Matthew Burrell N.D.
Naturopath and Neuromuscular Therapist
Detoxification is a term that is commonly used. However many people seem to be afraid of this concept.
Allow me to explain what detoxification is, the signs and symptoms to be aware of and how I can work out your risk and effect from toxicity.
WHAT IS DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification is a bodily process that is undertaken by many systems within our bodies to remove harmful substances. A question that I am often asked, is why you would consider undertaking a detoxification program when our bodies have their own way of continually identifying and removing toxic substances.
The answer is, unfortunately in today’s climate we are exposed to toxins at a far greater frequency resulting in a greater accumulation of these toxins in the body.
Dietary allergens found in many food groups such as grains (containing gluten), dairy products, food processing techniques, flavour enhancers, food colourings, preservatives and refined sugars, just to name a few, are all responsible for increasing the burden within our digestive tracts that need to be eliminated. Furthermore, there are also environmental pollutants including air quality and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s), found in everyday household cleaning products, personal care products, plastics, cigarette smoke, drugs and alcohol are adding to the accumulation of toxins.
Whilst this list seems extensive, it is important to identify and educate ourselves on these toxin containing foods and chemicals to allow you to make a more informed choice about the foods you eat, the products you use on your skin and chemicals you use to clean your surrounds.
As mentioned above our bodies have their own way of identifying and dealing with toxins. However prolonged exposure can have long term consequences. If you think about your vacuum at home once the bag or cartridge becomes full and the filters are unable to do their job properly the performance of the vacuum is reduced. Similarly to the vacuum, once our bag becomes full and the function of our filters are reduced signs and symptoms of overload may begin to present.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OVERLOAD CAN CONSIST OF:
- Fatigue
- Irregular bowel habits (more or less that 1-2 times daily)
- Diarrhoea/Constipation
- Excessive gas/ bloating
HOW WE CAN WORK OUT YOUR RISK AND EFFECT FROM TOXICITY
Here at Claridge Naturopathics, we have created the REFRESH GIT Detoxification program to deal with the toxicity picture. To help support this awareness we would like to give you our FREE TOXICITY Pop Quiz, to see if a GIT detoxification would be suitable for you. Detoxification can vary greatly from person to person as does the toxicity picture. So, it is therefore important to individualise all treatment strategies.
Detoxification is improved when the structure is working the way they are intended leading to optimal functioning. While we generally think of the liver primarily as our detoxification organ our skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), kidneys, circulatory and lymph systems all play a role.
Starting with a GIT detoxification is all about improving and strengthening your protective barriers. This keeps the bad guys out, but allows the good guys in to thrive. Like your lawn at home, if you allow a few weeds to grow and do not remove them they can spread throughout the whole lawn. Remove the bad guys, plant new seeds and feed the good guys so that the lawn will flourish.
Our REFRESH GIT Detoxification program focuses on eating quality food that reduces the load on the body and enhances the detox process. We integrate a number of high-quality practitioner only supplements to help in the eradication of the bad guys, improve bowel structure, sow new seeds and fertilise the seed to optimise function.
Our Program is not about fad dieting or starving yourself. It is about education, quality food and a program that is individualised to suit your needs.
Keep an eye out for future instalments of our detoxification series, in which we will also look at the ‘Clean 15’ and the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and the ways that our food choices can reduce our toxic exposure.
If you would like any further information on detoxification or our REFRESH GIT Detoxification program, please feel free to make an appointment with our reception team by calling 03 52218220.
Take care,
Matt
