Detox – reduce your exposure to chemical pollutants

With appropriate medical or therapeutic supervision, dedicated participants of a good detoxification program can achieve improved physical health and vitality. Over time, detoxification can improve the symptoms associated with poor digestion, suppressed immunity, and early ageing. Because sustained changes in diet or lifestyle have the potential to interfere with underlying health conditions, it is imperative to consult a medical practitioner or reputable naturopath before embarking on a detoxification program. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, diabetics, underweight, and those suffering from chronic illnesses should avoid detoxification programs.

Exposure to a wide range of environmental pollutants is an increasing risk and concern for individuals living in contemporary industrialised society. The main sources of environmental pollution are hydrocarbon emissions, drinking water, and food contaminated by synthetic pesticides, preservative, and other chemical substances.

Sources of pollutants

The current global dependence on hydrocarbon fuels for motor transport, industrial manufacturing, and power generation is responsible for most of the measured outdoor air pollution. During combustion, hydrocarbon fuels release an array of gaseous and residual solid molecules that include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur, benzene, and formaldehyde. Many of these molecules become absorbed into the body through respiration and direct contact. The toxic effect will depend upon their concentration and the body’s ability to break the dangerous substances into less harmful derivatives.

With the availability of recognised health standards and a growing increase in consumer awareness, the safety of drinking water is no longer taken for granted. Additives such as chlorine, fluoride, and iodine, can combine with chemicals already present to create harmful compounds. These other chemicals include lead from the solder used on plumbing and the nitrates, phosphates, and other salts which have leached into water supplies from agricultural applications.

The manufacture and application of synthetic chemicals for agricultural use is well entrenched, generating its own global scale economy alongside related energy and pharmaceutical sectors. Adherents of conventional agriculture argue for the necessity of chemical insecticides, herbicides, hormones, and more recently, genetic modification. While such products can result in increased production yields, the short term economic advantage may well be offset by the negative health consequences incurred. Residual contaminants found in food can interfere with basic cell metabolism, causing damage to the nervous system and major organs. With continued exposure, the processing and removal of these substances will slow down, often resulting in a toxic accumulation within the cells and fatty tissue of the body. While some of these effects have been confirmed by decades of research, there are many new developments and concerns which need to be investigated.

Reducing exposure to pollutants

While it is presently unrealistic to eliminate certain sources of pollution, there is a real incentive to minimise the negative health impact by reducing their concentrations and our exposure to them. With some planned lifestyle adjustment, it is possible to control many of the exposure risks while simultaneously strengthening the body’s natural immunity and resistance. A key strategy in this approach is to assist the body’s natural ability to detoxify itself through the removal of harmful substances.

Detoxification is essentially a normal biological process where harmful waste products, pollutants, and damaged cells are progressively eliminated from the body. Based upon their understanding of the physiology involved, various health advocates have developed lifestyle and dietary programs that can enhance the body’s natural ability to cleanse and renew itself. While these programs vary in their approach, recommendations, and general effectiveness, the underlying principle is to provide an opportunity to clear and release some of the toxins suspended within the blood and tissue of major organs.

Wholesome organic food

Careful monitoring of the quality and appropriateness of food intake, combined with selective therapeutic interventions, can initiate the renewal of an inefficient or malfunctioning digestive system. Raw organic vegetables and fruit are known to contain natural enzymes that promote efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. Because these foods require less digestive effort, the system is given some rest and an opportunity to rebalance itself. Fresh salads, juices, and smoothies taste delicious and will often result in an energy boost as the body revitalises itself. Some detoxification programs suggest that raw foods should be eaten exclusively for a couple of days before reverting to a balanced diet where quantities of raw food are consumed each day in addition to foods rich in carbohydrate, protein and the beneficial fats and oils. It is important to remember that food intake needs to be both nutritionally balanced and of sufficient quantity to meet the energy requirements according to individual lifestyle. Dieticians and nutritionists are qualified to assess these factors and should be consulted as required.

When supervising a detoxification program, naturopaths often recommend the exclusive use of organic fruits, vegetables, and grains. Since the overall aim of such programs are to remove dangerous toxins from the body it makes sound practical sense to avoid foods that might have been sprayed with a cocktail of agricultural pesticide. There is also sufficient research to indicate that organic whole foods, particularly fruit and vegetables, contain a superior nutrient profile compared to non-organic equivalents.

