In my last entry I explained how weight loss can increase the amount on toxins circulating in the body, and how we need to minimize our exposure to harmful ingredients in order to reduce the load of toxins that are in our bodies. 

Switching to organic foods, and toxin free personal care, and cleaning products are important steps to reduce the amount of toxins that get into our bodies.  But there is a load of toxins already present in our bodies, and there are some toxins that we are exposed to, that we don’t have any control over. 

The level of toxins in our bodies increases as we are losing weight because they are released from the fat tissue that is being converted to energy.  So we need to get the toxins that are already in our bodies, out of our bodies.  Basically, we need to “detox.”   Even if you are not losing weight, a detox would be beneficial, especially if you have been using regular personal care products, which are laden with harmful ingredients.

There are several things that we can do that help our body rid itself of toxins.  The kidney and the liver are the main organs that process & eliminate toxins.  We need to make sure that we take care of these organs so they can function properly.  The liver is already overloaded with trying to process and eliminate the increased amount of synthetic chemicals in the body.  Don’t add anything that will put an additional strain on the liver.  Number 1 to eliminate is alcohol.  The liver stops EVERYTHING when alcohol is present so it can work on processing the alcohol.  If it is busy trying to take care of the alcohol, the other toxins are not processed, and elimination from the body is delayed, and the level of toxins can increase even higher.  (Alcohol also adds a substantial amount of calories.)  The more toxins that stay (& fester) in the body, the higher the risk of developing cancer.  

Other drugs & medications also put a strain on the liver.  If your doctor gives you a prescription for a medication that requires liver function tests before and during therapy, that medication can put a strain on the liver.  Ask your doctor for a safer alternative.  With your doctor you can weigh the benefits of the medication against the risk to your liver and the increased risk of cancer.  Also try to avoid Tylenol, and anything else that is known to put a strain on the liver.

Water, Water, Water!  Drinking extra water will help the kidneys flush toxins out.  That is why with any weight loss program, you need to drink extra water, at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.  But don’t over-due it on the water, because you could also flush out important minerals, and electrolytes, which could lead to dehydration & death.  You may have heard the news reports about the parents who forced their child to drink profuse amounts of water for behavior therapy, and the child DIED as a result.  It would be very beneficial to take a trace mineral supplement. 

Other methods to eliminate toxins include: Natural Cellular Defense liquid zeolites, a detox foot soak, detox foot pads, many different herbal cleanses, and colon hydrotherapy.  If you do colon hydrotherapy, you need to be aware that everything is flushed out of the colon, not just toxins.  You will lose minerals, electrolytes, and essential nutrients, which will need to be replaced as soon as the treatment is done.   You should have on hand a trace mineral supplement so you can start replacing those minerals & electrolytes immediately after any type of colon hydrotherapy.  I would not recommend that you do colon hydrotherapy very often, because you lose so many essential nutrients, and minerals that are vital to maintain a strong healthy immune system.