Detox Strategies
Remember the days when cleansing referred to clothes and dishes and detoxification was for drug addicts and alcoholics?
We live in a more sophisticated world now, and colon cleanse products are now sold at Walmart!
But do you really understand these processes? Or are you confused by the myriad of options, powders, potions, teas and procedures that are touted to be the “best detox ever” or to “cleanse your body in only 3 days.”
Cleansing and Detoxification are often used interchangeably in regards to programs designed to rid your body of impurities and restore that youthful glow. Are they over-rated? Is detoxification just something that your body does naturally and you need just to let it alone?
It helps to understand what parts of your body are involved in detoxification and how the process works.
There’s so much information about detoxification out there. It’s all over the internet. If you were to type the word “detoxification,” you would get hooked up to all kinds of websites that would try to sell you this potion, this powder, and this magic cure, saying, “take this for seven days and you’re going to be completely clean and pure.”
The fact of the matter is that toxins happen. Toxins are a byproduct of life. There are the toxins that you breathe in the air, put there industrial waste, pesticides, and cleaning products we use. There are toxins in your water. One thing you may not be aware of is that there are lots of toxins generated inside of your body, from the movement of your muscles, the foods you eat and the feelings of stress you experience.
While you have many inborn mechanisms for detoxification, your chief detox organ is your liver.
If you lived in a pristine and serine world, your liver would have no problems keeping up with the removal of toxins. In the real world, though, your liver tends to become overburdened by the constant barrage of chemicals it’s expected to remove. And sometimes, your liver gets so tired, that it falls asleep on the job. When this happens, toxic overload occurs and you experience symptoms of what we have come to call disease.
Did you know that most disease is the result of toxicity? I’ve seen and experienced miraculous recovery from chronic illness as a result of a properly conducted detoxification program.
Today I’ll share 3 Strategies for Detoxification Success. On my teleseminar 10 Tips for Choosing a Cleansing Strategy That’s Just Right for You, I go into all the details.
3 Strategies for Detox Success
- 1- Begin with the End in Mind. What is it that you’re looking to achieve by doing a detox program? Are you looking to shed a few pounds? Clear your skin? Clean up your digestion? Rest? Your goals will help you figure out the best strategy to take and keep you focused if the going gets rough.
- 2- Create a Support System. If you attempt to do it alone, as soon as it gets a little bit challenging, you’ll be tempted to through in the towel. If you have a buddy to call, or you’re doing a group cleanse with phone support, you’ll likely stick with it better than if you’re doing it alone.
- 3- Be realistic. If you choose a program that takes 3 hours a day to implement and requires a lot of expensive products, you need to clear the space and budget the money for or it. If you are a single mom with 3 kids, you probably need a program that’s easy and inexpensive.
When I work with people on choosing the best strategy for them, I keep these 3 things in mind and we work from there. I have a checklist for choosing the best strategy, based on your lifestyle, dietary preferences, activity level and finances.
I share it on my teleseminar 10 Tips for Choosing a Cleansing Strategy That’s Just Right for You.
Cleansing and detoxification programs are deeply personal and have the potential to profoundly change your life.
If you’ve never done one, you owe it to yourself to find out more, and schedule time to cleanse and rejuvenate.
I created 10 Tips for Choosing a Cleansing Strategy That’s Just Right for You, to demystify the cleansing and detoxification process and empower you to chose the process that’s just right for you.
Learn all you can and then engage fully. Your liver will love you for it.
Sign up for my FREE teleseminar 10 Tips for Choosing a Cleansing Strategy That’s Just Right for You,and get access to the recording so you can play it back whenever you need a booster.
Sign up now, right HERE.
Love, Health and Joy,
Dr. Ritamarie
Tags: cleansing, colon cleansing, colonics, detox, detoxification, Dr. Ritamarie, liver, toxicity
Posted in Adrenal Fatigue, Detox Program, Green Smoothies, Vibrant Health
The Miracle of Aloe Vera for Digestion, Wound Healing,Your Immune System and So Much More
Aloe has always been one of my favorite plants. We keep them in the kitchen and the bathroom, ever ready for action – on burns, cuts and all sorts of wounds. It can be used topically or inside your body. It even combines well into raw and living foods recipes and can be used as part of a cleansing program. One of my readers contributed this very informative article about aloe, that provides us with an understanding of how Aloe works it’s magic and all the ways we can be helped by this powerful plant! Did you know that aloe can even help destroy tumors?
The Ancient Aloe Vera
The ancient Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) plant with its spear-like, succulent leaves has made its way from native Africa, to your favorite health food store, and even your own home. There are more than 300 types of aloe, but it is Aloe vera that is used most commonly. The Liliaceae family in which Aloe belongs is also home to garlic, asparagus, and onion. What a powerful Family! Aloe has been traditionally used to help treat burns and other wounds, and as a purgative (constipation aid). Yet, over the years, more and more uses for aloe have been discovered. With more active research taking place, the list of incredible healing powers of this herb is sure to lengthen.
Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents who all work synergistically. These include anthraquinones, saccharides, vitamins, non-essential amino acids, essential amino acids, inorganic compounds, and enzymes. It is this powerful combination of molecules that allows the plant to repair itself if the skin becomes damaged. This is visible when you break off a piece of the leaf to use, the next day there is a seal and the plant is protected again.
