bowel tolerance level
[BTL] is achieved. This BTL is different for different people. Some persons
reach tolerance at 4-5 grams (4,000-5,000 mg), while others may not reach
tolerance until 10-15 grams (10,000-15,000 mg). Cancer patients notorously
can take 20-30 grams (20,000-30,000 mg) of vitamin C before tolerance is
reached … meaning that they needed more vitamin C than most people. By
taking vitamin C to its tolerance level we find out 1) what our BTL is and
2) how saturated our body is with Vitamin C. Vitamin C was found by Linus
Pauling and Ewan Cameron to be very effective in helping many patients to
over come that killer disease, called cancer. Perhaps, this was because
vitamin C was needed for detoxification of toxins, which caused the
cancer in the first place. Although Pauling and Cameron were greatly
criticized for their work with vitamin C, they were able to help many
people overcome cancer and without compromising their health as toxic
chemotherapies often did.
Enzymes:
The use of enzymes in detoxification is important, because the body needs
an adequate supply of enzymes, not only for digestion, for also for
detoxification.[iii] Enzymes are best obtained from fresh raw fruits and
vegetables, but may be taken daily with meals as nutritional supplements of
multi-digestive enzymes. Enzymes in our food helps us to digest that food,
but many foods today are processed, refined, heated (cooked), radiated and
stored, which destroys enzymes and leaves it non-vital.[iv] Foods with
enzymes destroyed will have a longer shelf life, but will not give one
health when it is eaten.
Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are the best source for enzymes and help to
give one vibrant health. Enzymes are also used by the body in
detoxification of toxic substances. The liver is the source of most
detoxification enzymes, which it must make, or store. To aid the body in
removing and eliminating wastes and toxins, enzymes are best taken in
between meals. This way they do not get involved with digestion, but go to
the liver and to the blood for detoxification.
Many therapies have utilized enzymes for improving health and enzymes have
long been the key to many detoxification therapies which have helped many
to over come that dreaded disease, cancer. Kelley, Gerson, Moerman, and
Neiper used alternative nutritional therapies with enzymes for curing
cancer. The famous Wobe Mugos enzymes from Europe were utilized with
Laetrile therapies for cancer. Never was Laetrile give alone, but was used
with vitamins, diet and enzymes. This made the Laetrile therapy very
successful in the 1970s. If cancer is a toxic condition, which many feel
that it is, then taking enzymes will help it. And it does.
The use of raw foods in many detoxification diets are using the enzymes
found naturally in those foods. Additionally, these raw foods provide fiber
and, with proper food combining, will not waste the body enzymes reserves.
Preserving enzymes is the key to over coming disease and living to ripe old
age and remaining healthy. Yes, vitamins and minerals are important, but
vitamins are enzyme co-factors and many minerals are use to activate
enzymes. Therefore, the vitamins and minerals themselves are only
augmenting the role of the enzymes which are detoxifying toxins and
supporting metabolism.
Enzymes also help the bowels in cleansing, because they liquefy the bowel
content, which makes transit much easier. The role of enzymes in digestion
is to break down foods for digestion and absorption. When foods are broken
down they become more liquid and the bowels move much easier and faster.
Transit time is decreased and our health is increased when toxins are
removed and eliminated. Perhaps, this is a link to breaking the
constipation chain. Enzymes are the key to health. Preserve our enzymes
and we will be healthy for a long time.
Bowel Cleansing:
Keeping the bowels clean and moving is a major step in regaining our health
since the bowels are crucial in the elimination of toxins, especially those
processed by the liver. [The liver dumps in to the bowel via the gall
bladder.] This is why one hears a lot about the bowels, and bowel
cleansing. In severe cases, enemas and colonics may be needed to breakup
and washout long-standing bowel encrustations. Diet may do the same thing
as an enema or colonic, it will just take longer. Also, one should be very
diligent in repopulating after a total washout of the normal flora and
probiotics will be necessary to restore that balance.
Constipation is a national pastime and slow bowels are more common today
than years previous. For one thing, people not only ate better 100 years
ago, they were more active and got out doors more. When the bowels slow
down, toxins are not eliminated and are reabsorbed and carried back to the
liver for recycling and elimination. Reabsorbed bile salts have been linked
to increased cholesterol levels; therefore, cholesterol is a major
indicator of constipation. Also, when the bowels get slow and toxin levels
increase, the pathogenic microorganisms grow to out-number the normal flora
causing dysbiosis. Although flora is needed to correct this, it is the
clogged bowels that are the major problem. When the bowels move again,
everything else will fall into order.
Our endocrine glands that control metabolism are also involved; since it is
our thyroid that controls metabolism and metabolism affects how our bowels
are functioning. In this way, constipation can be seen as a symptom of
hypothyroidism. Low body temperatures (a symptom of hypothyroidism) are
very common today …although they are not normal … as many authors
have reported. One major factor in low body temperatures is the suppression
of thyroid function by heavy metals, like mercury, which binds to our
thyroid hormones and renders them inactive. Eliminate the mercury and the
body temperature is likely to return to normal.
