Detoxification: Why it Works and How to Do It
November 13, 2008
Hi all,
This is an article we wrote for the Fall 2008 issue of Body Magazine - I thought you might find it interesting!
-Tara
Feeling Better Through Detoxification
Inside this complex organism we call “you”, a remarkable set of organs and processes works vigilantly to deal with unwanted and unneeded substances that find their way from the outside of your body to the inside.
The system works quite well. At least, it used to work well. Your natural detoxification organs – things like your bowels, kidneys, liver and skin – weren’t designed to deal with the excesses of modern life. Some unnecessary food, nutrients, and bacteria? Sure. Food additives, environmental toxins and modern stresses? That’s another matter altogether.
This toxic load builds over time, and can lead to an array of chronic problems like skin conditions, digestive and bowel complaints, allergies, fatigue, and headaches, to name just a few. In order to level the playing ground for your struggling system, additional forms of detoxification can be used to help your body “take out the trash” more regularly and effectively.
There are many ways to detoxify:
- Diet regimes reduce the intake of toxicity from your food, and increase fiber and water intake to help flush your system.
- Colon hydrotherapy gently cleanses the colon to improve bowel function and detoxify the liver.
- Supplements can stimulate the detoxification systems of the body, and provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need to operate effectively.
- Saunas induce sweating to help remove toxins via the skin, liver and kidneys.
- IV Chelation uses substances intravenously (vitamin C, for example) to bind to toxins and flush them from the body.
Each detoxification strategy has its unique characteristics, and may be used in combination or alone depending on the ailment and your health history. To learn more about how detoxification can help you, contact us anytime at 444-5331.
Recipe: Dr. Steve’s Breakfast Smoothie
July 4, 2008
Breakfast shakes are an easy (and tasty) way to get a full complement of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Because the sweet flavour of the fruits is so strong, you can add vegetables and still get a great, rich taste. It makes smoothies a particularly good option for people who aren’t enthusiastic vegetable eaters.
This recipe comes from our friend Dr. Steve Rallis, DC, president of Healthscore. Dr. Steve’s recipe gives you an unbelievable 10 full servings of fruits and veggies!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fruit juice (apple, orange, pineapple) -not from concentrate. Fresh squeezed is better.
- 1 banana
- ½ cup strawberries (frozen and organic are suggested)
- ½ cup blueberries (frozen and organic are suggested)
- 5 cups of baby spinach
Instructions:
- Put the fruit and juice in the blender.
- Start blender and then slowly add the baby spinach.
- Blend until smooth, adding water if necessary to change consistency from thicker to thinner.
Adding 1 tbsp of olive oil or flax seed oil is also a great way to add your essential fats to the smoothie. Protein can be added, too, and if you don’t have the juice, just use fruit and add water or soy milk!
Enjoy!
Book Review: Younger Next Year
February 19, 2008
One of my favorite health books of the past few years is Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until 80 and Beyond. I first listened to the audiobook, which is also fantastic.
The book alternates between 70-something Chris Crowley, and Henry Lodge, MD, his doctor. The combination of the two perspectives keeps you engaged, and makes the content all the more compelling. The book is centered around “Harry’s Rules” - seven rules for the reader to follow. They include such things as “Quit eating crap” or “Exercise six days a week for the rest of your life.” Not exactly earth-shattering, I know, but the delivery is what makes it stick. Crowley claims he can ski better now than he could 20 years ago, and I believe him.
Younger Next Year contains one of the most compelling arguments for exercise and eating well (among other things) that I’ve come across. If a book exists that can get you to move your body, this is it. If you’ve always wanted to take control of your health, but never quite felt motivated enough, this one’s for you.
(PS - There’s also a Younger Next Year for Women
Recipe: Jackie’s Famous Bean Salad
February 19, 2008
Here’s a great one from my friend Jackie. The best thing about this recipe? It’s unbelievably good for you, and it’s delicious. This is one of those vegetarian dishes that even the carnivore in your life will like. It’s got fish oil in it, so it’s not vegan, but other than that, it’s straight up vegie goodness.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 can of lentils, drained
- 1 can six bean mix, drained
- 1 can artichokes, diced
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1 green pepper,diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, diced
Dressing
- 4 tbl sesame oil
- 4 tbl rice vinegar
- 3 tbs fish sauce
Instructions
- Combine in bowl, toss
- Can be stored in fridge for up to one week
- Serves at least 4, or lunch every day for the week!
