Detoxification
·       Chemical Detoxification Program
There is no doubt that we live in a polluted world that bombards our body everyday with damaging toxins. Society has been increasingly exposed to toxic substances in the air, water and food. Since 1976, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been engaged in the National Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS), where they have been analyzing the fat content of Americans for the presence of 54 different environmental chemical toxins. The alarming facts are that in 100% of all samples, 5 chemicals were found:
• OCDD (A Dioxin)Â
• StyreneÂ
• 1,4-dichlorobenzeneÂ
• XyleneÂ
• Ethylphenol
A further 9 more chemicals were found in 91-98% of all samples:
• BenzeneÂ
• TolueneÂ
• ChlorobenzeneÂ
• EthylbenzeneÂ
• DDEÂ
• Three different dioxinsÂ
• FuranÂ
PCB's were also found in 83% of all samples.
Â
A total of 20 toxic compounds were found in 76% or more of all samples. The worst fact is only 54 toxins were tested for out of more than 200,000 known toxins. It has been shown that a person's ability to detoxify substances to which they were exposed is critical to their overall health.
It is notable that some individuals exposed to the same substances as other individuals, develop cancer and other immunological problems while others do not. Part of the difference is the individuals' ability to detoxify the offending substance back out of their body. Therefore, it is not only the level of the toxin the person is exposed to that is important, but also the response that the body has to the toxin that is important.
Â
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Several chronic health problems appear to be related to environmental chemical toxicity, such as:
• CancerÂ
• Chronic Fatigue SyndromeÂ
• Heart ProblemsÂ
• Neurological DiseasesÂ
• Reproductive DiseasesÂ
Environmental toxins that cause the most problems are:
• PesticidesÂ
• SolventsÂ
• Heavy metalsÂ
The primary damage caused by these toxins are to:
• Disrupt the nervous system and its functionsÂ
• Disrupt the endocrine system and the hormones they secreteÂ
• Disrupt the immune systemÂ
Environmental chemicals have a wide range of damaging effects on the immune system by creating an inability for the immune system to fight infections or tumours and increasing the body's sensitivity to allergies and increasing autoimmune problems.
Â
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS IMPACT ON THE BODY
Toxins can also adversely affect:
• SkinÂ
• Gastrointestestinal systemÂ
• Reproductive systemÂ
• Urinary systemÂ
• Lungs, heartÂ
• Muscles and bonesÂ
• Energy level is greatly decreasedÂ
• Virtually every system in the body is affected
How well a person can handle toxins will decide how healthy a person will remain and how effective their immune system will be in fighting off potentially life-threatening diseases.Â
Where do we come in contact with these toxins?
We come in contact with toxins through the air we breathe, the water we use and drink and the food we eat and even in some of the items we touch such as new clothing which has been treated with formaldehyde. Chemicals, drugs, heavy metals such as mercury, alcohol and other toxins are all around us.
Â
Air:
Outside air carries pollution and pesticides and herbicides, gas fumes from vehicles, and all kinds of other toxins.
Inside air, which would include closed building syndrome in offices as well as normal household air problems, result from the build up of: chemicals found in carpets, new furniture, cleaning products, smoking, paints, gas or oil heating, plastics out-gassing, pressboard wood products such as in cabinets, hair spray and perfumes, dry-cleaning, moulds, etc.
Food:Â
Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that are deposited out of the air and in the soil, easily find their way into our food supply. Food that is imported may also contain pesticides not allowed in North America, but are allowed in the country of the products origin.
Water:Â
Toxic chemicals released from industrial factories into waterways are prevalent. Pesticides and herbicides and other chemicals also find their way into the water table.
Detoxification is not a new concept. For centuries, societies have valued therapies which promoted cleansing and detoxifying the body.Â
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE CHEMICAL DETOX PROGRAM?
The Chemical Detox Program is a comprehensive program to rid the body of unwanted chemicals through a combination of therapies which include the use of:
• ExerciseÂ
• Sauna or hot yogaÂ
• HydrotherapyÂ
• Herbal and nutritional support
• Colonics with Ozone Â
(Note: Owing to new regulations in Ontario, The NaturalPath cannot offer ozone and chelation therapies. Â Efforts are being made through our professional association to restore the rights of Ontarians to received these scientifically proven and accepted treatments.)
Â
Use of this protocol will ease the effects of detox while speeding up the process to maximize the effects. This means that you will feel better, sooner.
Detoxifying the liver as well as the rest of the body will not only increase your energy level, but will also increase the effectiveness of your immune system. This means better health for you both now and for the future if you continue to work with your body by maintaining a lower level of toxins.