The easiest way to get the bowels moving is by using a high fiber diet
consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, one may add extra
fiber during the day by drinking a glass of water (juice) with psyllium
husk powder. The extra fiber adds to the bulk of the stool and decreases
the bowel transit time, which means better toxin elimination and better
health. It makes sense that if one can eliminate toxins their health will
improve.
One of the best ways to improve the bowel function is with herbal remedies
that act as bowel stimulants or laxatives. These products range from the
very mild - slippery elm - to the stimulant - cascara sagrada- to the very
harsh - aloes and senna. Everyone may react differently to these products,
so they should be taken cautiously at first. Some persons may take two
aloes with no effect (meaning they are heavily blocked), while others may
take a mild herbal and get a much greater effect than most. Herbal bowel
combination formulas are excellent because they not only stimulate the
bowels to move, but give the bowels the nourishment it needs to move on its
own.
Herbal formulas should not preclude a wholesome natural diet, since diet
comes first in matters of health. One should not become overly dependent on
herbal laxatives, since they deplete potassium and may be addicting as
some authors claim. Yet, herbal products play a key role in getting the
body to eliminate toxins by stimulating the eliminative organs like nothing
else can and, therefore, cannot be ignored.
Herxheimer Reaction:
The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and
toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.[v] When
this occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise.
Even though this is but a short period of the health program, it can be
severe and deter one from reaching their intended goals. Also, the person
may not know what they are experiencing and think that they are regressing.
To minimize the Herxheimer Reaction
Drinks lots of pure distilled water
Get minimal exercise daily
Lots of sunshine
Take detoxification slowly … one step at a time
Dont increase the dose of herbals
Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys) open
Take detox baths
Use aromatherapy oils for aches -like peppermint, birch, and wintergreen
Sweat by using exercise, saunas, baths, and herbs
Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods
If the Herxheimer reaction occurs, cut back on your health detoxification
program. Reduce the dose of herbs and follow the above outline to reduce
the symptoms of toxin elimination. The more toxins there are to eliminate,
the sicker one is when they come out. Generally, one will feel better when
all is over and health is restored again. Just remember, dont give up.
Conclusion:
Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches, nausea, malaise and
vomiting due to the toxins being released [Herxheimer Reaction]. If this
occurs, one should back off the program and proceed slowly. Proceeding to
fast with detoxification can have disastrous results when toxins are
released into the circulation. Our body should be primed and ready to
eliminate toxins before they are released. We do this by getting the bowels
working, keeping the skin clean and getting the kidneys and lungs
operating. Only by having all organs of elimination in proper operating
order can our body begin to dump toxins efficiently and maximally. Keeping
the skin clean and healthy is of prime importance also.
Detoxification is essential for good health to exist. Our body must
eliminate toxins daily or we would die immediately. Since our environment
is more toxic today, our livers are over stressed with environmental toxins
to deal with daily. Processing other toxins, when the liver is stressed,
may be delayed. Detoxification is also a lifestyle change. For it is by the
way we live that determines our health and how our liver processes toxins.
Detoxification is easy if we eat a wholesome natural organic diet and live
life in a natural way. But for those who want their cake and eat it too,
detoxification may be compromised. A change your lifestyle may be needed
and detoxification will be forthcoming. Nature has afforded us the chance
to live in a toxic environment and not be affected by it. Of course, we
have to live right to get that chance. Without detoxification we may not
get a second chance.
Good health is within our reach, but first we must cleanse this temple
and eat a wholesome natural diet that provides us with maximal nutrients
and fiber. Herbs can help us stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and bowels
when needed, but diet is the first priority in any detoxification program.
Dont become overly dependent on herbal laxatives. When toxins are released
one may feel bad for a day or two, but when our good health is restored we
will have renewed energy and will soar on the wings of an eagle. Many
people living today have never known what good health feels like. They
survive with an abundance of toxins and an existence less than healthy.
Good health is not hard to find, but does require diligence and life style
changes which are compatible with toxin elimination. Sir Jason Winters
Says, Death begins in the colon. With good toxin elimination through
natural detoxification programs our health and energy are restored.
[i]. The Best Way to Detox, Jill Ruttenberg, Natural Health, Oct 1999, p
88-92, 152.
[ii]. Aubrey Hampton, Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care, 1987, Organica
Press, Tampa, FL 33614
[iii]. Harold Loomis, DC, Enzymes: The Key to Health, Vol 1, The
Fundamentals, 1999, 21st Century Nutrition, Madison, WI
[iv]. Anthony J Cichoke, DC, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy, 1994, Keats
Publishing, Inc, New Canaan, CT
[v]. Ibid, p 148