Part 2 of a 2-part series

Last week I talked about where toxicity comes from and what it is. This week let’s move into a little more science behind how the body works to handle the loads of toxins it is exposed to each and every day over a period of many years and why it gets so tired.

Detoxification and its Connection to Digestive Health

The dictionary defines detoxification as “the removal of toxic substances from the body”, or simply put, “a cleansing of the body”. In scientific terms, this is called biotransformation. The primary organ involved in detoxification is our liver-it takes in “unfiltered” blood from the entire body, which is full of harmful toxins and absorbed nutrients. Next, our liver acts like a “clean up crew” – it is the first filter that toxins from the GI tract must pass through, and if it is able to keep up with the pace of toxins being formed, they will be filtered out fast enough and never reach the rest of the body. Toxemia (toxins in the blood stream) occurs when the liver is compromised in clearing toxins or if there is an excess of tonxcins pouring into the body. Problems in the digestive system that can contribute to increasing levels of incoming toxins include but are not limited to:

• Constipation
• Chronic diarrhea
• Food allergies
• Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)
• Malabsorption syndromes (such as Celiac Disease)- a decreased ability of the digestive tract to digest and absorb nutrients from food
• Lack of digestive enzymes or stomach acid

These problems occur because of damage caused to our digestive system by an overload of toxins, which interfere with digestion and the liver’s ability to properly filter out these toxins. Toxins will then enter our circulation and accumulate in various parts of our body, causing further damage over time. A proper detoxification program will help restore healthy digestive system function by removal of harmful toxins, promote nutrients absorption from food and help you feel more energized. This, in turn, may help to address the GI symptoms you are currently experiencing.

The Role of the Liver in Detoxification

The liver is the main organ of detoxification in your body. Every other system in our body is compromised isf our liver is not functioning properly. This is because most of the toxins we are exposed to are fat soluble-they are attracted to the fatty portion of cells throughout our body, instead of directly being excreted n water-based urine. Unfortunately, this attraction allows them to be easily transported into cells where they settle and exert their toxic effects. These toxins then stay in our systems, permanently and start to negatively affect various organs-including liver, colon, kidney, heart, brain, lungs, skin and endocrine system (hormones). A good detoxification program should assist the liver in changing harmful fat-soluble form so they can be easily eliminated from the system through the kidneys or colon. Fern Life Center’s detoxification program will not only help to accomplish this, but also:

• Reduce incoming toxins into the body
• Boost the liver’s ability to eliminate the incoming toxins, which will allow toxins that are stored in tissues to come out and be removed.

Generally speaking, our liver eliminates toxins through a two step enzymatic process, also known as Phase I and II detoxification (biotransformation) pathways. Specific reactions occur in these tow pathways that help breakdown these toxins into harmless substances:

Phase I: A series of enzymes, called cytochrome P450, chemically changes harmful fat-soluble toxins into a more toxic substance called an “intermediary metabolite”. Since the intermediary metabolite is often more toxic than the original fat-soluble toxin, it has to go through Phase II to become less toxic.

Phase II: Attachment (or conjugation) of specific molecules onto the intermediary metabolite occurs. This process makes intermediary metabolites non-toxic and water soluble so they can be eliminated through the urine or stool.

Why Should you Detoxify?

To Feel Better

When detoxification and elimination systems of the body are not working at their optimal level, they are unable to handle the load of incoming toxins and symptoms begin as the toxic levels build up in your cells, tissues, and organs. Even after day-to-day external exposures are removed, toxins remain in our body until they are cleared out. An example of this is if we live near a factory and then decide later on to move to a less polluted town without any factories. Although we have stopped getting the external exposure of factory pollutants, the toxins we were exposed to from the previous factory we lived next to will still be in our body. Just knowing this, imagine the build-up of all the toxins from our environment, lifestyle and stresses that have been stored in our bodies since we were children. Despite this, there is something you can do about reducing your toxic burden. By completing Fern Life Center’s Detoxification Program, you can prevent further accumulation of destructive toxins from entering into our body. You will also see a gradual improvement in your symptoms as the stored toxins are released and eliminated through newly efficient detoxification pathways. This should be done at least 4 times a year with every season change. However, it is important to remember too much of a good thing is a bad thing. You must have your detoxification plan individualized to your body type, age, season, and the state of health you are in right now.

To Unmask GI and Other Health Problems

Your healthcare provider needs to get an accurate picture of the underlying cause of your illness. Identifying the root cause of illness is the goal of treatment at Fern Life Center. It is important because the true cause can be masked by the accumulation of toxins that can cause your present illness to either intensify, or it can manifest into other signs and symptoms related to ill health (depending on where most of the toxins accumulated in your body). After completing the detox program, most of the toxins trapped in your body should clear out, reducing the symptoms associated with toxin accumulation, giving a better picture of the underlying cause. If symptoms still persist, the appropriate tests need to be done to determine root-cause so a specific treatment plan can be created just for you.

To Maintain Good Health

Like your car that needs periodic oil and filter changes, our bodies need periodic detoxification to clean out all the toxins that have accumulated in our system over the years. If you feel progressively sluggish, tired, achy and run down, maybe it’s time for your “filter to be cleaned” to maintain optimal health. Even if you feel fine, a comprehensive detox is important at least twice a year for continued good health.

The Goals of Fern Life Center’s Detoxification Program

The purpose of the program is to “restore” the way your liver detoxifies and how your digestive system operates- back to the way they were functioning when you were healthy. This, in turn, will help your body to regain proper digestion, elimination and absorption of nutrients needed for optimal health. The Fern Life Center Detox Program incorporates dietary recommendations, colon hydrotherapy, detox baths and steam, and nutritional supplementation to accomplish this purpose.

There are three main goals of the program:
1. Remove: this is accomplished by eliminating the incoming burden of toxins from your diet and lifestyle.

2. Restore: this is achieved by supporting the processing and elimination of toxins. Drinking purified water, eating foods that help with detoxing and drinking the medical food protein powder will assist in the removal of toxins that have long been trapped in your body.

3. Revitalize: Drinking purified water, eating foods that help with detoxification, drinking the medical food shakes, and taking nutritional supplements designed to aid in Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways in your liver, as well as support healthy functioning of your digestive system during the process.

Before starting the detoxification program, please let Keesha know if you:

1. Are under 18 years of age

2. Have any of the following conditions:

a. An eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia)

b. Type I diabetes or uncontrolled type II diabetes

c. Kidney disease

d. Appendicitis

e. Impacted gallstones or any other condition related to the gall bladder

f. Liver disease (such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis)

As you move through the stages of your life and the cycles of the seasons, incorporate a detox plan into your routine. Every time you change your clothes for the season, you should be changing your food too. Here’s to your health!