By: Timothy R. Walsh L.Ac.
As warmer weather arrives, so do the many varieties of fruits and vegetables that serve to vitalize and detoxify the body. Throughout history Autumn and Winter have been times of eating ‘heavier’ foods that can be stored, such as cured meats, grains, seeds, beans and starchy root vegetables. The arrival of Spring and Summer brings in ‘light’ and cleansing foods, including fruit, berries, edible flowers and vegetables that grow above ground.
The modern food industry has diminished the natural order of seasonal eating. This has lead to frequent, often daily consumption of the ‘heavier’ foods. ‘Heavy’ foods are rich in dense nutrients, such as protein and fat. These dense nutrients are necessary for building a healthy body and historically helpful for adding some extra weight to be used up during the winter. Unfortunately, without a seasonal cleansing over-consumption of ‘heavy’ foods leads to congestion of the blood, lymph, and tissues. Systemic congestion prevents proper distribution of nutrients to the cells and the removal of toxins from the cells and tissues. This contributes to inflammation, which is one of the main factors of all degenerative disease.
Poor eating habits are just the beginning of the problem. Our environment, food, water and air supplies are now contaminated with hundreds of different forms of toxins. Some of these are still decomposing from decades ago, while new toxins are being released daily. Many of these chemicals disrupt the endocrine, nervous and immune systems and contribute to auto-immune, hormonal, neurological (Alzheimer’s, ADD/ADHD) and cancerous conditions. Fifty years ago the average American had a handful of foreign chemicals in his or her body, now we have literally hundreds. With the chance of having cancer or heart disease at a staggering 50% we can no longer roll the dice. Being proactive is the best health insurance.
As an acupuncturist and specialist in detoxification and integrative medicine, I have created and participated in many cleansing programs. In this time, I have filtered through the mountains of information and discarded the hype. What is left is a highly effective detoxification program that is not harsh or overly complicated. All of our detoxification programs at The Hall Center are individually tailored to increase their effectiveness and address the unique needs of each patient.
The basics of a great seasonal detox:
* Increase consumption of seasonal organic produce
* Decrease consumption of meat, beans and grains
* Add lemon or lime to pure water and drink plenty
* Use a medical food protein powder that promotes detoxification
* Exercise and use dry skin brushing to vitalize the lymphatics
* Relax and Renew!
To promote optimal health introduce a cleansing and detoxifying program once or twice per year. Increasing your consumption of easily digested seasonal organic produce and decreasing your consumption of meats and other ‘heavy’ foods for a period of two weeks is a great beginning to rebalance your system. Organic, fresh produce is rich in antioxidants, anti-cancer and detoxification supporting nutrients. In addition, specific supplements are suggested during your cleanse to maximize detoxification and flood the body with nutrients. Homeopathic drainage remedies are also used to provide needed energy to the main organs of detoxification. It is important to support all of the organs of detoxification at this time, including the liver, lymph, kidneys, colon and skin.
As a boost to the basic cleanse, Far-Infrared (FIR) sauna and Intravenous (IV) vitamin drips are commonly suggested. FIR sauna is an exceptional tool for effortlessly removing toxins from the skin and tissues. Heating the core body temperature through exercise and FIR sauna promotes weight loss by raising the metabolic rate and promoting circulation of blood and lymph. Pain reduction and improved cardiovascular health are also benefits of the FIR sauna.
IV vitamin drips are very helpful for saturating the blood stream with nutrients. Vitamin C when given intravenously has been shown to be toxic to viral and cancer cells. Therefore, the IV vitamin drip is an essential therapy to promote health and ward off the disease process.
The organ responsible for the majority of detoxification is the colon. Hydro-therapy, also known as a colonic, is a powerful boost to any detoxification program. Many brilliant doctors and systems of medicine agree that disease often begins in the colon. When the colon is properly emptied it allows for higher organs such as the small intestine, stomach, pancreas and gall bladder to properly eliminate their waste. This promotes the health of the entire digestive system.
Detoxification is beneficial for the mind as well as the body. A detoxification program is the optimal time to increase self-awareness and evaluate behaviors and beliefs. Our clinical nutritionist can help you take advantage of this transitional time and create a maintenance program that is individual to your needs and goals. The foods we choose every day can be our greatest ally in life, or our greatest adversary.
Many of our beliefs and behaviors are like software programs that run our lives, for better or worse. Often we are not consciously aware of these ingrained programs. Core Healing at The Hall Center is available to address these deep beliefs and behaviors that are often an obstruction to our experience of joy, happiness and ease in life. Our comprehensive detoxification program is designed to cleanse and detoxify the body and much, much more. All programs are designed on an individual basis and range from $500 to $1500.
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.