WHAT IS DETOX?

“Detox” is slang for detoxification, and it refers to a process through which toxins are removed from the body.  We live in a toxic world.  Many people do not realize that a majority of their health problems result from the constant exposure to toxins and their cumulative effect.  Achieving optimum health involves assessing the toxic load that is contributing to the problem.

Toxins are poisons in the strictest sense of the word.  Toxins come a variety of substances and forms.  The list is endless really.  Water, food, air, earth, fire, drugs, minerals and even words/ideas are a small list of potential toxins.

The world is a toxic place, it always has been.  We evolved with organs and biochemical pathways to deal with toxins in the environment.  Yet we have not evolved to keep pace with the technological advances that are creating new toxins in our environment.  Our bodies are fighting a losing battle.

In ancient times, botanical medicine had origin in the study of toxic substances to achieve power over the victim.  It was simply called poisoning in those days.  In later days, toxic substances are given to achieve a therapeutic response, e.g. ipecac, chemotherapeutics, radiation cancer treatment.

One has to believe that substances are toxic before one is convinced to remove their impact on health.  It has been my experience that financial interests and government policy sometimes determine toxicity in a selective fashion.  These ideas are embraced by conventional medicine and the ideas become part of their belief system.  This information is then passed onto the lay public as truth.  Education of the patient becomes a starting point in any detoxification program and is crucial to the program’s success.

Generally speaking, toxic load is determined via a lengthy process.   This process involves a good history/physical exam and includes lab testing.  On a rare occasion, the demonstration of the toxicity is sometimes as simple as performing an elimination of the offending substance and allowing the patient to “feel” the difference.  Most forms of toxicity are more subtle; they require much more detective work, and it requires time to restore health.

I highly recommend the supervision of a qualified physician before initiating any detoxification program.  Detoxification is not something to be entered into lightly as the process and the results are sometimes worse than the original problem.  In my practice, I look for evidence of toxicity and I provide treatment accordingly.  In any detoxification program, my treatment goal is to remove the obstacles to healing, to promote prevention of further disease, and to restore good health.

We are all toxic to some degree, and many times a simple plan can remove those toxins in a good way.  Whether the plan is simple or complex, a consultation with can provide information that can prolong your life and improve its quality as well.  Choose a detoxification program formulated especially for you. I’ll be glad to help!