Naturopath’s Corner We are all getting new energy around cleaning our homes, our cars, our offices. This time of the year it seems that there is a need for re-vitalization of our “living spaces.” Why not apply the logic of “Spring Cleaning” to your body? Detoxification doesn’t have to be some expensive spa setting or tons of money spent on exotic herbal drinks from Fiji. Here are four easy steps you can apply for the next month to do a gentle cleanse. One Breathe! The lungs are one of our organs of elimination...they can help sweep out toxins from our blood stream. If you have a yoga practice, or a stress reduction breath pattern you already know about, then add this back to your life this month. If you don’t have a cleansing breath exercise, here’s one you can try: Breathe in as you count slowly to four. Hold that breath as you count to eight. Release the breath as you count slowly to four. Repeat four times. Doing this breathing exercise three times a day can reduce the levels of cortisol in your system (reducing stress reactions). It also is a great way to discharge tension and to remove additional toxins from your blood, via your lungs. Two Hydrate! The kidneys are another organ of elimination. You can add to your detoxification this spring by increasing the hydration of your body and increasing the amount of urinary flow. Water is a molecule that helps your body with its transportation system. The more water you have on board, the more you will be able to move out toxins. For this month try to drink half your body weight, in ounces of water. If you weigh 200 lbs, drink 100 ounces a day. That is around four of those 24 oz Aquafina bottles. Three Sweat! Moving your body is a great way to sweat out toxins. The skin is a third organ of elimination and actually some heavy metals can even be eliminated through sweating protocols. This month, try to exercise to your capacity at least three times a week. If you haven’t been exercising, then come in to get an exercise evaluation from me or any of the other medical practitioners at Central Family Practice. Other ways to sweat out your toxins can be through a spa or sauna. If you are a gym member, or have a friend with a sauna or steam room, try to sweat in one of these rooms at least once a week this month. If the sauna is low heat (near 100 degrees F), then you can stay in for 30 minutes. If high heat (over 140 degrees F), then you should stay in for 10 minutes, then get out to hydrate and cool some (even take a short shower) then re-enter for two more cycles of ten minutes. Four The digestive tract is where a great portion of toxins reside. The liver and intestinal tract are also organs of elimination. To encourage detoxification this month try to eat foods that provide nutritional value, and not just empty calories. Take this simple test when thinking about what to eat: Is this food as close to nature as possible? Or is it processed more than a couple of steps? For example, a cup of stone - cut oatmeal with nuts and honey is pretty close to nature. A package of Quaker’s instant oatmeal with maple sugar powder and dried apple pieces is a lot more packaged. Read your labels and try to choose foods that are “whole foods”, not so heavily processed. Other ways to help your digestive system detoxify include: • Take a fiber supplement this month. If you are not having two bowel movements a day, you could use some extra support in this area. • Take a product that can help cleanse and support your liver. One that I like is Detox Factors. You can buy that online at the Central Family Practice website, or just drop by to look at the ingredients and buy it from one of our smiling staff members. Final thoughts… Our world is obviously toxic. We see signs of it every day. You live in a toxic world, but you do not have to just sit there and “take it.” There are steps that can help you clear yourself on a regular basis of the toxins that settle down in your tissues. I’d love to talk with you personally about your toxic risks and how we can bring you to a fuller state of Optimal Health. Use the coupon to get $10 off of a $90 detoxification visit where you and I will discuss your specific concerns and come up with solutions to your Detox needs. Be sure to mention the Detox coupon when you call.
May 2007
Detoxification 101 Clean Sweep for Your System By Dr. Jeanne Galloway, ND
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