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Detoxing our body is one of the best things we can do for our health. Think of your body like your
house: most of us choose to live in a clean house, free of dangerous debris, because otherwise it
can become a health hazard. The same is true for the cleanliness of our internal environment.
What are toxins?
Toxins are any substance that interferes with the normal functioning of the body systems, e.g. refined
sugar, is toxic to the body because it robs it of important nutrients. This can lead to nutritional
deficiencies and create an acid environment within, which in turn leads to disease over time. Other
toxins that affect our body are petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, radiation, and toxic metals like
lead, arsenic, aluminum, and mercury, all of which accumulate in the body at a cellular level for
a lifetime unless we clean them out.
Where do toxins come from?
Toxins come from many sources, our food supply being the biggest. Things like artificial colours,
flavours, additives and preservatives are abundant in our food, not to mention residues of petro-chemical
fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides used it its production. Most plastic containers used to store our
food leach phyto-estrogens that mimic human hormones, sending distorted messages to our cells leading to
cell overgrowth and dysfunctional behaviour.
The air we breathe and the water we drink can be sources of toxins: air quality, even in rural areas, is
compromised by industrial and car exhaust pollution, while water is affected by pesticide runoff.
Chemically-based household cleaners, air fresheners, and fabric softeners, as well as chemical
off-gassing from new carpets and particleboard furniture are other sources of toxins at home.
How do toxins affect us?
As we breathe, eat, drink, bathe, apply chemically-based products to our hair, skin and nails, and wear
clothing made with pesticide covered fibers, we are constantly exposing ourselves to high levels of toxins.
Though our bodies are amazing machines - able to process plenty of waste while maintaining good health -
the more we expose ourselves to, the harder it becomes for the body to cleanse itself naturally. If
our system cannot handle the levels of toxins coming in, then it begins to store this waste in the
tissues of the body, largely in the fat cells. =
Over a period of time, these stored toxins accumulate, causing numerous health-related problems such as:
low energy; brain fog; yeast overgrowth; food sensitivities / poor digestion; environmental allergies;
respiratory problems; skin conditions; reproductive challenges; general or localized pain; impaired
immune function; degenerative diseases; weight gain, and so on. Furthermore, because toxins are
generally stored in the body's fat cells, trying to lose weight without cleansing the toxins as well
will have less than satisfactory results: excess weight will be slow to come off and quick to return.
During pregnancy, the baby is exposed to all of the accumulated toxins in the mother's body as well as much
of what she ingests. This pre-existing toxic load then accompanies us into childhood and beyond, establishing
a base-line level of sensitivity that can lead to chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, etc. Often
women wanting to become pregnant will choose to cleanse first, getting their baby off to the cleanest possible
start.
How can I make a change?
There are many ways to help your body rid itself of its toxic load. Embarking on a supervised nutritional
herbal cleanse is ideal. Because every body is different, it is best to consult with an experienced wholistic
health care provider before you begin your program. Other simple ways to help the body cleanse regularly are:
Dry skin brushing - Using a natural fiber brush, you use short strokes, from the extremities towards the heart.
Done first thing in the morning before the morning shower.
Juice fasting - Blending a custom combination of fresh fruit and vegetable juices
Bodywork - Different types of massage can help release toxins from the tissues of the body.
Ultimately, 'an ounce of prevention' is still 'worth a pound of cure'. Eating organic whole foods, drinking
plenty of pure spring water, avoiding additives and processed foods, and using natural cleaners and personal
care products wherever possible, is helpful in reducing daily exposure to toxins. Staying informed by reading
labels helps us to make conscious choices to maintain long-term health and wellness.
Read Gregory's article on
Zen Shiatsu
Gregory Axelson ST CCIr
Essential Choices
416 579 9179
www.essentialchoices.ca
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