The anthraquinones are part of the aloe latex, the bundle of sheath cells from its skin. These cells stimulate the walls of the digestive system to contract, essentially aiding in the relief of constipation. This practice should be guided by a health practitioner as it may cause severe cramping. Other plants (cascara and senna) from the same family as aloe are considered to be gentler laxatives. Some of the enzymes found in Aloe vera include carboxypeptidase and bradykininase. These enzymes, along with the amino acids tryptophane and phenylalanine, are involved in relief of pain and reduction of inflammation and swelling. The mineral zinc in the aloe gel also aids in the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant. The polysaccharides, especially glucomannan, in the gel are thought to greatly increase the health of the skin.
Aloe vera has been proclaimed as a strong preventative agent for ulcers and other digestive problems. A research article on the International Aloe Science Council’s website noted an interesting study whereby an individual was given aloe gel before an ulcer-inducing stressor. This group resulted in a 80% reduction in the number of ulcers compared to a control group that was given saline. If the aloe was given after the ulcer had formed, the participant healed three times faster than the control group.
The health benefits of Aloe extend to heart related diseases as well. A study on Albino rats that were fed a high cholesterol diet along with aloe polysaccharides had decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased phospholipids levels, and increased HDL (the “good”cholesterol) compared to the control group. According to a Natural News article, aloe can reverse blood that is clumpy and sludge-like in appearance. This would allow the blood to carry greater amounts of oxygen, reducing the chances of a heart attack or stroke.
Cancer is a terrible disease that will affect 40% or more of us in our lifetime. There are many herbs and plants that contain anti-cancer compounds, including Aloe vera. Aloe’s effects are twofold; it builds up the immune system and destroys tumors. An experiment using mice with Sarcoma-180 tumors that were fed aloe exhibited reduced tumor growth. Another study using a molecule from aloe called Aloctin-A showed anti-tumor capabilities via increased immunity.
Burns, cuts, and wounds are commonly treated with aloe. Its antifungal and antibacterial capabilities make it Mother Nature’s band aid. The gel actually creates a physical barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the wound while simultaneously drawing blood to the needed area. This allows for faster healing.
These are just a few examples of the amazing capabilities of Aloe vera. New research is exploring aloe’s immune boosting abilities and how it can be used to treat HIV/AIDS, its anti-cancer molecules, and its ability to save soldiers who have lost extreme amounts of blood. I hope that you go pick up an aloe plant (or two) and start using it right away! Your body will thank you.
I add aloe to my smoothies, use it to keep my summer tan, and apply the gel directly to my face for firm, smooth skin. It really is an awesome herb to have available in your home. If you can’t find a plant, then head to your local health food store as they have 100% aloe vera gel to purchase.
About the Author:
Melissa Giesbrecht is a health fanatic from Vancouver, BC. She loves all aspects of health and tries to implement them into her life. She wants to take her knowledge to the next step and become an ND. She is a vegetarian who incorporates as much raw food into her diet as possible. She really wants to spread the word that being healthy can be fun, affordable, and truly rewarding. She writes about all these topics on her blog http://contagioushealth.blogspot.com.
References
Foster, Steven & Johnson, Rebecca L .(2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. Washington,D.C. : The National Geographic Society.
Hutchens, Alma R.(1973). Indian Herbology of North America. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications , Inc.
Duke, James A, ph.D. (1997). The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA:Rodale Press
Tags: aloe vera, cholesterol, cleansing, Cleansing Programs, digestion, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, immune system, Living Foods, livingfoods, Raw Foods, tumors
Posted in Cancer Nutrition, Detox Program
Detoxification and Leaky Gut Go Green!
Having Fun with
Living Foods Detoxification
Dr. Ritamarie’s personal Journey Through the Six Week Detox Program
The first week of t
he 6 week detox is more than half way over, and I’ve been doing it right along everyone! My “shoulds” told me that Option 3 was the right way to go. Lots of fresh green juice and wheat grass, sprouts, and green smoothies are after all nature’s perfect detox foods. They support your liver, provide loads of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, give your digestive tract the rest it needs and the nutrients it requires to repair leaky gut and get rid of pesky bugs, like the candida, parasites and bacteria that most of us have lurking in the crevices of our bowels. Lovely thought, eh?
My life at this time is not conducive to juicing for hours a day and sprouting and all the preparatio
n and clean-up that entails. After all, I still need time for kids, exercise, creating new products and programs, research, writing, seeing patients and and growing my online business to reach the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide whose health needs a lift. As it is I only sleep 4 hours a night…so where am I supposed to find the time to juice?
I’ve been doing option 2 of the 6 week detox program and LOVING it. It’s amazing how full you can get mostly drinking and eating green foods, when you space it out and add super nutrient dense whole food supplements. I’m generally not a big proponent of superfoods and whole food concentrates. I generally prefer the whole fresh foods as I grow them in my garden.
However, years of toxic buildup, nutrient deficiencies and a damaged digestive track sometimes require a bit more than salads and fruit to get back into balance quickly. That’s why I created the leaky gut repair and detoxification protocols we use in the Six Week Deep Tissue Detox Program
The “food only” option that requires juicing, sprouting, culturing vegetables and LOTS of FREE time. And some of our participants are doing it. But most are doing option 2, like me, and using some whole foods concentrates, sprouted rice protein and greens powders, along with green smoothies, salads and juice whenever it’s convenient. You can follow my process and recipes on the Six Week Detox Blog.
Love, Health and Happy Detox smiles,
Dr. Ritamarie
Tags: cleansing, detoxification programs, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, Living Foods, Raw Foods
Posted in Cleansing Programs
