*** Cleansing Deep Within

We faithfully change the oil in our cars and the filters in our heaters to eliminate the impurities that build up over time which could hinder the performance of these mechanical devices. So why is it that we do not we apply the same logic to our bodies? Many cultures around the world have practiced internal cleansing for centuries. Fortunately, this practice is finally gaining acceptance in America. Bookstore shelves are now full of books about detoxification (internal cleansing) and its health benefits. This newfound zeal for detoxification is easy to understand. Our drinking water is full of chemicals, the air we breathe is polluted, and our food is replete with pesticides and herbicides. All of these manmade toxins have one common resting place, our bodies! If you were in a chemistry laboratory and someone threatened to dump thousands of chemicals into a single test tube, you would probably run for your life and for good reason. Water Under the Bridge According to the Kellogg Report, dramatic industrial growth in America has introduced a variety of new, chemically complex and sometimes lethal pollutants into our water systems. Contrary to popular opinion, municipal treatment plants are not equipped to detect, much less detoxify our water of most chemical pollutants. Food for Thought It is estimated that each year close to 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on food American crops. Pesticides can enter the body through contact with the skin or by inhaling or ingesting the chemicals. In 1972, the pesticide DDT was banned due to its catastrophic effect on wildlife. Unfortunately, DDT is not readily broken down. As a matter of fact, resides of DDT can be found in the bodies of nearly all Americans to this day! Many pesticides in the same class as DDT are stored in our fatty tissues and some have been linked to cancer and birth defects. Indoor Pollution Our indoor air quality is far more toxic than most people realize. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include various chemicals which may have both short- and long-term adverse health consequences. The concentration of many VOCs is up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are emitted by literally thousands of products, including such common products as building materials, cleaning supplies, pesticides, copiers, printers, and craft materials. Common household products are full of organic chemicals. Cleaning and disinfecting solutions, waxes, and even cosmetics contain these potentially harmful chemicals and their gases can be emitted into your home even when they are not in use! Exposure to VOCs is known to cause many symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, and headache and is believed to be associated with cancer as well. New carpet, furniture, and paint can release formaldehyde into the air. Formaldehyde is classified as a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent) by the American Cancer Society. Many experts believe that indoor exposures to various toxins account for the results of a 15 year Oregon study which found that women who stay at home experience a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside of the home. Why Cleanse? The overwhelming number of chemicals that bombard us on a daily basis can overwhelm our bodies’ detoxification mechanisms. Over time, toxins can accumulate and cause symptoms such as memory problems, depression, anxiety, neurologic diseases like Parkinson's disease, and perhaps various cancers. Many people are so toxic that their bodies must produce extra fat cells to coat the excess toxins to protect them from their harmful effects. Therefore, many people experience significant weight loss, as well as better health and well-being, after undertaking a detoxification regimen. There are many internal cleansing products on the market. In addition to doing your due diligence, check with your physician before starting any regimen. Unfortunately, most medical schools do not teach physicians much about nutrition or alte ative medicine practices. Consequently, many are inclined to poo-poo practices such as cleansing in the absence of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Until I lost 7 pounds after just 6 days of cleansing and saw dramatic changes in my skin, I too was among the unbelievers. Nevertheless, remember to do your research, know your body, and consult your physician.