How to Properly Detoxify The Body
The necessity of a two phase detoxification protocol
During the first three hours after a meal is eaten, the body uses 60% of its available energy to aid in digestion. When the body does not receive food for a period of time, it frees up that 60% energy to concentrate on other physiologic processes that it otherwise would not have the energy to sustain, such as ridding the body of metabolic wastes and toxins, which is a priority for the body. Put simply, when we fast, extra energy is available for the body to detoxify and provide rest for overworked digestive glands.
Over the last 10 – 15 years many detoxification or cleansing products/programs have come on the market which can help to one degree or another. These include sauna detoxification, hydrotherapy, herbs, nutritional supplements, colonic therapy, or any combination thereof.
But what is not always considered in these programs is that there are two phases to detoxifying the body, not just one. These two phases must be conducted concurrently, side-by-side to thoroughly eliminate the stored toxins.
The Two Phases of Detoxification
The first phase of detoxification is to provoke the tissues to release the toxins into the bloodstream. This includes massage therapy, herbal detoxification, fasting, etc.
The second phase of detoxification is to stimulate the four systems of elimination so that they will efficiently and completely remove toxins and wastes from the blood and discharge them outside the body. These stimulating actions include moderate exercise, breathing therapies, using a sauna, hot soaks, etc.
We need to keep in mind that detoxifying solely through the colon/kidneys, as some programs promote, only releases a small portion of toxins and wastes. Rather the lungs and skin need to be emphasized since they release the majority of toxins on a daily basis.
Also, it should not be assumed that when toxins are released from the tissues into the bloodstream that the toxins will be released into the four elimination systems – the lungs, skin, kidneys, and colon. Keep in mind that the reason the toxins were stored in the tissues in the first place was because the four systems of elimination were not functioning as they should.
Unless the second phase of detox is emphasized, the body will store again the toxins, both metabolic and environmental into the tissues from whence they came.
Some Possible Side Effects of Detox without Second Phase Elimination
Temporary Relief - If a person is successful in eliminating the toxins from the tissues into the blood and has experienced relief from their symptoms – fatigue, poor sleep, other illness symptoms, and then fails to initiate the second phase simultaneously, the symptoms will reappear after a few weeks or even a month or two. This is because the toxins were never discharged from the body in the first place.
New Symptoms - If those toxins are released into the bloodstream, but not eliminated, they can provoke short-term flu like symptoms, or worse, as the toxins become concentrated in the bloodstream.
Redistribution - The toxins, when returning to the tissues, may find a new organ to attack, causing new and additional long-term symptoms.
To simplify what has been said, the primary way to break the above toxic cycle and detoxify the body is – to do fasting and moderate exercise together. Preferably having an exercise regime in place prior to fasting.
Next: Healthy Blood Through Fasting: Health Problems Resulting from an Overworked Digestive System.
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