Growing organic vegetables at home is an excellent way to start focusing on the taste and quality of food that is refreshingly pure and natural. The alternative is to find local suppliers who stock or deliver fresh organic produce. Farmers markets, organic societies, alternative cafes, and growers’ co-operatives are good reference points for tracking down supplies of fresh organic food.

The best supplies of animal protein can be obtained from farms with an organic certification. It is now possible to choose lean beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, pork, and dairy produce, sourced from livestock raised naturally, without exposure to agricultural sprays or synthetic growth hormones. Seafood is an excellent source of protein, beneficial oils, and minerals. Unfortunately there are some fish species and shellfish that exhibit elevated concentrations of pesticide and toxic metals when their organs are evaluated by biological scientists. In serious cases, health warnings will be distributed by agriculture and fisheries departments along with other government agencies. Increasingly, there is consumer demand for organic seafood, raised without chemical additives in remote, pristine environments. This is a primary industry sector that is predicted to develop rapidly with improved technologies and husbandry.

After entering the body, environmental toxins must be processed by liver enzymes in order to be broken down then excreted. Understandably, multiple or prolonged exposure to these toxins will compromise liver function. One of the negative effects of compromised liver function is a decreased ability to protect itself through regulation of the biochemical environment. This will result in increased levels of unstable oxygen molecules. Also known as free radicals, these molecules cause extensive cell damage within the liver and have been implicated in many disease processes as well as the degenerative changes associated with early ageing.

There are some valuable antioxidant foods which can be taken to counteract and minimise free radical damage. Organic fruit and vegetables are the best regular source of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Because prolonged storage or heating will destroy high percentages of the available antioxidant nutrients, it is usually recommended that the organic fruit and vegetables be consumed fresh and raw.

Premium quality organic green tea is another valuable food that is suitable for detoxification of the liver. Several cups per day will provide beneficial amounts of catechins and polyphenols which are both powerful antioxidants. In addition to protecting the liver and other organs against free radical damage, anti-oxidant foods strengthen the immune system which enables the body to resist infection caused by bacterial and viral micro-organisms.

Reducing the dietary intake of trans saturated fats and oils is an important step for liver cleansing. Often labelled as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, these substances are generated by the high temperature processing of many commercially prepared items such as margarine, chips, dips, and sauces. Trans saturated fats contain distorted chemical structures which have damaging effects on cell membranes within the liver and elsewhere.

Water and soluble fibre

Because the liver breaks fat soluble toxins into water soluble ones that can be released from the body as waste, it is vitally important to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water each day. A good quality water filter will remove the chemical contaminants. Similarly an increase in soluble fibre is recommended to assist the removal of toxins from the lower intestinal tract. Soluble fibre can be found in seaweed, oats, and the pectin contained in fruit such as apples, bananas, grapes, pineapple, and avocado.

Exercise

A supervised exercise regime can enhance the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. By temporarily increasing the rate and volume of blood circulating through major organs, there is an improved cleansing action combined with a renewal of degraded cells. While the main function of perspiration is to facilitate cooling through surface evaporation, it simultaneously enables the release of toxins processed by the lymphatic system.

Compared to traditional medical approaches, alternative healing systems may emphasise drainage of the lymphatic system through various types of exercise, massage, sauna, and herbal medication. These techniques are usually safe but like the exercise and dietary aspects of any proposed detoxification program, they should initially be discussed with a medical practitioner.

Most gymnasiums offer a range of group exercise classes to suit differing levels of fitness and motivation. Similar benefits can be realised through recreational pursuits such as walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, and gardening.

With the assistance of a qualified naturopath or health therapist, detoxification programs can be modified to address individual health needs. Most naturopathic practice is based upon the philosophy of assessing health within the broader context of each patient’s lifestyle. This will draw upon factors relating to employment, social relationships, personal goals and ambitions. Naturopaths tend to employ a range of diagnostic procedures to assess general wellbeing and to identify potential health concerns. These include guided questionnaires, blood analysis, hair analysis, iridology, and cardiovascular reports. Based upon the diagnostic results, a naturopath may recommend the detoxification program be enhanced by therapeutic interventions such as herbal medicines or other dietary supplements, remedial massage, guided relaxation techniques, and general counselling related to health and wellbeing.