Surviving and Thriving in Today's Toxic World
 Everything that goes into our bodies contains pollutants and chemicals. These toxins affect our digestive system, our blood, our lymphatic system and virtually all other systems in the body. Left unchecked, the toxic build-up can lead to decreased energy levels, compromised immune defenses and even serious chronic illness. This increased toxic load that we are exposed to taxes our bodies' natural cleansing and detoxification systems to the point where we need some help getting rid of the chemicals and pollutants. Cleansing and detoxification supplements are now available at your local health food store and/or holistic health practitioner.

How do you know what to look for in a detoxification program? The question is not should you detoxify but rather how to detoxify. While there are many detoxification programs on the market, it’s important to do your homework before selecting one. Safety is the primary consideration in choosing a detoxification program. Dr. Decker Weiss, a Naturopathic Physician who has consulted on the development of cleansing programs, encourages consumers to look for products that are safe, natural and gentle. "It’s important that a cleansing program enhances the body's natural cleansing mechanisms and doesn’t override it."

Fasting programs and juice diets have received significant attention but these are extreme methods of detoxification and are not appropriate for most people. In fact, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet during a detoxification. Equally important is staying hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of waiter daily during cleansing.

It’s important to rejuvenate your mind and the rest of your body when detoxifying. Deep breathing exercises and meditation can help increase the effectiveness of a cleansing program. Gentle stretching, short walks and yoga are all good alternatives to a vigorous exercise program while cleansing. This will allow your body time to rest and rebuild.

Because toxins impact virtually all body systems, the only way to make sure that detoxification is truly successful is to look for detoxification methods that cleanse the entire body, including the blood and lymph as well as the digestive organs. Cleansing the blood and lymph are especially key since these two fluids nourish and protect the liver, colon and every other organ, tissue and cell. If toxins are present in the blood and lymph, every organ, tissue and cell can be exposed to the same contaminants.

A laxative will help promote healthy bowel elimination and purge the intestine of built-up toxins. Dr. Weiss encourages patients to select a cleansing program with an effective yet gentle laxative, like magnesium hydroxide. Harsh stimulant laxatives like cascara and senna can create bowel dependence, deplete vitamins, minerals and enzymes and leave the user feeling drained and fatigued.

Look for a fiber source that can be easily assimilated throughout the body’s entire system so it can effectively and safely eliminated by the laxative. Many fibers do not break down entirely and therefore do not provide the benefit they should. The best and safest fibers to use in detoxification are oat bran, pectin from citrus fruit, psyllium husk and guar gum.

Herbs are key to supporting a healthy liver and gall bladder and milk thistle is an important herb to look for in a cleansing product. Not only can milk thistle help regenerate liver cells injured by toxins, it can actually help block the toxins from entering the liver in the first place.

Dr. Weiss encourages consumers to look for a detoxification program that is easy to follow. "With so many consumers trying detoxification for the first time, it’s crucial that the programs are simple if not, then they either will stop using the product all together or worse, put their health at risk by misusing a product. A detoxification kit should come complete with information not only on how to use the product, but also what to expect from your body, what to eat and drink while you are detoxifying your body and clear explanations of how the ingredients work within the body."

Detoxification should not be a difficult process; it’s a means of refortifying the body's systems by freeing them of unneeded and harmful toxins. Think of it as a short journey from which you will return refreshed and rejuvenated!

Enzymatic Therapy's Whole Body Cleanse is a safe, simple two-week program to detoxify and revitalize the intestines, liver, gall bladder, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Whole Body Cleanse offers a complete, natural cleansing solution. It’s a soothing herbal blend that includes a gentle, no-stimulant laxative that safely cleanses and strengthens the body's natural cleansing and detoxification process. For more info visit: www.enzy.com.