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 Internal Affairs:
The Straight "Poop" on Cleansing
Over the past decade, health-conscious people have begun to think
of internal cleansing regimens when they wish to take steps to improve
their health. Many believe that programs to improve diet, exercise,
or lifestyle are best started with a “tune up” for the
body systems that eliminate unhealthy substances.
Toxins
Toxins are substances that irritate the tissues or organs of the
body, producing harmful health conditions or impairing normal body
functions. The body handles toxins either by chemically transforming
them into harmless substances or by eliminating them through the
body’s detoxification systems: the digestive, urinary, respiratory,
and lymphatic systems, and the skin.
These harmful substances can originate inside or outside the body,
and, despite our best efforts to make healthy lifestyle choices,
it is possible for the body to accumulate more toxins than it can
process and eliminate through natural body functions. Some sources
of toxins originating outside the body are:
- chemicals present in the
home and the workplace; cleaners,
off-gassing from manufactured products like carpets and furniture,
and dry cleaning residues
- low-quality, contaminated,
or chemically-treated drinking water
- poor air quality, smog,
or recirculated air in the workplace
- pesticides, poor food quality,
and food additives
- over-use or abuse of caffeine,
alcohol, and prescription
or over-the-counter medications
The body itself can also be a source of toxins. Autointoxication
occurs when the elimination systems are so overloaded or compromised
that they are unable to keep up with the quantity of toxins they
must process. Poor digestion and elimination can cause the retention
of toxic substances in the tissues, which may result in bloodstream
poisoning, reduced organ function, or possibly disease.
Stress can also cause the body to produce certain biochemicals
that must be broken down and eliminated. Stress-related chemical
changes in the body can trigger the growth of harmful intestinal
bacteria instead of beneficial bacteria, further taxing an already
overworked system.
 Internal
Cleansing and the Body’s Systems
Detoxification, or cleansing, has a long history in many cultures
as a means of purifying the body, as well as for spiritual renewal
and for an enhanced sense of vitality and well-being. Many teachers
and spiritual leaders of the world’s religions have advocated
some sort of fasting or cleansing program for both spiritual and
physical health.
Periodic cleansing offers the body an opportunity to flush out
accumulated toxins and take a break from the rigors of processing
the Western diet. Seasonal changes are key times when the body readjusts
to new patterns of light, weather, sleep, and activity, and these
can be particularly favorable times to begin a program of internal
cleansing.
Internal cleansing programs that are designed to remove toxins
from the entire body work with the body’s natural elimination
systems. These programs assist in the detoxification of the tissues
through the circulatory and lymph systems, and release the toxins
through the colon.
The liver is the body’s blood filtration station; it regulates
levels of proteins, amino acids (components of proteins), and sugar
in the blood. The liver also removes toxic substances from the blood
and excretes them in the bile, which is passed to the gall bladder,
then on to the gastrointestinal tract. A thorough internal cleansing
program will have components that reduce the toxin load on the liver
and help it eliminate the toxins that are already in the blood.
The lymphatic system is a system of nodes and vessels through which
the lymph fluid drains from the tissues of the body back into the
bloodstream. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune
system, with the nodes filtering the fluid and removing infectious
agents and contaminants. Exercise, as part of an internal cleansing
program, assists the clearing of the lymph by “massaging”
the lymph ducts as the muscles are contracted.
One of the most important ways to detoxify the body is to improve
the functioning of the digestive system. An essential component
of any program to improve digestive health is to get rid of accumulated
waste in the colon and allow it to do its job. In other words, to
“pull the plug.” Built-up toxic material on the inner
wall of the intestine impairs the intestine’s ability to extract
nutrients from food and may cause malformations of the intestinal
wall that further impair the intestine’s ability to move waste
material along. Instead of being nourished by the healthy foods
that are consumed, the body is poisoned by the rotting products
of incomplete digestion.
Fasting and Diet Modifications
Many internal cleansing programs involve a form of fasting or a
special diet designed to help the body quickly and safely eliminate
toxins, while providing a restful source of nutrition. These eating
programs emphasize the elimination of difficult-to-digest foods,
and the addition of foods that aid proper functioning of the digestive
system. Some examples are:
- A basic diet with reduced
meat, dairy products, sugar,
fat, caffeine and alcohol
- A meatless diet of cooked
or raw fruits, vegetables and
grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes
- A diet of fruits and vegetables
only
- Fruit and vegetable juices
only
Some experts advocate special diets in conjunction with other methods
of detoxification; others have voiced concerns that drastic dietary
changes can rob the body of essential nutrients, thus actually hindering
efforts to remove toxins. Selecting an appropriate cleansing program,
with or without a diet component, is a very individual decision
that should take into account general health, any medical conditions,
lifestyle, present diet, and health goals. (Because every individual
is different, it is important to consult a health care practitioner
before beginning any new diet program.)
Find out more about Simplexity's New
Seasons™ Cleansing System...
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