January 2008
Jump-start your New Year with a Detox!
by Dr. Shannon Munkley, HBA, ND
Do you have less energy than you used to? Do you feel fatigued no matter how much sleep you get? Are you suffering from allergies that seemed to come out of nowhere? It may be time for a detox.
Detoxification is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or removing toxins from the body. A toxin is basically any substance that creates irritating and harmful effects in the body, undermining health by stressing biochemical or organ functioning. Toxicity is of greater concern than ever before because of our increased exposure to many chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, air pollution, radiation, pharmaceuticals, sugars, refined foods, stimulants and sedatives.
Just as it is important to regularly clear dust and clutter from our external environment, the same is true for our internal environment.
Exposure to toxins has been associated with the development of a vast array of diseases, such as arthritis, allergies, many types of cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal conditions, and autoimmune diseases. In addition, a wide range of symptoms, such as headaches, back and neck pain, fatigue, runny nose, skin problems, mood swings, dizziness, joint pain, bad breath and gastrointestinal problems are also related. In short, toxic accumulation is aging us much faster than we should be.
The majority of toxins and drugs are processed by the liver but the colon, kidneys, skin, and lungs also share in the responsibility. Given the amount of toxins that we are ingesting, these organs become overloaded and toxicity symptoms appear. These symptoms are a message from your body that it needs some support in order to restore its proper balance. Doing a detox is akin to doing spring-cleaning and just as it is important to regularly clear dust and clutter from our external environment, the same is true for our internal environment.
Improved energy, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, better mood, increased concentration and mental clarity are only some of the benefits of a detox program. Long-term benefits include the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions.
Depending on your state of health, it is generally recommended to do a detox once or twice a year and the program should always be individualized based on your current state of health. A typical program may involve dietary changes, herbal supplementation to support organ and cellular detoxification, acupuncture, dry skin brushing, castor oil packs, infrared saunas, and increasing water intake.
During the first few days of a detox, some people experience fatigue, headaches, and body aches but these short-lived symptoms are usually just a sign that toxins are being released from your cells into general circulation for elimination.
Anyone considering a detox program should consult with a naturopathic doctor before beginning to ensure that it is customized to his or her current state of health.
Dr. Shannon Munkley is a board certified Naturopathic physician and member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
